Stopping flecainide advice needed

[LittleElf]

I suffer with SVT and idiopathic VT, for which I take 50mg flecainide x1 a day and I also take 10mg propranolol at least x2 a day.

I went for an EP study and ablation last year in October but unfortunately the ablation was not possible, due to not being able to set off any SVT or VT episodes. I stopped taking my flecainide and propranolol 3 days before the procedure but I feel like the flecainide was still enough in my system to mask the SVT & VT when it was trying to be triggered.

I’m now due to go for another try at the ablation procedure in a couple of months time and would like to give the procedure the best chance possible at finding the problem site! The doctors have said I can come off my tablets for longer than 3 days before if I wish to do so and have suggested stopping 2 weeks before.

My question is, what is the best way to wean myself off so I suffer minimal effects?

When I stopped last time, I didn’t wean myself off and I suffered horrible pvc’s and had a constant high heart rate of 160bpm on average, even whilst sleeping. I only take a small dose of 50mg flecainide once per day, which is only one tiny tablet, so cutting down almost sounds impossible.

Any help/advice would be very much appreciated

[jeanjeannie50]

That dose of flecainide you take now is certainly low. I'd say get yourself a pill cutter, cut the 50mg flec into halves, then later quarters.

That constant rate of yours when it was 160bpm must have made you feel dreadful?

Jean

[LittleElf in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It is low isn’t it… When I was first prescribed flecainide last year, I was told to take x1 50mg tablet twice a day but I thought I’d start off with just x1 tablet once a day and see how I get on and it works! I thought there was no point taking more if just one works, especially if there’s a possibility that I could be on them for the rest of my life, I may aswell start as low as possible!

Thank you so much for the advice, I’ll definitely look at getting a pill cutter.

I did not feel good at all with the constant high bpm rate, I felt like I’d been tied to a treadmill that was set to run for 3 days straight, I was absolutely worn out and couldn’t do anything!

[MikeThePike]

Hi LittleElf, have you had your ablation yet? How did it go?