Flecainide sticking in esophagus

[Profound15]

I’ve been on regular flecainide and bisoprolol for around three years and until today never really had any issues swallowing my 50mg tablets. However, this morning it seemed to stick in my esophagus at just above the chest area. It was a bit uncomfortable and may have caused fairly significant pain across my chest. I wasn’t sure what the issue was and to cut a long story short ended up in A&E. Got blood tests (twice), X-ray and ecg done and apart from one thing we’re normal.

The only abnormality was elevated white blood cells which could point to infection or inflammation. I’m now wondering if the flec has caused a bit of a reaction as I’ve read somewhere that it can cause a burning sensation. I might be putting two and two together but it seems a logical result. Had my white blood cells checked last year and they were normal.

Has anyone had or heard of this possible outcome please. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you.

[jeanjeannie50]

Its a good idea to put a tablet in your mouth, take a drink of water and swish it around your mouth before swallowing. Tablets are dry so can very easily stick in throat. Now my big sister gave me this advice and I've found it works. Big sisters are often useful.

Jean

[Profound15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean. I always take a drink of water before taking the tablet and then take the flec with another drink. This morning the tablet stuck I think and I left it and went back to bed as I take it early so I can have breakfast before golf (take the tablet on an empty stomach). I was wondering if anyone else had this problem

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Profound15]

I'm saying before swallowing, put a tablet in your mouth take a sip of water woosh the tablet around in your mouth in the water before swallowing both the tablet and water. That way the tablet is not dry when you swallow it - won't stick in your throat. Follow by drinking more water.

[Autumn_Leaves]

My mum used to tell me to put the tablet at the back of my tongue before swallowing. I find that works well, but it’s whatever works for you.

I very much doubt that your raised WBC count is due to one Flecanide tablet getting a bit stuck on the way down. Your WBC count is always fluctuating, it’s never static. You may well be fighting off an infection (most likely) or it may be a flare up of an inflammatory/autoimmune condition, if you are affected by that sort of thing. Or if you have hayfever at this time of year, that can also raise your WBC. My husband had a high WBC when he had a painful hip joint last year but it came down very quickly, but it was quite considerably out of range at that time and the GP wanted repeat blood tests as significantly high WBC is a red flag for other conditions that need to be ruled out

If you are just a little bit higher than normal, it’s probably not that concerning but you could ask your GP to repeat the test in a few weeks time if you are worried. Always bear in mind that one measurement on its own has to be viewed in the context of your full blood count, not just the number of your white cells.

[Profound15 in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thanks for your reply. It seems strange that I was absolutely fine until I took the flec tablet. I’ll get the wbc test done again in a couple of weeks. Thanks again

[GrannyE]

i find that tablets can stick in the back of the throat so I usually take them with food. If you chew everything first and then pop the tablet in the mouth before swallowing it usually goes down easily.

[KMRobbo in reply to GrannyE]

Unfortunately Flecainide should be taken on an empty stomache one hour before food.

[GrannyE in reply to KMRobbo]

If you take it with a dried apricot or a couple of seedless grapes I don’t suppose it would count as a full stomach.

[KMRobbo in reply to GrannyE]

The instruction leaflet does not mention full stomache - it says empty stomach

[Finvola]

I had a 100mg Flecainide stick far down into my throat some time ago and it burned like fury for about 4 hours - horrible experience.

A poster on this forum wrote that she uses yoghurt to take her tabs. I tried it and it worked perfectly. I now take a spoonful of yoghurt with each tab - safe and healthy.

Here's a link to my thread:

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Profound15]

Thanks Finvola that great. Some great tips from everyone who’s responded thanks again. Feeling better this morning as I used my jade stones heat pad on my chest last night and it has helped. I use this for muscular and inflammation problems and it always works a treat as it penetrates deep into the chest wall etc.

[Pab1]

Agree with all written so far but would add: Tilt your head forward as you swallow. Seems counterintuitive but it works.

[Profound15 in reply to Pab1]

Thanks Pab1

[secondtry]

I usually take a sip of water first to lubricate the stoat then stick the Flecainide as far back on the tongue as I can manage and then swish them down with 2 or 3 gulps of water: agree when sticks a bit is unpleasant but had no serious issues. Finvola's yoghurt plan sounds good.

[mjames1]

At least in the US, Flec tablets are a bit "sticky". If this is an issue, you can try coating them with Olive oil.

Jim

[Prince123456]

I’m amazed you went to A&E because you got a tablet stuck in your esophagus, make no wonder A&E is on its arse.

[Profound15 in reply to Prince123456]

Why don’t you keep your negative comments to yourself. No need Prince.

[Prince123456 in reply to Profound15]

If people didn’t speak out then the world would be full of snowflakes, I stick to my opinion to what I originally said. I actually work in A&E a the things some ppl come in with is embarrassing.

[Profound15]

Making negative comments about an individual without knowing what the symptoms are or the medical history of the person make you a bit of a troll. Don’t care if you work for King Charles, you’re out of order and I stick to my opion too