Successful long term AFib control

[Kennyb1968]

Has anyone had their AFib successfully controlled with Flecanide for a long time?

[mjames1]

I don't think I qualify for a long time, however Flecainide has helped me a lot going on six months. That said, for various reasons, I really haven't pushed my limits, so hard to tell if the Flec would hold if I did. From what I've read, Flec has ranged from a five star miracle for some, to a dud for others. Most fall somewhere in between.

Jim

[Bagrat]

Yes only 3 long episodes in 10 years. Various blips. One doc reduced flec because I had short runs of tachycardia.Another put it back up for similar reason but all good at the mo!!

[Threecats]

I’m pretty sure Secondtry has been on just Flecainide for a few years. I think I saw a post from him a while back about it, over 8 years if I recall correctly. That, together with lifestyle changes, has been good for him I gather. Hopefully he’ll be along to confirm, if not, have a search under previous posts from him.

[secondtry in reply to Threecats]

Confirmed. 100mgs Flec didn't stop it, 200mgs did.

[secondtry]

Just Flecainide has been a winner for me. However, I subscribe to the view that you should not rely on one silver bullet (ie just Flecainide) but as insurance make significant changes to your lifestyle with professional support from Alternative Practitioners as necessary.

[tunybgur]

5+ years, 100mg for first 2 then increased to 150mg when occasional AF attacks became more frequent. Fine since, no AF apart from short attack a few days after third COVID booster ??? No further side effects.

Good luck

[Cricket24]

Yes - been in sinus rhythm now since April 21. My heart goes into irregular rythmn permanently, only had 2 episodes , first resolved by cardioversion which lasted 6 years. 2nd episode resolved with Flecainide and have remained on it ever since. Also take bisopheral and Apixiban. No side effects or lifestyle changes - play golf , drink alcohol and enjoy my life.

[Bhoyo]

Been taking Flecainide along with Metopropol as PIP for last few years. Dosage is 100mg and no more than 300 mg in 24 hr period. Have to admit that it now probably takes full 300mg before back in rhythm. I do have a couple of wee side effects but does the job. As stated in previous posts I am advised to take both together. I have to be careful in dosage of Metopropol (normally 25g) as it drops my heart rate significantly.

All the best, stay safe.

Cameron

[wilsond]

Yes from 2013 to present day. There have been times when AF or Flutter or both broke through and got the upper hand. Sometimes for extended periods, and dose was adjusted accordingly. First as PIP then maintainance dose.

Still on it after ablation 8 weeks ago until I eventually see/ speak to EP

[Palpman]

Not Afib but it totally stopped my chronic AFlutter.

[Sacstate]

76 year old man, diagnosed with AFib late last year, began with metoprolol but had a 6-hour AFib episode, added Flecainide in late January with no episodes since, so Flecainide seems to be the magic fix but do not like the side effects of either drug. Do not take anticoagulant. Some very tolerable blips and palps across time, but no AFib. Since that time, got Covid with no heart consequences. Have been increasing my exercising to lots of daily walking, several miles of bicycling through the week, lap swimming 1200 yards 3 times per week. My level of fitness is increasing pleasingly with no AFib problems. My goal is to try reducing the drugs to half or even more. Cardiologist says I definitely can do that, but, of course, no guarantees. All it will take is for me to get the nerve to try it.

[M987]

It worked for me for 5 years until a doctor prescribed the prednisone 6 day for another issue which put me in persistent Afib. Good luck!

[Jmc43]

Many good responses here. I will add mine. I had an ablation over two years ago, then was prescribed the lowest dose of Flecainide (50mg/2 times a day). Worked fine until about three months ago when I had a series of minor Afib episodes between 1-2 in the morning. They last about an hour, and I took another 50mg does and did deep breathing and they went away. Still, getting these in the middle of the night was not conducive to a relaxing night, to say the least. I couldn’t figure out why, consulted my EP, and he suggested taking 100 mg at night and remain on 50mg during the day. It worked fine, no problems since. I take it with a low dose of a beta blocker. Only side effect is resting heart rate between 40-50 but no other symptoms with this, so all good for the moment.