My AFib become permanent about 4 Months ago. one month ago I was put on 2x 50mg of Flecainide & taken off 3x 50mg Metoprolol.
It was very good for the first week keeping the AFib at about 100/110 bpm. Then I started getting Side Effects such as Fatigue, Blurred vison, Dizziness etc. I wondered if anybody else had those effects and how long they might last.
Other than that Flecainide seems to be doing it's job.
Hugh40
Hi Hugo40
I had the same symptoms as you when I started taking Flecainide and wondered if it wasn't going to suit me. I'm so glad now that I didn't ask to be taken off of it as it turned out to be the only medication that actually helped reduce my pulse rate. The dose you are on is fairly low. Like most people on Flec I take a small amount of a beta blocker alongside. For me that is 12.5mg of Metoprolol.
Its usual to have an ECG a few days after starting Flec to check that it's not causing any dangerous arrhythmias. Have you had one?
Jean
Hi Jean, Thank you for your very reassuring reply. I will persist as it seems there is an end to the Side Effects. I just can't be doing with Side Effects that are worse than the disease.If you don't Mind Jean. Your good reply & encouragement warrants full detailes of My AFIb State......so I copy this to you, hugo
Maybe I'm using the incorrect terminology .My Afib had an 8 month rest during 2020 this time my heart rate was normal. AFib returned in January 2021 due to a family problem and a bad period of anxiety. During this time for 1 month it was intermittent in and out of AFib, I was on Meds: 2 x 50mg of Metoprolol. 1.25mg of Ramapril. February 2021 the AFib become constant my Cardiologist put me on 50 x 50mg of Flecainide. Removed the Metoprolol left the Ramapril. There will never be an agreement between me and my doctor to tolerate the AFib until all avenues are explored to get my Heart back to NORMAL rhythm. Hence I am enquiring if the Flecainide Side effects are likely to last and how long. My BP is 112/80 bpm resting 75 exercising 160 & slow to return to normal. Age 79 tomorrow.. Best Regards & thanks for helping.... Best Regards
Hugo
Right 75bpm is a good rate to be when resting, but exercising and going to 160 is certainly not. Perhaps your body is telling you not to do anything energetic for a short while. You may have seen in my posts that I've stopped checking what rate my heart is these days. It would make me anxious if it was a little high and then my anxiety would take it even higher. It's taken me almost 16 years to get to this stage of discovering that is the best thing to do.
Have you had an ECG since starting on flecainide, because it's usual to check how your heart is responding to that drug?
My side effects from the drug didn't last too long, perhaps about a month, it was so long ago I don't remember much now. Many happy returns for tomorrow, hope you have a nice day.
Jean
I am a little confused here. You say your AF is permanent yet you have been prescribed an anti-arrhythmic drug. These try to put you into normal sinus rhythm . (NSR)
Permanent AF is not a condition it is an agreement between doctor and patient that no further attempts are made to obtain sinus rhythm and that rate control will be used thereafter.
Do you have periods of NSR in which case the flecainide is working to some extent? Otherwise I'm not sure why it is prescribed.
Thanks BobD
Maybe I'm using the incorrect terminology .My Afib had an 8 month rest during 2020 this time my heart rate was normal. AFib returned in January 2021 due to a family problem and a bad period of anxiety. During this time for 1 month it was intermittent in and out of AFib, I was on Meds: 2 x 50mg of Metoprolol. 1.25mg of Ramapril. February 2021 the AFib become constant my Cardiologist put me on 50 x 50mg of Flecainide. Removed the Metoprolol left the Ramapril. There will never be an agreement between me and my doctor to tolerate the AFib until all avenues are explored to get my Heart back to NORMAL rhythm. Hence I am enquiring if the Flecainide Side effects are likely to last and how long. My BP is 112/80 bpm resting 75 exercising 160 & slow to return to normal. Age 79 tomorrow.. Best Regards & thanks for helping.
I was put on 100 mg from 50 and felt like the end of the world. The side effects were really bad. I put up with it for about a month then talked with my cardiologist who put me back on Adizem and 50 mg. Since then it's beenokay.
I wasn't ever in permanent AF but my medication first sorted it out. Then when my flec was increased it became much more frequent. Now it breaks through two or three times a week but is not as debilitating. I've always returned to sinus rhythm afterwards.
Are these AFib effects permanent 
Flecainide side effects
Flecainide side effects
Flecainide side effects
Flecainide side effects
