I'm having an anxiety issue with the flecainide 50mg 2 times daily that I had been prescribed 2 weeks ago and still havnt taken it due to my fears of taking it. I have had one episode of afib that took me to hospital for a few hours and have every week or two smaller episodes lasting only 30 seconds or so . On reading the leaflet it says only prescribed to ppl with bad heart issues and thos freaks me out along with the side effects listed mainly the fact It could make my symptoms worse. I'm very sorry I know most of you here are probably in a worse state than my issue. I also get palpatations a few times most days eptopics I have been told. I guess I just want reassurance from ppl that take this medication daily like I'm being told to, I have been told to take flecainide 50mg twice daily. I'm worried about the long term affects as well as the fact it can change your heart rythem. I'm freaking out a bit about it
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An amazing drug which gave me zero side effects, except for sinus rhythm, they won’t give it to you if it’s unsafe. If you’re worried perhaps they could give you a beta blocker to use alongside?
I don’t take it anymore, it’s a long story but I’m on bisoprolol bi daily now. When I took it though, before my first ablation, my afib was well kept in check.
It won’t eliminate it completely but I’ve only had one episode since starting it and that was 18 months ago, but I take Bisoprolol and rivaroxoban too!
I'm one of those people Bob was talking about who has been on flecainide for years and it has been very good to me, keeping me in Sinus rhythm. I’m grateful it exists and I can get it. Try it and see if it works. None of those catastrophic events you mention can happen over night anyway so, give it a go. Good luck!
I felt exactly the same as you and refused to take it when A & E Dr prescribed it. I read leaflet, searched on Dr Google and decided no thanks. But...... immediately after ablation in September the consultant put me on 50 mg twice a day, reduced my bisoprolol dosage and I've been great with no problems. I talked to him about my hesitation and he laughed and said it's been around for 20 years now.
Take it. There are no guarantees of course and I fully get your sensible concerns. I was equally reticent, promised myself I would get myself off it after 6 months and am still on it (200mgs/day) 11+ years later. It has been good for me.
I have been on flecainide for over 13 years and I swear by it. I’ve never had any side effects and like you take 50mg bd. They like you off it by 70 plus. That’s why I’ve just had my ablation. Flecainide kept me in sinus rhythm with only occasional episodes always triggered by gastric reflux or indigestion. Please do not worry about it . A CT scan of your coronary supply could put your mind at rest 50mg bd is only a small dose
All the best Do get in touch if you would like a chat Take the drug . Your doctor wouldn’t have prescribed it for you if he was worried
You wrote "They like you off it by 70 plus", which caused me some concern as I am almost 78, and use PIP flecainide. Now it may be that I've been living under a rock, but I've never seen your warning written before. Could you possibly elaborate the source of your flecainide thinking quoted above. Thanks.
PS. My interest in PIP flecainide use has recently been aroused by concerns that it might be causing me novel arrythmias.
I was placed on 50mg flecainide at age 81. It worked very well in controlling my afib but I elected for an early ablation last April. I stayed on flecainide one month post ablation and I’m doing well ever since. I must say, I had one side effect which drove me nuts-it gave me wind.
Hi. Cardiologists like all Doctors have their own opinions. I should be off it in a couple of months I hope. So glad to hear your ablation has been so successful. I hope mine will be. Best wishes.
I’ve been on Flec for over 4 years now… no Afib and very little ectopics even! It’s has been absolutely wonderful for me, this is the longest I’ve gone without Afib for almost 30 years! No side effects at all for me, perhaps a little less energy when I first took it, but notice nothing now and work out at the gym, hiking, all good!
the issues with Flecainide are mostly with people that have some structural issues with heart. For those without issues like myself it’s not an issue. I’m on 20mg bd and feel great no AF since January. Have you had a stress echo done to check out your heart?
That’s interesting about the structure of the heart. Do you know what kind of heart structural issues could affect flec use and what the effects could be? I have slightly enlarged atria so would flec be any good for my AF?
I know you may not have all the answers but I am most interested if you have any. Thanks!🙏
A slightly dilated atria is generally thought of as ok. Best to ask Cardiologist. I remember reading that when Flecainide was first introduced they were having some adverse effects. When they dug into it they found that a lot of those people had structural issues so that’s why most doctors now will check out your heart before prescribing Flecainide. I remember the Professors words after my stress Echo , he said it’s great drug for some people and I was one of those people. I have continued my rigorous exercise just making sure my HR doesn’t go to high just in case. I’m very careful around alcohol and caffeine as well but otherwise I get on with living!
I have been on it for over 2 years, thanks to it I am still here!! Never mind the leaflet, trust your cardiologist who prescribed it, No worries, it works. Good luck
Same from me, I've been on 100mg twice daily for a year now and my quality of life is so much better, no more AF. I too refused to use it until I had a stroke. Now I don't miss taking my tablets and I do a lot physically for a 62 year old. Don't be forced into taking it like I was. It will improve your health even though it takes a couple of weeks to kick in.
I have been taking 150 mg of the slow release version of Flecainide for years, and when I had AF breaking through, I took 200 mg of the fast acting kind extra. It worked all the time, but it stopped having its effect a few months ago. No side effects apart from a short pre-syncope at the moment of reversal to sinus. On some days, when I had 2 breakthroughs, my maximum dose even amounted to 500 mg. All approved by my cardiologist. I now only take it as ‘pill in pocket’.
They have brought the feeling of having an episode right down and the heart beat doesn’t peak so high with it. You will feel less anxious taking the tablets if you have an episode. Flecanide won’t stop the episode but makes you feel less anxious thinking your heart might explode thru your chest.
It’s your choice but if you’ve been told to take them by a qualified dr or EP..take them. Millions of us do.
I've also been taking 50mgx2 daily for over 15yrs. I had my first episode at 57yrs old when I was taken to hospital and put on flecainide after an overnight stay. I've only had one further episode which just lasted a couple of hours and apart from occasional ectopics I've been symptom free ever since so it's certainly working for me and I don't take beta blocker or anticoagulants due to other conditions.
I have been on 100mg bd for over 3 years now can highly recommend them I have had no problems with them. I certainly felt so much better when I started taking them.
I've taken 100mg twice a day for 13 years. It does what it says on the tin! I've only ever had three prolonged fast AF episodes. Sometimes after their years of training, we just have to trust the experience of Consultants. Always good to question and of course all docs are hooman beans but on the whole they do extremely well!!
I also am one of those people who have been on it for years - coming up for 8. All of us are different, and everyone will react differently to it, but I've had no effects taking it, other than it giving me my life back. I now travel all over the world several times a year, exercise, go dancing. 50mg X 2 daily, like you've been prescribed. That is considered a minimal dose, some people take more, and are still OK with that. I don't eat late in the evening, I don't drink alcohol, I avoid stress if possible, when I travel I leave plenty of time and don't get uptight. I'm grateful for the life it's allowed me to live these years, and will deal with what lies ahead when it comes.
Any meds, I read the leaflet as to how to take them. I don't read the side effects. If I do have a reaction, I then read that paragraph. If you read a leaflet for paracetamol, you'd never take it, it'd frighten you to death. What you do need to a have is a regular blood test, some people it's 6 monthly, some annually, to check your organ functions, which is reassuring that your body is coping well.
You don't mention who prescribed you, what the follow up plan is etc. That is important. I felt abandoned when first diagnosed with Afib 12 years ago, I was just told that's it's a minor problem, sent for heart scans and told my heart was structurally sound, so just forget about it. Eventually I discovered the key to feeling back in control, which was a private appointment with an electrophysiologist. I had an hour which answered all my fears (both the reasonable and the ridiculous). I was prescribed Flec there, and haven't looked back. Those minutes were the most precious of my life since 2012, even the knowledge that I can go back any time, email, phone etc etc if I need to. In the UK, you don't need to get a referral, you can book it yourself. Nowadays, there is far more available online you can research to find one of these heart rhythm specialists. It will tell you how much they charge for an appointment. It is the best money I have ever spent in my entire life. If you can't find the money, these specialists also work in the NHS, you can ask your GP for a referral and wait. You need to talk to someone about your future, even if only a sympathetic GP who will listen to your fears. A good one will freely admit that they know very little about Afib, but will be able to give you a little support on giving you a balanced view of taking a new drug, not scaring yourself on the stuff that has to be printed on leaflets. Also, be very wary of Dr Google - it has its place, but again be very careful of believing everything you read. Different countries have vastly different methods of health care, largely due to how much money is in it. Good luck, the more you know the stronger you'll be - it can be devastating to be told this diagnosis, but there is more help now than I had 12 years ago - finding this forum might just that.
I have been taking Flecainide for 18 months now for multifocal PBCs they have been a god send for me I feel great on them and they have stopped 95% of the PVCs I was getting, they only prescribed Flecainide if you have a healthy heart, they checked my heart rhythm with a ECG after a week on them to make sure my QRS complex was still within range, I take 100mg every 8 hours
Took it for about eight years, no problems , just stopped working. All those side effects they list are scary but remember they have to list every single adverse effect even if it is one person only. I found it to be a good drug with no side effects. Hope all goes well for you x
I had four years with minor problems before the Afib returned. I used a higher dose after that but then had repeated episodes requiring cardioversions. Now on amiodarone as nothing else suits me
Dosage was 50 twice a day, increased to 100 and probably 150 twice per day at different times.
I didnt do lifestyle modifications as I'm fit, not overweight, don't smoke and eat a fairly good diet. Oh, though I did eliminate most alcohol and coffee. None of it made a difference as my trigger appeared to be when I relaxed - usually at night but also when taking a knap or meditating once too!!!!!!
hi, my response is going to be different from others. I was prescribed daily flecanide and told my cardiologist I didn’t want to take it. I have it as a PIP.
My symptoms are similar to yours.
You see, we can make decisions for ourselves and not just what our doctors think. It is your call.
Hi, I completely understand your worry! I was absolutely dreading taking Flecanide for the first time. I was convinced I was going to drop dead …so much so that I wanted my husband to drive me to the hospital and we’d sit in the car when I took the first dose!! We didn’t, I took it and was absolutely fine. Started off as PIP which worked brilliantly but didn’t get on with beta blockers. Now I’m on 50mg Flec twice a day and verapamil. No AF since starting daily Flec and the occasional ectopic (use to have lots daily). Absolutely no side effects from the Flecanide …wouldn’t know I was taking it. You wouldn’t be given it unless was safe to do so and your test results were ok. I didn’t even read the side effects leaflet…I wait till something doesn’t seem right and then look it up. Otherwise I’d be even more freaked out!! My experience with Flec has been great so far….hope yours is too. All the best…..
I take 50mg twice a day with 1.25mg of bisoprolol twice a day . Before my ablation 4 years ago I took twice that. Only side effect for me …. Sinus rhythm don’t worry . And if ( it won’t) it makes you fee unwelll .. stop taking it it is not a sentence just a prescription. I am sure you will be glad you took it in a week or so
Hi I take this twice daily and also isopropyl 1.25mg at night and half a tab in morning. I was always going to hospital with sat and got ectopics too but touch wood I have never had an hospital visit since I started taking fkecainide. I originally did when I was only taking isopropyl even tho it was less frequent but since taking flecainide I have nvr been to hospital
I take three times your dose. I've been doing so for 5 years and not aware of any side effects for me. On the contrary, i think it does a good job of minimising the duration and frequency of my AF episodes. However, we're all different and your experience might differ.Maybe you should discuss your concerns with your prescribing doctor. They might be able to put your mind at rest re flecainide for you and if need be, discuss other options.
Ultimately it's your decision whether you take it or not.
The frequency and duration of my episodes vary. I have gone 4 months between episodes but also had episodes on consecutive days. Episodes can last up to 14 - 16 hours or be over in minutes. Most have tell-tale high HR but some have only slightly elevated HR.I am confident flecainide is making a difference for me and at this stage I am not showing any signs of my AF getting worse after 5 years. However I have made lifestyle changes which might also be a factor.
It is strange that you were simply told to take it. In my case, I was given it in Hospital and monitored. It stopped my Afib in twenty minutes! Have been taking the stuff for twelve years now, with no problems. Some people do have side effects or adverse reactions. I did not. My current Cardiologist says it is one of the safest of all the anti arrythmics. Except for the Afib, is your heart said to be healthy? If so, you should have no issues.
I have been taking Flecainide, first as a Pip and now regularly since soon after my paroxysmal AF was finally diagnosed and the lowest dose of Bisoprolol proved too much for me to take daily. I was prescribed it as a Pip to start with to take when episodes occurred but as they increased I now take 50mg of Flecainide in the morning (originally 100mg) and 100mg at night and it has virtually put an end to episodes with no “anxiety issues” at all. Were you troubled with anxiety before? Are you concerned that you have this heart condition or something else? Meditation and gentle breathing might help and resting. We are all different but do try not to worry and keep in touch with us here for support.
Hi, I have been taking Flecainide for around 14 years 50 to 200 mg X 2 per day. Now, everyone is different but I have experienced no side effects and the medication controls my Proxismal AF very well. I am able to increase the dose if I feel an episode coming on. I should also state that my AF is fairly stable at the moment and at my recent review we discussed coming off daily dose to pill in the pocket. Which is going fairly well, had to o take 100 mg last week. Hope this helps.
I am now 85 and I was on Flecainide for 25 years ending up taking 300 a day.
At my time of life (which I have reached thanks to this drug) my doctor decided it was time to come off it. And I have done so, now taking a small dose of betablocker instead, with no problems.
When first diagnosed as having af I was in a very bad state... three unsuccessful cardioversions, several emergency admisions (blue lights on the hard shoulder stuff) and was told by one doctor... whom i subsequently outlived... that I would...."spend the rest of my life" in a wheelchair.
Thanks to flecaniade I've lead a very full life, including fathering a child in my sixties and travelling the world.
All I have to do now is deal with my Parkinsons and stomache cancer.
Just take it and get on with your life my son (but learn basic contraceptive techiques).
I’ve been on it some time now. Same dose as you’ve been prescribed. It will help to regulate your heart so cutting down on those palpitations. Do give it a go.
Thank you every one for you comforting words and reassurance. I have just taken my first dose now and will start the 2 a day from tommorow. It truly is nice to have so many responses Thank you all.
I started flecainide 2 years ago, 50 mg 2xday without any problems. I had been having almost daily episodes of a fib. After initial period of couple of months of continued afib episodes, they just stopped.I have PAF, just turned 73 years old and otherwise healthy. I have had only 2 episodes of afib in past 2 years and it does feel a little miraculous given it had become so much a part of my life. I also take Metoprolol, (have cut back to 25 mg 1x day) which I believe helps with flecainide though I also find it an annoyance as it keeps my heart rate a little too low (into 40s on daily basis), but I understand the betatblocker works to prevent the prorhythmmia which can be dangerous and also I think keeps my heart rate from spiking which I believe sets of the afib episodes. I am not interested in an ablation at this time but I keep it as an option if the flecainide stops working or becomes detrimental. So as you can see there are many success stories from flecainide though you will also hear cases where it didn’t work out. Good luck!
I can totally empathise with your anxiety around Flecainide.
I was exactly the same, I was loathed to take it.
Other than PAF episodes I have no issues with my heart.
However, I was starting to experience weekly symptomatic PAF episodes, sometimes twice a week.
In between, I suffered ectopic beats. I was taking Flecainide as a PIP, but the symptoms of my PAF were getting me down, and the PIP only reduced the immediate episode.
My arrhythmia nurse advised me to try to prevent PAF episodes by taking it on a daily basis rather than being reactive.
Reluctantly, 5 weeks ago I started taking 1x50 mg twice a day.
To date, I have suffered no side effects, and I have not experienced a single episode of PAF.
In addition, I had a ECG a week after starting Flecainide to ensure my QTC interval was within normal limits, which it was.
It feels fantastic to feel normal again.
I still stick to my regime of no alcohol and caffeine, plus I do not eat heavy meals after 6.00 pm.
From one anxious person to another, I highly recommend taking it.
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