Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and medication side effects

I wore a monitor for three weeks in the spring and that showed one paroxysmal AFib episode and a few episodes of SVT. Saw the electrophysiologist three weeks ago and was put on Eliquis (5mg/twice daily) and Flecainide once a day. Constipation has been a problem off and on for some time, but it seems to be worse. And I just feel so tired all the time. I feel like my get-up-and-go got-up-and-went! I don't see the doc again unil October, and I will continue to try this combo, as I obviously do NOT want to have a stroke. I am 73/male. Interesting to read of so many similar experiences here. There is comfort in knowing I'm not alone. I guess all medications have a trade-off. Best wishes! Mike

@sbranen Thank you for the reply. This makes me wonder if it is the Flecainide that is causing the constipation rather than the Eliquis. I have had so many new "health issues" in the past two years that I feel as if I'm falling apart. I take Milk of Magnesia everyday.... plus occasional Miralax.... and still have issues. And I feel so tired!

Not sure if this will help you but I started using coconut oil in my morning coffee. As soon as I get up I drink a glass of warm water; after about 15 minutes my coffee is ready and I add the coconut oil to the coffee and drink it as I always do. After about 2 days began to get relief

Thank you @debroo ! I'll have to check this out. Someone else mentioned that drinking a glass of warm water would help "get things moving." My gastro doc has told me before that it's okay to take Milk of Magnesia everyday, and I've been doing that. Then in my morning coffee, I add some Miralax. And I take a Dulcolax everyday. Been doing this for the past few days and today, things were much better. Crazy, though, how we take a med to fix one thing and it creates issues somewhere else.... so then we take something else to fix that!! This getting old is such fun! NOT! Where are the "golden years" I was always told about??? Best wishes! Mike

I used to have neighbors that said that the only thing golden about the golden years is your pee! LOL

I looked at the side effects of the meds you are taking and does not list constipation. Other scary side effects but not that.

I am the health nut on here who suggests natural solutions as I am 75 and take NO meds and have eliminated many health problems naturally.

1 for your a fib, do you consume any food or drink containing caffeine?? Coffee, cola, Mountain Dew, chocolate??
2 for constipation, do you eat white bread, processed foods containing wheat, cheese clogs you up like a cork, other dairy, more than 4 oz meat etc daily?? Do you eat FRESH fruit, vegetables that are not canned??

Best way to control high heart. Meds? I just had the watchman procedure.
Now I have high heart rate and Dr wants to shock my heart.
Any suggestions?

Hi, @lindy9 Thank you for your thoughts. I didn't mentioned that I had a brief (less than 5 mins) TIA back in February. The only symptom was aphasia, but it was scary, and that was the reason for the monitor. I didn't realize I was having ANY Afib at all... and if the Eliquis can help prevent a stroke, I'd rather take it than take the chance. I take FOUR different meds for cholesterol, alone.... though I am not yet on meds for BP. I take Rosuvastatin, Repatha, Zetia and Vascepa. I also take Flucotasine twice a day for GERD. I have never been a smoker. The only caffeine I consume is the ONE cup of morning coffee to help me wake up. I could cut that out, but it's one of the few perks left. My wife is French and cooks pretty Mediterranean style.... fresh veggies, fruits, fish rather than red meat most of the time. I never eat anything fried. I do eat a bit of cheese on occasion, but not enough to cause this recent issue with constipation. I have no other regular dairy except for the 2% milk in my morning coffee. I think my gut has been slowing down for a while.... and something in this change just exacerbated that. And when I googled Flecainide, I see constipation as a possible side effect. As for the golden years, I'd agree with your former neighbors!! LOL. Best wishes! Mike

I used Flecainide for three months after ablation, and suffered a great deal with constipation. Also had vision issues, and heart pounding. I was taken off of it two days ago, and now I am having big problems with palpitations. I think they should have tapered me off it but did not. Can’t get them to call me back. Terrible patient service. I was on Sotalol for over 15 years. It worked pretty good. But not good if you have asthma.

Mike, you summed it perfectly, and oh how frustrating and scary. Reached 79 taking no meds at all, then Afib started and it's all meds with more meds to fix the problems csused by the previous meds. It becomes an endless cycle.