New Cardiologist

[Pgoho12]

I was diagnosed with afib in 2009. My cardiologist recently retired. I have been on Flecanide since being diagnosed and it has worked well with only 1 episode since (that I know of )in 2020. The new cardiologist that I am seeing was very concerned that I was not on Metoprolol along with Flecanide. Since I had so few episodes, he took me off the Flecanide (he's not a big fan of it) and had me wear a Zio monitor for 2 weeks. The results showed no Afib but did show 14 episodes of SVT's and 2 very short episodes (less than 3 sedconds) of VT. I messaged the cardio about this and said it wasn't serious since they were so short and we would discuss at the follow up next week, He is planning on a stress test and echo. Since being off the monitor I have had several occurrences of lightheadedness and dizziness, with sensations in middle of chest while walking. These are all new and never happened during the time I was on Flecanide. Just wondering if the Flecanide was preventing all this and will be asking him about it for sure.

[CDreamer]

I think you need to wait until you have had the stress tests and you have been off the Flecainide for long enough it has completely cleared your system. The thinking has always been that Flecainide use should be accompanied by a beta blocker to help prevent Atrial Flutter developing.

I took Flecainide for about 3 years, didn’t have the best experience, so would say that your new cardiologist is doing due diligence in getting a clear a picture as possible of your situation. Flecainide is as well known for causing arrythmias as it can be effective at preventing them.

[OzJames]

can i ask when you were diagnosed with AF did you have regular episodes of AF or just the one? I had 5 years between my first and second episode and took no drugs. Then got to the 29 year mark still on no drugs and only 5 short episodes. Since 2022 i've had 5 more episodes and now on daily low dose flecanide. What dose were you on maybe you need to start a lower dose daily for a few months before stopping?

[secondtry]

I think it is important to appreciate at the start that most medics seem to have their favourite drug protocol with no 'right way' to proceed.

My guy went for daily Flecainide with no usual accompanying BB/CB (as my HR is sub 60).

After 10 yrs in which I had just 2 v short AF episodes (I am now 71) on 200mgs Flecainide I have started developing daily AF for 7% of the time and other arrhythmias. My medic still favours staying on the Flecainide though, believing reducing it will just increase the AF, but now I am not so sure.

I am currently trying increasing CoQ10 to 200mgs/day to see if that helps, which I was advised by an Alternative Practitioner on first diagnosis should be matched with Nutri MegaMag Muscleze, which I am also considering re-starting. If no luck, I will then consider trying a small reduction in Flecainide.

Hope something there helps 🤔.

[DREW6]

I have been on Flecainide and Metoprolol since 2013 or 2014. This kept me stable for about 10 years with no afib episodes. In early 2024 I began to have afib breakthroughs again and had an ablation in late April. Back on the meds for three months and then off. Afib returned and was worse. I ended up having an unexpectedly more extensive ablation in late October. I'm now off both meds for a week. My heart rate is about 10 beats/min higher but still low enough not to be overly concerned, although I'm sensitive to it. My blood pressure is up a little too, about 130/65 and I've been on a lose dose of a separate medication for it for over 10 years.

By the numbers, I'm not bad off, but like you, I feel the same symptoms you describe after being off the meds for a week, especially the last 2-3 days. I've had some brief PAC or PVC's in the evenings before and after I came off the meds, but they seem more frequent now. I feel like I should up my blood pressure med or something.

Be sure to let you doctor know. It might just be you need to adjust some meds. The stress test and imaging might guide your path forward as well. I hope to have a stress test soon as well.

Good luck to you!