I was just put on Tikosyn and I get a headache in the back of my head and some dizziness. They say the headache is a common side effect but dizziness is not. I don't know about respiratory infections.

I looked up the drug and it said that headache, dizziness and upper respiratory infections are common side affects. I don't think I have afib bad enough to have to take this but I am waiting to see if I have afib before Feb when I am scheduled to go on the tikosyn and get a pacemaker. How bad is your afib?

I've been on tikosyn since 30 JAN 2011... not too many side affects.

Regarding the upper respiratory, i don't see any difference in the infection rate. I am prone to sinus rot (that's another story) and usually get 2 a year (before tikosyn). I'm having my 2nd infection event this year.

Regarding the other side affects, i seem to be more affected by the metoprolol. For me it brings on the dizziness, lethargic.

Finally I and my family have noticed that my patience has expired! I used to never get mad or upset over stuff, but now get my fuse lite quite often. Don't know if what this is a side affect of... drugs or the disease. I've become intolerant.

Robert

pandidi,
My AF was intermittent. Sometimes I could go a week or so without it, but recently I've been having it 1-2 times/day. So mine is very unpredictable. While at the hospital, I had NO AF so it was hard to know if the Tikosyn actually worked.

I agree with Robert that I have less patience now. I'm on Tikosyn and Pradaxa and KCl. I think that is a result of worrying about what to do next, ablation or not, etc. My mind is always occupied with matters of the heart.

thanks for the replys - its good to know. I have not had afid since beginning of Nov. Before that I had gone 7 months without it so if I don't get it again before Feb 17 (surgery date) I will ask the dr to wait on the tikosyn. He'll probably get annoyed - he doesnt like me to question him. I plan on seeing my primary dr also to discuss - he has a great bs manner!

Sounds reasonable to me, but see what your PCP says.

I've been taking flecainide for about 7 months. It's not the same med but is an antiarrythmic. I started with episodes of a fib that were 6 months or longer apart. Over a period of 4 years they gradually got more and more frequent til I was having a fib every 2-3 days. At that point I was irritable, exhausted, and seemed to catch every bug going around. Since starting flecainide, I have had 1 brief episode of a fib in 7 months. I haven't been sick at all despite being exposed to grandchildren with cougns/runny noses. I have more energy, and feel like I have my life back.
I guess I am saying...don't be afraid to try it. At the same time, if you are managing well with only an episode every few months it seems reasonable to wait.
I'm wondering if the pacemaker is for a fib? or another problem?

BTW,

Don't know if was here or somewhere else... they said the DR wanted to sever their AV node and install a pace maker.

Not that I'm a candidate for that, but my I asked my DR about that anyway. He was _totally_ against that. His view... "This should not be done (unless there are issues outside AFIB)."

Even the worst AFIB can be managed... but cutting the AV node and moving to a pacemaker creates another whole set of problems.

If i were worried about AFIB (which i'm not), I'd _really_ be worried about living off a pacemaker.

Robert

My understanding about pacemakers for a fib is the same as Roberts.

If you are having infrequent episodes of a fib it doesn't sound like you have reached the last options stage yet. Pacemakers are great for other heart problems though.

I had no side effects from Tikosyn, but it also did not work very well for me. Each of us is different and just have to try different things.

My Dr. didnt say anything about severing a node - i thought they just attached the pacemaker. The reason he wants to do it is that my heart stopped twice during afib and the last time I passed out - so I can't even drive now until I get the pacemaker. Now I am worrked about the "cutting of the node? does anyont know more about a pacemaker?

I have been researching on line and can't find anything that says the AV node is severed - I hope that it was for a different procedure Robert. could you tell me more? Thanks

Hi Pam,
If a pacemaker is used for treatment of a fib the AV node is ablated (destroyed/disabled). But since you are actually passing out and have been told that your heart stops briefly, I have a hunch that the pacemaker is for another reason...perhaps you have heart block, or some other problem. If they are using a pacemaker for another problem then the AV node is left alone. In that case you can still have a fib, but the pacemaker will prevent your heart rate from dropping too low and hopefully correct the passing out.