I have a history of anxiety and depression for which I took medication in the past. I have not taken any such meds like that for several years now. Since that time I developed Afib, that's why I am on this forum. 7 weeks ago I had an ablation for it and thus far it has been a great success. I've not had any bouts of arrhythmias. .I'm 2/3 of the way through my blanking period. Without going into a bunch of boring details about my mental health I'll just say my psych doc wants to put me on a SNRI or a tricyclic antidepressant for my mood and to help me sleep which I have lots of trouble with due to my more recent mental state. He has been waiting until my cardiologist says its ok to do so since SNRIs and TCAs cannot be taken if you take an anti-arrhythmic like Flecainide for fear of QT elongation. My cardiologist is of the opinion I no longer need the flecainide ( I only took it as a "pill in a pocket" over the course of 4 years) and I have not taken any for some time before the ablation and none since. . Way back when I took doxepin, which is a TCA, I had no bothersome side affects that I recall and I took it for 20 years. My cardiologist was of the opinion I could go ahead and start taking the doxepin. It would not be at a high dose. Maximum dose is 300mg/day. I would likely be on no more than 25-50mg/day. I just wanted to see if others here have dealt with similar circumstances or have any opinions on the matter. Even though I've had no past bad experiences with doxepin, TCAs are known to have a long list of "possible" side affects. I am wondering if the fact I have had Afib, despite the successful ablation, puts me at more risk for problems down the road. My cardiologist made no hint of that. I presume the only way to know for sure is to try it and see what happens. Thanks Pokey https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198323#msg-198323 Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:50:30 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198354#msg-198354 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198354#msg-198354 Pokey AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:19:33 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198351#msg-198351 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198351#msg-198351
You may need an anticoagulant going forward even if you no longer have afib because: 1) like you said, it could come back without you realizing it; and 2) people who've had afib are at a higher risk of stroke even if they no longer experience afib episodes. Your CHADS-Vasc score will determine whether it's safe for you to stop. So go back to that link I have you, answer the questions, and find out what your score is. If it's zero, you can definitely stop the anticoagulant. If it's 1, you can probably stop it but it's a judgement call. If it's 2 or higher then you probably shouldn't stop it even if you're completely afib free.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 26 Dec 2024 04:52:33 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198350#msg-198350 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198350#msg-198350 Pokey AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 26 Dec 2024 03:14:50 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198328#msg-198328 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198328#msg-198328 CHADS-Vasc score. If you're a 1 or lower, your EP will probably allow you to stop. If you're a 2 or higher, probably not.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:43 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198326#msg-198326 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198326#msg-198326 Pokey AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:38:29 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198325#msg-198325 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198325#msg-198325 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 22 Dec 2024 23:08:41 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198324#msg-198324 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198324#msg-198324
You need sleep, and you need to be destressed, and if it takes some help, for God's sake use it! Anxiety raises catecholamines, which many/most of us in AF are sensitive to. Time to whack that mole. My opinion, and it's only that.

AFAIK, there's no problem between SSRI and flecainide, but someone who knows better will surely pipe up soon.]]> gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 22 Dec 2024 22:29:33 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198323#msg-198323 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,198323,198323#msg-198323 Thanks
Pokey]]> Pokey AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 22 Dec 2024 21:02:04 +0000