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 :)
I really hope it's just coming off the flecainide and it settles down for you. Please keep us posted and take care, wish there was something I could do to make it better.
Positive thoughts continue to come your way.
I am pretty sure I know what you are going through, as all members of this forum do, because only people with Afib can truly understand. Loved ones care but don't quite get it, because we don't look or act sick most of the time. With most other illnesses you can take a pill or get operated on and the move on cured. But with Afib there are so many variations; meds work or not or for a certain time and the same goes for ablations. It is so frustrating, but that's why this forum is so great, we are all here to support one another.
Take care and keep us posted.
You are very intelligent and understand a lot more than a lot of people . I would like to go the supplement route myself but because of the warfarin, I have to ask every time I want to take something.
I have been tempted to stop the Multaq and see what happens since I only take a half dose. I don't know about triggers. It happens for me at different times and different situations. Take care though, and best of luck.. You have my support always.
Two weeks ago, I stopped Flecainide. Unfortunately, A-tach and Afib returned. At first, after a few days, the episodes were of brief duration. By 10 day off meds, episodes steadily increased in frequency and duration. My heartrate was running in the 120s-140s for hours on end, usually during the early morning hours and late evening hours/bedtime with short episodes in between. My EKG yesterday at the doctors yesterday was not Afib but still showed the AV node issue. The doctor said it is not dangerous but is not a rhythm I want to be in. Stopping the Flecainide apparently did not resolve the issue. My Cardio wants to put me on a very low dose of Sotalol HCL (1/2 of an 80mg tablet twice a day). He said he wanted me to try this very low dose to see if it would work without aggravating the AV node issue. He said it has some beta blocker properties in addition to being an anti-arrhythmic. I told him I am not interested in trying a new medication but he gave me the script anyway if I decide I want to try it.
I have decided to give everything alittle more time and do nothing. Yesterday and this morning, my episodes are shorter and less frequent. I am hoping things level off and settle down soon with alittle more time. I dont mind putting up with an occassional "bad day" if I get to stay off meds. I feel better off meds. When not in AF or AT, my heart rate is around 80. When I was on Flecainide, my HR was in the low 60s. I feel better when my heart is around 80. I advised my doctor that I do not want to take daily medication if I dont need it. I am going to wear a monitor soon. I dont want to do anything until monitor results. Sometimes, I feel like I would like a second opinion. Thanks for listening everyone :)
I was on Sotalol. One little anecdotal advice. Pharmacies switch the manufacturer often, whoever is cheaper at the time. I used Sotalol made by Teva only. Twice they filled it with a different manufacturer and I had an episode. I don't have any proof that this was the cause, but the pharmacist agreed and put a note in the computer to only fill it with Sotalol made by Teva.
Take care and thinking of you. Heide