More frequent palpatations

[Andyb7612]

Hi guys again ..im.just wondering I've been on flecanide for two days now 50mg twice a day and 1.25mg of bisoprolol and I must admit I'm feeling more frequent palpatations although not as long lasting but more often than before I was taking the flecainide...is this normal until my body gets used to the drug or is it a case of the drug causing another arrhythmia or making my existing one worse ...any advice or ideas from anyone on flecainide would be really appreciated before I give the arrhythmia nurse a call in the next day or so thanks andy

[lovetogarden]

Some meds take a bit of time to build up to levels that are effective. Not sure about flecainide, but a totally reasonable question to ask your nurse. Hope it sorts you out quickly!!

[Thomas45]

Flecainide decreased my AF episodes significantly to one or two short episodes a year. I was on a higher dose and didn't take a beta blocker.

[secondtry in reply to Thomas45]

Hi Thomas45, did your medic say why he didn't give you a BB? Just interested as my cardiologist didn't give any medical reason to me apart from 'it would make me feel unwell.'

[Thomas45 in reply to secondtry]

I didn't ask as Flecainide served me well. I was put on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol by a hospital doctor after my heart rate had risen to over 200bpm during general anaesthesia when I had my appendix out. 7 weeks later I had the first side effect, painful urticaria. While on 1.25mg I had a very sudden exacerbation of asthma which landed me back in hospital for two nights. My GPs did research and found that it was likely all beta blockers would cause me the same side effects, do I was taken off them.

[pip_pip]

" is it a case of the drug causing another arrhythmia or making my existing one worse "The answer to this is yes. If your unfortunate enough to have this effect of flecainide. Contact the EP or whoever.

Phil

[secondtry]

2 day action is a bit short I would take a diary for a week minimum, assuming symptoms don't worsen.

[CDreamer]

Flecainide usually acts immediately, within hours which is why many take as a PIP but at much higher levels, 50mg is the lowest dose.

When I was started on Flecainide it was under medical supervision and attached to an ECG and daily dose of 100mg x 2bd.

I hope you get answers from the Arrythmia Clinic but impossible to say whether it’s the medication causing the palpitations or the AF becoming more progressive without investigation.

Flecainide kept my AF episodes at bay for about 2 years but as everyone reacts very differently it’s impossible without an ECG and work up to know what’s happening.

Have you got a Kardia or other mobile ECG you can use to send a trace to your EP? I think that is what I would do.

Hope you get answers very soon.

[Andyb7612 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi there no I've no kardia monitor but I am going to give them a call today to let them know and see what they say thanks again andy

[CDreamer in reply to Andyb7612]

It is worth investing in such a device because it does save numerous trips to various places to get an ECG and then finding for the 30 seconds you are attached - your heart behave perfectly so nothing can be seen.

[captainKFF in reply to CDreamer]

Hi, you mentioned the flecainide worked for 2 years, did it stop working suddenly or gradually?

[CDreamer in reply to captainKFF]

Suddenly.

[captainKFF in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for the info