Update on starting Sotolol

[dedeottie]

Well, my 80mg sotolol didnt even begin to stop my AF apart from turning it into tachycardia every now and then . So on the third day and on the advice of my fantastic arrhythmia nurse, I increased to 120 mg x2 and eventually I went back into NSR and thankfully have stayed that way. I now have to have an ecg at 2 weeks to check it isnt making my first degree heart block any worse.

Typically the 3 month appointment to have everything checked, was made when I will be in portugal and the first rearranged appointment after that is December! The scan of my arteries is 14 weeks away, so no rush eh? Never mind, I have more faith in my arrhythmia nurse than in all the others put together.

I think I feel more spaced out than I did on bisoprolol and flecanide but am guessing that might resolve as time goes on.

The whole episode has served to remind me that A F is an ongoing condition which you have to manage in various ways over time.

Hope you are all having an AF managed day. X

[Lilypocket]

Hi

I was on Sotalol which works mainly as a Beta blocker until you get to high doses. I too found it zapped my energy and didn't stop (in fact they increased) my PVC 's ,Pac's and Afib episoded. I was changed to Flecaine and Bisoprolol this week. Do you mind telling me why you came of those meds and put on Sotalol?

Best regards

[Lilypocket in reply to Lilypocket]

*came off ( I don't spell badly just my phone keyboard is not very sensitive and doesn't type a letter when I think it has ☺️)

[dedeottie in reply to Lilypocket]

Hi. I had successfully been on flecanide for 7 years but an exercise stress test showed that flecanide was causing a widening of the QS complex with evidence that it was beginning to cause an unwelcome potentially dangerous rhythm. I had to come suddenly off those meds and start sotalol. X

[Lilypocket in reply to dedeottie]

Hi, did you have an underlying heart problem already or did you just have Afib? I had an exercise test before starting Flec. but I believe it is more approriate to do it when you have already started the meds as problems show up when you exercise while on Flec. My cardiologist is not an electrophysioligist but he works at a good hospital in Paris which has a renowned cardiology dept. so I suppose he knows what he is doing. This is my first day on Flec. B/prolol and I have to say I feel less "zapped"than when I was on Sotalol. Just hope it works for me! Im encouraged that your experience was positive.

Take care!

[dedeottie in reply to Lilypocket]

No underlying heart problemsbut going for scan of arteries incase they have furred up. Apparently not likely as last years stress test normal but I guess you never know. I was gutted to have to stop flecanide as it worked so well. Good luck x

[Lilypocket in reply to dedeottie]

Have you thought of having an ablation?

x

[dedeottie in reply to Lilypocket]

Had one that worked to some extent so had a second but there was a potentially serious complication and they had to abort the procedure without doing anything. My consultant wont risk doing another for me so it is medication or ultimately when medication options are exhausted, possibly pace and ablate. X

[Lilypocket in reply to dedeottie]

Ah ok. Sotalol in a good dose is efficient and I had no problems for about 7 years but I started getting more - and longer - episodes of PAF and (which I found more annoying than the Paf) - skipped beats , up to a 1000 a day. Hopefully Flecaine might work better fingers crossed.

x

[Jt222]

Sotalol has been a lifesaver for me! I did go into flutter(which was a newer thing for me) the second day I was on it but after a few days it started working great. Good luck and you also have an AF managed day!

[dedeottie in reply to Jt222]

Thank you that is very good to hear. X