flecanide and dopamine

Hi all.
I was struck by Richard's comment in his last posting about flecanide using dopamine in some way. I have taken flecanide (100mg 2x) for almost three years with excellent results. I don't really have any side effects and the slight visual distortion I experienced has pretty much subsided.

However, a new problem has surfaced-RLS or restless leg syndrome which is just annoying rather than really worrisome like afib. Doctors feel this is a CNS problem which may be caused by a deficiency of dopamine. I have never read before about the interaction of flecanide with dopamine in any way and I find this idea very interesting. I would love to read any info that may exist about this.

What I would like to know as well is whether anyone also suffers with RLS or PLM (periodic leg movement), both of which are also intermittant and strike mostly at night or at rest similar to vagal afib. And for anyone who does, do you also find flecanide very effective and did the RLS begin after you began taking flecanide? Jamie

Jamie,

It was a while back that I read that, and I don't think I saved to favorites, but I'll check. I know it's in the BB archives, and I'll check there, as well. You might also do a search on flecainide and dopamine and see what you pull up on the web. Dr. Gersten told me that many drugs use dopamine as a pathway. I do know that I've read that RLS is also a sympton of magnesium deficiency and Mg is needed for the metabolic pathway of phenylalanine to break down to dopamine, as well as B6. Other nutrients are equally important for functions in the body, too. You probably already know this, but many are experiencing great benefits from Mg in reducing AF. Do you eat adequate protein daily. If so, the simple addition of Mg. and a good multi vitamin may benefit you. I urge you to read my post on "Glutamate Again", because who knows, maybe you're experiencing an excitotoxic effect of MSG or aspartame. Hope this helped, and I'll see what I can find, Jamie.

Richard

Jamie,

I take flecainide 2x100 per day and have experienced tingling in my legs and RLS. One doctor said it was not related to Flec. but another said it could well be. I'm trying Mg supplement.

Tom