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Atrial fibrillation
Hi Everybody,
I've just been diagnosed with A-Fib. I had my first episode of palpitations about 6 weeks ago, and my second one was about 2 weeks ago. Both of them lasted about 6 hours and just went away by themselves. I had hoped it was no big deal, but apparently it means I've got a "condition" rather than simply having had an "event" or two. Anyway, it looks like this all means that I'm going to continue having these events, I'm going to need more medications including warfarin, and eventually I'll have a stroke and die.
Is this consistent with your experiences (except for the last thing, of course)? I'm a 57-yr old male, in otherwise good health. I'm now on a low dose of a beta blocker, I've stopped all caffeine, and I've greatly reduced salt and alcohol (now at 2 beers/day). Any advice or experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated.
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@mache2024 update, been off of Flecainide since Monday! Feeling better already! Fingers crossed 🤞🏻
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My cardiologist wants me to take 2xs day but after reading numerous articles about Flecainide, I am afraid to take it. Cardiologist says there’s no alternative. I had 3 ablations….last one was only 80% effective. What a predicament to be in……and with a cardio that doesn’t see my concerns. What to do?
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1 ReactionI've been in persistent AFIB since my 58th birthday, and I'm now 83. I also have bradycardia, so no ablations for me, according to the latest electrophysiologist I met with. I take 50 mg of Metoprolol succinate in the evening and a 5 mg Elliquis morning and night. I also have eight stents placed on three different occasions. The last being 7 years ago.
I help my heart by taking several supplements that seem to work for me. COQ10, D-Ribose, magnesium, l-Theanine, and L-Carnitine.
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3 Reactions@darnallal If you keep to moderate doses of flecainide, and do not exceed 300 mg per day, you will very likely avoid side effects and it is an extremely effective drug for most of us. Does your doctor want you to take daily flec, ie., 50 mg twice a day, or only use it PIP (pill in pocket) for stopping an AF episode? For example, I have paroxysmal AF (PAF) and use 150-200 mg at the start of an AF episode, and it ends it within 3-6 hours. (If I take the full dose of 300 mg, which is rare, I may get some PAC's, ie., some ectopic beats which are harmless.) You could try it out as your doctor suggests, and if you don't like it, come off of it. There are some other rhythm-control drugs which your dr could discuss with you. Best wishes for NSR!
Do you eat or drink anything with caffeine or lots of sugar and wheat???
@darnallal
I am 81 years old and have apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In 2023 Afib with rvr reared its ugly head and was persistent from the beginning. After trying several rate control meds which didn't work, I saw a EP at Mayo Clinic where my HCM cardiologist is and he gave me the choices of an ablation or antiarrhythmic medication. I asked his recommendation and since an ablation often need to be done 2 or 3 times with HCM, he said he would start with medication. I needed to start this medication in the hospital for three days. It has been good except for occasional breakthroughs which self convert in about 36 hours. The drug is Dofetilide (Tikyson). I cannot take Flecainide as it is contraindicated if you have HCM and I will not take amiodarone (too many terrible side effects). To might ask your cardiologist if dofetilide would be a good fit for you. If my episodes get longer than 72 hours or more frequent (they have occured about every 4 months), then I will probably be headed for an ablation. Sorry your ablations don't seem to stick. That is what I am afraid of. Good luck with finding the best medication for your situation.
@lindy9
Love my black coffee. And yes I do eat both wheat products and fair amount of sugar. May I inquire why?
@mache2024
I have looked at what all the side effects are and they are not good. My system is very sensitive; hence my concern. Cardiologist will not listen, just says if you don’t want to take, then don’t.
Can affect heart rhythm. Just one quarter cup of coffee made in the US brings on afib for me. If you Google what to eliminate, caffeine is always listed. I understand you love your coffee, but getting rid of it beats scary drugs and treatments. I used to have during age 14 to 21 severe episodes of afib. I read that caffeine could CAUSE it. I decreased to one quarter cup and it still affected me. I ELIMINATED it, and at age 77 have rarely for a couple of seconds.
Life and health is made up of choices, and those choices affect your health positively or negatively. And the foods that contain refined wheat and sugar contribute to bad health.
Coffee shouldn't hurt you as long as you don't drink a lot of it...in fact, coffee has a lot of good benefits, especially antioxidants which are good for your heart and fight inflammation. I suggest also adding exercise like walking every day because the heart is a muscle and not exercising it will only make things worse, no matter what the problem is. Magnesium is very good for your heart and is what they give in the hospitals to people who are having arrythmias. Get enough sleep. Your doc may want you to start eliquis which is a blood thinner to prevent blood clots. Alcohol consumption needs to be low as large amounts will lead to adverse effects on your heart:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/alcohol-and-heart-health-separating-fact-from-fiction.
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