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jillybeanposh profile image
17 Replies

Morning everyone, if anyone has a session of AF and they take there PIP how often do they take it. Like would you take it again the next day. I had a session last night and now heart has settled, it’s not going fast but is not a good bump

Bump bump. I was just wondering if to take it again today.

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jillybeanposh profile image
jillybeanposh
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17 Replies

You need to discuss this with your doctor. Assuming you are talking about a rhythm drug such as Flecainide, it is crucial that you do not exceed the maximum dose of 300 mg in any one 24 hour period. If the PiP approach appears to be not working for you, then discuss the option of a regular daily maintenance dose with your Doctor as this may stabilise rhythm. Flecainide is a strong medication and any changes to your prescribed dose should be discussed with your doctor.....

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce

It depends on what your PIP is Jilly. Mine is flec and 300 mg in any 24 hours is the max you can take. I'm on 100 mg twice a day so can only take another 100 mg as a PIP. It's worked so far though.

Just one more thing to add. This is my personal experience. I found that taking my PIP put me back in sinus - however my heart rate was higher for a few days after the afib. I was in sinus but my rate stayed higher for 3 or 4 days after. It was hitting the 80's and 90's (high for me at rest) but still in normal rhythm. This could account for the 'bumping'. It went back to normal but still worries you for a few days. I found I was nervous for about a week afterwards but it passes.

If in doubt a call to your doc might put your mind at ease.

Paul

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply to Paulbounce

I'm having similar to what you describe Paul. Odd kardia readings despite taking pip. Emailed to consultant who is on leave until Sept apparently!

I concur with you on the dosage . Hope you're better soon jellybean xx

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply to wilsond

Ok Wil - I really hope it goes well for you. It's a worry I know. I hope your kardia readings return a postive result in a few days - fingers crossed for you.

Please keep us updated about how you get on - I for one will look out for your update ;-)

Try to relax as much as you can and try not to worry to much. Easy to say I know - try your best though.

Loads of good wishes.

Paul

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply to Paulbounce

Even better , 100 miles from home without a car I can drive . Husband drove me as mine off road !

Staying with bereaved 80+ relative who needs to go into care...her son arriving soon ( I hope!)

Usual red tape nonsenses.

However ticker seems calmer...🙂

Gawd give me strength

Dawn

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply to wilsond

Good luck Wil. Sounds like you're coping really well. Good on you and keep up the good work.

I'm turning off the computer for ther evening soon but will check for your updates first thing in the morning,

Best,

Paul

sotolol profile image
sotolol in reply to wilsond

I know the feeling then consultant away disappointing to say the least.

Feel for you. Hope you get relief and it all goes back to SR. BLOOMING CONDITION. Hope you get some sleep. 😕 x

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply to sotolol

Thank you and hope you are back in Sinus soon too xx

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo in reply to Paulbounce

Is it not the "nervous" response that itself produces adrenaline which keeps your heart rate higher??

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply to KMRobbo

Yes I think it can be Robbo.

There are ways of helping with this - however these can be be very additive drugs, and they may cause more problems than they solve. Long term they are not a good idea and should only be taken with your doctors advice. They will hit your central nervous system and chill you out within an hour. For me I find a flec and one of these takes my HR down to a good level asap.

To answer your comment - yes there are cetain things that help. However - please note I'm not medicially trained in anyway what so ever.

To be VERY CLEAR this is something to discuss with your doctor. It also depends on other med's you are taking.

A drop of my HR from 80 to 60 is good for me when I'm back in afib. However you need to discuss this with your doctor - it might be right for you - it may be wrong for you too. It depends on your other med's.

I won't go in to more detail on the forum - however I'm sure you'll work it out.

Once again ONLY GO NOW THIS ROUTE after speaking to your doctor. Whatever you do don't be tempted to self medicate and buy online - that's a very bad idea indeed.

Paul

doodle68 profile image
doodle68

Hi Jilly 😊 you say....

''𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘮𝘱''

maybe you are not in AF but having PACs (ectopic beats)

What does your pulse feel like..

I often get runs of PACs before and after an episode of AF.

jillybeanposh profile image
jillybeanposh in reply to doodle68

Hi there, I’m not having Ectopic heart beats. It’s just like the beats are struggling a bit. Been like it before and it has finally settled down. Have spoken to someone just waiting for my cardiologist to call me back. Thankyou

jillybeanposh profile image
jillybeanposh

Hi there, I take 100 mg morning and night, I only take the pip when I know I am anxious. But I take the extra 100 when I am actually in AF. Thankyou

I have not had an attack in 19 months, but my instructions are to take 200 mg of Flecainide immediately at the first sign of A Fib. I do not take any other medications on a regular basis, just vitamins and minerals.

I am to wait a minimum of 12 hours before taking another 100 mg if I have not converted to sinus rhythm. As everyone has said, the max dose within 24 hours is 300 mg

When I was getting low on pills and trying to make them last, I discovered that 150 mg was sufficient to convert me. Pill splitters are great!

Every single time I had to take my Flecainide I was back in rhythm within 2-3 hours or after 6 trips to the bathroom to pee, as long as I took it at the first sign. Waiting to take it just prolonged the ordeal.

The next day I am dragging because it reduces my heart rate into the low 40's. It rebounds within 36 hours.

I also discovered that the pills need to be fresh to work quickly, so even if not taking them regularly, I get refills every 60 days. My doctor agrees that stale Flec will not work as well.

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply to

"My doctor agrees that stale Flec will not work as well"

That's worth noting Mollybear. I was unaware of this but sure you are right. I just get a months supply these day's due to not traveling abroad at the moment. However in the past I have requested a much longer supply to cover my trip.

I'll check this out - if things don't improve next year (and I can't see it will just yet!) I'm going to take my chances with travel again - what will be will be. It's worth being aware of your comment though.

I have found the 'home grown' flec abroad is not as good in some countries. Bulgaria for example, and some other eastern european countries, have banned flec unless it's slow release. Fine if you are in sinus but not if you need it as a PIP.

You learn so much from this forum - ty for your tip about a short life span regrading flec.

Best,

Paul

jillybeanposh profile image
jillybeanposh

That’s worth knowing about the pills. How old is stale though. How long have you been having AF. I was diagnosed in 2012 but think I had it before that. I didn’t know what it was I was always told it was a virus. Crazy.

jillybeanposh profile image
jillybeanposh

Morning all, not back in sinus rhythm yet. Not going fast just messing around. Have woken up every hour for a wee. Did drink a lot of water last night though.! When I was having a cuppa heart beat was shaking me. Have

Checked it is 60. Took 100 mg of

Flecanide. Am going to try and get back to

Sleep. Get so fed up of it sometimes. X

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