Stopping Flecainide - Leg Cramps

[Steve89]

Part of AFIB treatment was Flecainide 100x2. Heart Doctor took me off it after 8+ years because it was not helping anymore. It has been about a week since I have stopped. I have been experiencing foot and lower leg cramps in the middle of the night since. Any suggestions?

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Steve, I think it was only yesterday that I read someone had prevented night cramps by taking magnesium. May be worth giving it a try.

Jean

[Steve89 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you, I will give it a try.

[CDreamer]

Magnesium oil sprayed onto legs prior to bedtime works every time for me. Warm pad also helps.

[Cricket24]

My experience is the opposite - very strange. I have suffered leg and foot cramps all my life but they all stopped when I started taking fleccanaide. Cannot explain it - drugs affect us all differently I guess. Hope you find a solution.

[Stayfocussed in reply to Cricket24]

Yes, that because flecainide has magnesium in it...

[secondtry]

I would start Magnesium Taurate from a reputable supplier & also consider taking CoQ10. You should check with your medics first (expect raised eyebrows!) and ideally have a Red Cell Mg & Co Q10 blood test (BioLab London) before so you have a starting benchmark.

[Maggimunro]

Hi SteveI used to have frequent really painful leg cramps and restless legs. After reading about magnesium on this page some 3 years ago, I can count on one hand the number of cramps I’ve had.

Well worth a shot. I use magnesium citrate, taken at night to help me sleep, and I also eat foods high in magnesium such as almond milk and yoghurts and I sprinkle almonds on my porridge in the morning.

[barbharris1937]

Two days after stopping Flecainide because I had an ablation I started having awful cramp in feet legs and hands.I didnt connect with flecainide withdrawal as i was experiencing other withdrawal symptons from stopping bisoprolol.It was interesting to hear that you were also having withdrawal symptons. I am going to give magnesium oil spray a try. Best of luck to you and any other sufferes,

[Hidden]

My leg cramps subsided a lot and my fast heart rate improved when I added magnesium supplements. Dr Sanjay Gupta, York Cardiologist (UK) recommends magnesium tartrate (125 mg 2xday). My restless legs improved when I got better using my cpap machine for mild sleep apnea and I now sleep through the night. Best to you!

[Palpman]

My feet and leg cramps started 2 days after I stopped taking Flecainide due to my ablation.I have been taking magnesium for months but it does not help for my cramps.

[buddje]

Try moving your legs around.....Not got to 8 yrs yet but have leg cramps anyway

Keep safe

[Spud12345]

Just wondering if your magnesium level is low? You can have it checked and can increase it naturally by eating almonds and oatmeal

[DCX31416]

I had the same experience (lower leg cramps). Would have to jump out of bed and stand with my weight on the cramping leg. Something about flattening out my foot would cure the cramp. My EP’s PA recommended magnesium oxide 400 mg twice a day “even if lab (magnesium) levels are normal”. I DID start taking the mag tabs, but wasn’t sure they helped. This was back in August 2023. The cramps gradually subsided. After a couple of months I discontinued. Blood tests during that period showed no change in my mag levels. As of today (December 2023) the cramps have MOSTLY subsided, although I can still sometimes get one in the hour before fully waking up when I tend to stretch, which seems to trigger a cramp. When I mentioned the cramping to friends, I was surprised to learn how common it is. I had never suffered until I stopped the flecainide (150 twice a day for ~20 years), after which it started within two days.