Hey everyone, Since being diagnosed back in February this year and starting my journey with AF, I have been taking flecainide, initially 200 mg per day then 100mg and now currently 50mg. I do not seem to tolerate it very well hence the progressive reduction. I take regular exercise closely monitoring my heart rate and making sure I do not overdo it. Now the other day I headed out for a run with my hounds and just felt low energy followed by very low energy at the end, my chest heart rate monitor gave no contra-indications and on return, my version of a Kardia showed no arrhythmia but my BP was in my boots. I know that Flecainide can cause low BP but was wondering if it might build up? The previous few days prior I had been doing DIY and not taking my usual daily exercise. N=1 or perhaps others have experienced similar.
Flecainide Thoughts: Hey everyone... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Flecainide Thoughts
I have found Flecainide reduces energy a bit and pulse a bit. Also, get in the habit of listening to your body, if you feel low energy don't push it. Maybe that drug is not for you, I would relate your experience to a medic.
I have experienced hair loss and extream itching over my whole body (even palms).
Started with adiodarone. Then also with flecanide. Alergy consultant said I had staff infection. Could be as I had shoulder reconstruction 5 weeks ago. Antibiotics perscribed now yeast infection. It's always something! Darn Statins created a weakening in my muscles, tendons and ligaments. Cat crossing in front of my dog caused him to lurch, tearing my bicept, ect. GOTTA WATCH THOSE SIDE EFFECTS.
I would see the Doc, they will have knowledge and experienced to know if you need to change meds. I thought Flecainide was a miracle drug for 3 months then it gave me bad Aflutter (had to have Cardioversion). The majority of people get on well with it but if your one of the few you need to know and only the Doc will know. Don't change any meds on your own initiative, many work together to control your heart, reducing or stopping them could make things a lot worst.
Very similar - had 3 blessed months a fib free on flecanide (200mg per day) but the flecanide has now caused atrial flutter on top of afib ! Now booked in for double ablation of afib and atrial flutter (56 year old female with no other core morbitities)
200mg daily wiped me out and sorry to hear that it seemd it did not suit you either. Best wishes for your ablation, it seems that too is my next step, daunting prospect but I read positive things in this forum from folk who have had it done and feel sure it's the way to go.
Thats good news, the silver lining for me was that I was then put on top of the ablation waiting list, got it done 6 weeks later in February 2019, recovery was a lot harder and longer than the EP said but much in line with the information leaflets on this site. Now 9 months later feeling good and started work again. I have posted my ablation and recovery experience if you want to see how I got on, it may be very similar to what you will be going through.
Thanks for the replies, I'm being well looked after. I have an appointment at the end of the month with the surgeon with a view to an ablation and have discussed my issues with flecainide with the cardiologist and médecin hence the reduction to 50mg daily. It seems to have kept the AFib at bay. I was just curious that my low BP seemed to line up with no recognised exercise taken as if the half life of the drug had increased in my system without daily exercise? Not planning on stopping my meds, BP is back to normal as is the daily routine of light exercise so the experiment continues 
I use flecainide as a PIP (pill in the pocket) taking it if/when I have an episode when it works very well at stopping them (sometimes accompanied by bisoprolol if very fast) . When episodes were occurring more frequently it was suggested that I take it regularly. 50mg taken twice a day failed to prevent episodes (and then I had to take more as PIP to stop them) and 100mg taken in the morning tired me out for the rest of the day and also failed to prevent episodes. So now I no longer take it regularly and am really trying to find triggers and avoid them which mostly means staying calm and not rushing and being very careful over bending down! We are all different and must just work out what works for us as individuals. And all the other stuff like no alcohol, tea or coffee and no meals after eight. Good luck with finding what works for you. And when you've found it, don't boast that you've cracked it as that tends to bring episodes back!
If I find the cure I'm heading for the dragons den and riches!!!
I have been on Flecainide since September after nine uneventful months after cardioversion. I don’t feel right. Nothing I can put my finger on just like being a six cylinder engine running on four or five cylinders. Went out last night as I was doing a case in London for two days and had four glasses of wine and a large supper. Felt crap, pulse was steady but fast but ectopics galore. I have sadly come to the conclusion that alcohol and large portions are just not going to work. Bad knee means I haven’t been running and I just generally feel 70%. The constant weeing at night on the occasions it happens doesn’t help either. Blimey reading this back to myself makes me think if I was a horse it would be a one way trip to the Vets LOL!
Flecainide works for my Afib but I do not tolerate it well, general lethargy occasional low blood pressure, itchy eyes etc. So for me its hopefully an ablation in the New Year after a consultation today with my surgeon, I have another heart issue which is kind of throwing a spanner in the works but it looks promising. I gave up alcohol completely earlier this year after ending up in A&E with arrhythmia and a possible stroke. Thankfully no stroke but as I was on holiday at the time and had relaxed with a couple of beers, I drew a line between the alcohol and the Afib and went dry. Meal size is an interesting obsevation, I tend to eat a low carb diet so portion size for me tends to be fairly small volume-wise but can see how a blow out might overload the system!! Better the Vets than the Knackers Yard!! Take it easy.
Itchy eyes, mine are major problem but never connected it...just got to keep on keeping on.
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