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Very Confused...

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andrew67280
andrew67280

I am 58 and have had PVCs since my 20's.  I had some diagnosed episodes of Afib 3 years ago during a particularly stressful time. I have  was put on 100 mg dose of Flecinaide per 24 hoiurs and that immediately stopped the episodes (and lessened my PVCs too!)  A year and a half later my doctor allowed me to stop the drug. Still no more episodes for for a year and a half.  Yay! I'm cured!  Must've been the stress. Until a couple of weeks ago as I was leaving for a restful 2 week holiday and boom! There it is again!.   After the first one I decided to try the flecainide 100 mg dose as before and it did nothing.  (Luckily, I brought my most recent supply of Flec on holiday just in case) Upped it to 200 mg after 4 days and still had a close to 2 hour episode.  All episodes so far have taken place beteween 8 and 11 pm.   I am confused as to why this would return after being episode and medication free for 18 months and why isn't the Flecinaide working like it did 3 years ago at double the dose?  The only similarity to 3 years ago is that the last 3 months were a little stressful.  Of course I will be contacting my doctor about this now that I am home but was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about this in the meantime

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • derek76
    derek76 andrew67280

    Posted

    Between 8 and 11 after dinner. Do you have any digestive problems? Many find an association. Others find it after drinking wine.
    • andrew67280
      andrew67280 derek76

      Posted

      Thanks derek76.  No, none that I know of.  My diet hasn't changed since being episode free. 
    • derek76
      derek76 andrew67280

      Posted

      My AF is perhaps rather odd. Initially it started after heart valve surgery that is a known risk. After a cardioversion I was was OK and drug free for fifteen months before having a colonoscopy. The probe stimulated my vagus nerve and put me back into AF. 

      Another cardioversion and I was OK for ten months before having a DRE (digital rectal examination) for my prostate that again stimulated my vagus nerve putting me back in AF.

  • john84040
    john84040 andrew67280

    Posted

    I'm also on flecinaide , I'm 52 and have been on flecinaide for around 15yrs. Initially working fine just having the odd episode . Then the flecainaide stopped working and my doctor added a beta blocker ( bisoprolol ) to the flecinaide . Since then I've been better than ever.

    On my Af journey I've realised I do need the meds but I've also discovered my diet intake of certain foods can trigger my Af .

    Over indulging can trigger Af , as many of us do you may have done this while on your holiday . Next time you have episodes just take note of your diet and you may pin point certain AF triggers in your diet.

    Everyone's different . Mine are too much alcohol, caffeine. Nicotine , dehydration , wheat is a major for me so I stick to a gluten free diet , no wheat based beers just have cider , too much salt is another . As I've said adding the beta blocker to the flecinaide has made a major difference .

  • bassbob54
    bassbob54 andrew67280

    Posted

    Hi Andrew.

    I was on flecainide for a while,, but it eventually  didn't work for me either

  • judith85360
    judith85360 andrew67280

    Posted

    Hi Andrew, my AF began with stress three years ago. I have had three ablations. Si,nice my third ablation I have to do everything I can to help myself. I have found a Facebook site that has given me lots of information about food supplements and diet and also information from cardiologists on manoeuvres that may stop an episode (it did). I am not able to put that info on here as it breaks the rules. I feel so much better in myself and more in control. Arming myself with good information seems to help and maybe can come off my meds. Good luck
  • terence68672
    terence68672 andrew67280

    Posted

    The Flecinaide's efficacy may have reduced because they were old tablets>?  Did you check the use by date on them?  Some drugs have a use by date mostly because they change chemically with time.

    Also-I hate to say it-you are a little older too-your heart is aging along with the rest of you. :-)

    • andrew67280
      andrew67280 terence68672

      Posted

      That's a good point.  They were issued 18 months ago but I have read they have shelf life of 3 years but who knows how old they were when I received them
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