After being diagnosed 6 years ago with Lone PAF & put on 200mgs of Flecainide, all has been satisfactory to date. However, yesterday after an unusual early supper of 2 Black pudding sausage rolls (may not be relevant but the only different fact), I got what I think was my first case of Flutter just before bedtime. Nothing as discomforting as regular AF but of concern particularly as it has been mentioned here that Flecainide can cause Flutter.
Can anyone provide advice from their experience on anything connected with Flutter, which would be really valued. I am making an appointment with my cardiologist tomorrow but personal experience has in the past been equally helpful.
Written by
secondtry
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have also been taking 200mg of Flecainide for nearly six years and have had many short runs of Flutter which my EP and cardiologist say is caused by Flec. Neither man is concerned as the episodes are short (averaging 10 minutes), slowish (110-130) and my ECG's are satisfactory otherwise. Certainly not as debilitating as AF and I try not to worry if it starts but not nice.
My cardiologist told me a couple of years back that if necessary a Flutter ablation could be done with high chance of success if it became a nuisance. Interestingly, since I started Nebivolol 2.5mg 18 months ago, my ectopics have been much, much calmer and I cannot remember my last run of Flutter. Might just be co-incidence.
I was at work all day no problems. Cycled to work and cycled back no problems. Took my 1.25 mg evening Bisop and bingo 1.5 hrs later tight chest and just had a couple of good thump ectopics.
Am I putting 2 plus 2 together and getting 5 or do I have vagal Af and the Bisop is doing me no good ?
So irritating Rod, I too found ectopics started when I was quietly sitting reading or at the computer. Whether it’s Bisop or just your heart being irritated is guesswork but it doesn’t help with your faith in the drug.
Ectopics are thought to be influenced by the vagus nerve and I remember reading that they start when vagal tone is low (not quite sure what that means) but vagal tone can be improved by controlled, slow, deep breathing which can actually stop the ectopics or at least lessen them.
There is an excellent video by Dr Sanjay Gupta on breathing to stop ectopics, if you search the top right box with key words. Basically you breathe in with your belly muscles to a count of 5 and out to a count of 5, using the same muscles. Repeat for at least 5 minutes. I found it invaluable.
Vagal AF - which some cardiologists don’t acknowledge exists - usually starts at night or after food. Ectopics are linked to AF only in the case that sometimes an ectopic is the starting gun for a bout of arrhythmia.
Certainly a tight chest reminds me of Bisop and how miserable I felt when taking it. I hope you get some joy from your GP and can try an alternative.
I was asymptomatic in afib even at 190 resting, however 9 days post succesful afib ablation I developed reentrant atrial flutter 140bpm (described as rate controlled) I was on 50mg flecainide and 200mg diltiazem. I was breathless just walking Into the kitchen for a brew!
It would not go away so 3 weeks later I had a SECOND ablation for the flutter. The EP s registrar advised it was possibly promoted by the flecainide.
Not had either afib nor flutter since. ( I don't think!) 2 years for the afib, a month less for the flutter.
Hi secondtry. I had an ablation for flutter in 2010 that was successful. Nothing was done about my AF at the time. I had a 24 hour ECG recently which showed that I was in continuous flutter. I have been taking Flecainide for many years (well before the ablation), and my understanding is that it can cause flutter. I am awaiting a Cardiologist appointment. I am one of the lucky ones who are not affected much by AF. As a final comment I had an ECG about 12 months plus after the ablation. A Cardiologist stated it was flutter, but the Electrophysiologist who performed the operation said that it was AF! TerryW.
I was told by my cardiologist that I needed to take bisoprolol to prevent flutter as a side effect of flecainide when it was preventing the heart from going into afib. I was on 1.5 mg of Bis and and had my first episode of flutter. I took the remainder or the 5mg pill (3.5mg) and it went away in 45min. He told me to up the daily dose of Bis to 2.5mg. It slows me down too much so I am going to PIP Bis and see if it happens again. It was the first time I used the Kardia and e-mailed the ecg to him.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Atrial flutter Not Afib
Atrial flutter and increase in flecainide
Difference between Afib and atrial flutter
Flutters
