Anyone find anti arrythmic drug making afib worse?

[Lorgirl]

I had an ablation July 18. I started having afib episodes a couple days later and doc gave me metrolpolol and flecainaide as PIP. They made me feel dizzy and I didn't tolerate real well but they did make the episode stop at the time. He wanted me on a regular regiment so we switched and he wanted me to try Propafenone and Carvedilol twice a day to see if that would calm my afib so I could heal during blanking period. I continued to have afib but was having really bad PACs mainly at night. It was really weird because they were non stop all night long and super strong that I couldn't sleep but as soon as I sat up or stood up they would go away. I complained to the doctor because I thought it was so odd how they would go away when I stood up. I was NSR with no PACs according to my Kardia. So their solution was upping my meds to 3 times a day. I immediately started having worse episodes of afib but the PACs went away. I am having afib non stop all day long. I wake up in NSR and as soon as I take my meds, I flip into afib and am there until I go to bed. I read that if your afib gets worse you need to tell the doc because it could mean you are having a dangerous reaction to the drug. I went to see doc last Friday and he acted ticked at me. He said that all he can do for me is repeat ablation because I don't tolerate drugs. I had only tried 2 different drugs so far. I said I'd like to wait until the end of the 90 day blanking period before doing repeat ablation and agreed to stay on the drugs although I don't understand how I can be on an anti arrhythmic that doesn't stop the episodes. What is the point of being on it. He wants me to continue on it. I knew if I pushed it he would get mad again. Today they wrote back saying my only option is a repeat ablation or going on a strong drug where I'd have to go into the hospital to get monitored and probably be on them long term. He knew the reason I had the ablation was to not be on drugs. I feel lost. Like I said, I read all the time about people like me having to try multiple drugs before finding what works best. I live in a medium sized city and he is a really good doctor. (except maybe bedside manner) But I called a city nearby that is a lot bigger and am hoping to get in to see a new doc to get a second opinion. And to think I didn't have afib all that bad and did this to hopefully stay off meds for as long as possible. It's very depressing. I wish I would have never done it. Did I mention I know have A flutter also and tachy which are both new to me???

[etheral]

Try the Tikosyn (dofetilide), which I assume is the drug they want to hospitalized you to introduce. I f you tolerate it, there are no long term side effects like the other drugs you have tried. The reason they hospitalize you is to monitor your rythym and check the intervals on your EKG as a small percentage of people can develop ventricular tachycardia when this is first started. There are no long term side effects . I have been taking it for 4 years and have not had any arrhythmias. It has completely controlled my afib and have no noticable side effects. etheral

[CDreamer]

Any substance used to treat a condition can also cause that condition. When I first took Flecainide I was monitored carefully and told that Flecainide can cause arrythmias and is known to cause Atrial Flutter. As you are in US, I think that Etheral’s advice is sound.

I hope you get some good treatment. My very personal take is that if a drug is not working for you and causes symptoms - what is the point in taking it?

[melismos]

Be well. My thoughts go out to you. I had a cryo-ablation 5 months ago. I stopped Amiodarone and Atenolol, as directed. However, I developed Atrial Flutter after using Flecainide as a PIP to deal with a breakthrough 12 weeks, and leading to another cardioversion. While I'm a firm believer in medical science and the gifted doctors that provide us with care, I am feeling perplexed, if not let down by the prescribed medication. I'm expecting an AF ablation in October.

[Thomas29]

I too had an ablation in May which has left me in a much worse state. I tried coming off Flecainide after 3 months and within a few days had worse AFib than before with now a very fast heatbeat most of the time… so I think I may have atrial flutter too’ I am/ was a keen cyclist so really disappointed as I have not only lost my fitness but will need more medication than before to control my condition. I don’t want another ablation.

[Buffafly in reply to Thomas29]

If it is flutter I believe a flutter ablation is much quicker, easier and likely to work than the AF one. It seems to be quite common for people who have ablations to develop some kind of tachy after an ablation - or maybe I mean amongst people who visit this forum because those who have a whizzo successful ablation don’t visit!

[Lilypocket in reply to Thomas29]

If it's Flutter an ablation will sort that fairly easily I think.It's a bummer when our hopes are dashed.

Not sure I want another ablation either as I think I may be a complicated case! Or I'll just go to Bordeaux if I have a 2nd one ( I live in France) as they have more experience with tricky arrythmias than my EP has.

Really hope things go better for you.

Take care.

[mav7]

Lorigirl, recommend you ask your doctor to prescribe a Zio Patch heart monitor to wear for 2 weeks. It will tell all about your heart 24 hours a day which will hopefully lead to the proper medication. Kardia is good but a Zio Patch would be very helpful.

With AFib it is not unusual for heart rate to be different when laying and standing.

[Lorgirl in reply to mav7]

I actually just ended a 14 day Preventice heart monitor. Won't get results for a week or so, so he wants to keep me on this med until then. I found out that my Kardia has been saying it's afib when at times it is actually A flutter. I read A flutter doesn't always respond to anti arrhythmic, so that may be why. But still, take me off if it's not helping at all.

[mav7 in reply to Lorgirl]

Good ! Hopefully, results of Preventice will provide helpful info.

Sounds like you have a good doctor Like my cardiologist they are not always in the “great personality business” but most are very sharp individuals 🙂

[Lilypocket]

HiI had a Rf pulmonary vein + Box Isolation + Flutter ablation the 7th July. Was taken off all drugs. I had Paroxysmal Afib that always self converted after about 3 to 5 hours and had no bad symtoms. The Electrophysiologist said I was an ideal candidate.

Well all hell let loose ! After the ablation I had Afib nearly every day and Flutter ( confirmed by cardiologist) of about 160 bpm.

The cardiologist put me on Amiodarone ( shock horror 😱) which has many awful effects on the body but is generally OK short term. I was pretty much ready to accept anything. My heart has been quiet since - not a peep. Afib and Flutter have disappeared and I'm enjoying the rest this drug is giving me but I will only be on it for 3 months . I believe it is only prescribed for Ventricular Tachycardia in the US and has not been cleared for Afib treatment there but is given here in Europe .

Maybe my heart had a nervous breakdown having so much done to it in one go. I hope in 3 months it might have calmed down but am probably facing another ablation.

I hope things calm down for you 🤞

Take care x