Flecainide causing Acid Reflux causing Episodes?

[BigArnie]

Hello all,

I have recently started to take daily Flecainide for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. 2 x 50mg for around 10 days and now 2 x 100mg for the last 2 days as the number of episodes actually increased on the first dose.

One odd effect from the beginning with the Flec, is that just after breakfast I was/am either having an episode or felt/feel that I nearly am having one, almost every day. I take a minimal 10mg of Omeprazole per day, which has managed my acid reflux perfectly for 20 years, but given what is happening, and that it seems to start in the stomach (albeit no burning as such) I am wondering if the Flec could be increasing the acid reflux which in turn is somehow triggering more episodes.

(I am also super sensitive to bending over and changing my posture quickly at the best of times.)

Is anyone aware of or experienced anything like this when on Flec?

Many thanks.

[CDreamer]

If you eat carbohydrates for breakfast such as cereal, bread or pasties - that causes acid reflux but it was Dabigatran that was difficult for me.

You should take Flecainide on an empty stomach and not eat for 1-2 hours either side of taking it so if you are taking your Flecainide anywhere near food it could well cause the symptoms you describe. Change the timings you take your Flec and see if that makes a difference.

Bending over is postural so more likely to be vagus nerve stimulation but lots you can do to help vagal tone.

[BigArnie in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CDreamer, yes it is usually cereal. Interestingly, I was just chatting with a cardiologist online and he said that if you have an acid reflux history then you should take the Flec with food. He did also say though to avoid milk as this can affect the absorption of the Flec. But you're right - I am going to play around with the timings of Flec, Food and Omep to see what works for me.

I am acutely aware of the vagal nerve and the link with postural change etc. In fact, until today I had assumed it was exactly that. I am very typically vagal. BUT, the thing is that I have had GERD/Acid Reflux under control for many years, but once it wasn't and I now realise that some things I have been doing to avoid Afib episodes are almost precisely designed to cause more acid e.g. swapping out alcohol for fizzy fruit drinks and swapping tea/coffee for fruit and mint teas!

[Hidden]

Hi,

My take is that of course your medication could stir the acid reflux up s tad. If you look in your meds packet there should be a slip of paper which will list a number of side effects. Of course if yours isn't listed it doesn't mean that you aren't experiencing it.

Another take is that if you have had this for many years and given issues with posture changes a sensitive/inflamed or dysfunctional vagal nerve could be behind it all. Suggest you read up on vagal nerve. It's like an information superhighway between brain, heart and digestive system ( as well as many other organs) it's often commonly associated with food ( and drinks in some) and the onset of an AF event.

John

[BigArnie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks John, I am acutely aware of the vagal nerve and the link with postural change etc. In fact, until today I had assumed it was exactly that. I am very typically vagal. BUT, the thing is that I have had GERD/Acid Reflux under control for many years, but once it wasn't and I now realise that some things I have been doing to avoid Afib episodes are almost precisely designed to cause more acid e.g. swapping out alcohol for fizzy fruit drinks and swapping tea/coffee for fruit and mint teas!

[secondtry]

In the very early days pre Lone PAF diagnosis, I had (like many AFers) acid reflux to the point of seeing a consultant. You probably want to manage one change at a time but I would in due course look to come off the meds for reflux and instead seek an experienced Alternative Practitioner and make Lifestyle changes. I say this as mine has gone now and I still take Flecainide.