Hi all, I'm new here!
I'm waiting for a Cardioaversion in 2 weeks and have been on Flec and Metropolol and Ampixaban for 3 weeks for Paromymal AF. I usually excerscise my way out of AF and over the last 25 years I get it once every few years. This time Doc says your 64 years old lets try drugs first. Question I think I'm back in Sinus, if so can I get off the Flec as I'm concerned it may create new flutters
cheers James
Hello James,
My cardiologist has me on 1.5 mg Bisoprolol daily to make sure potential afib episodes don't get turned into atrial flutter of tachycardia by Flecainide.
You could ask your DR about geting a Zio Patch 10 day heart rate monitor. Similar to a Holter Monitor but it is the size of a large bandage and gives a more complete 10 day picture of what is actually going on.
You you know when you go into afib you coud discuss a pill in the pocket with your Dr to take when you have afib.
I got afib once a year then every 6mos then monthly so I went on Flec. I have been out of afib for about 5 years but have been on 75mg Flec 2x day. I also quit drinking and got my BMI down to 22.5.
I exercise frequently. The drugs seem to zap energy but as afib is progressive, I would rather put up with the drugs vs eventually going into permanent afib.
Good Luck
Hey JW thanks for reply I'm on 100mg twice a day of Flec and 25mg twice of Metropolol and Apixiban thinner.
I'll ask about the patch and your PIP idea, thanks. I've been lucky to be AF free over the last 5 years and now realise my love of red wine contributed to my recent AF. I will only sip my wife's glass from now on... good health is more important.
I too exercise and have BMI of 24 and hope that this can help kick the can down the road for a little longer!
Having been on this site only for the first time today I recognise there are some incredible people here and am thankful I stumbled onto it
best wishes
James
I too enjoy regular exercise and with PAF was put on Flecinide and Bisoporol post Ablation for AFlutter as was symptomatic for Paroxysmal AFib. The Bisoporol destroyed my exercise pace and so QOL and so after discussion with EP, we agreed to drop the Beta Blocker (Bisop) but maintain Flecainide. Seems to be working ok with AF symptoms getting less (< 6 weeks) frequent. 🤞 no need for further Ablation and maybe even ween off the Flecainide eventually.
thanks Speed, sounds like you've got a good plan.
My concern is my body will get used to the Flecainide and so be reliant on it. I'm 64 and over last 29 years, PAF every 3-5 years, I've managed to kick it back into Sinus after a few days of exercise , this time the Doctor said lets use drugs, says too risky at my age to do high intensity training, haha..... anyway I'm here now, and 3 and half weeks into the Meds and will get a Kardia and see where I'm at.
At 60 with vagally mediated Lone PAF and fit with no other issues my cardiologist put me on 200mgs Flecainide only. Note, as pulse around 55 and lowish BP no usual accompanying BB or CB which he said would 'make me feel unwell'.
I favoured PIP or at the very least less am and more pm when AF occurred. However he said important to keep the dose consistent so the heart gets a steady consistent influence.I have taken this drug every day since and at 69 now with only 2 very brief AF episodes resolving by cold drink & focussing on a steady heart beat (on my iPad) his advice has been good. How good I don't know as I have also made many lifestyle changes as well. All the best.
Hi James, have you thought that it could be the Flec and Metoprolol that's keeping you out of AF right now? I hate taking any pills, have had AF for 17 years. At times I would take myself off them, thought I knew better than docs. I had to learn the hard way, because AF was never far away. I guess your consultant has put you on tabs pre cardioversion. They will check you're still in AF before doing the procedure.
If you get your attacks once every few years and suspect, it may be wine that triggers them (a well-known trigger, by the way caused by the sulphites it contains). I wouldn't want to be taking pills.
Jean
thanks Jean for your reply yes it could be the tablets, he didn't want me to rush out and do Cardio this time even though its worked over the years each time as he said I'm 5 years older and lets try the Tablets, now 64. I'll see what happens over next couple of weeks, thanks again
hi Jean can I ask what meds and dosage have you been in taking during the 17 years
James
Hi James
Mainly 1 x 12.5mg of Metoprolol alongside 1 x100mg Flec morning and evening.
Jean
thanks Jean, mine is similar though the Metro is 25mg and I'm on the thinner Apixiban till I get back in Sinus. I will try adding Magnesium as I've seen it mentioned quite a bit
Yes, good idea. I take magnesium glycinate and buy the capsules online from YourSupplements direct. Someone on the forum recommended them to me years ago. I did take magnesium citrate at one time, but it gave me a sore stomach.
great thanks, I'm sure I'll find them at a Pharmacy here in Sydney
So if I understand things correctly, in the past you only have had afib episodes every few years and naturally cardioverted quickly through exercise? But this time you had a three week episode and did not convert so your doctor gave you daily Flecainide and metoprolol to try and convert you? I am assuming that the cardioversion is a back up in case the Flecainide doesn't work?
If so, the first thing you need to do without much delay is find out if you're back in sinus rhythm or not.
If you cannot tell from your wrist or neck pulse, either have your doctor give you an ekg, or purchase a Kardia device which will tell you if you're in sinus rhythm. I would get the Kardia in any rate, because it's always there with you to let you know your rhythm status.
If you are in sinus rhythm, then the daily flecainide is probably doing its job and no reason to be overly concerned about fast flutter because you are protected by the Metoprolol.
Now you basically have two decisions, if you are indeed in sinus rhythm, assuming you want to try a medical approach versus having an ablation.
You can either continue with the daily flecainide, or you can stop the daily Flec and ask your doctor about trying a pill in the pocket approach with Flec and Metoprolol.
No right decision, but I personally opt for the latter and see how it goes. If it turns out you're afib episodes are few and far between. And that the pill in the pocket stops them, then you save yourself from being on daily medications.
If on the other hand your episodes become very frequent, You can always go back on daily flec and Metoprolol which seem to be working.
Jim
thanks Jim, yes the PAF every few years converted back to Sinus via exercise. This time after feeling light headed for a week I went to our family Doctor who said I had a slight arythmia. I then went to Cardiologist who put me straight on the medication, he intimated it may have been risky at 64 to go and do high intensity exercise whilst in AF. Incidentally the flutter I'm feeling every now and then wasn't there before I started the Meds.
So here I am 3 weeks down the track and 2 weeks till the TOE and Cardioversion. I'll have a look at the Kardia as that sounds like a great idea, thanks. I've been told the new Apple 8 watch has some type of ECG on it as well.
Hopefully if I'm in Sinus I think the Pill in pocket sounds a good first option.
appreciate your help Jim
cheers James
If you're in normal sinus rhythm, no need for TOE or cardioversion. Kardia will not only let you know if you're in sinus rhythm, but will also pick up flutter and other arrythmias. Always good to know what you're dealing with. They have several models. I recommend the Kardia 6L.
Jim
Welcome to the Forum! I am sure all the Members will welcome you by offering to share their experiences with you. It is well known that Paroxysmal AF will come and go, and therefore experience sinus rhythm a majority of the time. There are several types of AF that can change as you become older. In answer to your question, we would recommend discussing this with your doctor. They will have access to your medical records and will decide on the correct form of treatment for you on a personal basis. We strongly advise against halting any prescribed medication without your doctor's prior consent. I would recommend visiting the AF Association webpage: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... to view some of our patient resources\videos etc. I would also recommend registering for our HRC2022 Patients Day - launching online 14 October, upon launch you will gain unlimited access to many presentations from the world leading experts in the field of AF
thank you Tracey that is sound advice. I will go and visit the page as well as register for the Patients day. My Cardio is over in the US now for a Conference I think in NYC and will be back later this month so its great that I can be so well informed.
Really appreciate your response and the info you provided.
James
as long as you are on a betablocker( which I think metroprolol is) flutter risk is minimised. I took flecanide as daily dose for years,as a preventative after taking it in response to episodes stopped working.
Hi Wilson, thanks thats good to know and yes it is a betablocker. What are you using now to control things after Flec.
Thoughts on Atenolol
Bisoprolol - is it ok to stop taking altogether?
is it inevitable that a flecainide dose will have to be increased?
Back in normal sinus rhythm
