1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and medication side effects

Posted by Karenatmayo @karenatmayo, May 22, 2017

I have atrial fibrillation with very bothersome symptoms and started flecainide 3 weeks ago and sine then have had terrible side effects including dizziness, some nausea, unable to stand for more than a couple of minutes, extreme fatigue. I am now trying a different drug which has worse nausea side effects, some fatigue, etc. I am suffering with these side effects and there cannot return to work yet. Both, however, do relieve afib. Not sure whether to stick it out or explore other options (ablation) I am 68, female.

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lindy9 | @lindy9 | Jul 29 2:05pm
In reply to @sbranen "Know that coconut oil is high in saturated fats." + (show)
@sbranen

Know that coconut oil is high in saturated fats.

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Coconut oil is healthier than most other oils, and he is putting just a dab in coffee., not a half a cup of it. I can't drink coffee as it gives me a fib. But if I did, and wanted to would put in coconut oil. I use it on my hair, skin sometimes, to fry an egg etc. Those oils that they say are not saturated are the ones that cause health problems. Read up on the oils.

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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Jul 30 9:11am
In reply to @lindy9 "My neighbor allowed doctors to get on that med trolly. Previously on none. Within 6 months..." + (show)
@lindy9

My neighbor allowed doctors to get on that med trolly. Previously on none. Within 6 months she died. The last med side effect was depression. She no longer wanted to live, shut her eyes for a week and gone.

I recommended to her to wean herself off all of them. I showed her that like you said it was symptoms from the meds. I cannot tell you what to do, but I would cut a sliver off all of them every day until weaned off. I would start immediately.

I am almost 76. And long story short, even a small amount of anything with caffeine in it gave me a fib episodes. Get off all coffee, chocolate, Mountain Dew, and colas if you take ANY. Please let me know if you do any of that, and the result. I have no a fib, and hack weeds for an hour or over every morning, walk up and down steep hills to town, and clean my house etc.

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Hello @lindy9 - Thank you for sharing your experiences and some of the troubles you've had with medications. We all react differently to medications, which is why it is important to monitor your own symptoms and side effects and to keep your provider in the loop.

Weaning off of medications can be complicated and if not done properly can have its own set of side effects. Because of this, any weaning of medications should be done in partnership with your providers. I'd like to remind of our community guidelines about being careful to give medical advice when sharing our own experiences to help one-another through our medical journeys:

1. Be careful about giving out medical advice:
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

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1 reply
lindy9 | @lindy9 | Jul 30 10:18am
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @lindy9 - Thank you for sharing your experiences and some of the troubles you've had..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @lindy9 - Thank you for sharing your experiences and some of the troubles you've had with medications. We all react differently to medications, which is why it is important to monitor your own symptoms and side effects and to keep your provider in the loop.

Weaning off of medications can be complicated and if not done properly can have its own set of side effects. Because of this, any weaning of medications should be done in partnership with your providers. I'd like to remind of our community guidelines about being careful to give medical advice when sharing our own experiences to help one-another through our medical journeys:

1. Be careful about giving out medical advice:
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

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I do not believe I have told anyone what to do, only that is what I did, or what I would do. I believe I was careful in that.

My experience was that the doctors did not give me correct advice. They sometimes flat out lied. If I gave out advice or told someone what to do, then copy and paste, and put in a reply to me. Many of the people on this forum are having multiple problems either with treatments or meds, over and over again. My comments are not for those who are having success. Two meds that I weaned off of I was told I had to take forever. Forty years later, here I am without them. I took a tiny sliver off every day and took that way for a few days and did again until I was taking none. I am not telling anyone what to do. If anyone wants to take meds that have negative side effects over and over, that is their choice. The rest of my experiences include diet changes only. Many people including doctors, are unaware of the profound difference that adding or eliminating a food or drink can do. I do know and share those successes for those who decide to try. But in general, doctors are trained to give meds that may or may not eliminate the symptoms. I believe in investigating how I can eliminate the cause. In between my unsuccessful doctor experiences, I have been taking better care of myself than they did, for 55 years. My comments have received many many likes and helpful button responses.

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