Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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DBinIL 01/14/2015

I visited my very first EP on Monday. I've always dealt with my cardiologist, but finally requested to take this a step further. I was so very impressed with the new doctor! He is in a university hospital in a major city, and it is state of the art! So much more professional than my cardio's office!

The first thing he did was change my medication. I've been taking Multaq for a few years now (with no difficulty at all), and recently have been experiencing more episodes of a-fib. He now wants me to change from 400 mg twice a day of Multaq to 50 mg Flecainide twice a day. Since I generally react to all medications in one way or another, I'm concerned about the switch. I also take Atenolol 37.5 mg daily, and he's switching that to 25mg in the AM and 25 in the PM.

Has anyone switched from one antiarrhythmic to another? Should I expect to see/feel a big change? Do these two drugs differ greatly? EP said Multaq is the "whimpiest" of this type of drug and thinks I'll have better results with Flecainide. I know many of you take Flecainide, and I'd really appreciate anything you can tell me about it.

I am not supposed to make the switch until I do a stress test. It's in the works now. Also, this new EP discussed RF ablation.....says I'm a great candidate, and we will discuss further in the spring for a summer ablation while I'm off work (school teacher).

Thanks so much for any words of encouragement or advice you can offer me. I really appreciate this board!!!

daisy0808 01/14/2015

Welcome! When I was first diagnosed I was put on Multac by my cardio and it really did not work for me. I was then switched to amioderone by another cardio and was only on it for 9 months with horrible side effects, was sent to my current EP then was put on Tikosyn I had concerns over the switch from the amioderone but it was fine, Was on that for two years and started having breakthrus. I then had an RF abaltion in Dec 2013 and still had breakthrus but also dealing with thyroid issues which they feel caused most of it. I think I have finally gotten that on track and have gone over 30 days without any issues. It has been a long haul, Everyone is different and respond to meds in different ways, I am gald you found an EP you are comfortable with and together you will find what works for you.A good EP knows what they are doing and it sounds like you have found one. I am now only on Eliquis and doing good. I also changed my eating habits, no processed foods of any kind, there is all kinds of additives that are known to cause afib in the processed foods. I exercise more and lost 45 lbs so far of the 60 lbs I put on when on the amiorderone. Try to be patient and work on a healthier lifestyle as it will only help you all around in the long run.Because of the thyroid issues I cannot say if the ablation was successful or not but I am very optimistic I am on the right track now. Good luck!

DBinIL 01/15/2015

Thanks so much for your response, daisy! I sure appreciate hearing others' experiences. I know I may be completely different, but it lessons my worry when I hear that others have changed medications without much difficulty.

I wish I didn't worry so much, but I'm afraid that's the way I am!

I am hoping for more responses.....Please, if you've switched from Multaq to Flecanide, please let me know how it went for you. I would, also, love to hear from those of you that take Flecanide....How does it work for you? Any unpleasant side effects? How long did it take you to get used to it? Or....did you have to stop taking if for some reason?

Thanks so much. I will look forward to more responses! I so appreciate your helpt!

daisy0808 01/15/2015

Ah the worry and anxiety, I think we have ll been there, it gets a little easier as time goes by. I have my happy pill if I really, really need it but it it has been a very log time since I have needed it. You may want to ask your PCP for something to help with the anxiety if you need it, it does take the edge off until you get to a place where you can deal with this and you will, it just takes time. Deep breathing also helps or anything that can take your mind off until you can settle down some.

queenjuju 01/16/2015

I started with Flecanide with Meteprolol and that didn't hold me in NSR. Then they took me off the Meteprolol and just used Tikosyn. After a time with no success in staying in NSR the doctor put me on Multaq and Pindolol. Still no success. I see the doctor again in February. Each drug works differently for everyone. You just have to try and see what works for you. I am not willing to go on Amiodadrone, so not sure what is next. Try breathing exercises to relax and see how that might ell.

Judy

marikay234 01/16/2015

I've taken flecainide for almost 3 years with great success. No side effects. I had a couple breakthrough episodes in the first week when it was getting close to time to take the next dose. I also had 2 episodes the first year ( instead of 2-3 a week) due mostly to stress and eating poorly I think. An extra 1/2 tab converted me within about an hour. Since then it has kept me in NSR.
I started flecainide with the idea that I wanted to have an ablation. But it gave me my life back and now I don't know if ablation will ever be in my future. I hope it works well for you.

nhnmnh 01/16/2015

Hi, DB...

I've only been on Flecainide (100mg twice daily) for about a year and a half now, and can't tell you whether or not it has kept me out of afib, as either I have no symptoms from it or maybe I only have it when I'm under anesthesia or asleep or something. I can vouch for the fact that I haven't had any side effects from Flecainide, or from either the beta blocker or calcium channel blockers I've been on.

Good luck with figuring this out, and take care.

buddyc22 01/18/2015

I've been using Flecainide, 50mg 2x/day since 25 July 14, before which time I had been using Metoprolol, 1/2 dose (25mg) which ceased to work.

So far Flecainide has been working well for nearly 6 months. I did have 2 atrial flutter episodes (not fibrillation - just flutter) around the end of Dec and early Jan and I stopped each of those episodes by taking one extra Flecainide along with the regular dose (100mg) one time and it went away after 2 hours. (This is exactly what my dr told me to do just in case).

I'm not experiencing very much side effects from the Flecainide. Sometimes, I imagine it makes me a little sleepier than normal but really it isn't much. I exercise, swim, bike, and take rather long fast walks and do calisthenics.

buddyc22 01/18/2015

P.S. My dr told me that Flecainide seems to be among the best-tolerated anti-arrhythmic. My dr also told me that 50mg twice a day is the smallest given dose.

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