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.
I saw my cardiologist today in response to recent symptoms of mutiple missed heart beats and despite the prior reduction in my dose of Flecainide from 100 mg/ twice daily to 50 mg / twice daily in April, my EKG today still showed 2nd degree heart block (Mobitz 1-aka Wenkenbach). My doctor instructed me to stop Flecainide all together. I was told that this is a fairly common side effect of anti-arrhythmics and their potential to have a pro-arrhythmic effect (new arrhythmia problem while trying to treat another one). I see him back in two weeks and I will be getting a Zio patch monitor that I will wear for two weeks. We hope to find on the monitor that the heart block has resolved with Flecainide discontinued and want to see how Afib behaves off the meds). Last July and August (post second ablation), we attempted to get me off Flecainide and it didnt go very well. In early July- I was told to stop the med cold turkey and had to get back on it after 8 days due to numerous episodes of Afib and A-tach. We then tried to wean me off the med at the end of July through the first week of August with no additional success as Afib continued. I am excited to be off medication (Hooray!!!-except for the aspirin of course) but am apprehensive about how my heart is going to react, especially since I was still having occasional short episodes of Afib while on the med. I asked my doctor for a rate medication to take on an "as needed" basis since I am stopping Flecainide, just in case any Afib occurred and would not settle down after a few hours and he prescribed me Verapamil which is a calcium channel blocker. Historically, I have not tolerated Beta Blockers (metoprolol) well, so I am hoping the different rate med, should I need it, be compatible with me. I think I am going to be a lot better off with this course, rather than the anti-arrhythmic med. I am very optimistic! :)Thanks for letting me share/vent :)
Sorry for all the questions, I am very curious about flecainide since I may be going on it myself,
Thanks
I did have some problems coming off of the multaq. My HR was higher and I was having frequent PAC's, a-tach, and a couple of short runs of AF. Things have definitely settled down. My HR is usually mid 70's now and I can't remember the last time that I had any AF.I still feel an occasional palpitation. I too was on flec for years. My first cardiologist wanted me to have a trial off of it. I remained on atenolol when I came off of the flec. It was shortly after that I went into persistent AF. I hope things continue to go well for you!
Keep strong, sending you many positive thoughts. Heide
I think it's great that you're able to be so articulate in sharing your/this experience with everyone here. No doubt this is helpful to all, an in-depth case study that many can relate to.
I agree too, that there are many who are indifferent to other people's issues and it's difficult to share/discuss as it' likely of little or no benefit to dos so.
Thanks for sharing and hang in there! - Thomas
As far as family and friends being apathetic, I had the same reaction from some of my family (primarily my sister). I believe now it wasn't really apathy, it was more a matter of her lack of understanding of the problem. In her mind it was a minor issue of no real consequence and all I needed to do to take care of it was take whatever medication the doctor told me to and then everything would be absolutely normal. She thought I was just complaining and exaggerating my symptoms. When I had my ablation 3 months ago she came to stay with me in the hospital and take me home after the procedure. Being at the hospital, talking to the doctor and nurses and seeing what I went through made her realize it is a real condition with real consequences and she has been much more understanding since then.
You are so fortunate to have an understanding husband who supports you. And you have been such a supportive and kind person on this site to others. Don't lose hope. I'm sure the solution is out there. It's just so frustrating finding it.
Katywhite- Thank you for sharing your story about your sister. Your story helped me alot! :) I am optimistic that eventually this will all settle down. Last year, I tried to get off the Flecainide and the same thing happened but the high rates were causing me chest pain so my doctor started me back on it after only 8 days off. We then tried again to wean me off over a couple of weeks, and once completely off again, the same thing happened. I would stay on Flec for always if I werent having the AV nodal issues as it worked well to control AF. I am sure when I go back to the Cardio and wear the monitor for a couple of weeks, we should know alot more of what is going on (hopefully nothing by then!) :) Thanks again for your positive thoughts and support. Getting input from others definitely helps me to see the bright side of things...sometimes if left with ones own thoughts, a person gets alittle down and negative worry creeps in.
Carrie: I wish I could help. Sometimes I think the treatments cause more symptoms than the afib. Your comment above is so true. I was feeling a little down and maybe tired (of course it has to be afib in my mind... "it's always afib"). I went and coached my son's All Star Baseball Game and I forgot all the symptoms, running around like a 20 year old.. feeling great. Sometimes you have to get outside yourself (at least in my case) and just enjoy the moment... and share your concerns... its amazing how so many people are thinking the same things...
Did you ever type in one word in Google and it finishes the sentence because so many people asked the question?
Once I typed the word "why" in Google and it finished my exact question...
"Why in the hell is Kim Kardashian making so much money and I'm not?" Amazing.
petey
My thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the coming days.
Annette
We will know the answer to this age old question when we know what the cure for AF is - or when we find Jimmy Hoffa's body. Whuchever comes first.