cardiologist prescribed flecainide.. electrophysiologist prescribed amiodarone.. idk what to do

[Hgggg]

electrophysiologist claims my heart rate is low when it's not in tach and flecainide has the reputation of lowering it further. however upon my research flecainide seems to be safer with less toxicity/side effects. amiodarone has a 2 /5 rating while flec has 4. idk what to do as the specialist presents himself as knowing best but those that took amiodarone do not encourage it and claim it has messed up with their health, even killing some. >.> exhausted & confused

Why is amiodarone considered a "Last resort drug" in comparison to flec?

[OzJames]

I can only comment in Flecainide and yes it can lower HR especially when combined with a beta blocker. With permission from cardiologist I have reduced dose of both and combined with my healthy lifestyle and daily exercise I feel great. He sometimes jokes that I’m only just above homeopathic dose of beta blocker and I’ve reduced the Flecanide down to around 20-22mg twice a day. I began this regime a year ago and aside from a few hours in AF last month due to dehydration I’ve had a good year. Each of us is different in the way we react. My normal resting HR was 60-65 now with the drugs it’s 55-60 on the higher dose of drugs it got into the 40’s.

[Hgggg in reply to OzJames]

I'm glad you found a good medication regime.I'm on metoprolol 50 mg, not sure if that's a beta blocker?

Also pls explain what you meant with being just above homeopathic dose

[OzJames in reply to Hgggg]

Yes Metoprolol is one of the beta blockers which is what I’m on. I started at 50mg then went down to 25mg twice a day then eventually down to 10.5mg twice a day. Given that the lowest dose recommended is 12.5mg I’d say he was suggesting it probably would be less effective at 10.5mg. Some doctors don’t accept that homeopathy actually works so what he was really saying… it doesn’t do much at the little dosage

[Hgggg in reply to OzJames]

I'm confused.. isn't homeopathy natural/alternative medicine? While metoprolol is a pharmaceutical..

[OzJames in reply to Hgggg]

Yes that’s correct. The doctor was making a joke… saying that my dose was that low it may not be very effective….suggesting homeopathy is not very effective

[Espeegee]

personally I'd say the fleicanide is worth trying first, Amiodarone has some unpleasant side effects for some.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Espeegee]

I agree with Espeegee. I would try fleicanide first and see what happens. You don’t say what dose. Some use it as a PIP. This is more commonly used and tolerated than Amiodarone which has more side effects. We are not medics and our health history is different, so go with your own instinct.

[Hgggg in reply to Cavalierrubie]

What kind of side effects & have you tried it? If so what dose ty in advance

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Hgggg]

No, just comparing the two drugs and a personal opinion, but l not a medic and don’t know your medical history. I am due to see an EP in March and will, most likely, be faced with a similar decision. Knowledge is power so it pays to do your homework on drugs. Good luck.

[Hgggg in reply to Cavalierrubie]

What medications are/were you on for afib?

[Hgggg in reply to Espeegee]

What kind of side effects & have you tried it,if so what dose

Ty in advance

[Espeegee in reply to Hgggg]

I don't take anything for my Afib, long story! I have however come across one man who was prescribed Amiodarone for his heart condition, one of the side effects is on the lungs, sadly it was the lung issue that caused him to die. Only one person but looking at side effects and comparing is imo the best way to decide which you might prefer.

[Hgggg in reply to Espeegee]

May he rip 😔 How long was he on it for?

[Espeegee in reply to Hgggg]

Several months I think.

[Hgggg in reply to Espeegee]

Maybe had existing lung situation? Smoker?

[Espeegee in reply to Hgggg]

Nope, his wife was very upset because she couldn't understand why, he'd never smoked. If you read up about the drug I'm sure you will find what it can do

[mav7 in reply to Espeegee]

I don't take anything for my Afib.

Please start a thread on this subject. Interesting to hear.

Condolences to your friend.

Would be good to know exact type of lung disease. Lung cancer can occur in non-smokers. Normally, patients on Amiodarone receive frequent health checks to prevent adverse effects.

[mav7]

To relate our experiences would be helpful to know your afib history, average heart rate, previous medications, any other heart conditons, etc.

Also, suggest you ask the EP and cardiologist to confer to decide best path forward.

[ForensicFairy]

Why don’t your doctors work together? My cardiologist defers to the EP for recommendations and they communicate frequently.

[secondtry]

I vote for Flecainide.

[Lilypocket]

I am just wondering why your EP prescribed Amiodarone as preferred drug unless other meds haven't worked? I was put on it after my ablation as had quite a few rhythm problems and my EP wanted to avoid Flecainide (which I took before the ablation)as he felt it was pro- arrhythmic under my circumstances. Amiodarone knocked all the arrhythmias on the head . I was on it for 6 weeks. I believe it can be a problem if taken long term but obviously it affects people differently. I had no problem with it.

[Hgggg in reply to Lilypocket]

pls share what bad things have you read abt amiodarone & why did you stop taking it

[ForensicFairy in reply to Hgggg]

Personally, I’d listen to your EP. As for flec being the safer drug - it’s definitely not for me. It has the ability to put me into a deadly arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or VT) plus I have a LBBB which also means I can’t take it as it will make this worse.

[Lilypocket in reply to Hgggg]

The cardiologist put me on it to calm my heart and it worked perfectly. I was only on it for a short while to put me back into Normal sinus rhythm and help my heart carry on healing after the ablation. I didn't need to take it longer than 6 weeks. The only bad things I have read about it are on this forum but they are many other people taking it ( some long term) with no problems whatsoever. The best is to talk to your doctor about the possible side effects. But if you do take it you will be monitored with regular blood tests.Take care.

[Hgggg in reply to Lilypocket]

what was the timeframe between taking it, it putting you back into normal, and then the ablation? i figure you didn't need a cardioversion?

ty in advance..

[Lilypocket in reply to Hgggg]

No it was the other way round . I had the ablation then had rhythm problems after and was put on Amiodarone 3 weeks after the ablation as I had HR of 160 bpm regular and irregular and a very poor ejection fraction (30%). The drug put me back into and maintained normal rhythm almost immediately (2 days). I took it for 8 weeks I think.

Hope this helps

[Hgggg in reply to Lilypocket]

so rn you are not on any medicine besides blood thinner I assume? also hope your ef% is better?

[Lilypocket in reply to Hgggg]

Yes no medication except anticoagulant and EF 72%

[Hgggg in reply to Lilypocket]

such a blessing. i bet you were nervous when it dropped! :s