Side effects
Does anyone experience side effects of Flecainide? I started 50 mg twice a day in January to prevent episodes with no problem. Now I have extreme fatigue, headache, thick head fog, insomnia once in bed. I’ve lost all motivation. But, it took care of my AF! I can’t continue like this. Thoughts?
My guess is that it could be lack of sleep that's causing the way you're feeling. I'm prescribed the sleeping tablet Zopiclone. Did you have insomnia before taking Flec? I would talk to your GP and tell him/her what you have written here.
By the way you are on a small dose of Flecainide. I take 2 x 100mg of Flecainide daily alongside 2 x 12.5 of the beta blocker Metoprolol and have no problems.
Jean
Thank you for your quick reply.I went to work today and was talking with coworkers who were experiencing the same symptoms. Turns out it seems to be seasonal allergy related. I’ve been sleeping with my window open for two nights. Last night I kept it closed. I was much better this morning! I called my EP to ask if Claritin was ok to take and he said as long as it wasn’t the D, just plain.
I am much clearer. Still a little headachy, but much less fog, better as the day went on.
I never would have thought allergies to outdoors could effect one like that but several people in work with the same symptoms is crazy. We are all women around the same age, 50s and 60s.
🤧I had a little runny nose but would not have thought it was all related. Now I know.
I was badly allergic to fleccanide, i had facial swelling and my skin looked like i had been scalded. I was switched to bisoprolol which made me very lethargic so opted for an ablation, I had a second ablation four months ago, which was more of a touch up and things are going well. I hope all settles down for you and you find a solution
Very similar story to me...ablation in 2 weeks! 🤞
It took me awhile for my body to adjust when I started Flec...now I feel fine energy fine, etc. It does sound like your symptoms are worse than what I had, if indeed your symptoms are from the Flec...maybe give it awhile or adjust dosage?
I've been ok on 50 mg but was ill on 100mg of Flecainide. We're all different so perhaps you could tell your doctor and try a different medication? Best of luck.
I have read that drugs (or ablation) are given only to reduce symptoms - but if you weren't having any, your experience goes against that.
Steve
Hi, an example of how differently we can react to drugs. I was recently put on Flecainide and have had no probs. It’s much better for me than Sotalol or Bisopralol. I am sleeping very well and can go for walks without feeling as if I’m walking through treacle. I was reading that in the next few years we may be able to have our genes checked to see if we are likely to benefit from proposed medications. Won’t that be wonderful…..can’t wait.
Guess I am one of the unlucky few who didn't get on well with Flecainide.
I was prescribed 50mg twice daily. The first 2 weeks I experienced headaches/visual problems/ balance problems but I told myself I was just getting used to it and the side effects would be worth it to get rid of my highly symptomatic episodes of P-AF.
Then I had an episode of P-AF and instead of 12 hours, it lasted 20 and the episodes started coming every couple of days. I tried increasing the dose of Flecainide so taking it as a PIP in addition to the daily dose but that had no effect on the episodes and the new pattern of 20 hour episodes every few days continued. I was totally exhausted.
I got very scared in case this new pattern continued. I stopped taking the Flecainide and returned to my old pattern of 12 hour episodes every 10-12 days.
I would recommend people try Flecainide, I went to a great deal of expense and trouble including a private consultation and Echo in order to try it because that was the only option to get seen during Covid.
I think Flecainide might have worked for me had I tried it years ago before my episode became so frequent . My whole AF journey has been one of poor medical care and a lack of urgency from Doctors to treat this awful condition .
I had the same issues with Flecanide. Started on 100 mg twice daily but couldn’t tolerate it. Dropped to 50 mg twice daily and much better. Over time my body has adjusted to 50 mg twice daily. And it controlled Afib until ablation. Staying on it after ablation to help with other irregular beats. Good luck to you.
Yes, ask your doctor for a different med. There are some beta blockers I cannot tolerate because of side effects, and others are fine. No one should be miserable from an Rx med. Tell doc you need a different med.
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