Sotalol Side effects and the Afib journey

[Polly159]

Stopped Sotalol about 10 days ago to go on to Amiodarone. AFter a few days felt I had got my life back - almost no breathlessness and much less lethargy. (I think that was the cessation of Sotalol side effects.) The Amiodarone was not stopping the number of episodes but seemed to be cutting them from 2 hours' duration to 20 minutes (Hooray!) I felt great for about a week, but now still having some longer episodes and the periods of feeling washed out seem to have returned. Just part of the Afib roller coaster, I suppose. Dosage of Amiodarone went as always from 3X200mg daily to 2 to 1 daily. Just wondering if people had eventually had their dosage increased again?

[irene75359]

Sorry, I don't have experience of amiodarone but I do know that it is a drug that many doctors prefer not to use because of the possibility of serious side effects. Perhaps they are seeing if a smaller dose works? Hopefully someone will come along who can give better input than me! Wishing you well.

[Polly159 in reply to irene75359]

Many thanks, Irene - take care. Polly.

[Beadygrl]

Hi Polly, I was on Amiodarone for about 6 months or so. It was not super affective and I eventually was able to get cryoablation and then taper off the Amiodarone until now off. My own experience was that the Dr put me on it, but the game plan overall was to only be temporary. I don't know if this is helpful at all, but I hope you get permanent relief and then not need that drug. I actually felt tired on the Amiodarone itself. Good luck to you and be well. To answer your question, you probably don't want to increase your dosage and your cardiologist should be conservative with that medication and have a real plan for helping you.

Hugs.

[Polly159 in reply to Beadygrl]

Many thanks, Beadygrl - very helpful info. On reflection on what you said, I think I understand the cardiologist a bit more. She gave me the amiodarone as the Afib was really affecting my day to day life and work - coming off the sotalol and being on the Amiodarone has helped quite a bit, but she does have me down for an appointment at the Arrhythmia clinic with a view to ablation at some point. Glad Amiodarone is not a long-term drug given the side-effects. (Which at the moment are nil for me, but early days.)

Thanks again,

TAke care

[kitzabella]

amiodarone needs loading and can take effect after 2weeks or so.. i have been put to it load for 1 week (3x 200mg a day) then (2x 200mg a day) and 1x 200mg a day and so on.. it started working on me after 2weeks and now feeling great

[Polly159 in reply to kitzabella]

Amiodarone was loaded as you described - brilliant to begin with but now, after 3 weeks- episodes increasing in frequency. I suppose, as many have said, we're all different and need to keep searching to find what works for us

Thanks for your input.