A strange question….

[Slim2018]

Never had cold feet before I started on Flecainide but have done over the last year and a half while I have been taking 100 mg at night. Now instead of cold feet I have a odd sensation in the area around the balls of my feet, not numbness as such just an “odd feeling” as though there are certain patches of cotton wool in there (which by the way there isn’t). As usual my consultant says nothing to do with the medication as always. Not painful or problematic just a tad odd. Also anxiety levels are definitely higher though I suspect thats post lockdown 😂 On the positive side wheat free (nearly) for over a month which has definitely diminished the ectopic awareness

[Hylda2]

I take 100 Flecainide morning and evening and I have pins and needles in my feet. They feel they are burning but are actually cold to the touch!!

[secondtry]

Hi Slim, for 6 yrs on 200mgs Flecainide my circulation was made worse but has improved with keeping my mouth closed to breath during the day and night; evidently your nose is for breathing not your mouth and it produces Nitric Oxide, which helps the circulation. More info: YouTube James Nestor's book 'Breath' and Patrick Mckewan.

[Slim2018 in reply to secondtry]

Seen the piece about nose breathing - very interesting

[secondtry in reply to Slim2018]

Good, I read James Nestor's book and it convinced me. I have been also taping my mouth (small thumb nail sized piece across the middle of the lips of tape for the purpose myotape.com) for nearly a year now, which has improved the quality of my sleep. Sounds weird but no discomfort and it appears to work.

[RajaRua in reply to secondtry]

You're inspiring me to get back to doing that secondtry. I use micropore tape from the chemist. I used to do Buteyko breathing for asthma. It's a lot to do with nose breathing. Very good. and interesting.

[Staffsgirl in reply to secondtry]

Buteyko breathing…worth looking at this.

[12Potter]

Congrats on the wheat free! I too had cold feet but only after going on bisoprolol (BB) used to wear 2 pairs socks in bed! But not all the time? I found worrying about it made it worse. Trouble with living with AF I used to account absolutely everything to AF or the meds. It became an obsession as it does with lots of us I suspect. Daily records of symptoms, food eaten, BP spikes, sleep etc etc so I could understand help solve improve just made me obsessed. It’s hard to let go or think outside of AF. As hard as it is (& I’ve been there) try to control that mind where & when you can. Good luck with it all 😁

[Slim2018 in reply to 12Potter]

Thanks - its the obsession that’s as bad as the condition…I am having a day and night away on my motorbike with my brother. Not a care in the world (in theory) in practice lying on my bed in the hotel checking my pulse, worried about being bloated after a lovely lunch worrying about ectopic beats - go figure

[Slim2018 in reply to Slim2018]

So I have just done some maths while sitting here, 970 days between my first AF episode and my last…9 episodes in total. All fixed by a Flecainide pip or pip while on a single daily dose. Simple average an episode every 107 days. Why after 970 days I am still struggling to come to terms with this when I have friends with serious life threatening illnesses. I need tell myself to man (or woman, or non-specific person) up!

[secondtry in reply to Slim2018]

I think it is important that you get those episodes stopped asap and hopefully some of the anxiety will disappear but more importantly this is needed to stop it getting worse and affecting the heart permanently. I started on 50mgs day & 50mgs night which wasn't enough (actually had over 1 episode a week) and an ablation was offered but instead I asked to go onto 200mgs/day. This medium dose level has stopped all episodes in 7yrs bar x2 short 20 min ones due to particular triggers. However this success may be due in part to Lifestyle changes including supplements.

[Diddyd]

I have microwaveable slippers that I also wear in bed. It’s a horrid feeling. For me it is drug related and blood flow with my A Fib. I am hoping with better control of my drug dose reduction it will change.

[Staffsgirl]

Similar symptoms for me improved considerably when I came off Bisoprolol.

[Chamberpot]

Hi Slim, I take 50mg Flecanaide morning and night, and I do suffer from cold feet! I also have developed plantar fasciitis, which is severe pain in the heel after walking, but I don’t suppose there is a connection. I do exercises and wear trainers or walking boots, and have special insoles but nothing seems to work. However I just wonder if anyone else has it whilst on Flecanaide?