First Post. Hi everyone I'm a 64 year old male livng in Yorkshire, England. I first became aware of issues with my heart over 40 years ago, my wife noticed my heart would miss a beat every now and again. At some point a doctor told me I had an ectopic beat and that it wasn't anything to worry about, so I didn't.Two years ago I started to have small AF episodes. Went to the doctors, prescribed Apixaban twice daily and propanadol PRN. The episodes of AF developed quickly in their length an severity from that point. At the time I was thinking of retirement, this forced the decision.
Eventually I was seen by a cardiologist diagnosed with PAF, prescribed Bisoprolol 1.25mag and Flecainide 50mg twice daily.
Things improved, for a month or so I thought this was it I was fixed. No such luck. I started to have AF episodes that lasted eight hours or so. So i went back to the cardiologist, luckily I had a 24 hour ecg that caught an episode. I was grinning from ear to ear when this happened I'm sure that my cardiologist struggles to believe anything that's not recorded on her equipment. This lead to the cardiologists to increase my Flecainide to 100mg twice daily.
So now I've been on Flecainide 100mg for three months and things have changed. Now I don't get AF as I previously experienced it. I'm getting periods of where my pulse is regular at between 40 to 55 bpm and periods where my pulse is regular but higher between 95 and 110 bpm. The higher rate is accompanied by an initial anxiety, palpitations, fatigue, breathlessness on mobilisation, occasional dizziness. The thing that's concerning me currently is that the episodes of higher pulse rates are getting longer, the last one was 76hrs, and the average pulse rate is increasing.
I'm due to see my cardiologist again next month. I wondered if anyone had a similar experience.
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Trev0red
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Welcome to the forum Trev - you'll find plenty of help from fellow-sufferers here.
I'm not medically qualified but I also take 2x100mg Flecainide and have done so for the last 10 years. I wonder if you are having runs of Atrial Flutter which I experienced at the beginning when I started Flecainide?
My flutter rate was around 110/130 and the runs were short-lived. Eventually they stopped about 6 or 7 years ago. If you have an ECG device such as a Kardia, it would be useful to try and catch the tachycardia for your doctor. Otherwise, contact your doctor or cardiologist and get it analysed.
Thanks for the advice Finvola. I have a Kardia purchased on the advice of the cardiologist, hopefully she will look at the results, she seems to have an aversion to none hospital supplied tech. Given your history with flecainide I'm very new to it, hopefully things will calm down.
It could be that the Flec is changing your condition from AF to Afl, or perhaps helping your AF but triggering Afl and this is not necessarily good - it happened to me about 3 months after I started on Flec. Personally I would ask for tests to see if the Flec is suitable for your condition. I must caveat my reply by saying that just because it happened to me does not mean that it is happening to you, Flec is an effective treatment for many but can be dangerous for a few - best get it checked out
I have also been on 200mgs Flecainide, a success for many years. However, in the early days, things were pretty rocky before it all settled down helped I believe by lifestyle changes as well.
However, as has already been said for peace of mind, try for an earlier Cardiologist appointment.
Thanks for your advice Secondtry I've read a lot and watched all sorts of videos on AF and it's a consistent message, Lifestyle changes. I'm on it, lots of salads, smaller meals and no alcohol won't be easy.
Broadly, yes. I was given biosprolol to help reduce the high rate (85-130bpm) and I never had it for long periods as you have. The problem with a beta-blocker is that it reduces the "whole" rate, too, of course, so I now have periods with a pulse in the high forties, especially in the evenings. It doesn't affect my health, though.
I have a bundle block too (LBBB), and whether that is the cause of mine, I don't know. Like you, I have had ectopic beats for much of my life. These eventually, at 65, five years ago, "turned into" atrial flutter and, now, occasional AF. More than anything, I get frequent palpitations these days and mild racing. I suspect, like me, your doctors won't find much to report or ever get at the root cause (which I guess is a genetic predisposition).
The flecainide you take is purely for symptom relief, although you likely know that.
Welcome to the Forum! If you would like any advice or just a chat, please do not hesitate to contact the Patient Services Team at the AF Association: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Hello, I have almost the same HR as you do, resting or before going to sleep 48-52, then when I go into afib anywhere from 120-166 in that area. My low rate really freaked me out but my cardiologist say's not to be too concerned because of it and when I was at the ER and HR was 166 the Dr. said don't be too concerned about that either as I am on apixaban so just ride it out as I've done over the past 32+ years. I live alone and have ptsd with no relatives or friends and when anxiety attacks happen I really struggle but after all these years I'm still here so I guess the Dr.s are right. I find worrying about afib is one of my biggest enemies as I'm sure others on the forum will attest to that also. I wish you all the best on your afib journey.
Thanks for the advice Kocoach. I agree always feel a anxious when an episode starts, particularly if it's after a week or two AF free. It's no fun, so I was please when I found this site lots of advice and understanding from people with real experience.
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