1. Community
  2. Heart Health
  3. Atrial Fibrillation And Flutter

I have been in A-fib almost constantly for the last10 days. I am taking 240mgs of Diltiazem and 50m

Posted , 9 users are following.

terry24622
terry24622

and taking Flecainide 50mgs 2 x's a day.I feel so tired and very very heavy. I am a 73yr. old female

I have COPD so the doctors cannot preform surgery on my heart. I am told that this may be my new normal but I find that so hard to believe. 

I have had A-fib for many years but have not experienced anything like this. I can barely walk across the room my chest hurts. I am looking for another solution to my problem. I take the blood thinners and also the generic lasix. Anyone else have this problem of tiredness to the point of not living or doing ADL's. Just wondering how to cope with this new normal.?

 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jimjames
    jimjames terry24622

    Posted

    Is this your first episode? Have they considered electro cardioversion to get you out of afib? If not, maybe time to try now given how this is going.  If electro cardioversion is contraindicated, and the flecainide doesn't work, then you could try going off flecainide and see how you feel only with rate control from the Dilitiazem, as perhaps its he flecainide causing your fatigue. I'm assuming the lasix is not recent and therefore not the cause of your fatigue. I assume you're under the care of a cardiologist or ep?

    Jim

  • CDM2
    CDM2 terry24622

    Posted

    Yikes!!!! I used to be on flecainide, 50mgs once a day... until I wound up in the hospital with atrial flutter (which is a progression from afib)...  The emergency room cardiologist pulled me off the flec .. Three doctors (2 GPS and this ER specialist) gave me this look when they found out I was on Flec.  It does NOT have a good track record.  Is it possible to see another specialist who might try different meds?  I don't know. I'm not  dr, and I know that everyone's afib is unique.  I feel for you.  Good luck

    • bassbob54
      bassbob54 CDM2

      Posted

      Nothing wrong with flecainide at all, ive been on it for many years.

      It has a very good track record, and many people who are on it find it extremely helpfull.

  • BJStar3
    BJStar3 terry24622

    Posted

    I'm 71 and I also have COPD and afib and I just had a pacemaker put in last Dec. I wish you the best!

    • Tennessee
      Tennessee BJStar3

      Posted

      did u have an a node ablation?  How’s that working for you?  I’m having problems. long story.   My dr has been pushing it. I’m 66 and scared of a pacemaker. 
    • ron_08501
      ron_08501 BJStar3

      Posted

      Hi BJStar3,

      How long did you have to wait to get your 

      pacemaker operation?

      What part of the country do you live in?

      Ron UK

  • pat80248
    pat80248 terry24622

    Posted

    I was on both diltiazem and flecainide and sounded much like you, except I did stay out of afib. We stopped diltiazem for metoprolol, better ...but my hr would go too low. Moved to PIP ..pill when needed. Whoops...within two weeks almost constantly in afib. Then finally aflutter constantly. Now on Tikosyn only, plus blood thinner and so far (one week) it has been fine. Energy returning, no side effects. Did require a three day Hospital stay to start, but I am hopeful. Don’t give up. There are lots of options. Your doctor knows them, but you will need to advocate for yourself.  Hang in. BTW I am 77 and just was diagnosed a few months back.  Don’t quit!
    • jimjames
      jimjames pat80248

      Posted

      Pat,

      Not sure if I'm reading this correctly, but it sounded like you went into afib after the addition of metroprolol? There are some some papers out there that suggest metroprolol can help trigger vagal afib. Did they try a lower dose of dilitizem or an alternative for rate control. It sounded like a working combo except that your rate went a little too low. Has the tikosyn put you back in normal sinus rhythm?

      Jim

    • pat80248
      pat80248 jimjames

      Posted

      First off, yes the Tikosyn is working well so far with no rate meds at all.  Both the Diltiazem and metoprolol with flecainide made me very unsteady on my feet and foggy. Both the rate meds brought my heart rate too low as I have always had a low normal rate ( running in 50’s now with no rate meds]. We think the flecainide I was trying as pill in the pocket kicked me into incessant aflutter, but not sure. My EP decided to try Tikosyn. I was skeptical but I am at 10 days and holding with no side effects to speak of.  I am beginning exercise very slowly as it has foiled past efforts....simply a round of golf...also stress...an unhappy conversation with my bank with the flecainide. Hoping the Tikosyn is better for me.  
    • jimjames
      jimjames pat80248

      Posted

      Glad the Tikosyn is working well. It could have been the Flecainide, but it also could have been the Metoprolol that put you into atrial flutter. Good luck moving forward.

      Jim

    • david66173
      david66173 jimjames

      Posted

      Metoprolol that put you into atrial flutter explain i thought Metoprolol was help you get out afib.

    • jimjames
      jimjames

      Edited

      My post is 4 years old and not sure what I had in mind back then. But we were not talking about just afib but fib turning to flutter. My understanding now Is that this is more a potential effect of flecainide and that's why it's often prescribed for safety reasons with AV nodal blockers like metoprolol.

    • Joybell25
      Joybell25 david66173

      Posted

      All drugs for arrhythmias can react differently in different people. Nothing really 'cures ' AF except maybe an ablation done by a very experienced EP...NOT A cardiologist.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.