Beta Blocker

[Maisiemay13]

Just been to the doctor and put on another beta blocker Sotalol had been put on the normal one when first diagnosed in June but made my BP hit the floor so taken off,have had a couple of PAF this week so now been given this one,anybody taking this any advice will help as do not want to feel as bad as last time!

[Hidden]

Hello Maisiemay, unfortunately it can take a while to find medication which is effective but causes the patient the least aggravation. Sotalol is prescribed quite widely in the US but not so much here in the UK so responses may be slow but it will be interesting to see if it works for you. You need to try and be patient because it can take a while for your body to adjust to change. Best wishes.....

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you just hope I don’t feel so unwell !

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

Flapjack - Sotalol is prescribed freely in both of the main hospitals near to me. When I saw my AF nurse this Wednesday, I asked if there was something other than Flecainide I could try. She said there are 3 rate control drugs, Amiodarone (no that damaged my thyroid), Flecainide (I'm on) and Sotalol (didn't work for me). I asked about Propafanone and she said that was on old drug not prescribed now and she knew of only one patient that had been on it.

[irene75359 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

That is exactly what the cardiologist at Hammersmith Hospital said to me - they frequently use Sotalol for many of their patients.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

NICE guidelines:

bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-s...

[Maisiemay13]

I am going to take it tomorrow night as tonight I am seeing my friends from OZ and going to treat myself to a glass of wine (just one) will let you know how I get on

[jwsonoma]

Hi Maisiemay, I didn't have much luck with rate reducers (bisoprolol) controlling my PAF. I read about rhythm control drugs on this board and asked my Dr for Flecainide and I have been a fib free for + 3 years. No alcohol and getting my BMI down to low 20s also helped.

cheers

[Maisiemay13 in reply to jwsonoma]

Thank you maybe it will work for me !

[siouxbee19]

I am in the U.S. and have taken Sotalol for about 12 years now, Toprol for about 15. They prescribed Sotalol when they detected ventricular tachycardia, the Toprol for prior arrhythmias.

It did take a while to get dosage correct, more so for Toprol than Sotalol, but once it was correct, I felt much better.

However, once you start taking it, do not stop without being under a doctor's care. I have been told it can cause problems.

Wishing you wellness! 😀

[Maisiemay13 in reply to siouxbee19]

My GP told me if I felt unwell with it to stop !

[siouxbee19 in reply to Maisiemay13]

I suppose if your GP was aware and said it's ok, then it is. I also have AFib, along with other arrhythmias, but my AFib didn't start until recently. I was put on Sotalol to help with the ventricular tachycardia back when, in combination with the Toprol. Sorry for any confusion. Hopefully you can soon see your cardiologist for clarification and peace of mind. Best regards...😀

[Maisiemay13 in reply to siouxbee19]

I have PAF so confused be very pleased when I see a cardiologist

[Cat04]

I'm in UK and took Sotalol with excellent results for a couple of years until my ablation. No problem with side effects or with occasional alcohol. Worked very well for me as rate and rhythm controller.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Cat04]

That’s good to hear thank you

[VioletaK]

Hi

Don’t mix your medication with ibuprofen in case you have a headache. When I took it I had an episode/ heart was racing and I was in pain. Then pineapple, I can’t have a fresh pineapple or juice. Avoid fresh lemons, unfortunately I love them, but they are a big no no for me. I can’t eat black lollies, or black jelly beans. I don’t know how to spell, and autocorrect is not helping 😝

Glass of wine or beer is fine, even two for me.

Please note that this is for me, your heart and body will probably react differently.

As long I am taking Sotalol everyday at the same time I am fine. If I miss it for a few hours, I can say goodbye to my sleep. Feeling all this pressure and tidiness around the heart and I need to sleep in sitting position.

Still learning what is not working with medication. I found out that hops beer is melody for my heart. Sometimes have a feeling that's one glass of beer would do a better job 😂.

Eating the same portions like always, but gained 10 kg extra. Let’s blame medication 🤣.

I hope that help.

V

[Maisiemay13 in reply to VioletaK]

Thank you only had one dose as doctor said take it last night and again tonight then try the morning and evening after that I am in 40 so far heart rate still all over the show !

[dedeottie]

I am on sotalol at a fsirly high dose. Changed from flecanide to sotalol when the former started to be proarhythmic for me. I was also on bisoprolol at a low level. After a dodgy first 2 weeks when I had brain fog and lethargy, I have been fine. I seem to beable to tolerate a higher dose of sotolol which means that apart from its antiarhthmic effects, I am also benefiting more from its beta blocking quality. If I do have any breakthrough it is tachycardia as opposed to AF and at a much lower rate and for less time. I had heard all sorts of scarey stories about sotolol but for me it seems to be fine. I am going to chat tl my EP when I see him next, just to find out exactly why it gets bad press. I know it has the potential to create a dangerous rhythm but all antiarhythmiccs do. Hope you manage to cope with this med. X

[Maisiemay13 in reply to dedeottie]

Thank you it’s good to hear from someone taking it just gone from taking no meds to loads !!!

[MarkS]

Sotalol didn't work for me. It didn't stop the AF, reduced my HR to silly levels and reduced my exercise tolerance. I felt so much better when I came off it. Diltiazem worked very well to stop my HR going too high. But it's horses for courses, it may work well for you.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to MarkS]

I hope so !

[Cheruboo]

Sotalol works for me too - used to be on Bisoprolol before I had my ablation, I had to get used to it, I haven’t had any side effects - so all is good.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Cheruboo]

Thank you hope it works for me

[myrnalynn52]

I started Sotolol last Jan, I have felt much better then when I was on metropolol and digoxin. I have had no side effects nor have I had to make a trip to hosp. So def worth a try for you

[Maisiemay13 in reply to myrnalynn52]

Thank you that sounds very promising

[Clarrie]

I was changed from Bisoprolol to Sotalol and took the maximum dose. This did not stop my attacks of AF so was changed to Flecainide which did not suit me. I was then put back on Sotalol but at a lower dose, 80mg twice a day plus I can take an extra tablet when I get an attack of AF. It does not stop my attacks which I get every 10-14 days but my heart rate never goes above 120 whereas before it used to go up to 180.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Clarrie]

I am on a really low dose 40mg twice a day just having a bit of AF at the moment and HR not too bad so we will see !

[sarniacherie]

I was prescribed Sotalol several years ago by a cardiologist who took no interest whatsoever in how I felt after I had been on it for a few months. My GP was reluctant to change a medication prescribed for me by a medic further up the ladder than he was, so in the end I endured Sotalol for almost 5 years. It was only when I got rushed into hospital with a kidney stone that the pharmacist and doctors on the ward questioned my medication. I saw another cardiologist who told me Sotalol is far too aggressive for a woman and weaned me off it. Drugs are not 'one size fits all' and there will be some who are happy with a particular drug and others who would avoid it at all costs. If you are unhappy about any medication you are on, tell someone and don't get fobbed off. Most of us on here are not doctors but we do know our bodies. Listen to it. Keep well.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to sarniacherie]

Thank you day 2 so far so good,thank you for your reply I will definitely listers to my body as I am concerned about all medications as none are good for our liver and kidneys so will be asking for regular BT to check function

[Maisiemay13]

Update reacted to this so taken off by Doctor today,hope I feel better tomorrow going to wait now until I see cardiologist as beta blockers not helping me