I had several texts from the NHS inviting me for both flu and covid shots due to my medical condition. My only condition is AF. I booked in with my local pharmacy today, but he would not give me the booster as I am now on Flecanide and he said under new guidelines it is not recommended. I am very confused, I have made an appointment to discuss with my GP , but wondering if anyone else has been told this
flu and covid booster : I had several... - Atrial Fibrillati...
flu and covid booster
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Not heard that one before.
When I had my COVID and flu jabs, over 2 years ago, no-one asked what medication I was on and at the time one was Flecainide. Jean
Yes I have had 4 Covid injections now, but for this years apparently there are new guidelines.
That's interesting about the new rule re Flecainide. I'm not having any more vaccines of any type. I've written on this forum before that one year I had the covid, flu and pneumonia jabs. The following year (last year) I had all three of those thing. I thought that was more than a coincidence. I'd never had any of those ailments before.
Jean
That's very interesting! I wonder what else is contraindicated.
Quite a LOT! Many drugs have interactions, a few life threatening- the main one being prednisone which many people with autoimmune conditions would take. I’ve not seen Flecainide on the list though so must be a new addition.
Considering all the dire warnings which came with the first wave of COVID - before we had the vaccines, many people I know with suppressed immune systems did really well when they contracted COVID. Yes the were ill for a few weeks, but recovered.
The vaccines caused me more problems than the disease 🤷♂️
I so agree with you!!! Many people had this virus before they called it a pandemic and I am one of them. The biggest issue for me, is I didn’t want to eat because of loosing taste and smell. So I didn’t eat, which allowed my sugar level to drop so low I passed out, twice. I didn’t think about that at the time because of being so sick. I survived but it triggered Afib like crazy also. Yet many of friends an family insisted I did not have covid. I know I did. I know not the listen to well meaning people because I have learned to be in-tuned to by body. I knew I didn’t need the vaccine as I already had the disease. Yet so many don’t understand that concept. I was banned from all my activities. I was very involved in politics at the time, I told them all I would never again vote for the ones that went along with mandates because I cannot trust your judgement. yes it was awful but like you said we survived. Knowing that viruses mutate, we all know this will never be over. We need to work on building the immune system rather than destroying it. We all have to do what we feel is right for ourselves. Plus informed consent was not even a consideration.
I had my flu and Covid vacs at my GP surgery so they know my medication. I am on Flecainide.
As I have to double check everything GPs recommend as I found they rarely read my notes or research what meds I must not have, I would personally have no faith in that being a safeguard. Pharmacists are much more aware.
Interestingly - our GP practice now employs a Consultant Pharmacologist who arranged 1:1 telephone consults for people with complicated medical history. They are very good and refer there. I’m noticing that more and more now. Consultant Pharmacologist sat in on my last Neuro appointment to answer questions.
no, wasn’t told this, had both in September, although I did get some chest pain, which cardiologist said could have been myocarditis!
I was encouraged to have the flu jab along with the covid one last time they were offered and as it was the lovely doc who has retired but was back to do the jabs, I agreed to have it! Perhaps he didn’t know I had paroxysmal AF or was on Flecainide but I’m still here and approaching 80!
When we did have covid, we only knew as we tested positive with no temperature or other symptoms - our daughter who we had seen the previous day reported she’d tested positive so we tested- I tested positive for 15 days and my husband only tested positive on my day 10 but don’t think we had flu. Anyway, on the two occasions in my life that I did get flu a few days in bed was all that was needed to get over it!
H'mm. Thinking aloud here. I've had both these in the past whilst on Flecainide. And no issues. BUT I went for my 5th COVID vaccine this year after much deliberation (last year it activated my shingles). I had the Modena. In the list of possible side effects increased heart rate and pericarditis are listed. I forget the level. It wasn't common, but i think it was next down on the list. This implies quite a few people might get that response. First time I've seen that! So this might be why your pharmacist is reluctant to give you the vaccine. Definitely discuss with your GP
Had my 6th Covid vaccination plus flu jab end of October. I have stage 3 HF and permanent AF. Encouraged by cardiologist to do so. Mild discomfort for a day or so-,otherwise no issues I’m aware of.
Rubbish! I had both
I've never been told that, had my flu jab but she wanted to give me my shingles as well. I will be interested in what your GP says.
Better to be safe than sorry. From what I read there has been way too many heart issues with most C-jabs and more to come. I think your pharmacist has done you a favour.
I've got Afib and DCM, had all the COVID jabs and flu jabs, this year Shingles jabs. Had flu jab October last year and spent first 3 weeks in January in hospital with flu! Don't underestimate flu, I walked into hospital and came out a stone and a half lighter and on a walker., it took me 5 months to recover Covid was just sniffles for a few days.
Yes flu can be bad and for those of us with repiratory or heart problems can be really bad. Luckily not had it since I started having the vaccinations so sorry that you got it. Also get the pneumonia jab - they say it's a one off but my wife gets it about once every 5 to 10 years because of her respiratory problems. We had Covid back in April and were surprised by how mild it was but we did have a few long term side effects after. Fatigue was the worst and my wife also had a type of vertigo with ringing in the years - I think they called it Labyrinthitis which she still gets now and again.
3 weeks in hospital with flu? That must have been awful! I remember my dad’s illness started with flu, or rather it probably accelerated its progression. It was a very bad year. His friend came down with flu that winter and died in his sleep, so it can be very serious.
Hi, I’ve not heard of this and I’d be very interested to hear what your GP says when they look into it fully. (My own GP and EP have def not checked if I’m on flecainide or anything else before telling me it’s important I have the boosters due to my various health conditions.) I haven’t had either this winter yet because I’ve been too unwell so had to postpone my appointments. I’m thinking I will probably have the flu jab but not the covid booster .
Can I check - was the new regs just regarding the covid booster, or the flu jab too? Thanks! Jx
I'm on a myriad of medication, but only rivaroxaban is related to AF after a successful ablation, but I've had all available flu,covid jabs for the last few years and touch wood, I've never caught either perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones
I have had every vaccination and booster for Covid and Flu. I have been taking Flecainide for over 30 years!
I have had no side effects and more to the point neither me nor my wife have suffered Flu or Covid.
I know we are all different but that is my experience.
Pete
I have refused to have any of these vaccinations from day one.. but I would be more interested in any evidence of the “New Guidelines “ have Chemists/GPS been issued with any information if so then the public deserves made aware or is this just their personal opinion.
I just googled flecanide and covid vaccine. And the above study came up. Took a screen shot of results.
All the best.
Yes thank you that makes sense!
I have found a preprint of a medical study on the identification of drugs which appear to cause a lower incidence of hospitalisation because of Covid. By Ariel Israel and others.I am no medic but it appears to indicate that those taking Flecainide have a lower incidence of hospitalisation if they catch covid
Reading a medical article on a small mobile phone is never easy, especially for non medics.
Flecainide was not the only drug which appeared to reduce the incidence of hospitalisation.
Ii did a simple Google search on "Flecainide and COVID booster"
No one can make the decision for you but my biggest fear around the COVID vaccine is the onset of POTS. The thought of my heart racing whenever I stand up and having to take beta blockers for the rest of my life just terrifies me.
I have had POTS/orthostatic intolerance for decades. People with POTS don’t need “beta blockers for life”.
How does it affect you? Information I found on youtube suggests that people have it with varying levels of severity. Some people can't stand for more than a minute or less without fainting because their heart rate shoots up so high. They are the ones who have to take beta blockers daily in order to function. Some people are fortunate and are only affected occasionally. I found this abc news report on youtube:
youtube.com/watch?v=1vf7Mrp...
The most significant part for me is the drop in blood pressure I have on standing, which produces dizziness and sometimes feeling faint. I’ve had to sit on the pavement after getting off a bus , for example. In the early stages I did have more of an increased HR and less of the BP drop, so it has evolved over time but never resolved. I wear compression hosiery and keep my fluid intake up. As my BP is low I’m OK with salt. I am affected on most days. I had trouble getting up to answer my door today. When you live with something this long it just becomes part of normal everyday life.
Never heard of a problem with felcanide but after my booster in October 22 I developed a very erratic heart rate. It happened again in October this year and after 4 day sin hospital I was told the vaccine had almost certainly caused it and I should think seriously about not having any more. I was diagnosed with "Extra systolic arrhythmia". All mine had been pfizer and since no one round here had a different sort I refused it.
Very interesting, I have had 4 Pfizer injections, 1st 2 within a short space of time ( frontline NHS worker) when that was the recommendation. Then 9 months later was unwell with Delta for weeks. Had 2 more BOOSTERS since. My AF began 9 months after Delta.
My arrhythmia started literally the day after my 5th booster last year . It lasted 4 days in all, gradually easing off then nothing at all until October this year. I think stress triggered it but can't be sure but the cardiologist said they were seeing a lot more people with arrhythmias after the vaccines.
And even more after contracting COVID, according to research that’s been collated around the world. mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/2/389 “…Overall, the spectrum of cardiac arrhythmias after SARS-CoV-2 infection is wide, comprising supraventricular tachycardias, in particular atrial fibrillation, as well as ventricular tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, and conduction defects.”
I had Covid towards the end of last year. ( My booster had been due the following week and it was a year since the previous one - it had to be postponed until the following month.) I wasn’t very poorly, and my AFib seemed to behave initially. Then, 18 days after the start of it I went into AFib. The Flecainide pill-in-the pocket had no effect. I never came out of it - and my ablation two months later only lasted two days. I’ve been told there is too much fibrosis in the atria to make further procedures feasible.
Of course the AFib might have been due to progress to the next state, who knows, but I still suspect that the Covid infection hastened things along. I’m doing ok on rate control really, and will continue with boosters as long as advised.
Couldn’t see anything online about this new regulation regarding Flecainide, but it didn’t suit me anyway so I’m just on Bisoprolol.
If you read the article it shows there isn't "a problem" with Flecainide. It shows that on a large study Flecainide reduced the number of people needing hospitalisation due to COVID, so if the point of the booster is to reduce the strength of COVID, it appears from the study that is what Flecainide does.I was on Flecainide for 12 years before I was found longer to have paroxysmal AF. Instead I had, and 7 years on, still have, persistent AF, now agreed permanent AF, though asymptotic.
I am very happy with all vaccinations and boosters, and have had everything offered from polio to Covid. I was very close to catching polio in 1947. My brother caught polio, at the same time that I had pneumonia.
I don't know why you've replied to me. I never said there was or wasn't a problem with flecanide, only that I haven't heard of one although something must have happened if they are refusing to vaccinate people who take it. Whether to vaccinate or not is a personal choice. I've had everything that was offered apart from what I've been advised not to. I had a friend who survived polio in 1954. We were all vaccinated immediately and had further boosters as adults. Maybe you meant to reply to someone else because it feels as if you're accusing me of something I didn't say.
"Extra systolic arrhythmia" means premature ventricular contractions or ectopic heartbeats. I suspected that the vaccine could cause those but could not find any research articles to prove it.
I can only go off what the cardiologist told me. These were far more than just a few ectopics. The paramedics were fascinated because they couldn't get a reading at all; it was all over the place . When they did occasionally get heart rate it was jumping from 40 to 160 in seconds and back again. It went on for several days.
Extra systole = ectopic. Not that I’m trivialising it. I developed persistent ectopics during a viral illness in 2012, and it progressed to having several thousand a day when I came down with a flu infection in 2019. Eventually it was constant. All before Covid. Covid (the disease) put me in bigemeny non stop for several hours, and then it would recur every so often after that. If you have an underlying susceptibility, you’re going to be more vulnerable, whether if it’s a virus or if it’s a vaccine.
I'd had ectopics for years but nothing like this which was constant for days . It hasn't worried me since although no one explained what it meant. That's what I guessed though. He did say it was likely to happen again and just to wait and see how it went. I did try to get a different vaccine but nothing else was available.
It may well happen again but it could be if you come down with flu or a bad cold, or any kind of infection that makes you achey and gives you a temperature. Alcohol will also trigger ectopics I don’t indulge except on rare occasions and not much. The last Covid vaccine I had was when my background ectopic burden was high anyway, and if anything it was somewhat improved for the next 5-7 days, but I put that down to coincidence and not cause and effect. The Covid infection was another story though.
They said it could happen again although I had absolutely no infection; haven't touched alcohol since 1972 and had had nothing that you could consider a t rigger for either event. The first time the morning after my booster lasted for 3 weeks, only calming down in the third week. This second one in October lasted for 3 of the 4 days I was in hospital; again no trigger I could think of. This time I was given diltiazem ( I think that's what it was called) but came up in a rash the next day so it was stopped and not replaced. I will just have to wait and see how it goes but they were adamant I shouldn't have the same vaccine again.
I was told by my doc that both shots are fine. I take perindopril and metoprolol for high BP and ectopic heart beats.
I have been on Flecainide Acetate for many years and there has never been any mention of any contraindications because of this and the Covid and Flu jabs. I had both jabs at the same time this year and last with no problems.
There is an article: Identification of drugs associated with reduced severity of COVID-19: A case-control study in a large population, available to read at: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... which shows that there is no contraindication in respect of Flecainide and Covid. While it is a scholarly medical article it identifies drugs which reduced hospitalisation of people suffering Covid.
If the purpose of the Covid jab is to reduce the "strength" of Covid if people succomb to it, in order to prevent hospitalisation, the sudy on which the article is based showed that Flecainide did that, i.e. reduced hospitalisation. What skimmimg through a medical article did not appear to show was minimum dosage, or that awful word of "co-morbidities" of that relatively small number of Flecainde-taking patients who were hospitalised.
Thanks for the link.
It’s important to note that this study was done during 2020 when Covid was far more severe with worse outcomes, and the picture today is very different for various reasons. Through a combination of vaccination and infection there is a lot more immunity to the virus today. The omicron variant and it’s descendants have not produced as severe an illness in many people, so the numbers of people being hospitalised for Covid are much reduced.
The other caveat is that this paper is a preprint, meaning it has not been peer reviewed. That doesn’t mean it’s not valid, but it’s probably fair to say that it comes from a time when there was a greater sense of urgency to find anything that might reduce the numbers of people who were more likely to be admitted hospital. Whether these statistics hold up three years later, as things are now, is something we also need to bear in mind.
I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that Flecanide provides protection from Covid, but that it’s more likely that if AF is well-managed then they may have less of a reason to be admitted to hospital if they were to become unwell with Covid. Unfortunately Covid can trigger AF in people with no prior history of AF, and statistically those people fare a lot worse and have a higher mortality rate when they are hospitalised with Covid than those who were already diagnosed with AF before admission. (There is a study, unfortunately I don’t have the details)
I had to have open heart surgery after first 2 jabs in 2021. Boom, never even considered it was related. Then after surgery I had 2 boosters, pneumonia and flu shots. Been bedridden for 2.5 years and looking for assisted suicide, it's legal in Canada. I never got covid but it has taken my very active life at 65 now to the grave.
I am so sorry to hear this, however it may have nothing to do with the injections. What do the doctors say it is due to ? Have you had support for your mental health? Do you have a support network?
That's what I originally thought until I did some research. I also got frozen shoulder. The 600 Dr.s I have seen just don't care. Now I don't care anymore either. Damaged CNS and pain that I can no longer tolerate. Yes I have a therapist but no quality of life. Can't do it anymore.
Beater, how awful to have constant pain, it must be very distressing.
Please speak to your GP or the Samaritans; there may be a way around your health problems (your frozen shoulder after a Covid jab rings bells with me - see my post below. If it is medically similar, you need Prednisolone (a steroid). Prednisolone is like a wonder drug and can mitigate pain and stiffness within a day or two). You need practical help, too. Is there anyone that you can contact to help you?
Please consider speaking to your GP and see if Prednisolone can help you.
Sending best wishes.
I'm in Canada, we don't have SAMARITANS, what is it? I've had many steroid shots and nothing has worked. My family Dr. is disinterested as is the entire medical system in my city. I'm just so tired of being in pain 7/24 and fighting for some help. Not 1 Dr. out of so many just have not even been curious, not 1. I don't know why they even became Dr.s . The last guy I saw who have me steroid injection that didn't work was supposed to send out rx for pain killing topical cream and he forgot, it was Friday and he had left for the weekend. He literally got off the phone with me and forgot about me. It's like a belt line at a factory of broken bodies, next, next, next. Same procedure, doesn't work, rinse and repeat. There is no one left to reach out to. I just came here to share my story because it's the only time I can say what's on my mind without getting interrupted or cut off. Thank you both for your support and reading.
Continue to post your daily feelings because we want to help you. It may seem like nobody cares but many people do. Your heart surgery should have been followed by rehabilitation - physical therapy and counselling. Ask your doctor about that because you are in need of more care for sure. The frozen shoulder sounds like a bed induced problem and some physio is needed for that too. Do keep in touch!
Thank you so much for your support. I asked for cardio rehab and was refused saying that I was too young. I begged for 6 months and finally they agreed but it was covid and online only. I went to private pt and they had me swinging from doors and banisters like a monkey. I have walked 5000 miles and the pain gets worse with every step. The cardiologist won't see me for 14 months and the many Dr.s that I have seen don't care enough to take an interest. Family Dr. is overwhelmed and of no help at all. All receptionists are like robots and follow a template. I seriously don't know why these people go into this profession. I'm certain there's still some good Dr.s and nurses out there but far and few between and I haven't found 1 in 2.5 years. The medications are literally killing me slowly and they refuse to listen. I could go on for hours but it just increases the pain. I would rather die in dignity on my own terms. I am a victim of covid but it will go down as mental health. The vaccines have destroyed my life and I wish that I had never got them.
Hi Beater, Samaritans are a group of ordinary people from all walks of life who, after training, take shifts on a Samaritan 'phoneline. Anyone can ring in about any problem that they are dealing with that is affecting their quality of life and makes them think of suicide.
In the UK the link is: samaritans.org. I wonder if you would be able to contact them from Canada? I don't know. Their UK number is 116123.
What I do know is that a friend of mine was suicidal. His eyesight was failing and he only had 20% left in one eye and surgery could risk that. He contacted the Samaritans and they helped him through his crisis. The end of this story is that surgery did help this man and his eyesight is now very much restored but he thought that would not be possible, was in despair and almost took his life.
Perhaps there is a similar organisation in Canada? I have looked and see that the Samaritans are a UK-based organisation but there should be something similar in Canada.
Aha! I have found that in Canada, you can ring or text 9-8-8. If you continue to feel depressed, please do consider calling and speaking to someone who may be able to help you.
Regarding your treatment from the doctors, my daughter is a GP and was still working at 10.00pm the other evening - on her day off. The stress of working in any health service is enormous and I am very sorry that you feel that your doctors do not care about you. The truth is probably that they are so overwhelmed with work they can barely think straight. You have 'fallen down a crack in the pavement' regarding your treatment and you need to ring the doctor's secretary and explain what has happened to you and can she please sort you out another appointment and issue immediate pain-relief medication. Don't wait, just do it tomorrow morning. Doctors do care and one forgetting about your script does not mean that they do not value you, please do not take it personally.
Please keep posting and let us know if you can find someone to speak to as you have many problems and do need an 'listening ear'. Please also let us know how you do regarding your treatment etc.
Wishing you well and we will be thinking about you.
Hi Beater,
So sorry to read how you are feeling. What a tremendously difficult time you’re going through. I have read the very thoughtful responses you’ve already had. I would add this link for you too which may be helpful reading.
I noticed you said you wanted to tell your story and be listened too without being cut off. As Rostom & Bunkular said, I’m sure everyone here would support you wherever possible if you feel you just need to be heard. Please do also, of course, reach out to the professionals, as there are people who can come alongside you in person there.
Beater please look into Chlorine Dioxide
Interesting topic, October 13 th 2021 I was given a flu and COVID jab, sore shoulders the following day and thought this will pass, sadly no I got gradually worse to the extent that I could not lift my arms to shoulder height and was all more aware as I practice yoga on Zoom and it hindered me in all postures.
It was the last week in January I needed to use the left hand to lift the right to get a bowl off the top shelf that I said this has gone on enough and got a blood test and X-ray and got the diagnosis of arthritic myalgia and give 15 mgs of prednisone , instant cure and yoga no problem.
Reducing course of dropping every 6 weeks to 5 and constant after that.
The following year offered both and I flatly refused and took the covid and the supervising nurse said can I have a word and told me she’s got the same problem and I told her of the steroid and she was going to try it.
Arthritic my ass as I’m 79 next month and not a ache in my body, it’s a cover up and again this year had them separate and no and I’m on prednisone.
On another issue Apixiban for years and I kept complaining of bleeding from the rear end test revealed nothing so I stopped taking them and reintroduced them after 3 weeks to half dose and the bleeding came back as I hit 2 x 5 mgs
Enter exdoxaban not to appease me but cost cutting exercise as we warned on this forum
When I get the bleeding under control I may cut the 60 mg In half and if that doesn’t work I will stop bleeding well taking them🤣
Interesting, Stratton-sully. I have been on Flecainide for well over twenty years now and as I have other health problems too, was delighted to have been given access to all Covid shots (I am classed as immunocompromised).
After a Covid vaccination two years ago, I began to feel stiff in shoulders and hips, reaching the stage where I could not easily climb stairs, rise from a sofa or pull up a duvet whilst laying in bed. I foolishly thought I was unfit (there had been poor weather and I could not go for walks or cycle rides etc.). After several weeks of increasing disability I saw my GP who sent me immediately to A and E for a definitive diagnosis which was PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica). The treatment is 15 or 20 mg (as in my case) of a steroid, Prednisolone which soon takes the pain and stiffness away. The downside is that one has to take years to reduce the steroid dosage to a level at which the body is happy (the PMR never actually leaves). The steroids obviously have a negative impact on the body generally and one is open to easier infections etc.
Your post struck an accord with me as I take Flecainide, and Apixiban amongst other drugs. I have not wanted to think that the Covid shots for which I have been very grateful, could be attributed to my PMR but your experience makes me wonder...
From WHO website
"While vaccines have not been linked to heart rhythm disorders, the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 showed a significant association with atrial fibrillation. This study showed an unprecedented detrimental effect of COVID-19 vaccines on atrial fibrillation and warrants the need to take that into consideration when prescribing COVID-19 vaccines."
Type in Covid Vaccine and Afib, so many articles, that quote was from here
I'm so sorry for hijacking your post. It's obvious a topic that I feel passionate about and from the bottom of my heart I appreciate all the support that you have all given to me. It's been nice to finally get my story told without eyes glazing over and being cut off or interrupted. You are a great community of beautiful, caring and loving people. I have done everything that you have all kindly suggested and unfortunately in Canada where I live in a huge metropolitan city and health care is free (from my taxes) Dr.s don't get paid enough to really care anymore or they are afraid of big pharma and losing their licenses. The good ones are not free to practice what they know better. It's become a lose lose situation. I wish all of you the very best and really think twice about all the drugs that they are putting in our bodies. I wish I knew then what I know now! Should of, could have, would have. ❤
I have had several COVID jabs with absolutely no Ill effects. I had an ablation in June for persistent AF, which worked fine. I am on blood thinners and ramipril. I was booked for a COVID jab in October and was asked if I would like my flu jab simultaneously, which I did. The following day I woke up with AF and double vision. The optician thought I'd had a mild stroke and suggested I go to A&E, where they could find no evidence. The double vision improved and the AF disappeared after a few days and I have been fine since.
I am deeply suspicious about the coincidence of the COVID jab and my sudden health issues, but I have no way of proving anything.
The only question when I went for my jabs was are you on Warfarin?