Flec worked well for me, I've taken it at both 50mg and 100mg with no side effects. But be sure to read up on it, it's a serious medication that can have serious complications. It was worth it for me to take it the short time I was on it, but not sure I would want to take it long-term.

Flec made me feel like I was hit by a bus - that is the my Cardiologists notation in my official record along with the notation that I should never use it again. It made my BP soar to 209/100, totally zapped my energy like I had the flu, gave me palpations worse than any afib ever did and it made my ears ring constantly. Rythmol was a much better alternative for me and ablation was the ultimate solution for me.

Don't know about Flec. Rythmol works for me, after a flutter ablation.
Wasn't real keen on rythmol at first -- it gave me a bad taste in my mouth feeling for months but then that ended.

WSO: yeah, I had a flutter/afib abaltion. I still seem to have periodic tachycardia, which showed up AFTER my ablation--never had it before. I'm weighing taking flec or something for this. Did your ablation cause a new arrythmia or are you just in maintenance with rythmol?

I was on flec for about 8 months. The only reaction I had to it was the ear ringing thing. However, I was put on it for no good reason and finally demanded to get off of it. I had afib 3 times (following a 5 day hospitalization for intestinal blockage) in Feb 2014 and after that was on metroprolol and aspirin. In July 2015 I had, following a dentist appt, what turned out to be, premature heart beats and, since I was out of town, I called my cardiologist, described the skipped heartbeats and made it clear that it was NOT like the afib I had previously and he (actually not him...never talked to him directly) told me to take 6 flecinaide at once. Since I had never taken it before and I had read up on it, I refused and just took about 100 mg. Then he told me to take it forever. Changed docs after some months and the new one (a rhythm specialist) told me the 6 flec could have killed me and agreed for me to get off of it entirely. Have not had a problem since and it has been about a month. I had a feeling that my first cardiologist was not listening and not competent and it appears I was right. If what they are telling you doesn't make sense, change docs!

As a standing dose of 200 mg per day, I could not stand it. Cut it to half and eventually cut it out completely. I used 300mg to convert to nsr in 45 min once, so Ill keep it on hand. I felt as tho I had the flu for the 3 short months I was taking it.

I have flec for PIP use .. haven't had to use it .. have been off of all heart meds since 12/2015 and AFib free 14 months .. but as we all know that could change in a split second .. just grateful for NSR and take it day by day .. I have gastroparesis - so any med I take makes that condition worse
Charlene

well I had to use it this morning. First time. Seems to be working. 50 mg. The prescription is for 50 mg twice a day.

My doctor is giving me a lot of leeway. He says I can use it as a pip or everyday, whatever I choose; or mix and match. It's a big experiment. My issues seem to be increasing so I'll go for everyday use if it's effective and there aren't bad side effects. More: if it makes me feel better, and especially if it allows me to exercise again.

Naturally I'd prefer 50 mg. a day--so Duder, how did that work for you and did you take 25 mg twice a day or 50 mg once a day? thanks for your response.

Hi
I'm on 200mg since the end of February. Had one episode of Afib which lasted only about an hour, and pulse remained ok (about 80) - also possible couple of other occasions, am also on beta blockers, BP meds and Xarelto so can tolerate. Occasionally have what feel like skipped beats. Waiting for holter monitor - in Ireland so have ridiculous 6 month wait even with private healthcare!
Think it looks like it's different for everyone, but I do know once I started taking it, it took aout 4--6 weeks before I felt any way normal. Initially felt beyond exhausted (but that could have been the beta blockers!).
Do take your time, and consider your options. When I was started on it I was in hospital and the doc insisted I stay an extra night so I could be monitored overnight after inital dose (in case I had a heart attack!) Scary stuff, still not convinced it's the right med for me so considering ablation.. Good luck!

It's working for me! I've been taking 50mg twice a day for about a year and a half now. There haven't been any side effects yet, and I've only had one mild bout of Afib that lasted only 5 hours. I was taking Multaq and having breakthrough Afib that would last 3 days every few months, so this is a great improvement.

I will be honest and say that I do not like taking it just because I'm one that doesn't like to take any medication! I'm not expecting it to be a lifelong med.....probably just until it fails and I go the ablation route...., but for now I'm glad I have it.

thanks for all of the replies. Well, sadly, I seem to be one of those who experience the flu-like side effects of flecainide. Just a wicked headache that lasts all day and night. I tried cutting down to 25 mg twice a day and it didn't make any difference at all. So I've been forced to re-think using this daily and will reserve it as a pip until further developments.

If my symptoms continue to worsen I'll ask to try Rhythmol and hope that that works. too bad, flecainide seems to work for my heart, although my experiment was too short lived to tell for sure.

Hegel, Flec is a black box warning med and usually requires admittance in a med center to monitor before prescribing. According to chemists, flec is a sodium block. Sodium is critical for our muscles and heart to be released in order to function properly. Over extended time on this med, atrophy is possible due to that block and the fact that we may limit movement while on it. I have decided recently to simply toss this med as a PIP and will find alternative methods to convert. For those who say they take this with no issues I will only comment that you cant know the unseen issues that may be taking place.

I am on 50mg of Flecainide twice a day ( the baby dose as they say ) and have been for nearly ten years give or take.....it does a magnificent job for me of keeping me in Sinus and I have not ever experienced a single adverse side effect.....I know I am lucky in my experience but I know of at least 2 other people on this board, same drug, same dose, same experience . Best wishes for good luck
jan

My story is basically the same as Jan's. Take 75 mg twice a day and have been in sinus rhythm for several years. No side effects that I have noticed. Best wishes

my story is basically the same as Jan adn Marikay's except that I am on 200mg per day. Probably could go back to 150 per day as I have been stable for a long time - about 9 years