Good news, the results of my CT scan showed no signs of ‘obstructive coronary artery disease’.
I have been given the green light to proceed with flecainide. Given the frequency of my bouts the prescribed dosage is 2 x 50mg daily.
Question to fellow warriors:
Have your AF episodes entirely halted, decreased, or showed no change since using flecainide?
Thank you.
Back when I was at school with Noah I took flecainide as PIP (pill in pocket to teminate events) 300mg max per 24hours. Once I got to see my EP he switched me to propafanone on a more regular regime of daily tablets. For me nothing was ever gauranteed to stop or prevent any AF events though propafanone did reduce them. My third ablation was the magic bullet and I was arrhythmia free for about ten years before Atrial tachycardia came to visit but a fourth ablation in 2019 sorted that out . A pacemaker in 2022 sorted occasional heart block which seemed to worry my EP more than myself.
Thanks Bob, as they say “no one size fits all “ with AF.
Hi,
I’ve been on Flecainide for 5+ years; originally 150mg a day maintenance dose. I also have a PIP plan too in case of an episode; which I haven’t had to use yet.
My last sustained episode was 4 years ago, it spontaneously terminated and since then I’ve been free from Afib. There are daily PVCs and the odd ‘PVC storm’ to contend with but generally things are stable.
At moment I am attempting to titrate off Flecainide to see if I can maintain NSR without it. Currently down to 100mg now. This is a bit of an experiment but it’s all been done with the consent of my cardiologist.
AF is a complicated condition, presentation is diverse and we all respond differently to treatment. So far, Flecainide has been a good solution for me but I’d like see if I can now do without it. If this fails I’ve no qualms about taking it again.
That sounds encouraging, I hope you eventually manage to maintain NSR without medication.
I'm sorry to say that a daily dose of Flecainide didn't seem to make one iota of difference to my PAF - it still broke through when it felt like it. But that's just me and I'm sure it has some good benefits for others so please give it a try.
Sorry to hear that. My arrhythmia nurse told me it doesn’t work for everyone.
I am in the same position. I only took one tablet two weeks ago and it gave me a day free of any arrhythmia, or just about. I did get some strong heartbeats, however, which worried me as I also have LBBB, so I'm still waiting written reassurance that I can resume it. That's me, though - a born worrier.
Steve
Hi Steve, are you being treated for LBBB?
Hi. Not really as the only treatment if needed is a PM that synchronises the two ventricles. I was told that was not necessary. The specialist prescribed a BP tablet (losartan 100mg) even though my BP was normal. He told me this protects the ventricles.
What has your doctor said? Mine is symptomatic I feel (although the specialist blames AF and atrial ectopic beats for these).
Steve
Hi,
I take Diltiazem to lower my BP and control heart rate.
My specialist said I have “no obstructive coronary heart disease” but I do have minor CAD (plaque) which is apparently very common in a woman of my age (65)
He prescribed low dose statin to halt progression. Nowadays, they like to prescribe statins to over 60’s as a preventative measure.
No contradiction to flecainide.
I have a follow up appointment early September; so unless my symptoms become more frequent, or troublesome I will leave taking flecainide until then.
Like you, I worry about the least little thing which doesn’t help.
We are very similar. I wasn't told about plaque but as I understand it everyone has this to some degree (even something called "pre-plaque"), even from a young age. I have read that the thing to do above all else in life is to keep the BP to normal by reducing weight and exercising.
I am waiting to find out whether I can take flecainide as needed, as, for example, since I took it last week, my heart has been much calmer much of the time and it occurred to me that I would not want to take a strong drug when things are going well.
Steve
Absolutely, thankfully I am not overweight, I exercise and eat well.
Hypertension is my problem; I have a reactive component whenever I approach all things medical.
Minutes before my CT scan I was so anxious the medics had to give me GTN spray and metoprolol to lower BP and HR before they could proceed with the scan.
Whenever I use the home monitor my BP is normal...
Even at home I need three or four goes with the BP machine.
I believe it’s the lowest repeatable reading that is the actual BP, btw.
Steve
I was on a maintenance dose of flecainide before my ablation last March, and it definitely helped to reduce episodes of AF. I actually thought it had stopped them altogether at one point, but it was a false dawn. I've been AF free since the ablation though, fingers crossed.
Weaning off Flecainide
Flecainide 
Reducing to stop Flecainide and Bisoprolol 
Beast is Back
