A FIB Medication? Flecaniaide Acetate & Bisoporol ?

[tazgymuk]

I'm a 41 year old fit male workout 5 times a week, out of which i run 5 k 3 times a week. I watch what i eat and consider myself fit and healthy. Last year about this time i had an episode of A fib, since then i have had about 6 more ranging mostlly for about 30 mins with the other for about 8 hours. The most recent one being 13 hours. I have never been on medication. I have recenly been advised to take Flecaniaide Acetate 50 mg and Bisoporo 5 mg every day.
I'm concerned about the severity of damage the drud Flecaniade can cause i've learn't from research on the internet it it a strong medication increasing the risk of mortality.I'm just very worried and concerned. So if anybody out there has ever taken these 2 drugs or the later. Please advise me of any side effects or problems you may have experienced.
My heart consultant has advised due to the infrequent episodes that i'm experiencing Parasysmol i think they call it. I should just be given meds and not tratment as in an ablation. As that is more dangerous as in carrying a lot of side effects. Please advise anybody. Thank you for the time to read this.

[tazgymuk]

I did my first run today after being on meds for 4 days. I ran at the sam e spped 8 m.p.h. However my pulse remained under 140 where as i normally have it at 190. I'mconcerned. The medication is keeping my heart beat down whilst i'm reving it up by running is that not dangerous. Should i not be lowering the intensity  of the run. Also i didn't sweat as much. I normally do 8 3 mins round of boxing after. I was completely shattered. I boxed like a pensioner.

[statwear]

I would try a natural medicine approach first. I would definitely take at least a 81mg aspirin a day starting now if you don't do anything else. one of the leading causes of stroke is blood clot originating in the atrial appendage, a simple 81mg aspirin can prevent that especially since you have no other coronary issues. I had success using magnesium supplements for a couple of years. i too was a runner, at 46 had my first afib attack while running. i ran 3 miles a day. ate right, no medications at all. then the afib changed my life. i was afraid that every beat might be the last. I did everything the doctors said. no coffee, no tea, no sodas. i drank water and water with lemon when i needed a little variety. i ate a 51% raw diet, no processed foods, organic meats and vegetables. then i decided to have the first ablation... the 75% success rate wasn't so bad, especially when the doctor said a second ablation would be above 92% if it was necessary to repeat the procedure. the first one was not successful... i then had to take the medications, the rythmol, flecanide, sotolol, multaq, and whatever the others were. I refused to take ameoderone because of the side effects. I had sever side effects from the sotolol and multaq. after 4 ablations i still had afib. was on antiarrythmic meds that didn't work. i had complications from my last surgery that left me oxygen dependent and on disability. surgery is not always the answer.... i am not saying don't have it, I am saying make sure you understand the risks and benefits. i went into this with an open mind, thinking 2 surgeries didn't sound too bad if I could be normal again.... what they don't tell you is most of the time you will still need the medications after surgery. second opinions are always a good idea too. hind sight is 20/20 be objective...

[DeltaDawn23]

I was able to keep my Afib under control for 7 years on a beta blocker -- Atentolol, and Coumadin, as well as low dose Xanax for anxiety brought on by the episodes and a hostile work environment.  The last 2 years have been worse, and I had 2 hospitalizations, so I went on an antiarrythmic medication, Norpace CR, which is working, but has some side effects.  The beta blockers are relatively benign.  they reduce your rate and your blood pressure. I am 8 months out from my last hospitalization with no episodes.  My EP says I can go off the Norpace after a year free of Afib.   I wouldn't be so quick to go on the anti-arrythmic meds if a beta blocker would do the trick.   Good luck to you.

[Jerry_NJ]

I am surprised your doctor hasn't tried something softer than Flacaniaide (sp?) say a Beta Blocker. I'd think an aspirin would also be prescribed.  There is an increased risk of a blood clot when in AFib, and aspirin helps reduce the risk.

At your young age I'd think a cure rather than drugs would be in order, such as an ablation. But, you doctor knows what the risks are an I clearly don't.  I do know my doctors are not willing to carry out an ablation on me, but that is partly because of my advanced age (compared to you) and the poor chances of it working in my case.  If you have only intermittent AFib your odds of an ablation working may be (should be?) much higher than mine.  Have you discussed with your doctor what the risk/benefits probabilities are?  Nothing is a sure thing here, I believe.  If your situation suggests a 75% or better chance of a cure with ablation I would push for it if I were in your place.  

[kevk]

I have a little different problem than you but I take 300 mg of Flecainide with 50 mg of metoprolol and 360 mg of taztia ( calcium channel blocker ) every day for ventricular rhythm`s.
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker, I think is the same class as Bisoporol.