Afib/when do you need to seek medical help?

[chennen2]

I am 45-female, healthy weight, healthy blood pressure, etc.  This is my interpretation of my diagnosis.  However, it is very new to me and I am not 'confident' in my knowledge.  I started a series of tests last May because of an abnormal EKG.   Had stress test.  Guess there was episode of V-tach on stress test which led to the other tests.  Had holter, Echo, CT scan, etc.   Doctor suspected possible ARVD--but then after doing an MRI said there is abnormality in Rt ventricle, but that it doesn't appear to be 'type' that would indicate ARVD.  Anyway--he did an EP study and wasn't able to 'reproduce' the Vtach.  He said I have Afib and put me on Sotalol.  That didn't go well-so he switched me to flecanaide 150mg/day.  That was in Sept.  I have occassional irregular heartbeats, fast heartrate,etc.  However 2x since Sept, I have experienced 24-hr plus of very rapid heartrate, increased shortness of breath (going up and down stairs, unloading grocery cart required sit down to rest), feeling faint.  If I layed down, I was fine.  Moving around caused symptoms.  Both times this occurred, it was on a weekend--and I'm not a fan of emergency room.  So, did not go.  It resolved itself by the next day.  Am I handling okay?  Do I need to be notifying my doctor?  Am I putting myself at risk by not doing anything when these episodes occur?
Another less important--but still concerning to me--is hairloss a side effect of flecanaide--I'm experiencing a receding hairline.  I also take Topomax and was thinking it was that--but I've been on that for awhile--I've just noticed the hairloss in the last 6-8 weeks.

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

I recommend that you start taking an aspirin, I take a full strength (325mg), others have been told that an 81mg is sufficient. I also think that you should be calling your cardiologist. It sounds to me that the Flecainide isn't working for you. There are other antiarrhythmics that may hold you in sinus rhythm better than the Flec. There is Rhythmol ,Tikosyn <-------- this medication requires mandatory 3 day hospitalization to start.

When your in afib, the atria is fibrillating (quivering) you may not be aware or you may sense a fluttery feeling in your chest. I really hope that you plan to give your Dr a call.:)

Keep me posted, I'll be wondering how you make out with this:)

[chennen2]

Hi Brooke,
No, I'm not on a daily aspirin--but probably is a good idea. I didn't take my HR--(I know--duh)--I think I was just feeling so crappy--I hardly had the energy to do when it was doing it if that makes any sense.  Just wanted to catch my breath.??
When I was having a CT scan (I think that is what it was)--the technologist had made the comment that she didn't know if she'd be able to do the test because my HR was all over the place--75, 150, 135, 180, etc.  Even though this was not evident to me--I couldn't feel anything.  So, on the HR note--how does that all work if you're not even aware that your HR is beating fast????  They then gave me something to settle it down and that appeared to work.

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

I would definitely recommend that you keep your Dr. up to date with your episodes. He may have other treatment options available to you. As far as the Flecainide causing hair loss, I take it and have not had a problem. Coincedentily, not too long ago there was a question raised here about this very side effect. I just have never heard of it.

With atrial fib, there is risk of clot formation that can lead to stroke. For this reason it is important that patients be on some type of anticoagulant. Are you taking coumadin or at least an aspirin every day? How fast is your heart rate when you have had your episodes?