Can’t Seem to Tolerate Any Drugs!

[Apple88]

Hi again,

Just an update & a question. I started Sotalol on Sunday and after having chest pain, shortness of breath & a pulse of 42 for the past 2 nights, I called my GP this morning who sent me to A&E.

Had ECG, X-ray & bloods. They eventually let me home after stopping the Sotalol, and giving me Metoprolol as a PIP.

Since February I have gone through Bisoprolol, Digoxin, Flecainide & now Sotalol and haven’t been able to tolerate any of them. Only the Apixaban has remained constant - thank goodness.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me, and why I can’t take the drugs. The beta blockers give me symptomatic bradycardia and the Flecainide gave me more AF episodes than ever. Has anyone else just not been able to take anything?

I’m at the end of my tender with this. My ablation is meant to be back on but haven’t got a date yet.

Thanks everyone in advance & hope you are all well.

[CDreamer]

I can’t take any heart drugs, especially beta blockers, as they are contraindicated for another conditions. Exception being Apixaban.

There are many people sensitive to many drugs which is why drugs should be a last, rather than 1st resort IMHO.

If you can manage without them then best avoided. Unfortunately I have 2 drugs I can’t do without - both have horrendous side effects so choice is take them & hope for the best or not & not be able to get up in the morning.

[Apple88 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you so much for your reply. That’s a good point about drugs being the last resort instead of the first.

I just seem to be given drug after drug.

I feel like I’d rather just take my chances now until the ablation, and hope I don’t have many episodes.

All the best. 😊

[Gowers in reply to Apple88]

I have been the same. Had to come off Bisoporol, Antenalol, & Flec. Flec made me really poorly & cardiologist said it had caused af flutter which can happen. Digoxin & Diltiazem (slow release) having far less side effects for me - 3 months after 2nd ablation

[Apple88 in reply to Gowers]

Thanks for replying. Glad to know it’s not just me, but not so good for you having to go through that.

Hope you’re doing okay. I’m sure I’ll be reading lots of these posting when I finally have my ablation. 😊

[Auriculaire in reply to CDreamer]

I do not believe that drugs have "side" effects. They have effects. They are targeted to act on certain systems in our body but contrary to the way medicine thinks our bodies are not collections of separate organs . I remember after my first attack of afib telling my own cardiologist that the hospital had told me it was because my TSH was too low. I said I did not think this was true because they had admitted that my thyroid hormone levels were actually well in range. He muttered something like the thyroid was not his business and I would have to see my endocrinologist! The drugs they prescribe act on many more systems in our body than the ones targeted. I agree 100% that they should be the last resort but sadly they are often the first .

[Apple88 in reply to Auriculaire]

I absolutely agree with this. I hadn’t thought about it from the point of view of effects of these drugs on other areas of our bodies.

Hope you’re okay. All the best. 😊

[Stobban in reply to CDreamer]

It's an upset having to go thru' all this and that till they eventually find a pill that will help. But in the meantime it's scary for us and I always get the impression we are on our own regardless of the medical help. So all you guys who are going thru' all this, at the moment, hang in there they WILL eventually get a pill. Been there done it etc!!

[Apple88 in reply to Stobban]

Thank you for your reply. You’re right - we all need to hang in there I think!

[Kaz747]

I hear you. I am now on Atenolol and Xarelto and am fine. In the last few years I have been on Verapamil, Flecainide, Sotalol, Digoxin, Amioderone, Eliquis and Pradaxa. I either had a reaction to the drug or something they were ineffective in treating the problem.

[Apple88 in reply to Kaz747]

Wow, your list makes me feel like it’s not just me too. Thank you for replying. I’m glad you’ve found what’s right for you.

😊

[Kaz747 in reply to Apple88]

The last ablation really helped - the Atenolol ensures things stay on an even keel. I take half a tablet each night and if my heart goes a bit crazy (tachycardia or ectopics) I take a full tablet.

[Apple88 in reply to Kaz747]

Sounds like things are much steadier! Thank you. 👍🏼

[7164]

Apple

You are not alone. I could not tolerate these drugs either. The Flec put me in A&E.

I now take verapamil which isn’t perfect but not as bad as the Bisoprolol . There is nothing wrong with you 😊just we struggle with these strong drugs. I too await ablation

It is hard as the Afib is horrible and very weird. Mine is vagal no doubt but hard to get that through to some cardiologists😊

Stay with it and keep asking questions

Rod

[Apple88 in reply to 7164]

Thanks for your reply. I’m glad I’m not alone, but not glad for those of you that have suffered through all these changes.

I am only on Apixaban today & tomorrow, until I contact the cardiologist so will see what it’s like for 2 days without the drugs!

All the best. 😊

[7164 in reply to Apple88]

Apple

Sorry to be nosy but have you made life changes? If you are early into this illness then it is really important

Rod

[Apple88 in reply to 7164]

Don’t worry - that’s not nosey!

Yes I have. I gave up drinking alcohol completely back in February when things got worse - not that alcohol was a trigger but though it wouldn’t hurt - especially with all the meds.

I’ve also taken steps to improve my diet and I’m not overweight. Not doing as much exercise as normal but these are strange times!

[Mike11]

I wonder if you are an undiagnosed mild asthmatic as all the drugs you list are contraindicated for asthmatics unless monitored. Verapamil is probably your best bet, but also get checked up to see if you are asthmatic in which case controlling that will allow you to use nebivolol (but never bisoprolol or sotalol !)

[Apple88 in reply to Mike11]

Asthma has never been considered I don’t think. I was asked in hospital yesterday if I was asthmatic but I said no. To be honest I’ve never even thought about that but it’s consideration. 🤔

I do get short of breath sometimes too. I might mention it to doctor. Thank you.

[Buffafly]

I’m the same but I take Diltiazem slow release. Too much causes bradycardia so I take the lowest dose 120mg and an extra 60mg when I have an episode. At the moment I’m having an episode about once a month lasting up to two days but it’s tolerable as long as I don’t try to do anything strenuous. My next option is a pacemaker as I’ve already had an ablation, not suitable for another.

[Apple88 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks for replying. Bradycardia seems to be such an issue for me & makes me feel awful.

I guess I’ll see how things after my ablation. It’s reassuring to see how many other drugs there are mentioned on here that I haven’t heard of so I guess there are still options.

All the best. 😊

[ellenrussell in reply to Apple88]

I also had very negative and strong reactions to the lowest doses of flec and propafenone. At first I think the doc did not believe because With each ine we tried we started with what was considered a low dose, but I had tach, and horrendous palpitations and had to stop the drugs. I can tolerate diltiazem but only at 1/2 the normal dose. Good luck. You are definitely not alone

[Apple88 in reply to ellenrussell]

Thank you for this. I am so grateful for the reassurance I get on here. I sometimes think it’s so much better to talk to people who know first hand what this is like. Thank you. 😊

[cali111]

I am in the queue with you. I only take Nevibolol to control rate and BP. Waiting still for an RF ablation. Should have been April!

[Apple88 in reply to cali111]

Thank you for your reply. It’s horrible waiting isn’t it? I have been told mine is being brought forward but not heard anything yet.

All the best. 😊