Introduction

[ChampKind]

Hello folks, I am new here and first post. I have had atrial tachycardia and AVNRT going back to 1990. Had two ablations in the mid 90s when they first started doing them which helped but didn't cure me. I have been taking Sotalol ever since with no problems and led a full, happy life. I was told that I needed to change medication as I had been on it for too long and I am now on bisoprolol. I know that sotalol has a long qt side effect so taking me off sotalol removed that. However my quality of life has plummeted as the bisoprolol does not work the way sotalol did. I take 10 MG, once a day. It slows my heart down fine but I have extra/eptopic beats that feel pretty bad, as if they are about to trigger a tachycardia and terrible panic attacks which cause an irregular faster heartbeat. I can't exercise anymore due to the irregular heartbeat coming on. I have asked the cardiologist for help to resolve this but still waiting. My question, is does anyone else take bisoprolol and could something else be taken with it for the rhythm problems or what other types of medication do people take that work well for tachycardias? Sorry if this post is in the wrong place but I noticed this community had more traffic. Thanks for any help.

[Hidden]

Having stopped Sotalol, a rhythm and rate control drug, you may be experiencing episodes of atrial fibrillation. A Kardia device might be helpful to identify this. A rate control drug will not usually prevent AF.

Comments here suggest Nebivolol is better tolerated than Bisoprolol.

[ChampKind in reply to Hidden]

Thanks a lot. Great help.

[Hidden]

Clearly you have quite a history of AF related issues and treatments have advanced significantly since you had your ablations. I’m wondering who you are seeing for your medical advice, is it a Cardiologist or your GP. Depending on your circumstances, there are a number of things relating to lifestyle that might improve your situation and 2 days ago JeanJeannie posted with links to loads of information available on the AF Association webpages which you might find helpful. If you are not in touch with an Electrophysiologist (EP) it might also be a good idea to ask your GP to refer you to one. You may benefit from having your condition re-assessed and a new treatment plan devised. Many people here do have problems with Bisoprolol and there are many alternatives as has been mentioned, also there are calcium channel blockers which also work well for many. Hope this helps ........

[ChampKind in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks. I was in hospital back in December to have the tablets changed and I was reassessed then. I was told by the EP that they would be happy to carry out another ablation, which I do not want as i was in good health on the sotalol and I hear so many stories about ablations not working or symptoms come back eventually. To be honest I have terrible white coat syndrome so being off tablets for a week before an ablation and having to go into hospital would have a severe impact on me. Ideally I would like to stay on bisoprolol as I have no side effects and take something for the rythym problems with it. Not sure if it's possible to combine bisoprolol. Or take something that works as well as the sotalol did but without the long qt side effects. I will look at jeanjeannies post. Thanks a lot for the info. This forum is a God send.

[Hidden in reply to ChampKind]

I've had 2 ablations and in both cases I was asked to stop my Apixaban only on the night and morning (2 doses) before the procedure. I also take a channel blocker (Diltiazem) and as far as I can recall, I did not miss any doses but I do understand your concerns.....Bisoprolol is a good drug and does exactly what it says on the can and if it works for you, stick with it!

[ChampKind in reply to Hidden]

Thanks flapjack. Hope you keep well now.

[Hidden in reply to ChampKind]

For paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, if it turns out this is what you have developed, Flecainide, Propafenone, Dronedarone and Amiodarone are alternative rhythm control meds to Sotalol (also Dofetilide in North America). A rate control beta blocker is often combined with Flecainide to reduce the rate of atrial flutter, if any, provoked by the Flecainide.

First though is the need to diagnose your dysrhythmia, yourself with something like the Kardia, and in time further Holter or Reveal monitoring.

[ChampKind in reply to Hidden]

Thanks oyster. When I was in hospital I was taken off the sotalol for 2 days and then given bisoprolol. Whist there was no medication in my system, the ECG showed atrial tachycardia and some AF. There idea was to start me on bisoprolol but it's not working as well. I must say I am interested in the flecainide idea with a beta blocker for rate control. That sounds pretty good.

[ChampKind in reply to Hidden]

I just looked for the Kardia online and to be honest I didn't know such a thing existed! Marvelous