I have had episodes for the last 4 years or so. They recently became more frequent having spoiled many a social occasion for me and my wife, including a curtailed holiday last month! I had been on Sotalol but 4 days ago was switched to Flecainide 50mgs twice daily. Since then I have noticed shortness of breath and a tightness in my chest. I am 74 but now feel like a person of 94! Will my body adjust after a while or do I need to mention this to my specialist or GP? Glad to say there has not been a further episode of my AF.
I started flecainide 100mg twice daily in september last year, I too have a permanent tight chest (as if I've just had a cold). Also get vision disturbances and spots in front of my eyes, and a constant mild headache.
I'd blame them on the gin, but I gave up alcohol four years ago!
I'd advise a chat with your GP about it.
Are you still on Flecainide, Guest?
I also suffer from paroxysmal AF and recently the episodes became frequent. So my cardiologist switched me to fleicanide 100 twice a day. I've also been given a CPAP for sleep apnea. I haven't had an AF episode since. The only side effect I've noticed is that my heart rate has definitely gone much higher. I was a 50 to 60 heartbeats per minute when I was on Sotalol 120 but now that I'm on fleicanide my usual HR is in the high 70s and 80s and if I exert a little, it's in the 90s. I'm waiting for my doctor to come back from his holiday vacation and will be seeing him because I think if I supplement fleicanide with propraponol, my heart beat will go down and I will remain protected from AF episodes. I think fleicanide is a really good medication with only one side effect in my case.
I've been taking Flecainide for about a year. I've always been s.o.b on it, and often felt heavy in my chest. Lately, it just isn't holding my heart rate in check. Taking an extra fifty mgs helps. I have a call in to the cardiology clinic at the VA, but don't really expect a call back. My dosage is 100 mg twice a day which, I think can be higher, but I'd like to run it by a doctor! (I am a nurse.)
I have been on 50mg twice per day for 9 months and have not had AF since first starting. I had begun having regular AF episodes. I do not have any noticeable side effects except maybe a minor headache. It has made my life so much more enjoyable I think it would be best to persevere as often side effects drop away once you become used to a drug. It is best taken with something like metoprolol.
Shortness of breath is not good. I am surprised someone of 74 is on Flecainide as it has warnings on people on over the age of 65 years old I would mention this to the specialist.
My doctor wants to put me on it as well. and I am 74, I also get most side effects from drugs. Flecanaide has black box warnings on websites. I am very hesitant to take this drug.
I have been on 75mg 2 x per day.
The headache started off pretty bad but reduced significantly after a month
I now have a mild persistent headache which usually isn't noticeable but gets worse if I miss sleep.
I also walk around feeling like I just gave 3 pints of blood.
If I take a Bisoprolol I can barely move so I don't take it.
I haven't had afib in 2 years and I try to exercise in the morning to keep my energy up.
Structural heart disease precludes taking flec. (Black Box Warning) And I think as long as they monitor your heart rhythm it is safe.