FLECAINIDE

[lavander1]

Hello, just started taking Flecainide for AF and I am feel poorly, breathless on exertion, weak, fatigued. The doctors seem to know very little about this specialist drug and they say my heart is adjusting and this will ware off in time. Dose anyone know if this is normal and will decrease and eventually go. Many thanks Carrie

[Bingofox007]

Sorry to hear you’re feeling unwell. I was prescribed flecainide in January after episode of AF. My cardiologist stopped it in March as only one documented episode af, still keep it for ‘pill in pocket’. I didn’t notice it made me feel ill but defo had less flutters/palpitations since stopping it. However, put on apixiban at same time and had such severe muscle weakness and joint pain from this I thought I wasn’t going to wake up in the morning, even breathing caused pain. Get meds reviewed. I’ve changed from apixiban and symptoms gone. It takes a few med changes to get right combo. It’ll be like a symphony one day but until correct concoctions they’ll be a few bum notes until that time. Take care ❤️

[Froggy]

I was taking Flecainade some time ago prior to my first pulmonary vein ablation. I really can’t remember any adverse affects with it and didn’t need it after my op. I was taking Warfarin at the time too with no problems. In the last year I have been prescribed Apixaban and am OK with that as well. What I would say is, if you feel uncomfortable and the people that you have asked don’t know really, then contact your consultant and ask him/her about it. Whatever you do don’t just put up with it - nobody will mind you asking. Good luck.

[FitnessGotFibbed]

While you're feeling crummy, perhaps get an EKG to see if you're in flutter. Kardia mobile is a good little personal EKG (it's been invaluable to me). I take flecainide also for afib, but several times it's turned my afib to flutter, and flutter can be exhausting. Otherwise, for me, flecainide doesn't seem to cause any trouble when I'm in normal rhythm and not exerting. Are you also using a beta blocker?

[LaceyLady]

It might be till your body gets used to it, might settle down. I’m on 100mg twice a day.

[Taichid]

I was put on this to reduce an incidence of a very high rate to reduce it.After 4 days it did the opposite to what it was supposed to do and sent my rate sky high. I ended up in CCU with flecainide induced tachycardia and given cardioversion.I was put back on. Beta blocker and a pacemaker a few days later.

Drugs like this affect people differently and not for me.

[Palpman]

Flecainide made me dizzy, nauseous and breathless but I was determined to stick it out until my body got used to the drug. I did so for 3 weeks and thankful that I didn't stop taking it.

[lavander1 in reply to Palpman]

After the 3 weeks did you begin to feel better and were you eventually side effect free. Thankyou

[Palpman]

After about 10 days I started to feel better and a few days later was totally back to normal. Now it's like taking calcium tablets except they work and were my saving grace until my ablation.