Flecainide

[dawny1908]

Have just taken my first 50mg flecainide tablet. Fingers crossed it sorts out my svt episodes. 50mg twice daily with bisoprolol. Anyone else on this medication or svt? I get soooo nervous but like a plum I read the side effects too lol.

[OrdinaryGuy]

No need to be nervous. Standard mediction for atrial fibrillation. Hopefully you have a Cardiologist advising you. If not then please request appointment via GP with one. I had A/F - intermittent events for some 10 years. Daily medication prescribed after the first few years. However then alocated to a Cardiologist - Heart Rhythm Specialist. He eventually undertook two catheter ablation procedures a year apart - not had any A/F events for 20 months now. Depending on your age you can take up to 300 mg Flecainide a day I think - check leaflet with medication and with Cardiologist if necessary. I eventually learnt that I could take 150 in one go if an event started. Note: I was told catheter ablation procedure if successful replaces need for Flecainide which appears to be the case for me. However continuing with Bisoprolol and also Apixaban anti-coagulants (also standard for A/F).

[dawny1908 in reply to OrdinaryGuy]

Thank you. It was cardiology who called me and offered medication or ablation. I started on bisoprolol a couple of years ago. I have 1. 25mg at night and half 1.25mg in morning. When the lady from cardiology called she spoke about the starting flecainide and also said she could refer me for ablation. All I get is palpatations with a hr at the worst of 196bpm. I have to give them 15 mins and then it's the dreaded adenosine.I gave had ecgs, heart scans etc. My echocardiogram showed my heart itself is fine. So I asked the lady if I could start with the flecainide and speak to the cardiologist ref the ablation because in my head if there's nothing wrong with my actual heart then why mess with it. So I started the flecainide last night. Feel bit tired today but touch wood that's all x

[OrdinaryGuy in reply to dawny1908]

Thanks for reply. Personally I would pursue having the catheter ablation procedure. It's not major surgery but up through the veins - groin or wrist normally - I believe. If it stops your palpitations you will cease to worry each time they come or undertaking certain activities and trips.

[dawny1908 in reply to OrdinaryGuy]

Yes that's the worst bit not knowing when then will happen x as for the ablation. I think what if it goes wrong. Its irreversible and I have seen that lots of people say it makes them worse. It's made worse by my anxiety I think x and I really do want a palpatations free life 😁 my grandaughter wants us to do things again. She's only 10 bless her x

[Hidden in reply to dawny1908]

My SVT has got worse and I think the older we are the recovery rate is not as good as younger sufferers after ablation. I am now realising I have to have the ablation. I,m still on Bisoprolol, they wanted to increase it the last time I was in hospital but I declined. I heard the ablation has been making the ectopics worse. I,ve been told my heart is good too.

[dawny1908 in reply to Hidden]

Yea a bit like me then x think we have said thus before how alike we are with it x I'm giving these new tablets a go. But again I have seen this morning that palpatations can be menopause/peri menopause related. I just want a normal life back again x I want to go out without worrying that I might get another episode needing adenosine. Xx they told me a couple of weeks ago mine is avnrt and that we could try medication or she could put me in for ablation n after that pacemaker x