PVC's Flecainide

[rpk24012]

I have 30+ very symptomatic PVC's per hour and sometimes a few per minute.  I have not been able to sleep because the are so symptomatic.  My local EP says they are benign and has recommended flecainide.  IS it common to offer a drug like flecainide to treat symptomatic pvc's.  I am terrified to take to med, but it is a low dose 50 X 2 -- What ind of long term effects does this med have??

Thanks,
  Ross

[Cleveland Clinic]

rpk,

Thanks for the post.

Flecanide is a very good drug for treating atrial arrythmias and also for supressing PVCs.  What may seem counterintuitive is that antiarrythmics may also be proarrythmic. Thus, in trials of patients with coronary disease after myocardial infarction, flecanide was associated with a higher rate of arrythmias than placebo despite its ability to supress PVCs.  Given this it is contraindicated in patients with significant atherosclerotic disease.  It is still used in some to treat PVCs and commonly atrial arrythmias, but you should have an evaluation to rule out significant strutural heart disease before using it.

You should discuss the risk and benefits with your physician before starting any drug.

hope this is start

[jkf]

Does anyone know why sometimes when you get a pvc it doesn't feel really bad. Just a little harder beat. THEN sometimes when you get them they just knock the wind out of you. If they both are PVC's then why do they feel so different? Or am I the only one that experiences different intensities of these. Some really make me cough, some make me feel weak for a moment and some don't bother me at all.
I look forward to any feedback

[whelans5]

I get PVC's and PAC's and they are truly annoying and frightening at times.  

I don't know why palpitations vary so much in intensity.  The only thing I can think of is that maybe when the pause in between the beats is longer, the heart has to beat harder to pump all the blood out.  And similarly, when it is a shorter pause there's not as much blood to pump out and less of a bang.

One thing I would like to know is, why are some days just rittled with PVC's and PAC's and other days there are none?  Even days when I am not as stressed I could get more than days when I am reeeeeally stressed.  It doesn't make sense.

I really wish there was some natural way of getting rid of these things. I've read Calcium and omega 3's help, but it hasn't for me.  UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hughes#5]

I agree w/ Whelans5, PVCS & PACS are truly annoying & VERY frightening!!!  I am 30yrs old & have been dealing with these horrible "jumps" for the past year!  I first saw my pcp doc & she prescribed Atenolol 25mg & Xanax .25mg, thinking it was anxiety or panic attacks (which I never experienced before).  I also have never felt (or noticed) these things before Jan. 04.  Since then, they have been a part of my life, some days really bad, & other days PVC & PAC free.  I just don't understand them!  Like Whelans5, I could be really stressed out & not feel one but I could be sitting watching a movie & notice them. What causes these & could it be something that brings on a worse problem?
I've been seeing a cardio & have had 2 holters. (hardly had any "jumps" & came back normal) I'm scheduled for an echo & a stress test. My cardio tells me these are normal & has changed my meds to Diltiazem 30mg 3 times a day because my palps have been bad lately & I'm freaking out! (the med makes me feel unsteady)  I'm so scared of taking too much meds.  I feel like my life is completely ruined, & live in fear that I'm going to die.  How does one cope w/ these?  Please help!!

[Marilyn (runner)]

Your statement that:   "I feel like my life is completely ruined, & live in fear that I'm going to die. How does one cope w/ these? Please help!! "


I think if I felt like you do:  I would seek professional guidance.  So often people are ready to pop a pill - and they think all their problems are solved.  But, they soon find they are not and perhaps a good talk to a 'good' professional can help..  without any drugs...  

Good Luck
Marilyn (runner)