Anyone taking propafenone?

[Bambi65]

My doc suggested and recommended taking 1 propafenone and 1 diltiazem, together every 12 hours. I hate taking med, and putting these chemicals in my body, but I agreed that I would try if for a week to see if it would stop afib. Well it hasnt. After two days worth of taking meds, now I go into afib at a lower rate. My HR is mid to lower 50's. Checked with kardia, I get 3 quick beats , then a long pause, then 3 quick beats, then another long pause. And Im tired and frustrated, bad combination for me. I feel like crap with this kind of Afib. Rather have my old style afib than this slow crappy kind. I called the doc tonight and he said to stop the diltiazem. May go see him in the morning.

[Jalia]

I was put on Diltiazem many years ago and it was useless for my AF and made me feel terrible so soon came off that.

Can't help with Propafenone but I'm sure others will help. I believe BobD takes this.

[BobD Volunteer]

When I took one diltiazem I thought I would die... and wanted to. Never again. Propafanone works for me even if I do get a few side effects like odd taste.

By the way what you describe sounds more like ectopic beats and pauses than AF. Know just what it feels like .

[Bambi65 in reply to BobD]

I thought it wasnt afib until I Kardia-ed it. Missed the pre-bum before the beat then is showed Afib. 1 hour later I was out of it with a few extra beats here and there. I havent had any problem with taste. Just dont like the idea of taking them both at the same time. Expecially when my HR is already in the mid to low 50's.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Bambi65]

I can't take calcium channel blockers like diltiazem as my ankles and feet swell and I can't get shoes on. Propafanone as well as being anti-arrhythmic also has a beta blocking effect and can slow your heart.

[Bambi65 in reply to BobD]

I was only using the Dilz. occasionally and only as a rescue when my HR got and stayed high during Afib. But taking it 2x a day every day, naw,,, I just can do that. Dosent make sense to me.

[Buffafly]

I used to take propafenone and Diltiazem but I was taken off them because of too slow HR. Diltiazem alone seems ok.

[Bambi65 in reply to Buffafly]

Doc told me that the P was to keep me out of afib, while the D would keep my HR down. Well, I told him that if Im not in Afib then my HR stays normal. He just said they work together. After the last couple of days, Im calling bullshit~!

[Hidden]

I was on propafenone for many years and it worked perfectly keeping me in rhythm. It did not slow my heart down, it just corrected the rhythm.

Don't know the other drug, but been on beta-blockers before to slow my heart down and I felt utterly dreadful and stopped them.

[cuore in reply to Hidden]

I know that this is four months late, but how many year, what dosage, and was it after ablation? I was prescribed propafenone 300 mg x 2 after my third ablation seven months ago. For me, I believe it is contributing to my slow heart rate , generally always in mid -forties b.p.m. I have no idea how much longer I have to stay on it.

[Hidden in reply to cuore]

I think I was on 150mg x 2 a day for years (it was a long time ago, so not 100% certain!) but I stopped taking it straight after an ablation. Not had it since. It didn't slow my heart rate much if at all, just steadied it is what I remember.

Perhaps worth asking for a review?

[dmjtanner]

Hi Bambi, sorry the drug combination didn’t work out. Sounds like the Propafenone is similar to Sotalol in that it is combination anti-arrhythmic and beta blocker as Bob D said. The difference is P is sodium channel blocker and S is potassium channel blocker. I too have had those weird 3 quick beats followed by a pause. I think those are called triplets, but not actual

a-fib....scary though. Heart rate in 50’s doesn’t sound too bad, mine is usually in the 40’s and 50’s unless I am out walking or working in the house. I have a 48 hour heart monitor on at the moment. My younger sister (who does not have a-fib), also has a heart monitor on today due to a low heart rate. Electrical heart issues run in our family.

[Cookie24]

I take those two meds and the combo works for me.

[lakebudd]

You should probably get a cardioversion first to get your heart back in rhythm then use the Propafenone to keep it in rhythm. Propafenone alone will not convert you back into rhythm. If heart rate becomes too slow, maybe you can lower the beta blocker dosage. I was on Propafenone and it did keep my hear in rhythm with little side effects. We all hate taking meds but sometimes it is unavoidable and it can greatly improve your quality of life.

[Bambi65 in reply to lakebudd]

I cancelled an ablation and dont want any kind of medical proceedure. I've only been on this stuff 5 days, (stopped the diltizan on day 1) my heart rate drops to mid 40s, and I've had afib and irregular heart beats every day since! I'm not going to take this crap any more, too rough on this body.

[lakebudd]

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having controlling the afib. I can see why you cancelled the ablation. They don't usually work long term. I have had two which kept me in rhythm for about two years then back into afib. But if you had a cardioversion, which is a very safe procedure (just paddles on back and chest to jolt you back into rhythm).And follow that up with an anti-fib drug. I took Propafenone which worked for me. The thing for you is to find a drug that doesn't lower your heart rate into the 40s. Ask you doctor for best alternative.

[Bambi65 in reply to lakebudd]

I've done 3 or 4 in the last 2 yrs, with horrid side effects. The acupuncture and herbs have been the best so far. Guess I'm gonna go back.