I changed from Sotalol 80x2 a day to Flecaine 200 mg slow release and 3.75 mg Bisoprolol today because I was having more frequent Afib ( Paroxysmal) episodes and a lot of PVC and PAC's . I've just had a few seconds of a hammering heart but feel fine. I can't halve my dose as it is a capsule . I'm a bit nervous and hope it doesn't mean anything. I would appreciate comments and reassurance from other people who changed from Sotalol to these drugs .
By the way I had all the tests before the cardiologist changed the medicine to check for any underlying heart disease but I changed from one day to the next because I wasn't told to leave a delay so maybe my heart is adjusting hence the tiny pounding session.
Thanks for reading!
Written by
Lilypocket
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Hi Lily, if you live in the UK, Sotalol is not normally prescribed for AF although it is still used sometimes. It’s still used in the USA so maybe some of our friends across the pond will be able to help......
- and they are pretty up to speed over here (pioneered the RF ablations and the newer technique of blocking the pouch where clots form when people can't take anti-coagulants.) I don't know why I was started on Sotalol.
Actually no - I believe the pioneer hospital in the "sewing up" of the pouch where blood pools is Hopital Henri Mondor in Créteil in the Paris region - about 40" from my home. I hear Bordeaux has become a bit of a factory production line. But the ablation techniques were pioneered there and changed the lives of so many people. x
I had to order it in Phoenix. They didnt even carry sotalol anywhere. My EP told me that it's very rarely used and when used only for people that dont respond to other medicines.
I was on sotalol when first diagnosed and got off of it 4 mo later as I had too many side effects. When I started on flecainide, I had no problems at all with it. It controlled my a fib.
I was started on Sotalol 2 x 80mg and was on that for over four years , all it ever did was make me lethargic / tired but didnt really help me stay in sinus rhythm . Saw a specialist and he put me on to flec. 2 x 50mg four years ago and have stayed in sinus rhythm 100% ever since.
Usually it goes the other way as flecinide is almost always the first one tried or maybe even ditaliazem or amioderone. Here in Phoenix Az I had to actually have the pharmacy order my sotalol, very uncommon to use here.
In our local town of about 80,000, there is one cardiology group of 5 docs( no EP). They are big on sotalol for some reason. I couldnt even get my doc to listen to me re side effects, after 4 mo I finally went and saw an EP and he immediately stopped the sotalol. I saw him for a couple yr, he got me down to only taking flec as pip. Im back with original cardiologist for convenience, but if my a fib gets crazy, it will b the EP I call.
Yes I think the difference between a cardiologist and an Ep is like comparing a plumber with an electricien. My (very competent) cardiologist's attitude is we treat it with meds until it becomes permanent and then we concentrate on rate control. He is 5 minutes walk from my house and stays late if you need to see him. However I have also made an apptmnt with an EP in september for a different point of view. I don't want to live permanently like this is there is another option!
Hi well I have been on Sotalol since 2015 with no side-effects except tiredness. However my episodes increased and I had a lot more skipped beats. I have only been on Flec for 2 days but (at the moment) the extra systoles have stopped and I feel livlier. But I suppose it is only a matter of time before I become resistant to Flec!
Yes, I am still on the Sotalol...so I have been on it for 2 years and 3 months. I never know what is going to happen next but so far, so good. I don't mind you asking or checking in at all. Hope you are doing okay!
Yes dmjtanner I’m feeling good. Just sluggish. Still AF or sluggish, no brainer. So I’ll shut up. Going to do my dog walking duties. Hope you are well to. Fellow Sotalol user.
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