New to taking flec & constant flutters

[Pinkgolf]

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I have found reading all your posts recently so helpful, I thought I’d ask you all for your thoughts. I got diagnosed with para AF in December & after a bumpy 4 months I’m now on biso 2.5 once a day & just started flec 50 x2 . So so on the biso but the flec gives me flutters the min I take it & they don’t go away . I’m on day 3 now & I wondered if this was a normal reaction & would settle or a problem. I’d really appreciate some advice on what to feel & the way ahead . Thank you

[BobD Volunteer]

The bisoprolol is to stop the flutter from the flecianide.

[Pinkgolf in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob , that’s interesting as I’ve gradually dropped my biso from 3.25 x2 to 2.5 once a day . It maybe still adjusting to the lower rate. Thanks again for your info.

[CDreamer]

I would report to your prescribing doctor as soon as possible.

[Pinkgolf]

CDreamer , thank you , yes I thought so too just to be sure . I know it’s early days but as a newbie you just don’t know . I have found these meds quite daunting & sadly my body is super sensitive. Thank you for replying tho.

[rosyG]

agree withBob and C Dreamer It's important to ave a beta or calcium blocker when taking flecanide as that stopped a dangerous ventricular arrhythmia. If you experience flutter when taking it you need an urgent review of meds with your doctor

[Pinkgolf in reply to rosyG]

Thank you rosyG for replying . I have contacted my EP and just waiting to here back.

[mjames1]

You should contact your prescribing doctor right away.

That said, when you say "flutter" are you referring to atrial flutter which is a specific arrhythmia diagnosed by an ecg tracing that presents with a high, usually rhythmic heart rate, or are you referring to a fluttery feeling in your chest which could be a number of things, including PACs? I've seen the word "flutter" used loosely here and they can be two very different things.

A diagnosis of flutter, at least initially, should be made by a doctor looking at a tracing, either from a 12 lead or from a home device such as Kardia or Apple Watch. If you don't have one, might be a good investment.

Jim

[Pinkgolf in reply to mjames1]

Thank you for your reply Jim . It is a regular fluttery feeling in my chest. I have had it before i started on the Flec , usually if I have overdone it or before an Afib episode. It does not usually last long but as yet no confirmed diagnosis . I'm just looking now at getting a Kardia , any recommendations welcome . I have also contacted my EP , so thank you to all your helpful comments and useful info. I am finding it quite overwhelming at times but determined find the best way forward.

[mjames1 in reply to Pinkgolf]

Glad you contacted your ep and are getting a Kardia. Hopefully it's not aflutter and will not interfere with taking flecainide. Personally, I like the Kardia six lead. I usually only take single-lead ecgs with it, but find it a bit more stable than my Kardia Mobile. And, of course, a six lead ecg might be helpful at times. I also like my Apple Watch for its convenience, but if you only had to pick just one device, I'd go with the Kardia six lead.

Jim

[Pinkgolf in reply to mjames1]

Yes I was just looking at the Kardia six lead , I am going to go with that. Like you say you can use the one or six ecg , as you never know what lies ahead. I have also borrowed an Apple Watch {6} too , so I'm getting a clearer picture to take to the EP. It has so far not picked up the flutter but tbf I only got it today to try and I'm not even sure it does that. I do like the features tho. Thank you Jim again for your reply, much appreciated.

[mjames1 in reply to Pinkgolf]

If you have an arrhythmia, the apple watch will pick it up, assuming you take the ecg during the time of your event. It may not "name" the arrhythmia correctly (Kardia makes mistakes as well plus not all arrhythmia's will be named) but the actual ecg tracing should be accurate enough for your ep to make a diagnosis.

Jim

[Pinkgolf in reply to mjames1]

Thank you Jim , I will do that next time it starts fluttering. Once again I really appreciate the info .

[Karendeena]

Hi Pinkgolf Flec did this to me I was constantly have rhythm problems often as bad as the original afib. I too was on bisoprolol 2.5mg. I paid to go and see a top EP and he immediately took me off both drugs and put me on Sotalol which 2 years later seems to be ok 👌 Expect it's only matter of time though before the dose has to be increased

[Pinkgolf in reply to Karendeena]

Hi Karendeena , oh blimey that’s what I was thinking tonight . At least my Afib was about once every six weeks , this comes and goes all day at the moment. I have messaged my EP , should hear tomorrow. If not think I will do the same , how long were you on the flec for ? Thank you for your reply , it’s really helped knowing it’s not just me .

[Karendeena in reply to Pinkgolf]

Hi Pinkgolf, I was put on it just after diagnosis in 2020. If I remember correctly I was ok for a couple of months and then it started and I was having these episodes every week., they were really symptomatic, I would feel the dreaded thud of my heart and then off it would go at tremendous speed lasting for almostc48 hours. I hated the feeling which replicated my afib. The Professor I went to see said Flecainide wouldn't have been his first choice for me although he didn't explain why

[Pinkgolf in reply to Karendeena]

Hi Karendeena, thank you for sharing your info. I too dread the thud of my heart when it starts to do this , especially if I'm just sat relaxing !! The Flecainide seems to have calmed things down {hopefully it lasts } but I know its early days. I'm really looking at my diet , lifestyle , supplements at the moment , always room for improvement. Thanks again for sharing.

[listerines]

Will be good to discuss with your EP as these "flutters" are likely pacs {premature atrial contractions} and not as clinically serious as atrial flutter. That said if you are experiencing a number of pacs or flutters in succession I am sure it is increasing your anxiety and can feel a bit like short bursts of afib. It is possible that that you need a bit of time to adjust to the flecainde and that these flutters will wane over the coming weeks.

Good to keep a journal to track your heart events so you can discuss with health professionals.

For what it is worth I have been on flecainde for going on 2 years now and for the most part has kept the afib under control versus being unmedicated. Though still have pacs on on a regular basis. Let us know how things go - keep safe

[Pinkgolf in reply to listerines]

Hi Listerines, Thank you for replying , its been so good to hear other peoples experiences and advice.

I have spoken to the EP and he thinks the flutters are pac's and is going to look into it. I have just started my journal and already there seems to be a pattern of pac's , they have indeed settled but are still daily. Hopefully as the time goes on the flecainde will work out ok. Im feeling much better as each day goes on , so thats great .

It's good to hear that you are doing well on the Flecainde and long may that continue.

Keep safe too.

[listerines in reply to Pinkgolf]

Glad things seem to be stabilizing a bit for you. Is early days yet on the flecainde so do give it a chance to work (though be vigilant for side effects and trusting your own internal feedback mechanisms). Note also that your dosage is very low therapeutically it may in time need to be adjusted by your healthcare team. Definitely advise them if you have increasing afib episodes or increasing severity of pacs as your dosage could be incrementally increased.

Hopefully the pacs continue to wax and wane for you. If they increase or become more bothersone look into non pharmaceutical ways of reducing them and living with them. Keep well

[Pinkgolf in reply to listerines]

Thank you for your thoughts & advice . Those pesky pacs don’t seem to want to go away so I’m definitely looking at ways of reducing them . I’m also mindful that my dosage may need to go up as it is low but hoping that it’s still early days so things still may settle . I also need to listen to my body & not over do it .Keep safe too .

[jeanjeannie50]

I find it best to take my beta blocker at least quarter of an hour before my Flecainide, if not I get the same reaction as you.

Jean

[Pinkgolf in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean , that’s good to know .I have not tried that as I always take my beta blocker with food & the flec is on an empty stomach . I will have a look at that .

Jayne