The EP has suggested I try flecainide for 2 weeks "for diagnostic purposes" to see whether or not it will help suppress palpitations. I read online from Cleveland Clinic: "What are the benefits? Flecainide is used only in people with serious, life-threatening arrhythmia. The medication can slow or block irregular heartbeat, preventing stroke and sudden cardiac death."by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
thanks..so that means if I am controlling it with diltiazem it also won't show up on an ECG?by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Carey...If I go in for a 12 lead ECG when I am not having an episode, will the flutter show up? In the last ablation they thought they got the flutter. I will ask about this.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
My HR is often above 90 even at rest...for years...when these episodes come it goes to 120s to 130 at rest, I an SOB, and it's quite debilitating. When I take a 30 mg IR ditliazem it can take over 2 hours for it to work...EP staff told me to check BP and if its systolic > 90 I can take another 30 mg. I have had to do that a few times. One pill usually work though but after a few hoursby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have had two ablations for afib/flutter.  last one four months ago seems to have worked, but now I have sinus tachycardia quite often.. is anyone experiencing this and is anyone taking diltiazem?  if yes, I'm curious about the dosage. Are you using immediate release or an extended release dose? thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
The EP wants me to try flecainide with the diltiazem... says it might help determine the nature of my new episodes of tachycardia and also might make me feel better. and that we could consider yet another ablation perhaps with me awake this time.. I had stopped the ER diltiazem and then went back on it (30 mg IR) as needed) when I started getting new episodes of sinus tachycardia, it worked greby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
not sure...I felt palpitations but HR was in 80s on watch and had 2 afib readings about 20 minutes apart on watch,,,,couldn't get readings on Kardia (unreadable) except for one tachycardia on Kardia 109 bpm in between the 2 watch afib readings!by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Carey The EP nurse suggested I try a 30mg IR diltiazem when I have palpitations, but bwefore I even tried this last nignt my Apple Watch said I had afib (for the first time in 6 weeks). So discouraged. I have a followup call with EP February 10.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
One night last week it bounced around but was mostly above 100 for 2 hours, then I fell asleep and Apple watch told me I had 3 episodes lasting more than 10 minutes each above 110 bpm...that has not happened before. A few nights later (before bed) I had a 15 minute episode above 100, and then last night about 30 minutes before bed. Asleep 70s-80s except for that one time last week.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I stopped the diltiazem....all was fine for a week..HR higher than it was before ablation but under 100 at rest..now i am having some episodes of tachycardia (100-120) in the evenings....still no sign of afib recurrence...I would prefer not to go back on the diltiazem but I will check with the EP. Ablation was ten weeks ago. Thoughts?by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my 2nd ablation for afib/flutter on Halloween (first was in mid May.). This time I had lots of palpitations and tachycsrdia and a few Kardia afib readings early on. I started diltiazem for the HR. A 14 day Zio just showed no afib..just rare SVT and early beats. EP said I can try stopping the diltiazem If I want to. Still taking Eliquis. fingers crossed.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
Wise words, Carey...thanks so much. I am just looking for some personal experiences but have also carefully studied the facts, and my EP team asked their cardiology pharmacist to review Tymlos, given my condition and current medications. I got the ok to go ahead and try it, while of course still monitoring my heart rate, etc. It was a bit complicated because my endocrinologist and PCP are withby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
thank you....you advice is reasonable and appreciated...I am still looking for someone who is or has actually tried it.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
the endocrinologist already told me that after 2 years I would have to take Reclast for 2 years,I assume to maintain.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
As if having an arrhythmia isn't enough, I have severe osteoporosis and am at high risk for fracture. I am 73. My endocrinologist wants me to take Tymlos and managed to get approval from my insurance. Is anyone else with afib/flutter taking this or know anyone else who is? It scares me but so do hip/spine fractures.I am taking Eliquis and Diltiazem currently. thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
It see conflicting research about coffee. What do you think about a cup in the morning? I have been using decaf but i really miss my coffee :-) thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
thanks so much could you send me a link on Amazon or something to the exact kind of tape because I don't quite know what you mean. How wide,? what's blue tape versus green tape etc. and then how do you tape it and if the doc recommends a CPAP I will try it but that's not until Januaryby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I finally had a sleep study done (Stanford Sleep Medicine Center) because I wake up every few hours. I don't have a followup until January 4, but got a "letter" that says I have mild obstructive sleep apnea/apnea-hypopnea index of 7 and minimum oxygen saturation of 85%. Significant cardiac arrhythmias not seen during study. Does anyone else have this? thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I believe UCSF is doing a clinical trial. I was not eligible because of a prior ablation for tachycardia many years ago.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I know it is very important to stay hydrated...yet recommendations for help to sleep through the night say to stop drinking water a few hours before bed. I wake up every few hours, quite thirsty, and drink water. Does anyone else experience this? Not sure if I should drink or not.thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, This is new, and requires that you update your phone and watch software to the latest versions, and apparently has FDA clearance Barbaraby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
Susan. This is new, and ONLY meant for those of us WITH a doctor's diagnosis of Afib. I included a link with the information in my note. Barbaraby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
has anyone tried this? if yes , what do you think?by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
for those of you who take a once a day capsule, does anyone take it in the evening? My palpitations are worst at night and HR stays high. Am transitioning from a 3X per day IR tablet. thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
No luck, Susan. even they only have the generic, but is made in Taiwan and I'm going to give it a shot.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
Has anyone been able to get Cardizem CD 120 mg? None of the pharmacies I have tried can get it for me.by bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have seen some comments about using a brand rather than the generic in you are taking this drug for arrhythmia/rapid hear beat/palpitations, etc. Can I ask what brand? Cardizem? Also, do you take a 3-4 times a day dose, or twice a day, or once daily? I am wondering if a once a day timed release capsule might be best so it is spread out evenly? very confusing---ER/SR/LA/CD etc. thanksby bneedell - AFIBBERS FORUM