Cure PVCs Discussion Thread

Flecainide rx

Posted Feb 27 2015	#1 of 10
LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30	Has anyone tried this rx? I went to an electrophysiology st Because even though my PCP and my cardiologist told me my pvc's were nothing to worry about, I still feel 100s of them and some are so scary, the quality of my life has decreased greatly. He prescribed Flecainide, and told me side effects were mild...blurred vision, tingling fingers, which should go away if I even got them. But he also said that nobody has mentioned this rx to me before because it's a tricky drug...if a person has any sort of heart disease,taking this could be potentially fatal. That statement alone made me not want to take the only cure I have been offered to date. In looking it up online, I also read that it could also cause arythmias, which was odd to me. The drug isn't a beta blocker. Its purpose is strictly to regulate the heartbeat. Any experience with this rx or thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you, lisa
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Posted Feb 27 2015

#1 of 10

LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30

Has anyone tried this rx? I went to an electrophysiology st Because even though my PCP and my cardiologist told me my pvc's were nothing to worry about, I still feel 100s of them and some are so scary, the quality of my life has decreased greatly. He prescribed Flecainide, and told me side effects were mild...blurred vision, tingling fingers, which should go away if I even got them. But he also said that nobody has mentioned this rx to me before because it's a tricky drug...if a person has any sort of heart disease,taking this could be potentially fatal. That statement alone made me not want to take the only cure I have been offered to date. In looking it up online, I also read that it could also cause arythmias, which was odd to me. The drug isn't a beta blocker. Its purpose is strictly to regulate the heartbeat.

Any experience with this rx or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you,
lisa

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Posted Mar 16 2015	#2 of 10
ericyabroUser Since: Oct 2013Posts: 15	Hi Lisa, I'm sorry you are suffering from PVC's. I know all about them too well. I've had them for over 15 years. After years of complaining about them my cardiologist suggested trying Flecainide. I too was reluctant because of all the side effects, some of the were scary so I told him no way am I trying Flecainide. Well all that has changed since then. I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation in October of last year and was told I would need to try Flecainide or the Afib would get worse which can be dangerous because it can cause a stroke. So I decided my heart couldn't get any worse and decided to give it a try and I can honestly tell you it has a made a huge difference in my life , for the better. Not only has it help control my Afib but it has also dramatically decreased my PVC's with 0 side effects. I'm currently taking 100mg twice a day so 200mg total per day. As long as you have a structurally good heart you should be OK to take it. I would ask for an EKG and and Echocardiogram test to be sure. Anyway, I hope this helps. Let me know have if you have any other questions or concerns Take care, Eric
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Posted Mar 16 2015

#2 of 10

ericyabroUser Since: Oct 2013Posts: 15

Hi Lisa,

I'm sorry you are suffering from PVC's. I know all about them too well. I've had them for over 15 years. After years of complaining about them my cardiologist suggested trying Flecainide. I too was reluctant because of all the side effects, some of the were scary so I told him no way am I trying Flecainide.

Well all that has changed since then. I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation in October of last year and was told I would need to try Flecainide or the Afib would get worse which can be dangerous because it can cause a stroke.
So I decided my heart couldn't get any worse and decided to give it a try and I can honestly tell you it has a made a huge difference in my life , for the better. Not only has it help control my Afib but it has also dramatically decreased my PVC's with 0 side effects. I'm currently taking 100mg twice a day so 200mg total per day. As long as you have a structurally good heart you should be OK to take it. I would ask for an EKG and and Echocardiogram test to be sure.
Anyway, I hope this helps. Let me know have if you have any other questions or concerns

Take care,

Eric

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Posted Mar 17 2015	#3 of 10
LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30	Hi Eric ~ Thank you so much for your reply! I'm glad to hear that your quality of life has improved. Also glad to hear that you are successfully taking Flecainide with no side effects. For me, I still haven't taken the Flecainide, and as of right now I don't plan to (as long as my pvc's stay mild). I did have an EKG and an echocardiogram that showed a healthy heart. Because I was symptomatic, my PCP sent me to an electrophysiologist (i think that's the right name). He didn't do any tests and basically looked at the results from the test my cardiologist did, and told me that i shouldn't worry about the pvcs. Because I complained that I was so sympomatic, he told me I could try Flecainide. Talked with my PCP and he didn't feel that I wasn't at a stage where I should take such a powerful drug. So for now, I'm not taking anything. Can I ask you a question about your AFib diagnosis? Did your doctor tell you that it was the pvc's that caused you to now have AFib, in other words were they a precursor to it and/or did they cause the AFib? I had asked my doctor if pvc's will eventually turn into other heart problems down the road, and he said no. I believe him, but must admit that I'm a bit skeptical....and worried. Thanks again! I really appreciate your reply. As I'm sure you know, talking with someone who is dealing with the same issue is a tremendous help. Lisa
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Posted Mar 17 2015

#3 of 10

LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30

Hi Eric ~

Thank you so much for your reply! I'm glad to hear that your quality of life has improved. Also glad to hear that you are successfully taking Flecainide with no side effects.

For me, I still haven't taken the Flecainide, and as of right now I don't plan to (as long as my pvc's stay mild). I did have an EKG and an echocardiogram that showed a healthy heart. Because I was symptomatic, my PCP sent me to an electrophysiologist (i think that's the right name). He didn't do any tests and basically looked at the results from the test my cardiologist did, and told me that i shouldn't worry about the pvcs. Because I complained that I was so sympomatic, he told me I could try Flecainide. Talked with my PCP and he didn't feel that I wasn't at a stage where I should take such a powerful drug. So for now, I'm not taking anything.

Can I ask you a question about your AFib diagnosis? Did your doctor tell you that it was the pvc's that caused you to now have AFib, in other words were they a precursor to it and/or did they cause the AFib? I had asked my doctor if pvc's will eventually turn into other heart problems down the road, and he said no. I believe him, but must admit that I'm a bit skeptical....and worried.

Thanks again! I really appreciate your reply. As I'm sure you know, talking with someone who is dealing with the same issue is a tremendous help.

Lisa

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Posted Mar 17 2015	#4 of 10
ericyabroUser Since: Oct 2013Posts: 15	Hi Lisa, You're welcome for the reply. Glad I can help. Since you have already have seen an Electrophysiologist I would not worry about the Pvc's I have Kaiser and my Dr. told me the Electrophysiologists don't see patients with benign arrhythmias. It wasn't until the Afib was seen on a 2 week monitor last year that I was able to get a referral. There was one time where I had a holter monitor and it showed almost 4,000 Pac's and Pvc's in a 24hr period and they still weren't concerned To answer your question about Pvc's being a precursor to Afib or something more serious. I actually asked the EP that same question and he said that frequent Pac's not Pvc's can lead to an Afib episode but not necessarily be a precursor to Afib. Since Pac's and Afib originate from the upper chambers and Pvc's originate from the lower chambers Pvc's are not related or lead to Afib. I do get both Pac's and Pvc's so I do believe the Pac's were a precursor to Afib in my case. I'm not saying this to worry you so please do not be but it's good to informative about our hearts. I'm not sure if you've heard of the ablation procedure but I'm going to have that done next month to hopefully cure my Afib. More specifically, I'm going to have the Cryo balloon ablation where they go into your pulmonary veins, which is where 90% of the Afib signals originate from, and freeze parts of that area to block any unwanted signals from disrupting your normal rhythm. Even the though the Flecainide has helped a lot I still don't like the idea of being on medication for the rest of my life and who knows what the long term effects of that drug are. I feel like I'm rambling on too much so I hope I answered your questions Lisa. Feel free to contact me anytime. Take care, Eric
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Posted Mar 17 2015

#4 of 10

ericyabroUser Since: Oct 2013Posts: 15

Hi Lisa,

You're welcome for the reply. Glad I can help.

Since you have already have seen an Electrophysiologist I would not worry about the Pvc's
I have Kaiser and my Dr. told me the Electrophysiologists don't see patients with benign arrhythmias. It wasn't until the Afib was seen on a 2 week monitor last year that I was able to get a referral. There was one time where I had a holter monitor and it showed almost 4,000 Pac's and Pvc's in a 24hr period and they still weren't concerned

To answer your question about Pvc's being a precursor to Afib or something more serious. I actually asked the EP that same question and he said that frequent Pac's not Pvc's can lead to an Afib episode but not necessarily be a precursor to Afib. Since Pac's and Afib originate from the upper chambers and Pvc's originate from the lower chambers Pvc's are not related or lead to Afib. I do get both Pac's and Pvc's so I do believe the Pac's were a precursor to Afib in my case.
I'm not saying this to worry you so please do not be but it's good to informative about our hearts.

I'm not sure if you've heard of the ablation procedure but I'm going to have that done next month to hopefully cure my Afib. More specifically, I'm going to have the Cryo balloon ablation where they go into your pulmonary veins, which is where 90% of the Afib signals originate from, and freeze parts of that area to block any unwanted signals from disrupting your normal rhythm. Even the though the Flecainide has helped a lot I still don't like the idea of being on medication for the rest of my life and who knows what the long term effects of that drug are.

I feel like I'm rambling on too much so I hope I answered your questions Lisa.

Feel free to contact me anytime.

Take care,

Eric

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Posted Mar 24 2015	#5 of 10
LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30	Dear Eric ~ Thank you again for your response. You have no idea how helpful it is to talk with someone who has walked in my shoes, and understands what I'm going through. I appreciate you sharing your story and knowledge with me, and where you're at currently. It definitely does help to hear other people's experiences and what they've learned via their doctor's / readings / research, etc. I have heard of the ablation procedure, and have done some research on it, as I'm sure you have. I wish you well with the procedure and completely agree with your reasoning for having it done. Please keep in touch and let us know how it goes. Thanks for your offer for me to contact you anytime. The odd thing about this website is that users have no other way of contacting each other besides posting something on the Discussion boards and hope the specific recipient happens to read it. If you're comfortable exchanging email addresses, mine is Lisa.gh@comcast.net Thanks again, Lisa
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Posted Mar 24 2015

#5 of 10

LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30

Dear Eric ~

Thank you again for your response. You have no idea how helpful it is to talk with someone who has walked in my shoes, and understands what I'm going through. I appreciate you sharing your story and knowledge with me, and where you're at currently. It definitely does help to hear other people's experiences and what they've learned via their doctor's / readings / research, etc.

I have heard of the ablation procedure, and have done some research on it, as I'm sure you have. I wish you well with the procedure and completely agree with your reasoning for having it done. Please keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

Thanks for your offer for me to contact you anytime. The odd thing about this website is that users have no other way of contacting each other besides posting something on the Discussion boards and hope the specific recipient happens to read it. If you're comfortable exchanging email addresses, mine is Lisa.gh@comcast.net

Thanks again,
Lisa

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Posted Mar 28 2015	#6 of 10
ericyabroUser Since: Oct 2013Posts: 15	Hi Lisa, Sorry about that. I guess I should've included my email before I mentioned to feel free to contact me anytime. My email is eyarbrough72@yahoo.com. Thanks for sharing yours. Thank you for the well wishes on my ablation procedure. Unfortunately, it's going to get pushed back until mid-May. I have a dental procedure coming up which my involve having a tooth pulled which means I will have to temporarily stop the Warfarin. The EP who does the ablation procedure requires the patient to be on Warfarin consistently for 4-5 weeks without interruption before doing the surgery. I'm a little bummed about it but I can't wait 4 months to go to the dentist. I forgot to ask you this before. I assume you've had a 24hr holter monitor before? How many pvc's did it record? I do know that stress and anxiety are a main cause for mine. I also believe the vagus nerve plays a huge role also. My EP actually diagnosed my Afib as paroxysmal vagal Afib and he said that kind is the most curable so that's encouraging. Anyways, I hope you have a good weekend Take care, Eric
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Posted Mar 28 2015

#6 of 10

ericyabroUser Since: Oct 2013Posts: 15

Hi Lisa,

Sorry about that. I guess I should've included my email before I mentioned to feel free to contact me anytime.
My email is eyarbrough72@yahoo.com. Thanks for sharing yours.

Thank you for the well wishes on my ablation procedure. Unfortunately, it's going to get pushed back until mid-May. I have a dental procedure coming up which my involve having a tooth pulled which means I will have to temporarily stop the Warfarin. The EP who does the ablation procedure requires the patient to be on Warfarin consistently for 4-5 weeks without interruption before doing the surgery. I'm a little bummed about it but I can't wait 4 months to go to the dentist.

I forgot to ask you this before. I assume you've had a 24hr holter monitor before? How many pvc's did it record?
I do know that stress and anxiety are a main cause for mine. I also believe the vagus nerve plays a huge role also.
My EP actually diagnosed my Afib as paroxysmal vagal Afib and he said that kind is the most curable so that's encouraging.

Anyways, I hope you have a good weekend

Take care,

Eric

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Posted Mar 31 2015	#7 of 10
LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30	Hi Eric ~ Thanks for sharing your email. Bummer on having to wait until mid-May for the ablation. But like you said, having to wait 4 months to go to the dentist just isn't feasible right now. Interesting about the vagal A-Fib diagnosis. Just makes me believe even more that the vagus nerve can absolutely play a role in arrhymias. I must be a big chicken because I am afraid to go under anesthesia right now because I have pvcs. I guess I'm just concerned that i'll have a cardiac episode while under anesthesia and/or caused by the anesthesia. I raised that question on this website, and a few people told me that they've had surgeries and the like while having pvcs, and all was well. I'm due to go to the dentist, and I'm also supposed to have foot surgery for a bunion, but I've been putting both off...at least for now. I'm putting off the dentist due to the fact that novocaine acts like adernaline and I've read that adrenaline can also cause pvc's. To answer your question, yes, I did have a 24 hour holter monitor. It showed roughly 1700 in a 24 hour period, which was 2% of my total beats per day. I was feeling a lot of them that day, but was shocked to hear 1700. I was figuring it would be in the low hundreds. So obviously i don't feel all of them (THANK GOODNESS) and I also learned that I have them in my sleep (which concerned me a little). My doctor's all stated that 2% is a very low percentage, and they start to become concerned at around 10% or higher. Regarding the stress, most of the research I did also stated that stress is usually a factor in bringing on the pvcs. I'm not convinced of this, at least for me. The reason being -- about four years ago I went through a really difficult divorce, and my stress was at an all time high. Through all that, I never had pvc's. My pvc's started a year ago this month. I would have thought that all that stress would have brought them on four years ago. Good luck with your dental procedure and keep in touch. Warm Regards, Lisa
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Posted Mar 31 2015

#7 of 10

LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30

Hi Eric ~

Thanks for sharing your email.

Bummer on having to wait until mid-May for the ablation. But like you said, having to wait 4 months to go to the dentist just isn't feasible right now. Interesting about the vagal A-Fib diagnosis. Just makes me believe even more that the vagus nerve can absolutely play a role in arrhymias.

I must be a big chicken because I am afraid to go under anesthesia right now because I have pvcs. I guess I'm just concerned that i'll have a cardiac episode while under anesthesia and/or caused by the anesthesia. I raised that question on this website, and a few people told me that they've had surgeries and the like while having pvcs, and all was well. I'm due to go to the dentist, and I'm also supposed to have foot surgery for a bunion, but I've been putting both off...at least for now. I'm putting off the dentist due to the fact that novocaine acts like adernaline and I've read that adrenaline can also cause pvc's.

To answer your question, yes, I did have a 24 hour holter monitor. It showed roughly 1700 in a 24 hour period, which was 2% of my total beats per day. I was feeling a lot of them that day, but was shocked to hear 1700. I was figuring it would be in the low hundreds. So obviously i don't feel all of them (THANK GOODNESS) and I also learned that I have them in my sleep (which concerned me a little). My doctor's all stated that 2% is a very low percentage, and they start to become concerned at around 10% or higher.

Regarding the stress, most of the research I did also stated that stress is usually a factor in bringing on the pvcs. I'm not convinced of this, at least for me. The reason being -- about four years ago I went through a really difficult divorce, and my stress was at an all time high. Through all that, I never had pvc's. My pvc's started a year ago this month. I would have thought that all that stress would have brought them on four years ago.

Good luck with your dental procedure and keep in touch.

Warm Regards,
Lisa

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Posted Apr 20 2015	#8 of 10
Beeba11User Since: Apr 2015Posts: 1	Hi Lisa, I had surgery last year and due to my cardiac history (V-Tach) my dentist cleared it with my cardiologist and performed the extraction surgery in Kaiser Hospital instead of his office. He was very detailed and thorough and cautious. He is the best and I appreciated that. I now have A-fib and need dental work again, but less invasive, just a crown. I NEVER use epinephrine and it is listed as an allergy in all of my medical files. The last thing I need it anything to add to my excelerated heart rate. I will have the dental procedure but probably again in Kaiser with Cardiologist approval. By the way, I am taking Sotalol for my A-fib/A-Flutter. It is holding but night time is awful. The only thing that helps is falling asleep to meditation music. REALLY HELPS!! I will visit my new naturopath provider within a week to get to the root cause so I can get off of this medication and remove this band aid! Blessings to you Beeba
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Posted Apr 20 2015

#8 of 10

Beeba11User Since: Apr 2015Posts: 1

Hi Lisa,

I had surgery last year and due to my cardiac history (V-Tach) my dentist cleared it with my cardiologist and performed the extraction surgery in Kaiser Hospital instead of his office. He was very detailed and thorough and cautious. He is the best and I appreciated that.

I now have A-fib and need dental work again, but less invasive, just a crown. I NEVER use epinephrine and it is listed as an allergy in all of my medical files. The last thing I need it anything to add to my excelerated heart rate. I will have the dental procedure but probably again in Kaiser with Cardiologist approval.

By the way, I am taking Sotalol for my A-fib/A-Flutter. It is holding but night time is awful. The only thing that helps is falling asleep to meditation music. REALLY HELPS!! I will visit my new naturopath provider within a week to get to the root cause so I can get off of this medication and remove this band aid!

Blessings to you
Beeba

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Posted Apr 27 2015	#9 of 10
LisaGHUser Since: Sep 2014Posts: 30	Hi Beeba ~ Thank you for your post! It's comforting to hear from others who have irregular heart issues. I'm glad your dental work went well and all the best for your next. Thanks again for sharing. It truly does help. Warm Regards, Lisa
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Posted May 09 2015	#10 of 10
alfy12User Since: Oct 2013Posts: 22	Hi Lisa,have been suffering from benign PVCS for years but they have gotten worse in the previous 2 years. I have had every test my cardiologist can do and tried every medication. I have also dabbled with Magnesium and other natural remedies. I have just started Flecainide 50mg twice a day but will increase to 100mg twice a day after an adjustment period. I have been experiencing about 10,000 pvcs per daywhich is a little higher than normal. The Flecainide has reduced my PVCS to about 500 per day. I'm hoping the increase to 100mg twice a day will completely calm things down. You are right to be cautious about taking Flecainide. Hospital monitoring is advisable. I had a spike in blood pressure for the first 2 days of takingtaking Flecainide but I put this down to the beta blocker interacting with the new meds. I ride my bicycle most work days 10 miles at lunch time which helps calm my pvcs down. I also suffer from pressure in my neck which has been checked by my ENT and nothing bad was found. I'm ok with having PVCs but get annoyed with having thousands per day.
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Posted May 09 2015

#10 of 10

alfy12User Since: Oct 2013Posts: 22

Hi Lisa,have been suffering from benign PVCS for years but they have gotten worse in the previous 2 years. I have had every test my cardiologist can do and tried every medication. I have also dabbled with Magnesium and other natural remedies. I have just started Flecainide 50mg twice a day but will increase to 100mg twice a day after an adjustment period. I have been experiencing about 10,000 pvcs per daywhich is a little higher than normal. The Flecainide has reduced my PVCS to about 500 per day. I'm hoping the increase to 100mg twice a day will completely calm things down. You are right to be cautious about taking Flecainide. Hospital monitoring is advisable. I had a spike in blood pressure for the first 2 days of takingtaking Flecainide but I put this down to the beta blocker interacting with the new meds. I ride my bicycle most work days 10 miles at lunch time which helps calm my pvcs down. I also suffer from pressure in my neck which has been checked by my ENT and nothing bad was found. I'm ok with having PVCs but get annoyed with having thousands per day.

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