still in Afib

[Swimsyroke]

Flecanaide and Bisopropol

I have had paroxysmal a-fib for 14 years and up to September 2021 always managed to return to sinus rhythm with 200mg flecanaide.

I have on average about 20 'blips' a year and during that time I have been hospitalised (twice in the UK and twice in Tenerife)and treated until sinus rhythm returned.

Then last September I had an issue where the flecanaide didn't work over a 6 day period and I was like a zombie for most of that time. However just as we were about to go to A&E I converted to sinus rhythm.

I saw my GP and subsequently was given a telephone appointment with a cardiologist who recommended bisopropol 2.5mg one hour before the flecanaide. However he only advised taking flecanaide (up to 300mg per day) for 2 days maximum.

Again I had an issue in March where I had to go to A&E but all they did was give bisopropol and when the heart rate had come down to 100 discharged me still in A-fib.

Again I now have the same situation as in September. I have, over a period of 48 hours, taken the maximum flecanaide and I am still weak with a heart which doesn't seem to be beating too fast but which is missing beats.

I am, at some time supposed to be called up for a routine appointment by a cardiologist in Colchester which is my nearest main hospital.

As I feel very much on my own I now think I must take some steps to help myself as I know flecanaide is a strong drug and for all I know it could now be damaging my heart.

Therefore, having given you my story, what I would like from you, apart from any helpful comments, is - can anyone recommend an EP and a cardiologist in the Colchester, Ipswich area or further afield as I think it is now time I paid for private treatment.

Thank you for all of your posts. This is an amazing site and I have, over the years learned so much from it

[Bagrat]

Most important is how do you feel? Noone can say if you are still in Afib or just having other blips,though youmayhave a good idea.Have you tried the usual, splashing face in cold water, drinking a very cold drink , in fact many of the things that can kick off afib.

No help with private options in your area, sorry

[Swimsyroke in reply to Bagrat]

Thanks Bagrat.

I was away from home having a long walk. I gulped down cold water, took the pills in pocket but that was the best I could do at the time. When I got home it was too late to try tactics as it had taken too much of a hold.

[Leechg]

Hi, I'm from the Colchester area. When I was diagnosed they sent me to a specialist heart centre near Basildon. Maybe they have private EPs there. All the best Gill

[secondtry]

Yes, a private appointment with a cardiologist who answers your questions.

[coppercrazy]

I can tell you what works for me. When I go into Afib, I chew and swallow with water 150 mg Metoprolol to lower my pulse. I wait 2 to 3 hours for that to work, then take 300 mg Flecainide all at once. That always gets me out of Afib within a few hours. If I take 200 mg Flec, then 100 later or whatever, it does not work. I have to take 300 all at once. Then, once I'm out of Afib, I wait one day for some of the Flec to leave my system, then I have to ween myself off the Flecainide or I will go back into Afib very very easily. So For 2 weeks I take 25 mg Flec twice a day, then 25 once a day for another week. I have been doing this for about 5 years and it always works for me. I hope this helps.

[Swimsyroke in reply to coppercrazy]

thanks coppercrazy for that very helpful information

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to coppercrazy]

HiCrazy! Right.

Chewing Metroprolol. - mine were capsule.

Better if you can bear the taste dissolve under tongue it goes straight into your bloodstream.

Its how I take my thyroid synthroid tabs having had cancer. No thyroid.

It works and keeps my TSH level to between 2.0 - 3.0.

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiI'm in NZ so my private specialist won't be helpful.

I have never been to A&E ever except for the helicopter taking me to hospital having had a stroke.

I had H/R of 186 for 2 years 3 months! Day but night 47 H/R and meds didn't change that.

It is twinking meds and changing or adding until you get right ones.

We need to control our H/R 100 or under. No one can have an operation until 100 or under. So that is the risk if you need an operation with AF.

Metropolol. Day H/R 186 and 2 pauses at night on 47 H/R (From Hospital altho I said no to it)

Bisoprolol. Day H/R 156 no pauses and night rate stayed 47 (DHB Specialist)

PRADAXA 150mg twice day.

My locum suggested that I go to private man. History perused he added CCB Diltiazem. I reduced Bisoprolol. Referred back to DHB specialist.

Now

BP 123/72. 77-88 H/R. Day. 47 Night No pauses.

Had an unrelated operation on 1st March 2022. AF patients get 2 anaesthetists in our DHB hospitals. I got 1 very experienced surgeon and 1 dr she works with,.

All went well but I wished to walk about the ward and nurses said why. It is so important to get moving after any op. All they had to do was to transfer catheter bag and drip from bed to a standup stand.

That was poor reaction. That is why patients get pneumonia in hospital.

cheri. Joy. 73. (NZ)

[Swimsyroke in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

So how much diliatazem and bisopropol do you now take daily and are you saying these meds now keep you in sinus rhythm with a good heart rate and steady blood pressure?

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Swimsyroke]

HICONTROLLED ONLY. THAT MEANS HEART RATE IS BELOW 100 AND BP CONTROLLED DOWN.

120mg CCB Diltiazem am and 2.5mg BB Bisoprolol pm

I continue to have AF but now have no symptoms like excessive sweating. I never have felt the heart pounding as I have a 'poor' ribcage which has pushed heart more over to left.

CCB for heart rate. Drastically brought it down on 180mg (1/2 dose) 105 H/Beats per minute.

BB for rhymn and only slight reduction of heart rate. I take this at night as 47 is very low anyway. But on 10mg only brought it down 30 H/Beats.

I was discovered with thyroid cancer on day 4 of stroke hospitalisation. Stroke - Embollic Ischaemic type. A rogue blood clot in my left frontal lobe.

JOY