Using drugs to control frequent attacks of flutters

[ThinLizzy1]

I have attacks of flutters that last several hours and either stop unaided or by my taking Flecinade.

I have had an ablation 6 months ago which improved the position hugely however of late it has slipped back to several attacks a week. During the attacks my heartbeat is irregular and feels like it is working at 80% capacity in that I can even lightly exercise but am a little bit more laboured.

I have heard of Flecinade acting in a preventative manner as opposed to PIP I just wonder if it works for others and what are the downsides or upsides?

[CDreamer]

May I suggest that you book an appointment with your consultant as soon as possible.

If your pulse is irregular then it is more likely to be AFib rather than AFl as AFl is a regular, irregularity of the pulse - ie it will feel fast, but regular, whilst AF is an irregular, irregularity so will feel fast....pause......pause...fast.fast.fast.fast.......pause.

AFl is a condition of the right atrium whilst AFib of the left and therefor a little trickier to ablate.

Have you got a Kardia because an ECG is really the only way to diagnose? AFl shows up as a ‘saw tooth’ pattern whilst AF lacks a ‘P’ wave and illustrated the irregularity of the rhythm.

You would need to consult your consultant to ask whether or not Flec would be appropriate for you. Daily doses prevented my episodes (AF with AFl) for a while - until episodes broke through. It’s still a dirty drug to take - ie - has reasonably high toxicity - so you need to be very careful you never, ever exceed the maximum daily dose of 300mg. Even the maximum dose eventually could not hold the AF - but everyone responds very differently.

Hope that helps.

[ThinLizzy1 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for the reply my current symptoms are identical to those prior to my ablation. I have had EGGs and a full heart MRI scan in the last 12 months I am just trying to establish people's views on Flecinade as a regular preventative drug as opposed to either taking it as a PIP or waiting for another ablation.

[rosyG in reply to ThinLizzy1]

Hi

If you take flecanide regularly you should have a beta or channel blocker too to prevent problems that flec can cause

[Georgie8 in reply to CDreamer]

I have been told I have Aflutter and my heart beat is irregular, and I am on the waiting list for ablation at Bristol, but I cannot make up my mind to have it done