Heart Issues

[Annabelle1961]

Had my nuclear stress test last week...all looks good, no blockages!  Still got alot of problems with the heart rhythms.  I have lone afib, although sometimes it doesn't feel very lone, PVC's, PAC's, palpitations, a pulse that feels excessively strong in the wrist and random chest pains (that's why they did the nuclear stress test I guess).  Had an echo in June and all was well then.  Now for my question, I have, and have always had (ever since I can remember) an inverted T-wave, my EP wants me to try Flecainide...any opinions on this?  Start at 50 mg...he thinks it may help, but I did some reading and it sounds kinda scary, he isn't concered, but then again it's not his heart or his life?  Anybody have any experience with this drug?  Please advise and thanks in advance!

[tsco]

I take 75 mg of flecainide 2x a day for seven years now. I did have an ekg during first application but just went to my family doc, no hospital. This drug is widely used and considered pretty safe I think. I have SVT and aflutter along with like you say the pvcs pacs etc. (Gotta hate it).  the flecainide is effective at keeping things in order (not perfect though). I also have left bundle branch block which bothered me when I took a higher dose of flec. Makes since because the flec is delaying the signal from top to bottom. I am happy with the drug overall. I tried rythmol (not a good experience for me) and I tried others. During bad periods I even take a beta blocker toporol as needed with the flec.

[kevk]

I have been taking a high dose of flecainide 150 mg 2 x day for the past 20 years for ventricular arrythmia`s . It has helped a lot for PVC`s and short runs of v-tach.

I started taking the med at home but had to get ecg`s done for the first few days to measure my Q R S complex.

[Annabelle1961]

Thanks for the input.  May I ask what you do take for the afib?  Do u take a blood-thinner or just aspirin?  Do u take any rhythm or rate meds?  Let me know.  Thanks!

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't know what the inverted T-wave means, but Flecainide is a rather strong medication.  My cardiologist would not put a patient on it (me) unless I was willing to be submitted to a hospital to be observed to be sure I didn't have any dangerous side-effects.

I have read of many who start Flecainide at home, and some do fine.  

It may help control the PVCs.   I have heard it mostly applied to atrial fibrillation, my condition. I do not take Flelcainide.  Hope you get some user inputs.