I woke up at five and it’s back….not had it since ablation 2019. Am feeling a bit unsure as what to do.
my BP is normal, was high but now normal, my heart rate was 128 now after three hours 107.
I’m still taking bisoprolol, 1.25, losarten 50 apixaban , and should be taking flecainade 50 but cardio said I could stop. I’ve stopped two weeks now cos the laboratories aren’t producing flec at the moment dint know why and so I’ve just a packet left I thought I’d keep fir emergency….wel I’ve taken one 50 flec,I know I’ve seen you can take more, well I was nitislky on 150….shall I take another….? If I go to docs, I will be sent to thonon hospital and theur A nnE is always like a war zone in tourist season with mountsin bikers broken bones…..
If there’s anyone up this early I’d appreciate advice….
My docs is walk in open all day, but it will fill up with broken bones mountsin bikers as the day goes on,,,.not sure whrher to go early or wait ……
Sue
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Morzine
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Good morning - sorry this has happened but it’s not unusual as I’m afraid ablation are not always a permanent solution. I’m sorry but I cannot remember whether or not you are in UK?
If you go to your GP in UK I doubt there is anything they will do other than refer you and A&E tend not to like to interfere if you are still seeing a cardiologist/EP? Hopefully it the episode will be less symptomatic and won’t stick around. Have you had an infection or felt unwell in the last few days?
If you do go to your doctor - go with a precise question or concern, from your post I am not sure what you are asking for? You know we cannot give advice on medication. I’m guessing you just want contact and reassurance?
What instructions did your EP give regarding Flec? When that happened to me I immediately made an appointment with my EP to discuss options.
The main thing is to rest, keep calm and focus on your breathing, keep well hydrated and hope NSR returns very soon.
Yes I was in a bit of panic, i know it could come back but it was a case of oh heck what do I do. I scurried of to doc and was first in……sadly it’s afib, she rang my cardiologist and I go see her next week..cardio said take three amioDrôme today and if it still there three tomoz, thrn go back to doc Monday….see cardio in week. These aren’t my normal tablet, I hope they work. I actually stopped my flecainade because in France there’s laboratory problems and no flec to be found anywhere, it’s crazy…I was on a low dose….so my doc thinks it’s cos I stopped the flec.
I’m a bit fed up it’s back, but I at least haven’t had to go to thonon AnE as it’s awful.
Quick heads up - Just research Amiodarone so you know all of the risks, short term you should be fine but it’s not a med that GP’s in UK can prescribe, only cardiologists as it is a more toxic drug than Flec. Having said that my husband has been on it long term but there are consequences.
Thanks for that, I’ve just gone on and read it, yes your right. My doc prescribed it cos cardio told her on hone, it’s for two days…and bavk to her. My hearts gone done to 95 now still eractic…but I live in hope!
It does look like your heart rate is dropping doesn't it and your blood pressure is now fine. I think I would touch base with your GP, get their advice and then see how you feel about going to A&E. Are they likely to cardiovert you back into normal rhythm? If so I'd definitely get that done before your heart gains strength beating in it's incorrect mode.
Hi Jean,thanks for answering me, I was in a complete panic… I went to doc in end and was first in…it’s bavk, I’m so fed up but at least I haven’t had to endure thonon A n E…she rang my cardio who will see me end of next week, but said to put me on amiodrome three tabs today, may stop it if not same tomoz, back to doc Monday morning. Ope these tablets don’t have side effects…
I stopped my small dose flecainade about three weeks back and just kept ten in reserve as fir some reason France laboaratories have a problem with flecainade and there’s none being produced and the chemists have none….my doc thinks it’s cos I stopped it it’s happened……I’m supposed to be goung away in ten days for a month in my caravan now I’m all over the place worrying.
What efficient medical service you have - that you're seeing your cardiologist next week! I think that would be unheard of here in the UK and for your doc to phone up and make an appointment right away!! The French health service has always been admired.
People in the UK have recently had difficulty in getting hold of Flecainide too. It's odd how we have all these medicine shortages lately.
Hi Jean, heart calmed down Saturday evening phew! Yes it’s very good here and I’m lucky my docs are open all day all weekend with the tourists here. I went back saw her this morning as she wanted to check me. She told me the cardio will defiantly stop my flecainade as it’s goung out of production…she doesn’t know why….and I wonder why as it was a super drug for me. The cardio rang while I was in car coming home and I see her tomorrow. So I guess it’s bye to flec and on to something else….bit uneasy about it as I’m of on holiday next week down to Spain, and you know what it’s like starting new drugs….
How are you?
Thankfully we both got thru that pneumonia nightmare, and hoping we get a healthy time of it this winter! I’m paranoid about A n E since then!!
Exactly the same thing happened to me last week. As you know, I am not medically trained, therefore cannot advise on medication but I can share my experience. In terms of symptoms, they were virtually the same as yours except I didn’t bother checking BP on the basis that readings tend to be inaccurate when in AF. Previously, my EP told me to take Flecainide as a PiP as I had been taking it as a maintenance dose pre ablations without any issues. I therefore took the maximum daily dose permitted ie 300 mg within half an hour of waking and by 10 am, I had returned to sinus rhythm and as far as I know, have remained there since 🤞.
I have a Kardia, so I was able to send my EP’s secretary reports and inform of what I had done. She is making arrangements for me to get an appointment which is unlikely to happen anytime soon, but at the moment, I’m OK.
Hope this helps to consider what to discuss with medics bearing in mind it’s a holiday weekend, good luck.
Oh gosh flapjack, poor you, how long had u been afib free, I was four years, it’s a nasty surprise isn’t it, so out of the blue….I rushed off to doc , as I panicked, and got in first one in there, yes it’s afib, she rang my cardio and the cardio said to prescribe me amiodrome three todsy and it may work if not three tomoz….then bavk to doc Monday as cardio end of week…..so no A n E which is marvellous as thonon AN E is chaos.
You went back to normal fairly quick, I’m sitting here hopin…..and I hope you stay well. It kind of opens up a feeling of uncertainty again doesn’t it. So long not giving two hoots about the word afib, now I guess I’m going to be back checking my pulse again ……
I was on a low maintenance dose of flecainade but France laboratory’s aren’t producing it for some reason, and the pharmacies have none, and can’t say when they will, incident,y my doc was shocked to hear this so it hasn’t filtered back yet…so I kept a pack of twelve in reserve took ne this morning, i had to stop three weeks ago and my doctor thinks that’s what’s done it…..but who knows…..I’ve been in weight watchers the past month, and lost weight…could thst be it….
Thanks for passing in your take as it kind of makes it all feel more normal when you hear it’s happening elsewhere eh….
I had two episodes shortly after reducing flecanide after a year post ablation,first was 12 hours or so and I took flecanide as a PIP. Stopped it,one further short episode few days later but none since.( few months now) so hopefully it's same fir you,body adjusting withdrawal. I'd be inclined to wait it out and see. Obviously get in touch with your Dr's to report it .
Hope you settle down quickly. Not heard of flecanide production issues in the UK. Wonder what's going on there 🤔
Thanks Wilson’s, I went saw doc, doc rang cardio and prescribed amiodrome for two days, and go back to her Monday…I’m hoping it’s a blip. The flec thing I can’t understand why there’s production issues but no pharmacy has it, my doctor was unaware totally
Awe thanks, yes four years, I never thought about it…then whoosh…it panicked me….I went back to normal late evening…,I already made my mind up I will ask for an ablation in due course but hope meds will keep it at bay this year .
So sorry to hear that, my advice is that these drugs can effect us in different ways, I would not take any your Doc has not said are for you. I would go to hospital, not for them to fix you (though they might) but to record what’s happening and give you a better chance of seeing someone who can help. Remember what most of us had to go through to get the right medical provider the first time round. Hope everything has settled down by now.
That is not necessary here in France. The system is totally different . If you are on a cardiologists "books" you are there permanently unless you decide to take yourself off. You can get an appointment by ringing their secretary. If you want a quicker appointment you go to your GP and get them to ring . The first time I mentioned having had pain in my chest to my GP he did not suggest I go to A&E but after examining me rang up the cardiologist he favours and got me an appointment for 2 days later. Sue did the correct thing. She already has a cardiologist and and the GP arranged an appointment to see her quickly. Going to an A&E like Thonon in tourist season would be a nightmare as she said - and would not further her access to specialist treatment.
Hi auriculaire nice to hear from you, yes it was Saturday and my cardio wasn’t working, my doc rang her collègue, who said take 3 amiodrome , it worked but goodness I felt so nauseous with it, I’d not want it as my drug….flecainade is impossible to get up the chemists here up the mountain or I’d have preferred that….hopefully cardio chat tomoz and thrn go see her I can sort this….. yrs thonon hospital is broken bone city !!! Nutty downhill mountain bike season here.
How are you doung auriculaire ? What hot weather , it’s been 40 down here, can’t really do much , in fact I’ve been walking early but still hot I wonder if walking in the heatwave set my heart off ….well no chance now as we’ve rain for a week , which is equally as grim!
Thanks schldavies, I’m back normal now, am seeing doc to. Check me tomoz and thrn cardio’s ringing me later…it’s pretty good in France in as much I can see my cardio very quick…but my choice of drug flecainade is n short supply in France right now.
Hi Morzine I’m so sorry that this has happened. Just as you were beginning to think the AF was a blip and post ablation it will not trouble you again it sneaks up out of the blue! I am in the same boat ablation March 2019 a few troublesome ectopics but was told not to worry about them. Then in May my Fitbit started to send me messages warning me of AF. I always know when I’m in AF so I took a Kardia reading and sure enough I was in AF. Lasted about 4 hours then nothing for a few days since then I have been having frequent runs of AF mostly starting at 5am! My Cardiologist has signed me off his list and haven’t been able to see my GP but I do have an AF review at the surgery next week so hopefully I can get back into the system. So annoying just when I thought it was all settled! I wonder why 5 am is the trigger? I hope your EP can sort you out quickly - let us know how you get on.
Oh gosh poor you, yes you’ve had same time free of it……I knew pretty much immediately it was Afib….then thought oh no! Mine was five am I git up fir a wee cane bavk and it started…..we’ve had a heatwave weeks here 40 c, and I wonder if my early walking which was still hot caused it….or maybe my time had just run out eh who knows,.,..,I talk to cardio tomoz then will see her and am wondering if it’s too early for me to say the ablation word?….
I became normal late evening yesterday after three amiodrime but they made me feel awfully nauseous….guess it gave me something else to focus on eh!
My Accord brand of Flecainide has also had a break in supply here in the UK, which meant I had to hunt around some large supermarket pharmacies and small independent pharmacies to avoid running out and having to change brands.
In your position, I think I would have contacted my trusted medic and said I would like to take 200mgs Flecainide for 3 days and then, if supplies permit, drop back to your previous regular dose. I would dearly like to cut my daily dose of 200mgs but reports like yours scare off rocking the boat.
I’ve tried to get all sizes ? I’m up a mountain in the French alps, my three pharmacies have none, but I’m goung to start down the mountain tomoz see if they have any,,,,my cardio may say take something else but I’m loathe to start a diferent type especially as I’m goung off for a month in caravan to Spain next week…it’s tricky these days with supplies, I’ve looked up it’s worldwide, fir many things…
What a drag! Maybe your cardiologist will be able to suggest some other drug (rather than Amiodarone) till the problems with Flecainide production get sorted. There seems to be shortage problems with other drugs too from time to time.You might have to have a touch up ablation. You need to stop worrying - that is not going to improve things. Hope it resolves soon and you can enjoy your caravan trip. You are right - an A&E full of mountain bikers is to be avoided!
Yrs good idea short term than back in trusty flec….I think I may mention ablation tomoz as she’s a nice cardio i can talk to….her French is so clear, my last one retired , bless him, he was Czech , we had trouble with our accents!!
I was thinking of going to see my cardiologist to see about trying Flec as my episodes have become more frequent this year. But he'll probably be cross because I haven't been for over2 years and I'm supposed to go every 2 years - " à la limite" he said the last time. We have not been quite as bad here with the canicule but the thermometer on the kitchen balcony hit 40.2 ° on Thurs after several days of 39 .7°. The heat is very humid here in the Limousin so it has been trying especially coinciding with a family visit. We have clime in the kitchen but it was still no fun cooking and I don't like eating out every day. I kept expecting to go into afib as our bedroom faces south and we couldn't keep the temp under 27° even at night. But no my heart behaved. Then Thurs night we had a tremendous storm with hailstones and Fri was lovely and cool. I pottered a bit in the garden ( first time for 10 days) , had a nice siesta and woke up from it in afib! But it was very odd as it was almost symptomless and I did not get the weeing. I always revert to NSR after 9-12 hours. Hope you get sorted out quickly.
No weeing, yes that’s odd, it drives me nuts keep weeing), Do you take any tablets for it daily? Or take a pip? I’ve just been to docteur and she said the cardio will change me from Flecainade for sure as they are stopping production totally. Wonder why?
Have you had ablations? I’ve had the one.
Yes the heat would be challenging with visitors, and were the same it isn’t pleasurable to keep going out to eat . We’ve family arriving Thursday, but it’s going to be drizzly, equally difficult as to what to do with them….it’s right on top of us going away…
I’m not exactly thrilled to be starting new anti arythmies goung on holiday. Cardio rang this morning and I see her tomorrow. It’s amazing here isn’t it how quick u can be seen. ( well unless you want a dermatologist! Impossible here in haute Savoie!same with you??)
Opthalmology appointments are the worst - 6 months unless you get sudden loss of vision. I did have to wait awhile for a dermo appointment once but then the red spot that had appeared on my face and persisted for a few months just disappeared! I take Nebivolol and Apixaban but my low dose of Nebivolol does not bring heartrate down enough when I get an episode so cardio told me to take more as PIP. I have not had an ablation yet. To be honest my afib does not bother me that much as it's not very symptomatic. If they are stopping Flec I don't think I'll bother going to see the cardio. I need a 5 year check colonoscopy soon so that's enough to deal with this rentree. I hate medical appointments.
Just for a check up I have to wait about 6 weeks to get an appointment with my cardiologist but if the GP rings it's much quicker.
Get with your cardiology team, including an EP, and schedule another ablation. Meanwhile, breathe deeply and slowly and often and say the mantra “it won’t kill me” repeatedly.
May I ask if you took any medications at all since your ablation in 2019?
Also what do you think triggered it? Did you eat something that wasn't the usual? Are you under some stress? It would be interesting to know what could have potentially triggered it off? Could have even been a nightmare if it was at 5am?
I’ve done nothing diferent at all, did wonder though we’ve had a heatwave this past month, 38/40 temperatures and I’ve been doung my usual easy circuit walkaround morzine, getting out early but it’s still been very hot…I wonder if it over taxed my heart…but who know…
l would go to my doctor or the emergency room immediately! I’m in America … very different … anything involving one’s heart is looked after immediately … no waiting. Best wishes, jan
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Should I go A&E or am I panicking 
Oh bugger.....
