Marikay, you are right. Even if I had known the risks of taking flecainide, I believe I would have done it anyway because I was so miserable with the afib. I do think my EP should have recognized the signs when I first reported them. Instead he let me continue on that high dose for two or three more months while trying to prove it was not the flecainide. The neurologist he sent me to was the one who finally said definitively that it was the flecainide that was causing my muscle weakness and tremors.

Afib can be so debilitating. My heart goes out to all who still suffer. When we are in that situation, we put our lives in the hands of those we believe will help us make good decisions, and we are willing to take risks to try to put our lives back on track.

Jody

Marikay do you take dilitiazem as well? The EP I saw said flecainide would increase the heart rate to 200 beats a minute therefore dilitiazem had to go along with it I had major leg swelling on it and was passing out when my heart rate dropped to the high 30's.

flecainide and dilitiazem... where do they come up with these names? Why not call them something nicer like fibfix.

flecainide and dilitiazem... where do they come up with these names? Why not call them something nicer like fibfix.

flecainide and dilitiazem... where do they come up with these names? Why not call them something nicer like fibfix.

Flecanide has it's limitations. Only people without underlying heart disease are eligible to take it. Now, Multaq....that is a good drug when used properly. If you have a conversion, and are in sinus rhythm, it can keep you there, but it will do nothing to convert you. Doctors had high hopes for Multaq, but it didn't turn out to do the things they initially thought it was capable of. It's still a fine drug to keep you in NSR once you are there though.

Multaq is the only drug I have tken without any majot side effects. I was fortunate to be on a half dose for a few months until I had to have another cardioversion Dec. but I take 1/2 morning and whole evening and so far so good. I won't consider an ablation unless the epsiodes get to be too frequent. To me a cardioversion is no big deal and it and it has always worked so far.

Katy,
No I do not take diltiazem. I do take toprol (a beta-blocker) along with it. I believe that a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker along with flec will help prevent a serious arrythmia from developing ( the rapid rate he mentioned). But otherwise flecainide will slow your heart rate some, and I had to decrease the beta-blocker dose when I started flec so the combo wouldn't lower it too much.

peteycap
the drug companies hire consultants who for $50,000 per drug come up with the complex - and for me hard to pronounce - names. rather than being dismissive of these guys, I am envious

on a more serious note, we all react differently to the meds which is why the docs (the good ones who ignore the drug salespeople) are always trying to blend the right combo to get us functioning. also, we each have special needs; I stopped taking Multaq when I learned of reports of kidney damage. having only one kidney made it more important to find a substitute than take a drug that might be more effective but could kill me!! be well, Rich

I hadn't heard of kidney damage with Multaq I know there's a chance of liver failure. My liver panel was slightly elevated last blood work but the cardiologist wasn't concerned. So far it's the only drug I have taken
without serious side effects for me..
Thanks for answering Marisky and all.