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arrhythmias and flecainide

My cardiologist suggested i try flecainide as I am so aware of the daily bumps and runs my heart makes.  I would love some feedback on how well this works for some of you before I start taking it.  I know it's strong, but I have heard it is the med of choice to left with the palps and PAC.s.
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Avatar universal
I have been on flecanide for 5 years now. It is the only med that worked for me after a failed catheter ablation.  However, I am starting to have small episodes again. As Linda TX posted, maybe these med's after a few years can actually cause episodes to return. Something to look into. Oh, and when I started Flecanide , I did it at home not monitored. No problems. I was diagnoses wiht PSVT in 2005. I was passing out during my episodes. I was told I was having panik attacts for 3 years untill one doc really listened to me.
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996946 tn?1503249112
I've heard people on here say their metoprolol can make the PVC's & PAC's worse and they have turned to atenolol.  I went off my Rhythmol and ToprolXL almost a year ago because I got that pro-arrhythmia effect on it.  For a few months I was a-fib free and then it gradually came back to weekly or if I'm lucky, bi-weekly episodes 12-36 hrs in length.

The reason I was switched from the flecainide to rhythmol  in Aug 08 was because a stress test initiated a run of v-tach and my Dr switched me while I was admitted to the hospital.  I never had any trouble with either drug other than the eventual pro-arrhythmic effect.  He was going to put me on solotol I believe but there was something about my Q T length or rate ,whatever, and he said he couldn't put me on it. I had taken rhythmol years before so I was fine with going on it again.  I almost think the Dr's feel it's a little safer than the flecainide, but that's just the impression I got.  Are you not considering another ablation?  I am scheduled to have one next month. Not exactly looking forward to it but I guess I need to give it a shot.  I do have occasional PVC's but not many, I hardly ever feel them really, usually a big dose of simple carbs will bring some on....but not too bothersome.  I can't recall the thread recently, I might be able to find it where the metoprolol was seeming to make the palps worse, but every person's experience and situation is different.  Before your ablation what was your situation the PAC's and PVC's?  Are they worse now than before the ablation?
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Avatar universal
Hi and thx for the input.  I do have a structurally healthy heart. I am on coumadin plus 50 mg. metoprolol daily.  I took sotolol for 3 years and it, indeed, "turned" on me which makes me so afraid of using flecainide; however, I am so bothered that I guess I'll do it. I have A-Fib but not very often, but tons of bumps and runs each day.  Was there a reason you were switched from flec. to rhythmol, Linda., and do you also have a lot of PVC and PACs and they are also pretty well controlled with your anti-arrhthymic drug?
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996946 tn?1503249112
Hi Allison...do you have a-fib?  I took flecainide for yrs for my a-fib and it worked fine for me.  Then at other times I was put on rhythmol and it worked equally good.  The only problem with these anti-arrhthymics is that after being on them for a long period of time they can become pro-arrhythmic and actually bring on the episodes.  The Dr will usually not put someone on these who has something structurally wrong with their heart.  Like Jerry said, most Dr.s will put you in the hospital to get you started on these medications  just to make sure you don't fall into a dangerous rhythm. Do you have to take any other heart meds or a blood-thinner like coumadin?
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry you haven't gotten any first-hand feedback yet.  That being the case I will comment that I have read both good and bad results for Flecainide, same can be said for most medications.  I can also say I have one colleague who has taken it for AFib and gotten good results - no AFib.  

As you noted, Flecanide is a strong medication and so needs to be carefully monitored when first introduced to take action if any troublesome symptoms occur.  Some doctors, my cardiologist included, requires hospitalization for the introduction of Flecanide.  Many doctors do not.

Best wishes.
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