Appointment with EP yesterday gave the thumbs up to cut out the flecainide. Not needed as have not had any blips since a quick reset (cardioversion) in April after the fourth ablation in March. Besides, the flecainide is causing wide qrs so it’s becoming more problematic than helping.
Anyone had problems coming off flecainide? (I’m currently on 100 mg twice a day. Also on metoprolol tartrate 50mg daily, Xarelto, and amlodipine for bp.)
Personally I have always weaned myself off any drugs over a period of time rather than just stop. Never on Flecainde on a regular basis so little experience.
I believe that flecainide's plasma half life is about 12-24 hours and then clears relatively quickly from your system (chat with your pharmacist) - there would be no withdrawal symptoms to speak of. So physiologically you can abruptly stop as per health professional guidance.That being said, I have been asked to stop flecainide abruptly after my last two ablations at around the 2-3 month mark. For the sake of my own mental and emotional health I choose to taper down from 75mg x2 to 0mg over a 2 week period. My EP and Afib nurse did not endorse this approach but neither said that it would do any harm and that this tapered approach is what a good percentage of their other afib patients proceed with of their own accord (if you are having wide qrs issues though then this may not be the best strategy) . I had no issues coming off flecainide in the past....(sadly afib returned relatively quickly without the meds)
Afib returning is what I do not want! I suppose the left bundle branch block is worse to have developing but …
Came off Flecainide cold turkey in ICU - no issues apart from AFIB !
I was taken off Flecainide in August and to be honest I feel much more alive without it and my hair has thickened. I was taken off Metoprolol 12.5mg twice daily 7 weeks ago and put on Bisoprolol 2.5 twice daily, but sadly it's not controlling my heart rate and I'm not able to walk very far at the moment without getting tired and breathless. I'm waiting for the results of several tests. I've had 3 ablations, last one 6 years ago and am now in constant AF.
Jean
Well the first sentence gives hope I’m looking for! The last, not so much. Darn
That's interesting about your hair getting thicker Jean. Is this a once-off benefit or has this been reported as a positive side-effect of coming off Flec. ? I was on slow release Flecainide so maybe my hair will slowly get thicker 😄
More seriously, do you know why they changed your Beta-blockers? I was intermittently breathless on Bisoprolol and getting up a fairly friendly hill would completely knock the wind out of me. I was on 3.75 mg. I am sure Bisoprolol has a part to play in your current situation.
Hope you get your results soon 🤞and better still get to see a dr.
Take care X
That's interesting that you say Bisoprolol had an effect on your breathing when going up hills, because that's what it's doing to me. I'm taking 2.5mg twice daily. When going up the slightest incline, I'm breathless.
I once collapsed in hospital when I had been given 100mg of Metoprolol. A cardiologist came running after looking at a machine recording my heart rate and said I must never have a high dose again as it could kill me. I told them that in the covid ward, when they wanted to give me a higher dose of it to calm my racing heart rate (I was taking just 12.5mg) and so they changed me to Bisoprolol. Trouble is I can't be sure whether it's that causing my breathlessness, or the after-effects of having had Covid and pneumonia together 7 weeks ago.
Hope you are still feeling well.
Jean
Well you had a heavy duty double whammy with Covid and pneumonia so that would take at least 3 months to heal. I got a measly cold and chest infection that took 6 weeks to clear.Adding Bisoprolol to the mix could tip the scales for you making your recovery slower. It is not prescribed to people with Asthma I believe. My previous cardiologist said Bisoprolol wouldnt have the effect of making me breathless but when I came off it it was chalk and cheese in walking up a hill.
I'm still feeling OK thanks - baby steps but much more positive. As I said I will give a little post ablation update in January as I don't want to tempt fate by speaking too soon. 😉
Take care x
I have not taken that one I am on Multaq and metropolol since my cardioversion almost 3 weeks ago lol tech helps keep me in rhythm I’m in trouble all is just want at night because the doctor said that’s fine a fib tends to try to act up I am also on Xarelto. I cannot take amlodipine. You don’t mention it bothering you so that’s a good thing I guess I’m just surprised they are that drastic for blood pressure. Wishing you the best I haven’t had trouble going off any of my meds being on them as a different story lol best of luck it sounds like you’re doing great.
I agree with Bob. I’m my opinion you should always ween off. I weened off bisop over a 5/6 weeks in February and was eventful even over that time period. Flecanaide felt like it was killing me. I had to come off and switch immediately back to bisop and I felt better within days.
I am supposed to take xarelto and DO take amlodopine. Doctor will pitch a fit but I have complained to him for FIVE years that I do not like the xarelto. It causes (sorry, pretty personal), light vaginal spotting the very next day after I start taking it and there is no "adjustment"....it doesn't stop; further, as I live in the desert; I get intermittent nosebleeds. I had ONE a-fib incident July 2017 and nothing since. I discussed options with doctor because I feel it was a stress related anxiety attach that converted to a-fib (I have no heart disease, no blockage, no damage to heart)....and not a single other incident. Further, I never had high-blood pressure but he put me on a BP med as well as something to keep my heart on a regular beat....I DID 3 sessions with a monitor and nothing, not a blip or bleep but I can't get him to budge on these meds. I wish I had a better response for you.
Rhythm control drugs after ablation
Ablation 
cryo-ablation update
POST ABLATION UPDATE
