Flecainide Concern

You are right to do some fact-finding for your own security and safety, and to help with your own symptom management and treatment if there is any beside symptom management. Your question is best put to an EP or a cardiologist. They know your record, especially recent test results that are going to paint a more truthful picture. Despite what you may have read about flecainide, it is widely used and widely tolerated. No, not by everyone, but it's like aspirin...widely used, not necessarily the best choice, and it might be absolutely wrong for you and some others who react poorly to it. Tell your cardiologist that you see that there is a suggestion of RBBB, and that you have read that flecainide is not a good fit generally. See what that person thinks.

@gloaming my cardiologist is the one that prescribed it. She ordered the stress test before she prescribed it. I guess I will message her with my questions regarding the RBBB and if there is anything else she can prescribe to help control my symptoms. I’ve only seen her one time and she is supposed to be very good. Thank you for your reply.

@ness125
Hi,
Registered nurse here, who also has suffered for a long time with SVT, PSVT, abnormal rhythms...I understand your fear of the Flecanide...I experienced it also...I started on it 3 years ago. I take a low dose, 50 mg along with a very low dose of metoprolol ER succ...25 mg twice a day...
This has dramatically changed my life... very occasional bouts that last only a minute, compared to hours...feel like a new person....SO what you must do, us ask to speak , or send a message directly to the cardiologist for clarification about the bundle block....believe me, they want questions like that...It will set your mind at rest...and may be of great help to you...hang in there

@ness125 For what it's worth, I was put on Flecainide about 18 months ago after some tachycardia showed up on a monitor that I wore for three weeks. I have not noticed any ill effects from the med. I was also placed on Eliquis at the same time because I had one episode of AFib. I did not FEEL either the tacycardia nor the AFib. I'm not having any problem with the meds.... My major issue is that with these two meds, ALL pain relievers other than Tylenol are contraindicated. I have arthritis pain that the Tylenol does not touch....and I hate that I can no longer use NSAIDS for relief. I think you are wise to let your doctor know of your concerns and the warnings you have found. Over the years (I'm 74) I've learned that we HAVE TO BE our own advocates when our health is involved! Best wishes! Mike

@domiha thank you so much for your reply! I do worry about taking a lot of medications. I’m on ditilazem and sertraline so not a lot of meds. The palpitations I feel are bothersome, but I worry about the Flecainide making me feel worse. I also have arthritis and I have found that Tylenol 8 hour for Arthritis does help me. I’m 72, so close to your age. She is prescribing 100 mg of Flecainide twice daily. Thank you again for your input. I really appreciate it. I hope you can find something to ease your arthritis pain.

@sup7401 Thank you so much for your input! I’m definitely going to touch base with my cardiologist about my concerns. I appreciate your feedback!

I have not seen any discussion on drugs and blood type. Surfing the web brings out much information.

Get a second opinion before taking it

I took Flecanide for a few weeks until I too started wondering if it was doing any good, read the Black Box warnings and decided the side effects I had, which weren't awful, were not worth the concern. I told the doctor that my physical and psychological systems would not tolerate that med and I took myself off. You have every right to ask more questions, get a second opinion and decide what you are comfortable taking. We had a doc who put my husband on a NSAID for his back pain but the warning on that drug said not to take it if you had a history of heart disease. (My husband has had two heart attacks and two angioplasties.) His cardiologist was consulted and originally had the nurse call my husband to tell him that the doctor didn't like to interfere with another physician's decisions. I, being the pushy nurse that I am, called the office, asked to speak to the cardiologist in person and asked him this question: IF you were my husband, with his history and physical condition, would YOU take this med? When he said "No" that was enough for me. We got a medication for pain but not that one.

@sjm46 You definitely have to be your own advocate for your health. I will try the Flecainide, if the cardiologist provides a good reason why I should take it. I will be calling the office tomorrow with some questions.