Is anyone taking flecainide?

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone was taking flecainide for their arrhythmia. I am taking 50 mg twice a day and I feel weird sensations in my chest when walking. Is a bit like my rate response kicking in too early and it only happened since I started the drug. I also feel very tired. Just wanted any comments on side effects from others on this drug.

Thanks


3 Comments

Flecainide

by Selwyn - 2014-09-29 05:09:24

I take 100mg twice daily.
Main problem for me was atrial flutter- now I have had ablation, no problems.

The trouble with side effects of drugs is that you read a long list, and almost any of them may occur.

Then you get a side effect and it is not on the list!

The only real way of telling whether a symptom is drug related is to stop the drug, see if the effect goes, then start the drug again and see if the same thing results. Then again there is the placebo effect!

Best to discuss with the prescriber, especially before stopping.

Get it checked out

by Theknotguy - 2014-09-29 07:09:06

You've probably seen my posts on the forum. Walking down the trail with the dogs, collapsed, heart stopped in the ambulance, heart stopped in the ER, got a PM, five months of recovery, one year to get back to "normal". "Other than the shooting, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

I was on flecanide at the time. I attribute the "heart event" I had to the flecanide as I had had a couple of instances as passing out. I had called my cardiologist but since he didn't seem worried, I wasn't worried. Unfortunately the first thing I knew about being worried was after I went into ventral fib - which will kill you.

After all the above they put my wife on flecanide. So the question came up immediately if the same thing could happen to her. We were assured not. She's still on it.

The differences between men and women with heart disease can be major. So what happened to me may not be an issue for you. For example, both my wife and I have afib. My discussion with the the cardiologist is that when I get afib three times a day, we'll go in for an ablation. She's only had three sessions of afib - of which we are aware. The discussion now is if she has another session of afib, she'll be ready for an ablation. Apparently her afib sessions are more dangerous than mine.

In your case, I'd have a serious discussion with your cardiologist. Let him know about my situation - also that I'm male. Then have him explain why, or why not, you should or should not be worried. It may not be an issue for you, but if you're having chest pains and fluttery feelings while taking the flecanide, I'd get it checked out. I don't want to scare you, but, on the other hand, I'd get your situation checked out.

Fleccanide

by Scout - 2014-09-30 01:09:40

Dear Chelsea,
I am on fleccanide as well, twice a day. But honestly I don't think I have any issues with it. I should tell you I am on a bunch of stuff (and not happy about it at all). I do have afib. I am 58 and considered myself to be in good shape but now with the pacemaker I am not so sure. I know the pacemaker obviously helped me.
When I was first on the fleccanide, I could feel vibration or flutter in my left neck and top of my chest on the left side. I have learned to not think about whatever it is I am feeling and just try to relax and come to grips with my situation. I also have a monitor next to my bed which I certainly hope is recording everything. I wish you the best and hope you get used to taking the drug.
Sincerely, Scout

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