Is this signs of progress?

[Kennyb1968]

I have just started taking daily flecainide after AFib became more frequent. I have a perfectly healthy heart and mild hypertension. I am awaiting a prescription for a beta blocker to go along with the flecainide. I have had a couple of AFib incidents since starting the preventative dose where Fibricheck tells me I'm in AFib even though I can hardly tell from pulse ( feels more like clusters of ectopics). My heart rate is between 70 and 95 beats per minute and after taking the additional dose of flecainide I return to NSR in 2-3 hours if I'm carrying on like normal or less if I lie down. Previously my heart rate woukd be 100bpm+ during AFib. Are these signs of improvement and should I stick with things and give it time? This is all temporary as I await an ablation in a few months time.

[mjames1]

Since this is a bridge to your ablation, sounds like things are pretty well under control. Not familiar with Fibricheck, but does it generate an actual ecg or just tell you if you're in afib or not? I ask because the only way you can know if you're in afib is with an actual ecg like the one generated by Kardia or the Apple Watch. It could just be ectopics like you mentioned or possibly flutter. That info should be useful both to you and your doctor.

Jim

[Kennyb1968 in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim,

It doesn't feel like AFib - not racing. Going to invest in the Kardia - gives me better information.

Cheers,

Kenny

[mjames1 in reply to Kennyb1968]

Go for the Kardia 6L. I find it a little easier to use with a more stable connection than the older Kardia Mobile.

Jim

[secondtry]

Sounds like you are an ideal candidate (this includes your own viewpoint) for an ablation but suggest you look carefully at the notes provided by the experts as to what to expect and how to prepare. Personally, I don't regard it as just a 'procedure'.

Re signs of progress: you are moving in the right direction but still much further to go. Also you will probably experience tiredness with the BBs when you start taking them. I was a tad older than you at 60 in 2014 when first diagnosed but the same Lone PAF and my cardiologist put me on just 200mgs Flec daily without BBs (unusual but one or two here are the same!) as he said the latter 'would make me feel unwell'. So far he has been right.

[Kennyb1968 in reply to secondtry]

Thanks - really helpful

[sdweller in reply to secondtry]

FYI I've been on Flec for 2 years...no BB ever. No afib and feel great!

[secondtry in reply to sdweller]

Excellent, may I ask your age, any comorbidities, how much Flec & lastly are you on anticoagulants?

[sdweller in reply to secondtry]

I'm 58... no comorbidities, have had afib for 25 years now. I'm taking 50mg when I wake up, and 50mg when I go to sleep. Not on blood thinners. When I first started taking the Flec, I felt a bit tired, but after a period of time I don't really notice that anymore. I work out with weights frequently, and I do notice I don't have the long-term stamina I used to have, but age may also play a role in this? It has kept me in NSR for almost 2 years now, so a small bit of fatigue is a VERY small price to pay. You may want to consider taking the Flec for a period of time after the ablation to keep it steady through the healing period? Talk to your EP about that...the less you are in afib the better, and the healing time can see some troubles before it steadies out.

[secondtry in reply to sdweller]

Thanks sdweller interesting case history, best wishes.