Can I not choose rate control?

[Rhiannonimity1]

Currently on 200mg flecainide and 5 mg of bisoprolol for PAF, last episode 4 months ago. For the last ten weeks I have been getting a lot of heart activity ie ectopics, fast runs, palpitations. Week 1-3 they were constant, now maybe 10 episodes a day and mainly ectopics, but they aren’t going away. I had a holter monitor and now the arrhythmia nurse wants to swap me from flecainide to Amiodorone and says there is no other option. I’m on the waiting list for an ablation, which could take 12 months.

I have had other side effects to flecainide, very upset stomach and fatigue BUT in the past I have been given single dose Amiodorone and i believe it has made me very poorly with stomach problems. I have also read that I should stay out of the sun!!! I’m a gardener. Is this going to mean yet another job lost because of AF.

Is it not better to say that I should return to rate control on bisoprolol only and get off the heavy drugs, allow my AF to do as it will until I have the ablation? The last time I went into AF, the hospital were on the point of refusing to convert me anyway.

Thank you.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think this is a personal matter since any and all treatment is only for quality of life (QOL) so best discuss with the team treating you.

[jeanjeannie50]

Why don't you ask if you can give Bisoprolol on it's own a try, before moving to Amiodarone.

Of course your AF nurse has seen your ECG and knows just what your heart is doing. Hence Amiodarone suggested. You just have to cover up when gardening, big hat, long sleeves and gardening gloves. Fun isn't it - have been there and I hate that toxic drug. Do you supplement with magnesium, that helps some members here reduce ectopic beats.

Jean

[Singwell]

My calcium channel blocker makes me photosensitive - I know how it feels! Buy a really good sunblock, get your hat from an Australian company (I need the check the name but I think it's Solar is) and buy cover up clothes for gardening that are loose but with a tight weave. If it's really hot, garden early mornings and evenings. Re your choice on meds - you are allowed to have a say - question why the rhythm control meds - could you just have rate control?

[Dollcollector]

You have a choice of which drugs you take. Nobody can make you take a drug you don't want to take. Learn all you can about all the different drugs for your condition; what they do and the side effects. Amiodarone for instance can do damage to your body that is permanent even when you have stopped taking it.

[secondtry]

Flecainide and upset stomach - just checking do you make sure you always take it 3+ hrs after eating and then don't eat for an hour after taking it?

Don't know anything about taking Biso with Flec as my cardiologist put me on just 200mgs Flec, unusual I know but reason being I was 60 pretty active with lowish pulse and BP.

Best wishes!

[Rhiannonimity1 in reply to secondtry]

This is interesting SecondTry. I have no choice when to take it. I’m instructed 9am and 9pm. I have to eat at 1pm and 6pm by doctors orders ( I’m under the weight management team). Could this be causing a problem?

[secondtry in reply to Rhiannonimity1]

9pm pills shouldn't be a problem (provided you don't snack after your 6pm meal or within 1 hour after taking the pills). 9am pills means you would have to have breakfast early ( not clear from your reply if you have any) around 6am and then no snacks until 10am. The leaflet in the box says take 'on an empty stomach or one hour before food.' Any queries it is probably best to check with your pharmacist/dispensary.

[Desanthony]

I was on amiodorone a couple of years ago before my second Cardioversion (CV) and the sunburn side effect didn't affect me at all. In fact I had few side effects at all but at the end of the 12 week course my thyroid count was found to be out - I was having blood tests to check on this every month anyway. Within 6 weeks of stopping amiodorone it was back in normal range. I took it through June, July and August when we were having very sunny weather and I was building and painting our shed. For the first few weeks I did use a total sun block but then a couple of times forgot and had no problems but yes really bad sun burn from little sun is a known side effect of amiodorone so always best to take precautions. My best friend has vituligo (sp) and also has to wear total sunblock even when there is no sun so we stank of suntan cream wherever we went!

[Rhiannonimity1]

Hello Des. That’s brilliant. Thank you for letting me know. I have completely changed my life and livelihood because of AF and the thought of another change is upsetting me.