Flecanide isn't agreeing with me anymore - it

[PamH75]

Hello from Canada everyone.

I love this forum, even though our health systems are different I always find I learn so much from all of you.

I am here looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience on Flecanide. Some background first. I was diagnosed with AFib in my late 40s. I am now about to turn 65, have had two ablations - last one was about 11 years ago. I was once on Rythmol but then was switched to Flecanide ( 100 mg twice a day and 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol along with Eliquis.) As much as I had some of the side effects that come with Flecanide such as being winded and a bit fatigued I felt it that it worked for me. My ablations did not make me AFib free and I was in AFib a bit and had to occasionally go to the ER to be cardioconverted prior to the Flecanide being prescribed. Once on Flecanide I could take up to 100 mg more when in AFib which converted me. My episodes were maybe 2 a year. This routine worked for over 6 years.

While using Flecanide my resting heart rate was between 55-60 bpm. Recently my resting HR dropped to about 47 and then one day when I was at work I felt really unwell and checked my HR to discover it at 30 bpm. Called my cardiologist who immediately told me to get to the ER. The ER doctors and nurses took it very seriously and had me hooked up and on a drip in moments upon arrival. The ER cardiologist started talking about a Pacemaker which put my head in a spin as I know that day may come but I was hoping not yet. She said I would still have to be on AFib meds though. Anyway it was decided between the ER cardio and my own cardio that my body was now reacting to the dose of Flecanide (too much) and they dropped my dose to 75 mg twice a day and one 1.25 Bisoprolol. She warned that more episodes of AFib would probably result but my resting HR would be at a safer level.

Since this change I have had weekly AFib episodes with HRs in the 115-130. When on the higher dose of Flec and Bis any AFib episodes would remain in the 75-90s. I have been instructed to increase the Flec a bit during these episodes and have converted within 6-9 hours.

What I have noticed and what is of concern to me is that the AFib flips to Atrial Flutter after about hour 6 and remains at constant high heart rate until conversion. Until this med change I have not ever had Flutter which is worrying me. Did some investigation and found out that a switch from AFib to Flutter can occur when using Flecanide. My cardio does an Echo on me every 6 months and the one in the beginning of November showed my heart structure to be sound.

So after this long winded bio I have a few questions.

Has anyone had the experience of AFib switching to Flutter on any med?

Has anyone had a similar experience on Flecanide?

Has anyone had a Pacemaker put in and how did it change your life?

Anyone had a Cyro ablation after a catheter ablation- did it help?

Thanks to all who have read this epic post to the end. The one good thing is my amazing Cardiologist squeezed me in on Monday morning when I called his office today (Saturday) so I am hoping for some answers. Perhaps it is time to revisit my Electrophysiologist .

Thanks again

Pam

[ForensicFairy]

I can’t comment through experience as I’m yet to get a pacemaker but it is in my future. My bradycardia is ok at the moment - average of 62 during the day and 51 at night, and the meds are working well - no AF or tachy for at least 12 months. I would go with the pacemaker.

As I understand I will get to the same point - either due to brady or my arrhythmias. I’ve read glowing reports mostly about pacemakers mad how good people feel when they get them, my own brother included.

On a side note - as an Aussie we feel an infinity to Canada due to the similarities between our countries. I’m about to lose my eldest daughter to your country. She’s moving there to take up a position as a senior paramedic. She loves her career and wants to build on her experiences.

[CDreamer]

Has anyone had the experience of AFib switching to Flutter on any med? Yes.

Has anyone had a similar experience on Flecanide? I took Flec as a PIP for a few years when it worked well, then daily for about 18 months until it stopped working for me. Then 2 ablations, the 2nd of which I took Flec again during the blanking period but I developed long QT and it exacerbated an autoimmune condition so had to stop unexpectedly.

Has anyone had a Pacemaker put in and how did it change your life? Yes - excellent, stopped most of my AF and improved QOL 100%.

Anyone had a Cyro ablation after a catheter ablation- did it help? Never had cryo, both my ablations were 10 years ago and RF, cryo was only just coming available and I had co-joined pulmonary vein so wouldn’t have been a suitable candidate.