Guest guest Posted January 1, 2002 Report Share Posted January 1, 2002 In a message dated 1/1/2002 5:36:41 PM Pacific Standard Time, bobbyr@... writes: << Flecainide is a bad news if you are a post MI patient (heart attack). But if you are otherwise normal, it is not any worse than other drugs. >> It's wonderful that Flecainide keeps you in sinus the majority of the time. I can only hope that it would do the same for me. My cardiologist said that I would be a good candidate for Flecainide because I have no heart problems other than afib. The echocardiogram showed that my heart is completely normal structurally and in every way except for the afib. (I mention this partly to allay fears about prolonged afib damaging the heart structurally by causing enlargement or other problems. I have had afib for nearly nineteen years, but my heart is still basically sound.) The cardiologist said that anyone with any kind of heart problems other than afib could not take Flecainide. By the way, I am now back in sinus as of an hour ago. At 1:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, I would have been in afib for eight days. I am thankful that I didn't break my previous record of ten consecutive days in afib. I have once before been in afib for eight straight days, and twice have been in afib for six days. This afib episode was about 7 and three-quarter days. Whenever my afib episode lasts longer than three days, I begin to get nervous about whether I will return to sinus spontaneously as I always have done in the past. My cardiologist thinks that I will continue this pattern indefinitely: in and out. Since the afib episodes are so closely tied to stomach upheaval, I am hoping that if I can resolve the stomach problems, I will lessen the frequency of afib. As my stomach symptoms stopped tonight, my rhythm returned to sinus. in sinus in Seattle :<)))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2002 Report Share Posted January 1, 2002 Just a comment on the use of Flecainide on an irregular basis. I take 150 mg twice a day, and it keeps me in NSR 364.5 days of the year. If I do go into afib, I have standing orders to take an extra tablet - a total of 300 mg - to attempt a chemical cardioversion before I even call the office. The past three episodes over the past three years have been successfully converted. There has never been any hospital monitoring, at the beginning nor the increase. Flecainide is a bad news if you are a post MI patient (heart attack). But if you are otherwise normal, it is not any worse than other drugs. > In a message dated 12/31/01 4:53:36 PM Eastern Standard Time, > msgander@a... writes: > > > > I've noticed a recent post of yours where you mention you use it not on a > > daily basis but > > as needed. Did you do this on your own or over time with your doctor's > > knowledge? > > > > > -- > Glad to be of service. > > To answer your question, absolutely with my doctor's knowledge. Flecainide > can be a very dangerous drug (it can kill you by causing your heart to stop, > to be quite blunt) so don't try anything funny without asking your doctor! I > had mine started in the hospital at much higher dose than what you are taking > (300 mg), to test its effect on the QT interval. Subsequently I take 200 mg > as needed -- not all the time. > > Also, if alcohol is causing you to go into AF I would eliminate it > completely, at least until you have the AF under control. > > My very best wishes for the New Year! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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