hi everyone, hope you have all had a great Christmas.
I’m about to start my meditation on Wednesday and I’m so nervous.
I’ve been prescribed 50mg flec twice a day and 1.25 mg of bisoprolo once a day .
I’m dreading it , anxiety about side affects and I’m not sure when it would be best to take the bisoprolo, do I take them together? My cardiologist never gave me any advice, any advice from you guys extremely welcome ! 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Well all I can say is ,my meds have helped me live a nearly normal lif.Bisoprolol at 1.25 was enough to keep Atrial Flutter at bay...enough to cope with until my flutter and fib ablation.
Flecanide I started on 50mg x2 daily. Great for me until.AF and AFL took over again.
100mg x 2 then. Nothing noticed.
They can't give you it unless your heart is sound.
Ablation 2022 killed off flutter,as expected, for ever, AFib lurks still, but kept in the cupboard by flec still.
Bisoprolol best taken at night.
My advice, and like you I fretted, leave it to the experts.( but question if you need to) Anxiety is your worst enemy for arrythmia.
Thanks for your reply. Apparently my heart is fine other than my weekly episode of Afib .
Do you take flec and bisoprolol together or do you wait an hour or so ?
I take multiple meds and swallow them all down at the same time. I can’t take flecainide but I am on a beta blocker. The first few months on beta blockers caused a lot of tiredness and fatigue for me. This lessened as time went on. I’ve been on 4 different beta blockers as we worked to find the one which best suited me personally. Im in one called carvedilol now.
Be patient and push through where you can, but obviously if symptoms persist or are really bad, get medical advice asap. We’re all different and react differently so no one’s experience will mimic yours exactly. Don’t let the occasional horror story scare you. Overall, most people tolerate their meds well.
Well I'm not happy about offering comments that should have been done by your medical team ... however .... I would take Bisoprolol at night and the 50mg of Flec morning and night. See how ya go.
Meanwhile I really suggest you either phone your GP for professional medical advice and/or your prescribing pharmacist. Or, if your GP Surgery employs one, consult your surgery Pharmacist.
I assume you've had relevant tests that give you the OK to take Flec ?
What tests are there to show if you can have flecainide?
My Cardio Consultant sent me for a range of blood tests. I'll check on my NHS App when my phone is finished recharging and see if there is anything there more specific and one way or another I'll get back to you on here. I also recall an Echocardiogram too.
John
The reason I asked is because I have a structurally sound heart but cannot take flecainide. Anyone with a left bundle branch block or sodium channelipathy is not suitable either. It’s the reason why I asked the question. You can’t test for many conduction issues specially. It’s trial and error.
I’ve had to have a ct scan , a cac scan and an echo . All of these came back ok so then I was prescribed the meds .
But none of those will specifically indicate conduction issues. All of my tests have been clear with the exception ofy left bundle branch which first showed during a stress echo. Subsequent echos haven’t shown it however. It is because of my conduction issues and my lbbb that I’m unable to take flecainide.
My bundle branch block was discovered during stress test - never heard of it before
It causes me a few issues, especially when it comes on when my heart is beating less than 60bpm. I get very breathless with it. How long ago were you diagnosed?
About 3 years
You must have a structurally sound heart so generally either and angiogram or echocardigram would be used. Any cardiac artery disease means no flecainide.
And any sodium channel disease or evidence of a left bundle branch block - ie conduction disorders also mean no flecainide. These can’t necessarily be treated for as precisely as structural issues. My heart is structurally perfect, but the electricals are another matter altogether!
My arteries are clear with a 0 calcium score and ‘mild’ atherosclerosis. I’ve had an angio and 2 CTCAs in the last 3.5 years.
As I said, artery disease is not the only contraindication for this drug. Many people do exceptionally well on it, but for some with conduction issues it will have a negative reaction.
Apparently heart is good just PAF .
I’m lucky other than a weekly episode I have no issues and I’m worried that medication may change my quality of life . I also know I overthink everything!!!
Shopgal67,
Right at the beginning in Jan 2010 (aged 65) when I got my AF diagnosis I was offered the ablation or medication route to problem solving.
I totally rejected the ablation route ..... going instead for medication. So, my medication journey was/is this - 2007 my GP at the time put me on Ramipril and Simvastatin ... end of! Following my AF diagnosis my Cardio Consultant added to this ................... Warfarin, Felodopine and Bisoprolol.
Over the years there have been minor medication adjustments so that as we speak my medication diet is - Simvastatin, Warfarin ( although I had a 6 month nightmare experience with Edoxaban) , Felodopine and Sotalol ........ sorted ! I get my AF kick off every 4 or 5 years, short spells lasting anywhere from 15 hours to a couple of days then it stops. In the intervening years I've led a normal life, carried on working driving buses (retired in July 2024, aged 79) , travelled several times to Australia and back, had 2 surgical procedures, 2 scans, manage to get out with my camera along walking paths in coastal Cornwall where I live .... no problems.
John
I love this , I’m hoping to retire and move to the coast in the next couple of years , we love coast path walking and photography and this is my dream for retirement! Glad you seem to have this all under control.
Hi Shopgal.
I hope you had a good Christmas.
Now your meds! Let's kick this one to touch here and now👍
Flec 50mg twice a day is the normal starter dose. Your cardio will keep you on this 'starter dose' for a month or so to let your body adjust. The dose will likely be increased to 100mg twice a day, although some people stay on 50mg as it's enough.
Again 1.5mg of Bis is the starter dose. Many take 5mg daily but that turns me into a zombie. I'm fine on 1.25mg - as above it's best taken at night.
OK shopping lass, I think we need a change of mindset here—boot anxiety out of your mind concerning possible side effects. Your cardio has put you on the lowest doses and IMO you will be just fine (note - I'm not a doctor).
Take your meds as instructed and get on with your day. As soon as anxiety about taking them rears its head tell it to 'do one'.
🎸Keep Rocking and Shopping.
Paul
Brilliant, just the talking to I need . My anxiety is an issue, I lost sleep last night worrying about it !!! Good advice thank you so much .
The test they gave me was a stress echo to see if heart is structurally sound. Early data said that Flecanide caused all sorts of issues but they later discovered that those with structural sound hearts had very few issues, like me and many others here. So ask for that test.
I’m on low dose beta blocker Metoprolol and Flecanide initially 50mg then down to 25mg twice a day after I found it made me a little lethargic when combined with beta blocker. I’m about to reduce to 20mg with approval of cardiologist. The beta blocker mitigates risks of issues with Flecanide. I take the BB then Flecanide about 20 mins later but have taken them together.
Make sure if you take supplements you have a 2 hour window either side of meds as they can interrupt with absorption of meds. I also take the meds about 30mins to 1 hour before meals. I exercise daily and enjoy a good Mediterranean diet. There’s some here that have been taken these drugs for 10-20 years and no issues. A professor of cardiology who first saw me to do the stress echo said that Flecainide is a remarkable drug for some people and that he believed I would be one of those people. I’ve not forgotten those words
Thank you James . My heart is good just the weekly PAF episodes . I’ve asked for the lowest dose as my normal resting HR is about 64 .
I exercise 3/4 days a week and I want to keep doing that . Thanks for your reply.
That’s not actually correct. I have a structurally sound heart but cannot take flecainide. Anyone with left bundle branch block or sodium channelipathy is not suitable either. It’s the reason why I asked the station about ‘what tests’ as you can’t test for many conduction issues specifically. It’s trial and error.
Thanks for correcting me I had always thought the cause of LBBB was an underlying heart problem and so one cannot take Flecainide but I stand corrected
hi iwas diagnosed with permanant AF so have apixoban and verapamil both twice a day no issues at all with my meds apart from in the beginning when I was given bisoperal but they changed it to verapamil as bisoperal made my asthma worse I wouldn't but find I can carry on as normal good luck
I wouldn't worry
Hi
Was that 1 hour 22mins of AF?
I hope that under went an ECHO, ECG before subscribing Flec... which is an anti-arrhythmic med. Should only be used if tests show that your heart is structually sound.
In first diagnosis the question that is asked whether it is rate most important or whether rhythm most important.
Tests show whether Flec.. is safe to use.
Both meds are low and are apt to be put up by your DR once prescribed by cardiologist.
Bisoprolol did not control my rapid H/Rate. Under 100 ideal control.
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
I don’t mean to sound blasé but just go for it !
I was on 100mg Flecanide pill in pocket but due to frequency of PAF (due to stress of my husband being in hospital) was advised to move onto 50mg Flecanide BD and Bisopralol 2.5 mg daily.
Best thing I I did!
The Bisopralol has made me much calmer and therefore coping much better with the everyday stresses of life and 🤞the Flecanide had prevented my AF. I know all meds now come with a data sheet but I sometimes think it it would be better if they didn’t.
I have been on this dose now for 2 years along with Edoxoban and Amlodipine - long May it continue.
I’m age 66, a retired nurse and dread an ablation.😩
I take exactly that and suits me to take bisoprolol 1.25 plus one flecainide 50mgs (and my other tablets including anticoagulant apixaban)) at 8.30am snd another flecainide 12 hours later at 8.30pm (together with my apixaban etc) As long as they are spaced 12 hours evenly it is up to you what time suits you
You have been put on the lowest dose of flecainide and bisoprolol so don’t look for side effects. Our minds play funny tricks. Some people take their bisoprolol in the evening but even at the lowest dose it lowered my diastolic BP and heart rate too low so the morning time is better for me when I’m active during the day
I have to say flecainide for me is a wonder drug and I have been on it for about 8 years.
All the best
Reading your previous posts you appear to have taken Bisoprolol four years ago. You've seen an EP, but anxiety seems to be interrupting your daily life. Taking tablets is no big deal. You've presumably taken tablets before, if only for a headache or wind. You admit to having had HRT to help you through the menopause.
Taking tablets to prevent AF is no different, except that it is long term. Bisoprolol is to reduce the rate of your heart beat, and Flecainide is to reduce fluctuations to the rhythm of your heartbeat, so that together they make your AF less frequent.
You are in the starting dose of Flecainide. It should stop your AF episodes, or at least reduce them.
I have suffered from asthma for 50 of my 79 years, using inhalers at least twice a day to help me breathe. When my lungs clog up I know to get to a GP for antibiotics and steroids.
I know that daily medication for asthma is a necessity to be able to breathe. Taking tablets for a problem with our hearts is no different.
I beg to differ. Taking HRT cannot be compared to taking other types of medication. Our female bodies produce oestrogen naturally from puberty to menopause. Taking bioidentical HRT is simply replacing what the body is no longer producing. Similar for thyroid hormone meds. Our bodies do not produce Flecainide or Bisoprolol or any of the other drugs that "taking tablets" involves.
Bioidentical HRT can produce side effects like any medication. It can cause nausea, headaches, and other side effects.
Usually because the dose has not been properly regulated. Also Transdermal bioidentical HRT has far fewer "side" effects than oral . The rise in hormones during part of the female cycle can cause unwanted effects. Ask any woman that suffers from PMT or higher blood pressure djuring pregnancy. These cannot be described as side effects.
Thanks for your response, the bisoprolo doesn’t worry too much has I’ve had it before but the flec concerns me as it can cause other arrhythmias .
I was nervous taking HRT but I opted for transdermal so side affects are very minimal.
HRT was a life saver so hopefully flec will have as good an impact for me .
I’m similar to you Shopgal. A few years older with PAF striking about every week. Also love coast path walking and exercise lots. Decided to give the drugs a go for quality of life reasons (AF was occurring part way through cycling and made sleeping more tricky). Given same (minimum) doses as you, 18 months ago. I now get an episode of AF about every month or two and it only last about 4 hours (versus typically 24 or more before). No side effects or anything so don’t go looking for them!!
3 notes for you from my experience: 1. It took a few months to reach my present low levels of AF. In the transition the AF frequency steadily decreased. 2. I got an ok to take an extra 50mg flecanide pill on top of the regular dose when AF did occur; probably foreshortens attacks. 3 the bisoprolol drops my heart rate by about 10% in all conditions- I’m fine with that, has zero effect on me.
Hope it goes as well for you!
I’m feeling more positive after all these great messages. It sucks to get it during exercise, that’s only happened a couple of times thankfully, thanks for your insight.
You wrote meditation when I presume you intended to write medication but I am sure meditation would greatly help reduce anxiety. I now just take Flecainide and have reduced the first dose of the day to 50mg keeping 100mg at night and that has ended episodes for me.
Hi, just take the medicine and don't think about it. I take two and what I do is take them when I am eating with a little space in between. As long as medicines don't conflict with one another for some reason which I doubt they do, this should be okay. Best wishes to you.
I felt the same way, hate trying new meds! I have taken flecainide 50 mg twice a day then they had to increase it! It works very well for me and I have a friend on this for 8 yrs and is doing fine! My anxiety is always high with new meds because of side effects! I cannot remember if I had many side effects with this drug or not!
Bisoprolol. How long does it keep the AF away for, until returning back as an attack...?
flecinide and bisoprolol help please 😊
covid could it have made my PAF WORSE?
Medication and arriving in a new time zone
time to take meds.
