Weaning off verapamil post 4 months post ablation

[Di8504]

Hi, I had been on daily verapamil 180mgSR, low dose digoxin(pg) and flecainide 50mg bid for the past 2 months as I developed frequent ectopics despite the AF appearing to be reduced by my ablation in May.

The verapamil made climbing any stairs etc really difficult so my EP stopped the verapamil gradually over 3 weeks. Unfortunately this seemed to coincide with the return of feeling generally rotten and more ectopics again. I did have a short GA during this time also so I don’t know if this affected me too.

However I do have more energy for exercise as my HR can go higher now.

So I don’t know whether to go back on a

90 mg dose of verapamil, as per my GP, for a few weeks and try stopping it again or just ride it out and see if Things improve.

Has anyone any advice or experience with weaning off Verapamil? I would really appreciate it. I am trying to Keep busy as this stops me overthinking and stressing about it.

[jeanjeannie50]

I think when we stop taking any drug there will be effects. I liken it to letting a dog off a lead, it goes mad for a while and then quietens down. Drugs can restrain the heart in many ways and after removing that I think the body has to re-adjust to being without them. What I generally do is sit out the problems for as long as I can, obviously wouldn't let my heart rate go too high but would put up with periods of AF.

What were you taking Verapamil for as it's used for many different things including BP and angina?

Jean

[Di8504 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your sensible reply. I didn’t tolerate sotalol nor metoprolol for controlling my PAF pre ablation. So they switched me to verapamil and Flecanide. It did appear to calm my chest discomfort too. Post ablation, both PV and SVC, I had AF and ectopic recurrences so they restarted the verapamil, flec and then added in then digoxin.

Like you suggest, riding out this period makes the most sense, if only to give me a chance to see how my heart copes without these drugs.

I really appreciate the feedback from you and others who have obviously been through these dilemmas many times. Many thanks Di

[Di8504 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Also, I hope your heart is still behaving!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Di8504]

It is still behaving, thankfully.

I take just a quarter of a Metoprolol tablet along with my Flecainide.

Please let us know how you get on.

Jean