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.
Hi All,
In September, I was on Flecainide (50-mg twice daily), and discontinued as symptoms appeared to worsen after 2 weeks. The EP's nurse told me it takes about 5 days for Flecainide to load to steady-state levels in blood, at this dose. Does that mean, if it's to be effective, that it starts working after 5 days?
More relevant, though, I've currently been on Rythmol (225-mgSR twice daily for 3 weeks, and again, symptoms are either not better or worsening. Would Rythmol take effect by 3 weeks time? I have a call out to my EP, waiting to hear back, whether to discontinue or up the dose.
BTW - symptoms are a-fib episodes lasting 30 min to 4 hours, typically after a meal, when I lie down to bed, and just last night, good ol' 330am, which I find common in these posts. Curious if that has something to do with the morning rise in cortisol levels in our body, triggering the parasympathetic response.
Thanks All,
Sean
In September, I was on Flecainide (50-mg twice daily), and discontinued as symptoms appeared to worsen after 2 weeks. The EP's nurse told me it takes about 5 days for Flecainide to load to steady-state levels in blood, at this dose. Does that mean, if it's to be effective, that it starts working after 5 days?
More relevant, though, I've currently been on Rythmol (225-mgSR twice daily for 3 weeks, and again, symptoms are either not better or worsening. Would Rythmol take effect by 3 weeks time? I have a call out to my EP, waiting to hear back, whether to discontinue or up the dose.
BTW - symptoms are a-fib episodes lasting 30 min to 4 hours, typically after a meal, when I lie down to bed, and just last night, good ol' 330am, which I find common in these posts. Curious if that has something to do with the morning rise in cortisol levels in our body, triggering the parasympathetic response.
Thanks All,
Sean
When I use Rythmol as PIP is takes affect 20 min - 2 hrs.
I believe for some people Afib can be induced by body position, particularly when laying down. It certainly was for me. For some it's worse laying on a certain side, for me it didn't matter. Sleep loss was the most difficult part of my experience with Afib. The lack of sleep would cause fatigue and increased Afib episodes. It's a vicious cycle that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I would sometimes sleep on an incline and it would help, at least it would for falling asleep. Staying asleep could be a different story but it's worth a try.
You may have to try a different medication. The good news is that you're young and healthy. Having Afib today is by no means a good thing but treatment options now are far and away better than they were 18 years ago, or even just 10 years ago.
I hope you get the episodes under control soon. Please keep us posted.