I’ve had so much conflicting advice from medical/nursing staff about flecanide. It’s my understanding that before starting flecanide it is important to know that the heart is structurally correct. Also that there is no heart disease. Also that flecanide first dose should always be administered in hospital
One cardiologist just said “ here it is just start it” . Another cardiologist suggested a echocardiogram, treadmill and blood tests,
I was started on flecainide in hospital after a very bad episode of Afib and svt. My heart was thought to be structurally sound. I imagine that was because i had had an echo and treadmill test prior to that event.
It's awful to admit, but I really can't remember when or how I started on flecainide. All I can remember is it wasn't prescribed by my GP and after starting to take it I had to have an ECG a few days later to check it's effect on my heart.
Thanks . Does it work for you ?
I'm in constant AF now, but it's low rate and never above 90's. I've been told no more ablations or cardioversions for me.
Stay safe and look after yourself. I appreciate the replies .
I had echocardiogram, x-rays, stress test and blood tests and was deemed fit by my EP to start Flecainide - which I did at home. My cardiologist takes 6-monthly ECG's to check as he describes Flecainide as 'advanced anti-arrhythmic therapy'.
Flecainide is not suitable for people with structural heart problems - hence the echo. It used to be the case that it was started under supervision in hospital but I wonder if the tests which are now routine are considered enough to give the go-ahead. I would be a bit concerned if a cardiologist has no idea about the condition of your heart telling you to 'go ahead'. Maybe I have misunderstood . . .
Reply thanks for the info
Hi kalgs.
I was put on flecanaide with no physical examination what so ever. Wasn’t even seen in person due to covid. Just told over the phone to start taking it as pip. Then when it stopped working I was put on it daily and it absolutely destroyed me. I would never touch the stuff again. Some people on here have had great success with it but something in my genetic make up did not agree with it AT ALL! Not sure if they put me on it without any checks due to me only being 34? Could be. Either way was the worst experience I’ve ever had personally 😩👎
Hopefully might be better for you
Eeee...you Essex fellas‼️‼️
Don’t know what your Great Great Grandpappy would think of you. He’d have probably said “get a grip lad”.
Probably steptoe. But then he used to hold his rifle upside down and thought his helmet was used to contain his cornflakes so can’t really take his opinion too seriously
Elli...Held his rifle upside down‼️‼️. Was that his excuse for shooting himself in the foot ❓
No but it is the reason for the bullet lodged in his skull. He shot himself in the foot when mistaking his rifle for a broom and then trying to sweep the floor with it
Ahh right ...at least he was house proud. The old deranged bugger.
What are you talking about ??
🤣🤣 just talking rubbish with ticker kalgs! You can ignore us.... inside joke
VIPs should never be ignored. Especially very important VIPs‼️
What??
Very important vips are always the most important kind
Sorry but you’re wrong, for once Sir Elli. VERY VERY important VIPs are the most important kind, especially of the Cockney variety.
Of course 🤦♂️ How could I have been so foolish!
Hey Elli...Never ever put yourself down that way. Leave that sort of thing to others. Northerners are top notch when it comes to putting Essex lads in their place. As you probably know. 😂
I didn’t think you boys had much time to do anything else outside of the drinking and gambling? 🤣
Reproduction used to be a massive pastime for us lover-boys, so boozing and gambling was a side issue‼️‼️
🤣🤣 just a bit of harmless fun mate
Don’t mind . Just don’t want my emails full of the “ fun” as I get every link
Yes you definitely want that turned off kalgs or you’ll be buzzing every 2 minutes 🤣 you can turn it off in the menu at the top. Click on more and then go to email notifications 👍
Also I think you may be getting confused as to who messages are directed at? The name of the person being referred to is next too the name of the person who’s writing the message.
How do I stop the links to the subjects . I don’t want every comment?
Flecainde can in some people cause flutter (which is why recommendation was always take first dose in a hospital invironment) and in addition should not be prescribed to anybody with cardiac artery disease which is why echocardiogram is usually wanted first. Seems quite a few doctors are taking short cuts. All anti arrhythmic drugs need consultant level precription in first instance.
I would've thought an Angiogram is the best way to tell if there is Coronary Artery disease? The Echocardiogram looks at vlaves but can't tell what is happening with arteries.
Agreed it is the gold standard but needs must. Also not without risk whereas Echo is benign once you get over the shock of the cold jelly. lol 😁 It does also check the thickness of muscle walls and general pumping ability and will show up any cardiomyopathy so not without merit. Most important of all it only involves one operator and can be done at short notice.
Thanks. I had one 2 years ago but feel I need a more recent one ?
Many thanks
I read somewhere that Flecainide must only be given under hospital supervision to people with concurrent AFib.
Elli86. I really had bad reactions to Flecainide and was almost bed bound with a bucket and ice pack for 4 weeks. I was determined to stick it out and thankfully I did.
It ruined me palp. Just about everything was failing for me. Chest pains, breathing problems, EXTREME fatigue, depression beyond belief and I’m not a depressive person, muscular pains all over my body, complete brain fog to the point where I didn’t feel like I could do anything, intestinal issues. Did not agree with me at all. No idea how I stuck it out for 7/8 weeks. Thought I may be able to push through it like yourself but it just didn’t happen.
I’m much better now on bisop. Had my first wobble in 6 weeks last couple evenings. Didn’t go into AF but my ticker felt on the edge of going. Still get a decent amount of fatigue especially as I went back to work last week but it’s not even comparable with my experience with flec. Seems like when I’m physically or mentally tired my heart really struggles. Slightly worried as I’ve only been back to work for 5 days and I’m only working till 12/1 🥴
What is meant by concurrant AFib?
Concurrent means "happening" or occurring at the time. Initiating Flecainide while in long term AFib is recommended only in hospital setting.
Crikey! I've been prescribed flecainide as a precursor to a cardioversion, starting with a low dose (50mg twice per day - "to be doubled if tolerated"). I'm in persistent AFib. I tried it a week ago & had a woozy, dizzy feeling, difficulty in concentrating, followed by insomnia. I stopped it after consulting GP, but have started again this morning as I've been scheduled for my second cardioversion next week. I'm now wondering if taking it is actually a good idea!
Had an echocardiogram and then EP asked GP to prescribe it!
Thanks
My first dose was 16 years ago by IV in hospital and they even wheeled my bed near to the nurses station so I could be seen at all times. Thankfully was absolutely fine and been on tablet form (lowest strength) ever since. X
Thanks
It must be prescribed by a cardiologist, you should not have structural issues. Mine was prescribed following an appointment with an EP and a clear echocardiogram reading. About a month later I asked my GP to arrange the switch for me. I had a telephone consult in which we discussed what to look out for, that was it. Actually, the next time my AF broke through (I'm on the lowest dose) I called my GP and he advised me as to.extra PIP if needed. I now can take up to 150mg if needed to knock an episode on the head. I will say I don't like doing that as I always feel weird afterwards. But day to day, I get on well with my 50mg and much prefer it to bisoprolol, which made me lethargic, depressed, constipated and my legs ached walking upstairs. It was bearable but Flecainide gives me better QOL.
The A&E department discharged me just with aspirin and bisoprolol with a heart rate at 110 without supplying Flecanide, and told me to see my GP, even though Flecanide had done the trick previously. So rather wait months for a referal, I went to a private cardio who also said he had to check the heart had not had an attack and was structurally sound with an echocardiogram. £600 for the privilege! But within 45 minutes of using Flecanide my heart was in sinus again. So yes: Flecanide can exacerbate a damaged heart apparently, so sounds like you do need to get it checked out. Or maybe, THEY need you to get it checked out to cover their arses. Either way, I was happy to sell my children and my mother into slavery to get my heart back to normal.
Thanks
Hi Kalgan. Following a phone consultation I started on Flecanide a couple of months ago... seemed to be doing the job but past few weeks been getting dreadful tummy issues. I’m always fatigued which has been worse but put it down to other meds and a flare up of my autoimmune disease. Now reading other posts on here it may well be this medication. I’ve decided yesterday to stop it for a while to see if these symptoms improve. Really don’t want another ablation though!
I started on Flecainide after starting with an EP referred by my regular cardiologist. He didn't mention how the sudden change from my previous meds to Flecainide would affect me, and I had the worst a-fib attack ever with me ending up in the hospital for a couple days, eventually being cardioverted. After that, my body got used to it and it worked for about a year.
Flecainide was a wonder drug for me whilst I was awaiting my first ablation. I’m currently waiting for my second ablation on beta blockers this time round, but first time round couldn’t tolerate them so flecainide was 2nd choice and was superb. Like said before in this thread as long as your heart is structurally sound it’s hunky dory. All the best.
Why didn’t you stay on flecanide and ablation?
I had over two years drug free, not sure what you mean “and ablation”?
Should have said . Why not stay on flecanide and avoid the ablation
The ablation changed my life, before my heart was very bumpy, after rock solid, I think it’s still working to some extent as I couldn’t tolerate beta blockers before.
With no structural defects and stellar stress test results, my EP put me on Flec with an initial EKG and then another after 3 days, checking for elongation of QT. Each titration upwards I did another EKG after 3 days. He then wanted me back every 6 months for a follow up EKG. I'm currently on PiP but if I do go back on it full time he wants me in for an EKG after 3 days. My understanding is there is reason for caution but if you meet a certain health profile, it can be a much easier time initially with fewer guidelines and less direct supervision required.
Sounds like a good EP
My cardiologist told me to take it, but my doctor said it should be administered in hospital and I should be monitored for 3 months, so he wouldn't prescribe it. My cardiologist then wrote out a private prescription for it and said it was fine to take.
I've had no side effects apart from feeling a little tired, although that might not be the flecainide.
My AF has all but gone since taking Bisoprolol and Flecainde with rivaroxaban. I had a mild episode about 5 weeks ago, but nothing since.
Flecainide almost killed me. It Caused an abnormal heart rhythm and dangerous VT with heart rate of over 280 bpm. Emergency hospital visit to be told unless I had cardioversion there and then I would have a cardiac arrest. Heart structurally sound and thus was purely down to flecainide. Absolutely terrified me.
So sorry to hear that . Keep safe
I had echo, stress test and blood tests prior to going on Flec. Been taking 100mg 2x day, along with Diltiezem for 8 years now. No issues. Occasionally will fall into Afib but returns to normal after next dosage.
Flecanide 
stopping Flecanide
Coming off of flecanide 
