Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 In a message dated 12/27/03 8:51:07 AM Eastern Standard Time, dpoleway@... writes: I am new to the group as of today. I am a 35 year old female with afib (2 - 3 times a week.) I have been on digoxin, cardizem and an asprin for about 4 months now in the hopes that these drugs would control the rate and in response control the rhythm (my idea - my EP wanted me on the flec right away). Hi le, I started off with the cardizem and it did absolutely nothing for me. Cardiologist switched me to Lopressor 50 mg twice a day and still had several break throughs. IM now taking Toprol XL 75 mg twice a day and have had one break through but the med makes me feel normal. You are on a calcium channel blocker and Toprol XL is a beta-blockers They started me on 50mg twice a day many break through then upped it to 75 mg twice a day and IM beginning to feel normal again. I had a break through but after I converted I felt normal and usually IM off for about 3 or 4 weeks. Just an idea if you have not tried the beta blockers yet. It takes a full month to get into your system and put a steady level in your blood so first month you can and probable will have some break through. a in Massachusetts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 I have been on flecainide for about 3 years. It works quite well for me. It is not that bad. There are people on this board that have been taking flecainide for 6 years plus with excellent results. If your heart is structurally sound you should be ok. Of course everybody is different. I hope it works for you. keith > I am new to the group as of today. I am a 35 year old female with > afib (2 - 3 times a week.) I have been on digoxin, cardizem and an > asprin for about 4 months now in the hopes that these drugs would > control the rate and in response control the rhythm (my idea - my EP > wanted me on the flec right away). Well, guess what...not > working!!!!! So I am going into the hospital the first week in Jan > to go on the Flecainade. I feel defeated...I have no control over > this INCONVENIENCE in my life (I have a 3.5 and 1.5 year old and am > still home on maternity leave from teaching with them so needless to > say I don't have " time " for this!)and am disheartened that it has > come to this avenue of the flec. > > I don't really have a question...just wanted to vent. > Thanks and I am so happy to have found the you guys! > le Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 Hi - and welcome le: You might want to check out ' Database. Forty-Four (44) of our members are either presently on Flecanide/Tambacor or have been in the past. http://www.dialsolutions.com/af/database/index.html#results Kudos to you, and to all our young Afibbers. I can't imagine dealing with Afib and managing a family and a job! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however. With a good EP and the right medication, and you can get somewhat control over this lousy disease. Stress is a huge afib trigger for me - and with young kids, freeing yourself of stress, is almost impossible - but find a wee bit of time for yourself and try to relax. I listen to relaxation tapes! Again, we welcome you, and please feel free to stop by and vent anytime Think positive - this is the season of miracles! Ellen (NSR on Dofetilide) *************** ----- Original Message ----- > I am new to the group as of today. I am a 35 year old female with > afib (2 - 3 times a week.) (snip) I am going into the hospital the first week in Jan > to go on the Flecainade. (snip) I have a 3.5 and 1.5 year old )snip) .just wanted to vent. > Thanks and I am so happy to have found the you guys! le **************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 When I was put on flecainide, I was not subjected to a hospital stay. If you read the materials on flecainide, I believe you will find that the hospital stay is recommended under certain circumstances. Of course, it is your doctors perogative to hospitalize you, possibly due to other conditions you may have. He may have particular reasons to place you in the hospital, or he may be new at prescribing it, we don't know. Just be aware that it is not a given that 100% of the time flecainide is started in the hospital. Here is a polll that was conducted in this group a while back: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/surveys?id=466887 I just created another poll, with a yes or no choice, just for fun. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/surveys?id=1165581 Don't be dissapointed with flecainide - it is a good medication that works for many of us, myself included. > I am new to the group as of today. I am a 35 year old female with > afib (2 - 3 times a week.) I have been on digoxin, cardizem and an > asprin for about 4 months now in the hopes that these drugs would > control the rate and in response control the rhythm (my idea - my EP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 Ellen, Thanks for your encouraging words...I am guessing that stress is a or the trigger for me...I happen to be a person who needs most things done yesterday with a " full calendar " every day...I have been trying to " overcome " this other disease (hee hee). Again I really appreciate your kind words and I will continue to read and write. What a great place to find " comfort " . Happy New Year. le > Hi - and welcome le: > > You might want to check out ' Database. Forty-Four (44) of our members > are either presently on Flecanide/Tambacor or have been in the past. > > http://www.dialsolutions.com/af/database/index.html#results > > Kudos to you, and to all our young Afibbers. I can't imagine dealing with > Afib and managing a family and a job! There is a light at the end of the > tunnel, however. With a good EP and the right medication, and you can get > somewhat control over this lousy disease. Stress is a huge afib trigger for > me - and with young kids, freeing yourself of stress, is almost impossible - > but find a wee bit of time for yourself and try to relax. I listen to > relaxation tapes! > > Again, we welcome you, and please feel free to stop by and vent anytime > > Think positive - this is the season of miracles! > > Ellen > (NSR on Dofetilide) > *************** > ----- Original Message ----- > From: " dpoleway " <dpoleway@y...> > > I am new to the group as of today. I am a 35 year old female with > > afib (2 - 3 times a week.) (snip) I am going into the hospital the first > week in Jan > > to go on the Flecainade. (snip) I have a 3.5 and 1.5 year old ) snip) .just > wanted to vent. > > Thanks and I am so happy to have found the you guys! le > **************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 You should not need to go into hospital for flecainade that is unless your Ep wants to DC convert you. C Uk > >I am new to the group as of today. I am a 35 year old female with >afib (2 - 3 times a week.) I have been on digoxin, cardizem and an >asprin for about 4 months now in the hopes that these drugs would >control the rate and in response control the rhythm (my idea - my EP >wanted me on the flec right away). Well, guess what...not >working!!!!! So I am going into the hospital the first week in Jan >to go on the Flecainade. I feel defeated...I have no control over >this INCONVENIENCE in my life (I have a 3.5 and 1.5 year old and am >still home on maternity leave from teaching with them so needless to >say I don't have " time " for this!)and am disheartened that it has >come to this avenue of the flec. > >I don't really have a question...just wanted to vent. >Thanks and I am so happy to have found the you guys! >le > > > > Codling Hornchurch Essex England Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 > Hi - and welcome le: > > You might want to check out ' Database. Forty-Four (44) of our members > are either presently on Flecanide/Tambacor or have been in the past. Actually it's 113 entries that have tried flecainide... http://www.dialsolutions.com/af/database/index.html?Adv=1 & _flecainide=1#results if you are searching for medication it's always better to go to the advanced search page (http://www.dialsolutions.com/af/database/index.html?Adv=1) and tick the medication you are interested in, then click on 'search' (without typing in a search string) searching for 'flecainide' in the search field will only throw up those entries that have mentioned flecainide in their text entries. It wont find all those entries that have spelt the word wrong or typed 'tambacor' (the brand name) -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 In a message dated 12/27/2003 7:51:26 AM Central Standard Time, dpoleway@... writes: So I am going into the hospital the first week in Jan to go on the Flecainade xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx le This is the first I have heard of going to the hospital to start flecanide. Did you mean dofetilide? Whichever it is, good luck. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 > > It wont find all those entries that have spelt the word wrong or typed > 'tambacor' (the brand name) Or even Tambocor, the correct spelling! Bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 > From: Ellen Gilmartin > Date: 12/27/03, 9:17 AM -0500 > > You might want to check out ' Database. Forty-Four (44) >of our members > are either presently on Flecanide/Tambacor or have been in the past. > > http://www.dialsolutions.com/af/database/index.html#results From AFibbers Database: Ellen Gilmartin Past medications/side effects: ... I did well on Verapamil - but I didn't like the idea of still being in AFib. Ellen, how well did you do on Verapamil? What effect did it have on your Afibs, BP, and HR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2003 Report Share Posted December 28, 2003 Guy, My EP (Dr. Simons out of Englewood Hosp, NJ) says that this is his protocol for all patients being started on flec. (It is flec that I will be taking). He feels that the initial dosages need to be closely monitored and the hospital is obviously the best place to do this. I am young (35), healthy otherwise (other than being also recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease) and relatively in-shape so he really doesn't anticipate problems, but he is more on the ere of caution side. SO, as long as insurance permits I will be 48 hours in the hospital to get this stuff going. Thanks. le > In a message dated 12/27/2003 7:51:26 AM Central Standard Time, > dpoleway@y... writes: > So I am going into the hospital the first week in Jan > to go on the Flecainade > xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > le > This is the first I have heard of going to the hospital to start flecanide. > Did you mean dofetilide? Whichever it is, good luck. > Guy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 At this point, the recent survey at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/surveys?id=1165581 says 1 for hospital and 7 for no hospital, in their own experience. If you haven't voted, please do so! As far as the hospitalization upon initiation of flecainide, the recommendations in the monograph *and* the American Heart Association guidelines do not suggest it except for particular circumstances, like pre-existing heart disease, use in children and maybe others. Any hospitalization requirements beyond that is up to the individual doctor or group. See the AHA guidelines at: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/104/17/2118#SEC8 Please do not lead the others here to believe that it is necessary to start flecainide in the hospital in all cases. Bobby NSR on flecainide 7 years straight Atlanta > > From: dpoleway > > Date: 12/27/03, 8:23 AM -0500 > > > snip > > So I am going into the hospital the first week in Jan > > to go on the Flecainade. > > > Several list members have already responded that flecainide > is normally initiated on an outpatient basis, also at the > Cleveland Clinic of Medicine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 Many medications ( antiarrhythmic agents) are available to restore and maintain sinus rhythm including Quinidine, Procainimide, Disopyramine, Toprol, Flecainide, Propafenone, Sotalol, Tikosyn, and Amiodarone. Use of some of these medications may require a stay in the hospital to carefully monitor your heart rhythm when first started. Your doctor will decide what medication to use. Medications are effective 30- 60% of the time, but may lose their effectiveness over time. Many cause side effects, so you may need to try several medications to find the best one for you. http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2400/2462.asp? index=9530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 > From: Debbi > Date: 12/29/03, 4:25 PM -0500 > > In the website I posted on flec, from the Cleveland Clinic, > it states THEY prefer to initiate therapy in hospital settings. (Emphasis added.) No, Debbi, this is not what is stated. What you quoted simply said, " This medication is usually started in the hospital. " It does not say that in-hospital initiation of flecainide is Cleveland Clinic's prefered method. It was not writen by someone who actually performs this procedure, but by someone who looked up some information and copied it to their website without checking. Sloppiness does happen. The reference I quoted is different, it is authoritative. This article, " Pharmacologic management: Often insufficient, but still first-line " (part of, " Managing Atrial Fibrillation: Focus on Nonpharmacologic Strategies. Approaches to restoring and maintaining normal sinus rhythm) is written by a Cleveland Clinic stuff member, Dr. O. Marvin, and it says, " We typically initiate flecainide therapy on an outpatient basis. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 This flecainide *he said she said*, is one more argument in favor of snipping/deleting that portion of any message that you are NOT referring to~~~~~ Its also important that the proper message is attached to its rightful author. Please~~~~ before you click that *send* button, read over your post. To reply to a message and leave another message in tact one after another - and another after another ~~~~ no wonder its confusing! You guys lost me three days back <g>! Let's all take a cleansing breath - and end this year and begin a new one with the resolution that a couple of our members have suggested ~~~~~ " to be a better Afibber " ! I like that~~~~~Cool! Ellen (Springlike in NC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 Agreed. Snipping sometimes loses some of us. Thank you. Peace. > This flecainide *he said she said*, is one more argument in favor of > snipping/deleting that portion of any message that you are NOT > referring to~~~~~ > > Its also important that the proper message is attached to its > rightful author. > > Please~~~~ before you click that *send* button, read over your > post. To reply to a message and leave another message in tact one > after another - and another after another ~~~~ no wonder its > confusing! You guys lost me three days back <g>! > > Let's all take a cleansing breath - and end this year and begin a > new one with the resolution that a couple of our members have > suggested ~~~~~ " to be a better Afibber " ! I like that~~~~~Cool! > > Ellen > (Springlike in NC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 > From: dpoleway > Date: 12/29/03, 5:39 PM -0500 > > Agreed. Snipping sometimes loses some of us. Thank you. Peace. > > > > This flecainide *he said she said*, is one more argument in favor > of > > snipping/deleting that portion of any message that you are NOT I, too, agree - with both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2003 Report Share Posted December 29, 2003 You are right. I did misread your post. I'm sorry. I am confused. As far as cutting parts out of posts, I always cut down to a minimum - just enough so that people can see which message I am replying to. We have a great deal of members that receive this material in digest form, so it avoids a lot of repeated info. Also, others get confused when there are comments from two or three people in one post with >>> in front of them. Again, sorry about the misread. I am typing this from Disney World and I have been surrounded my mice all day. Bobby > You confuse me. Or are you confused? > > What do you mean with, > > > Please do not lead the others here to believe that it is > > necessary to start flecainide in the hospital in all cases. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.