Living without drugs.

[PhyllisK]

Is it possible to come off Sotalol whilst in NSR and use the Pill in the Pocket method of controlling A.F.

[BobD Volunteer]

Flecainide is usually used as PIP but often in tandem with a beta blocker.

BobD

[jeanjeannie50]

At one time I used Sotalol as a 'pill in the pocket' for my paroxysmal AF.

However, I think they prefer you to use Metoprolol - but this drug would take my pulse down too low if I suddenly reverted to sinus rhythm.

If you think this may be the best way for you to take your medication I would talk to your GP and say this is what you would like to do. I guess it depends how often you are having periods of PAF, mine were every 1-2 months. I can remember being amazed after a visit to A&E after my first attack being told to start taking Metoprolol on a daily basis, that was when I protested saying 'I may never have another attack' (wishful thinking). I never took drugs on a daily basis, until after 5 years my attacks started lasting days and then pending an ablation I had to take Amiodarone daily.

[PhyllisK]

Bob and Jean, thank you for the response to my question, I appreciate that the medication I am taking is holding my A.F at bay but I guess that it is wishful thinking that I could come off the medication during the non-active periods of A.F. I am so grateful to have this forum to turn to, it makes me feel in control of my condition. Once again thank you for taking the time to answer my query.

Phyl.

[Maitha]

The most important question do anyone of us know when AF will be activated?

It can be anytime anywhere and that thing drive me creazy sometimes and cause me/my family and maybe you anxiety

[PhyllisK]

It does cause myself and, the family, great anxiety Maitha,

I hate having A.F and the never knowing the time it will strike! but, I do feel blessed that I have you and all of the friends on this forum who advise and support me, I am not alone. x

[Bikerboy]

Hi, I've been on Bisoprolol, which is a betablocker like Sotalol, since being diagnosed last January. I stopped it on the advice of my cardiologist after being AF free for a couple of months and all other tests came in clear, but after less than 2 weeks felt unwell, with low energy levels and occasional AFs, which weren't debilitating at all. I resumed the Bisoprolol, and after a while felt well again, and have been since but I'm going to try a rate control drug instead, after my cardiologist gets the results from my latest test. This is because the slowed circulation betablockers induce make me feel so cold, and with winter coming, it's only going to get worse. Hopefullly Flecainide or similar, either regularly, or as a PIP as required, will keep me feeling well, after all, isn't that all we want? Regards, Bill

[PhyllisK]

Hi Bill, thank you for your comment. Since posting the question 'living without drugs' I have seen a cardiologist nurse who has agreed to monitor my progress and adjust drugs accordingly. I really appreciate the medical help that I receive and know that my quality of life would be very different without their intervention. Good luck with your medication. Phyl.

[Geordielass]

Betablockers have NEVER helped me (diagnosed Feb 2010 and now three ablations in) as they are RATE controllers and its my rhythm that was a problem. Flecainide just made me much much worse. I tried different -olol drugs, to no effect except that I couldn't exercise due to breathlessness, and felt tired all the time. Coming off betablockers, even when still subject to AF episodes, was like being let out of prison.

The only drug I now take purely for my AF is Sinthrome (Warfarin-like) and now, six weeks since my last ablation I feel well (i.e. 'normal'!)

[PhyllisK]

Hi , thank you for the response to the question re: 'living without drugs' I really appreciate that the drugs I am prescribed are controlling my A.F but this morning I am as light headed and dizzy as a waltzer in a fair.

Coming off my betablockers isn't an option but well done you for being brave enough to escape from your prison!!

Good luck with your progress re: post ablation I am rooting for you. Phyl.

[Tilly1957]

I was on bisoprolol for a few years and didn’t realise quite how badly it affected me. Eventually a lovely gp prescribed nebivolol (which I spoke to him about after reading discussions on this forum) Still a beta blocker but works slightly differently to bisoprolol. After about 6 months I ended up in er (on the advice of a paramedic friend) with af episode which was hitting 180 at its highest. Outcome: after much discussion between the a&e teams, and because the Af had started to settle down, I was allowed to go home with a pip to take. They prescribed verapamil (unusual) but they had also taken into account my negative reactions to excipients. This combination works for me, better than others. The main difference I am noticing is that when I go into af, the rate range is not so extreme, and I may only go up to 130 or even inky 90. One verapamil stops tge episide in its tracks within about an hour.

Having a pip has made a big difference to me, but I still need the nebivolol as it helps keep my bp from getting too high.