Newbie

[ramblerbaz3]

Hi, have been diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF in the last week and am taking Lixiana as anti coagulant.....seen consultant & advised to take Flecainide on a PIP basis when I get an episode. Have experienced AF on & off for the best part of a year, had holter meter fitted for 7 days with no symptoms showing, ECG & Echocardiogram all ok . Eventually bought a Kardia Mobile device & when I had an episode this confirmed AF when emailed results to GP. These devices are well worth the money!!!!!

[Paulbounce]

Good post Baz - the Kardia is a useful device and handy for letting your GP know what's going on.

Just one thing about flec - it's a great PIP and can stop afib in it's tracks - it's certainly worked for me. Follow your doc's advice on when / how much to take should the need arise. It seems to be a moot point as some say wait 20 minutes to see if you return to sinus on your own before taking it. I have no medical qualifications at all but for me I neck it the second afib appears - that's just my personal take on the matter. I think the sooner the better. One missed beat and it's down the hatch. I aways have one in my pocket 'just in case'.

Like I say though that's just my personal take on the matter and we are all different. It's also worth noting to get a good 'hit' it's better taken on an empty stomach. Sometimes if our HR seems to rise without a good reason it (only) might be an indication of possible afib coming. In this case eat little that day so the flec can be quickly aborbed if you need to use it as a PIP.

Paul

EDIT - just to add when I say 'one missed beat and it's down the hatch' it's not meant that literary. I should have expressed it a little better and said when afib returns (and I know when it does now) I take my PIP within a minute or so.

[ramblerbaz3 in reply to Paulbounce]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the tips re-: Flec , my cardiologist has told me to take 2 tablets on the outset of an episode, so will definitely “ neck” 😊 a couple as soon as I have an attack.

Thanks again & all the best to you !!

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the place you would rather not be! Sounds like you are on track with your treatment plan. The Kardia is an excellent bit of kit and most EP’s (cardiologist’s who specialise in arrhythmias) welcome reports because episodes can be difficult to capture.

Can I suggest you click on the link below as this will take you to one of the “Pinned Posts” to the right of this page. From there you can access lots of useful and helpful information which will enable to find out more about AF.

healthunlocked.com/afassoci.........

As Paul says, it is important to follow your Doctor’s instructions but it is important not to exceed 300mg within a 24 period. I’m pleased he qualified the speed at which he takes it tho. Most people have ectopics so you don’t want to take it too quick, always take it as prescribed by your Doctor.

[ramblerbaz3 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack......Thanks for the welcome & tips. I will certainly click on the link as all information is welcome.

Forewarned is definitely Forearmed !!!

The Kardia is a great bit of kit & picked the AF up as soon as I was having the episode. It was a relief to know what was happening.

All the best to you !!

[Angel150]

I have an Apple Watch and yes, these 'gadgets' are worth their weight in gold. I did an ECG on mine when I was in AF - graph sent to my phone and emailed / printed out for consultants. Without this aid I might have just put it down to feeling a bit dizzy etc. The varying ECG's picked up (or not) on Novocor and Izo are good but only if you have an attack whilst fitted to one.

[ramblerbaz3 in reply to Angel150]

Hi Angel150,

Yes they are so worth it...I don’t think my AF would ever have been picked up if not for the Kardia.

All the best!!

[secondtry]

Two issues to mention re Flecainide:

the first has already been touched on, it may not be absorbed properly or make you nauseous if taken inside 3hrs after a meal and then you shouldn't eat for 1 hour afterwards (all this is on the leaflet I believe, I have been doing it for 6 years but now it has been raised I need to check the instructions haven't changed!) - this could be tricky if you are doing PIP as you may not want to wait 3 hrs particularly as a heavy evening meal can set it off. If this happens to you, maybe you could try out some of the 'non pill' ways of stopping it (all mentioned here) and then take the Flec a max of 3hrs later to be fully effective.

secondly, in case it becomes relevant in the future, when I had 9 episodes in a month I requested Flec PIP but my cardiologist recommended a daily dose as he said too regular a PIP was too much like a 'rollercoaster' for the heart. I saw his logic and so far it has worked fine but I am no fan of taking any drug and am looking forward to when my lifestyle changes take enough effect to give me a chance of stopping the pills.

[ramblerbaz3 in reply to secondtry]

Hi secondtry,

Thanks very much for the information & will certainly bear in mind all the tips I am getting as a newbie.

The responses I have received are most welcome, especially when (not if) I get another out of AF.

Thanks & all the best!!

[Singwell in reply to secondtry]

Thanks for this info secondary. I'm.on.50mg twice daily and mostly it does the job. If my AF does kick in I take an extra 100mg and have today had to increase that to 150 extra altogether. I didn't know about waiting 3 hours after eating. This might explain why sometimes the extra PIP takes so long to kick in. My episodes nearly always kick in after food. I need to experiment with this. Always take morning dose a good hour before food but not my evening dose. Oddly I don't get my AF after the evening meal as a rule - only happened once - usually happens after lunch and if I rush it

[Singwell]

I'm on Flecainide 50mg X 2 and taking extra PIP up to 150 if the AF kicks off. As a med I like it - much prefer it to beta blockers as I can walk up hill, walk.fast and even run for a couple of minutes

I've not had problems with it except the first few days. I haven't noticed problems with mealtimes and taking the pills that others have mentioned

I always drink loads of water if I'm having an episode - seems to help

Good luck!