Hello, I would like to see if anyone with a profile similar to mine has found one of the antiarrhythmics better suited for not causing side effects related to disturbance of the vestibular system. Specifically, either sotalol, flecainide or Multaq. I was ablated (index) last yr for afib. Many months later, I have had 2 episodes of A. flutter. I need another ablation, but prefer not to get ablated until the coronavirus situation settles down more, exp in TX, so I will be staying on medicine (which I would like to not be on!). I take relatively low doses & am currently on carvedilol (Coreg) 6.25 mg b.i.d., flecainide 50 mg q.12 h., Xarelto 20 mg w/dinner. Two problems I have with regard to the meds are: 1. Had a one & only, but major vertigo 2/1/20, which apparently killed a nerve & left me with a boing/boing feeling in the head on motion. (For ~10 years, I have also had a rare type of acoustic neuroma in one ear which caused deafness in that ear & I am monitored for that, which is a possible factor in my newfound vestibular symptoms). I got a lot better after doing vestibular training for a few months to retrain my brain. But when I started on flecainide after the 2nd atrial flutter, my vestibular symptoms increased. 2. I also have a moderate benign essential tremor which had disappeared on the low dose carvedilol, but has returned slightly since starting flecainide. It is mostly only a problem when eating or with fine motor use of hands. I am wondering if I should just hang in there with flecainide or try a switch to Multaq or sotalol. I was on sotalol before & it gave me some moderate shortness of breath & of course it is a beta blocker (dizziness), so for that reason this time I tried flecainide. I do see unpleasant side effects listed for Multaq also though & i would have to meet a $435 deductible to start it. Should I try a switch or just stay on flecainide? Not sure if the Multaq requires starting in a hospital setting. Thank you. https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175621#msg-175621 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:52:36 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175627#msg-175627 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175627#msg-175627 Madeline AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 20 Jun 2020 02:25:57 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175625#msg-175625 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175625#msg-175625
If you really think flecainide is the culprit (I'm skeptical) then giving Multaq a try is easy (other than the deductible). It's generally the mildest of the antiarrhythmics and has few, if any, side effects for most people.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 20 Jun 2020 01:08:40 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175621#msg-175621 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,175621,175621#msg-175621
I would like to see if anyone with a profile similar to mine has found one of the antiarrhythmics better suited for not causing side effects related to disturbance of the vestibular system. Specifically, either sotalol, flecainide or Multaq.

I was ablated (index) last yr for afib. Many months later, I have had 2 episodes of A. flutter. I need another ablation, but prefer not to get ablated until the coronavirus situation settles down more, exp in TX, so I will be staying on medicine (which I would like to not be on!).

I take relatively low doses & am currently on carvedilol (Coreg) 6.25 mg b.i.d., flecainide 50 mg q.12 h., Xarelto 20 mg w/dinner.

Two problems I have with regard to the meds are:
1. Had a one & only, but major vertigo 2/1/20, which apparently killed a nerve & left me with a boing/boing feeling in the head on motion. (For ~10 years, I have also had a rare type of acoustic neuroma in one ear which caused deafness in that ear & I am monitored for that, which is a possible factor in my newfound vestibular symptoms). I got a lot better after doing vestibular training for a few months to retrain my brain. But when I started on flecainide after the 2nd atrial flutter, my vestibular symptoms increased.
2. I also have a moderate benign essential tremor which had disappeared on the low dose carvedilol, but has returned slightly since starting flecainide. It is mostly only a problem when eating or with fine motor use of hands.

I am wondering if I should just hang in there with flecainide or try a switch to Multaq or sotalol. I was on sotalol before & it gave me some moderate shortness of breath & of course it is a beta blocker (dizziness), so for that reason this time I tried flecainide. I do see unpleasant side effects listed for Multaq also though & i would have to meet a $435 deductible to start it.

Should I try a switch or just stay on flecainide? Not sure if the Multaq requires starting in a hospital setting.

Thank you.]]> Madeline AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 19 Jun 2020 22:31:29 +0000