EP appt

[Maisiemay13]

Had an EP appointment today have been taken off beta blocker and put on 50mg twice a day of Flecainide any advice on this Med would be appreciated I note I have to take on an empty stomach. Due back to see EP in six months.

[Hidden]

I couldn't take the beta blocker as the lowest dose of bisoprolol brought my heart rate down too low. I am very impressed that you got an appointment with an EP. I was diagnosed over two years ago and have finally persuaded the useless cardiologist I have seen, to refer me on to an EP but goodness knows when that will be. I saw an EP privately and he prescribed flecainide which I use as a PIP very successfully- episodes rarely last more than a couple of hours and usually far less. When they began occurring more frequently, the EP suggested taking the flecainide regularly 50mg morning and evening but though it worked for a short while, I then had episodes which was more scarey as I then needed to take more of the stuff to prevent them. It was suggested that I take 100mg in the morning and 50 at night but that nearly finished me off draining me of energy (and might have given me constipation which I don't usually ever have) so I have gone back to taking it as a PIP (with bisoprolol if the heart rate continues over 140 after twenty minutes) as I was initially instructed to do. I have since learnt that I might have had one of the episodes because of eating too soon after taking the tablets but not other episodes. Hope it works for you but we are all different.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Hidden]

I do not always know when I am in AF I dislike taking meds as they dislike me so not looking forward to what reaction I get! I will take it at around 5 tonight but will have to take at 6.30 or 7 in the morning as note it has to be empty stomach and not eat for an hour afterwards ! Think it’s pot luck where you live! I went for private cardiologist as still waiting since June with appt next March which has just been cancelled and awaiting another appointment the private cardiologist wrote to my GP to get me referred to EP.

[Gowers in reply to Hidden]

Interesting to read your link with eating too soon

[Finvola]

Flecainide has been a real boon for me. I’ve been taking 2 x 100mg for over five years and have had no AF in that time. Like you, I was unwilling to take drugs at first but the AF episodes were interfering so much with my life that I decided it was better this way.

Lifestyle changes can help with the effectiveness of any therapy for AF - the usual list of: diet, alcohol, weight, exercise and stress being the main factors to address. I hope it controls your AF as much as it has mine. Best wishes on it.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you, thankfully weight and diet (veggie ) good,exercise is only walking dogs but not the usual long walks due to feeling shattered so hopefully will get back to normal,only drink socially and then no more than two glasses of wine

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Finvola]

Hi do you also take a beta blocker as well ? I was told to stop taking mine straight away ?

[Finvola in reply to Maisiemay13]

Yes, I take 2.5mg Nebivolol which my EP says is essential to keep my heart rate down in the event of atrial flutter which can be started by Flecainide. So far, so good, except for very short occasional bursts.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Finvola]

Ok I was told to stop my beta blocker so what should I do ?

[Finvola in reply to Maisiemay13]

You need to follow your physician’s advice as it is tailored for your needs. If you have doubts, a phone call to his secretary may set your mind at rest.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Finvola]

What a good idea thank you

[secondtry in reply to Maisiemay13]

I have a lowish HR (52) and my cardiologist put me on 100mgs x2 per day Flecainide with no BB as he said that would make me feel unwell. This plan has worked well for 5+ years and I have checked twice with him that most medics say BB should accompany Flecainide in case HR goes sky high. I think it important that Flec is taken on an empty stomach (for me that's 4 hrs after a meal) and you then don't eat for an an hour after taking, followed this religiously since starting.

[Gowers in reply to secondtry]

Interesting to read yours & others posts re eating/ taking Flec - I'm going to look into altering how I take it in view of others experiences. Thank you

[Hidden]

Maisie, we are not medically trained but from what I have heard from those who are, Flecainide generally, should not be taken as a regular daily dose unless it is accompanied with either a betablocker or a calcium channel blocker. Apparently it may cause the onset of Atrial Flutter. This does not apply when taking Flecainide occasionally as a PiP.

Just to be on the safe side, I suggest you check this out with your doctor.

[Maisiemay13]

It was the EP that gave it to me today ? He said I could not take it as a pip as I do not always know when in AF ? Do you think he may have got it wrong ?

[wilsond in reply to Maisiemay13]

I would check it out for your peace of mind. When I was first given Flecanide as a daily dose,I went into Flutter for the first time ever after a week. Not saying you will but I would strongly suggest you do check this to be on safe side. I take Flec as pill in pocket now,with a dose of bisoprolol too. Best wishes xx

[Hidden]

Although many also take a beta blocker, they don’t suit all of us and I don’t think you should worry - just follow medical advice. I have taken Flecainide 50mg twice daily for 18 months and my only other med is an anticoagulant & I’m fine with no major episodes, as are many others on here on similar regimes.

I understand that in some people Flecainide can induce other arrhythmias such as atrial flutter, but why worry about something that may never happen? If you have a problem, other drugs/treatments can be tried.

Wishing you all the best

Pat x

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

I agree to a point,but taking flecanide alone put me into Flutter after a week,so now I have TWO arrthymias!

It is a known risk which can be avoided. I would advise checking it out at least,why risk another problem to deal with....

[Bagrat]

I've been taking regular flecainide for nearly 9 years without a betablocker. Was on 100 twice a day now 50 twice a day. I couldn't take bisoprolol as hr dropped. Occasional runs of tachycardia for no reason but breathing ex settles that. Only one episode AF since.

Your EP will know what he's doing and the risk/ benefits of his meds. I'm no spring chicken (75)

[Angie06]

I've been taking flecainide 50mg×2 daily for 11yrs and never been put on a beta blocker. My heart rate has always been normal (except when anxious) and no AF since the original so the flecainide is definitely working for me but now I'm wondering whether to ask about a beta blocker or let sleeping dogs lie!

Also no side effects that I've noticed despite taking my evening dose after a meal as I eat early.

[Maisiemay13]

Morning all you lovely people thank you for your replies it does put my mind at rest to hear that some of you are on the same regime

[Tapanac]

I thought flecainide had to be taken in conjunction with beta blocker. At least that was what I was told. Wishing you well

[Palpman]

I have had SVT for 27 years and was given Flecainide with Calcium Channel Blocker.

My SVT's ceased. My BP was 100/70 so I stopped the CCB pills. This eventually caused my SVT to morph into AF.

I restarted my CCB pills and no more AF. The CCB had no significant effect on my BP.

[Rubyray]

I have a pace maker since March 4 because of very low heart rate. I also take flecainide 50mg 2 times a day along with some other drugs. I have had to struggle with constipation ever since I started the flecainide. I now take 250mg of magnesium which seems to help the constipation.

[wilsond]

Maisiemay13 hope you are getting this checked out for your peace of mind.x

[Maisiemay13 in reply to wilsond]

My GP told me to speak to EP but cannot get through to his secretary