Arrhythmias Support Group

I have been taking Flecainide for thirteen years 150 mg twice a day. I have never had a problem. I have heard the same thing you have, You should talk to your doctor about it.
I have HOCM which is a structural problem and people with HCM are not to take it , But it is the only one that has helped me. My ICD has not fired since starting flecainide in 1995.

Going to visit the cardi doc tomorrow to talk it over with him and express my concerns and see where that goes. He's very will to discuss meds, and change if I want. So it's just a matter of addressing my fears. My question is that do I really need something this strong? I guess he is the only with the answer to that.

Thanks for the feedback.

So went the doc and he said that in my heart, given it's structurally sound, it's very safe for me. So, I guess for the time being, I will stay on it and see what happens.

From what I understand about antiarrythmics, pretty much all of them carry a risk of rebound arrythmia and may be not of the same kind that we are being treated for. I was also reluctant to take flecainide, but the alternative is worse.
I'm glad things are working out for you.

Hi - I was just wondering if either of you had any chest pain while taking flecainide. I have been on it now for 4 days and seem to be having lots more chest pain. Does this go away once it gets into your system or should I go back and see the Dr?? Thanks for your help?

K, you should definitely call your doc. I don't know where your pain is exactly. Many times chest pain is either engina or pleuritic, but besides ischemic pain(such as MI) you can also have pain from PE and beginning of disecting aorta.
I didn't have any pain from flecainide, I had chest pain from a-fib.

Yes it would be a good idea to call your doctor. I never had any pain from the flecainide. I have had some angina from obstruction that was relieved from Beta-Blockers.

Hey, I started to feel better but then ended up back in ICU and had three attempts at cardioversion, two that night and the final one the next morning before I came right with a normal rhythm. Not sure what all the Drs jargon was but my heart was racing very fast and out of sync. I am now on double the dose of flecainide - 100mg twice a day. Lets see what happens now. I am very tender and sore after the third attempt. So much for the Dormicon they gave me to knock me out - I've never felt such terrible shock and now I am having small aftershocks around different parts of my body - Hope this soon wears itself out. Not painful just minor little shocks after the big one.
I dont want to go through any of that again!!

Sorry to hear about needing the cardioversion , It`s not very pleasant.
The soreness should go away after a couple days. I hope the higher dose of Flecainide helps. Have the doctors said anything about a pacer or ICD ?
I know the shocks stink but it is better than the alternative. Good Luck keep us posted.