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Afraid to sleep. Most episodes happen at night. What can I do?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (49)Comment receiving replies
I have very burdensome pvc's I went to the mayo clinic and saw a cardiologist there. He reviewed my echocardiogram and my results from my Holter monitor and he himself did the EKG and saw the PVC's. He has advised me to take flecainide but I have been afraid to take it after reading the effects. I have high anxiety about everything health related and can't seem to shake it. The Dr. told me that the flecainide will help with the pvc's tremendously and all the yucky symptoms i have from them...I have extreme fatigue and dizziness...my PVC'S are all the time. Has anyone taken Flecainide for pvc's and what were the effects?
Replies to "I have very burdensome pvc's I went to the mayo clinic and saw a cardiologist there...."
@cmendes2026
It's interesting it's always happening during sleep. Have you been checked for sleep apnea? That can trigger Afib so it makes sense it can trigger PVCs too. No part of our body likes being deprived of oxygen.
@cmendes2026
I took flecainide (in combination with diltiazem) for a few years to control my afib. Those meds did a great job controlling my afib and I never noticed any side effects. It would be worth it to try it for a couple days/weeks and see if it helps. It sure reduced my anxiety from afib.
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@cmendes2026 This is where you, a mature person, has to make a reasoned and perhaps risky choice?: do I accept the anxiety of the PACS and do nothing, hope for the best, or do I risk taking a week's worth of flecainide and maybe it will do for my PACs what the good doctor presumes it will do? If the flecainide works, will you still be as anxious? So, which anxiety, and its extent, would you rather experiment with: the steady deterioration that will come with ongoing PACs that are uncontrolled or untreated, or accept a trial of a drug that might just be the ticket and put it all behind me for now...maybe forever?
The PACs are a sign of electrical disordering of your heart. They are closely associated with AF, atrial fibrillation, and the two often swap seats after an ablation, along with their other sibling, AFL or atrial flutter. After an ablation for one of those, it happens to a few patients that they soon show signs of defaulting to one of the other two, and that means yet another ablation. Fortunately, second ablations for anything enjoy a pretty hefty chance of success.
Once again, and not to keep bashing you over the head with my reasoning, which I hope you will agree is pretty trenchant, and out from under which you cannot squirm, your choice is anxiety or anxiety, except the second anxiety is likely to be transient....AND....leave you blissfully free from those dreaded PACs.