Diagnosed with PAF three years ago, I was just switched from 150 mg. Flecainide daily to first 40mg. Sotolol twice daily a week ago because the Flec had widened my QRS interval too much which widens the QT interaval. Unlike the Flec, the Solotol rendered me practically non-functional, exhausted, legs like lead. After seeing my 2nd and 5th day ECG's, on Sotolol, my Cardiologist cut it to just 40 mg. once at night.
My question: Can 40 mg. daily be an effective dose to keep PAF at bay? I did have the longest PAF episode in two years (11 hours) after the first two days on Sotolol. My Cardiologist said he thinks that might have been my body acclimating to the new medication. Thank you.
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willec49
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I am on Sotalol for 6 months. I have read that in some cases Sotalol may increase episodes of Afib but also that 40 mgs does not have anti-arrhythmia benefits. I was on 120 mgs 2 times per day and besides not helping Afib, I had every bad side effect possible. It was worse than having Afib! So Cardiologist lowered Sotalol to 80 mgs. 2 times per day. Felt somewhat better still having Afib but had tired legs too! I took matters into my own hands, did extensive research, and added natural supplements. I added magnesium Taurate/Glycinate, Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, and Hawthorn Berry and I went back into NSR with no Afib now for 3 weeks! Every day without Afib is a gift.
Thanks so much for your reply. I am taking everything you list here except the Hawthorne Berry which is, I think, a blood-thinner. Have been taking those for a long time. What doess of those do you take? That may be the issue.The Flecainide was doing a great job of preventing episodes. Now, I'm in Afib again as of last night. So, you may be right - the Sotolol may be increasing the episodes.
BTW, are you still taking the Sotolol along with the supplements?
I am still on Sotalol but 60 mgs now. I am also on Eliquis at 2 1/2 mgs. Both were gradually reduced when I added the supplements because basically they mimic some of the meds. I take more supplements other than what I previously mentioned but I do believe the 3 I mentioned had the most benefits for Afib.
I take Vitamin B, C, and D3. I also take Co-Q10/with L-Carnitine along with the fish oil, magnesium and Hawthorn Berry. Please keep in mind it takes 8 weeks or more for the Afib benefits. On week 7, I went into NSR. You lose a large percentage of Magnesium in urination and only 40 mgs is absorbed. I was able to reduce the Eliquis when Hawthorn was introduced but it also had a positive effect on Afib without any side effects. If you research the Wild Alaskan Fish Oil you will see how that works on Afib as well. The magnesium works on palpitations. I will try to send the research if I can. Then you can do your own research. Everyone is different. I was tired of meds making me sicker. No doctor will suggest supplements so I did what I think was best for me. I had a cardioversion March 26 and by April 13th I was back in Afib. Started small dosage of supplements slowly, (not even Afib recommended doses) for one week then increased.
Everyday out of Afib is a gift, but I realized I needed patience. I almost gave up when after 4 weeks I felt no change. Good Luck!!!
Dee5165, thank you for taking the time to reply with such detail about what is working for you. I really appreciate it. I didn't know that Sotolol came in 60's. I was on 40mg twice daily but my Cardiologist was worried about my HR going so low so he cut it by half. Presently I am only on low dose aspirin, no blood thinners yet but he did give me Predaxa to take if any of my episodes go two weeks. So far the longest has been 11 hours and that was only after starting the Sotolol last week. I also take the Alaskan Salmon oil and Ginko Biloba which also thin the blood. Not sure of the Hawthorne Berry would be too much.
Perhaps I should take more Magnesium. I currently take 400 mg of Mg. Taurate and 200 mg. of Mg. Glycinate daily. But I get up to urinate at least 3 to 4 times every night as I eat a lot of vegetables. Maybe I need to take more Mg. Also the Extra Virgin Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil at 1000 mg. and D3 at 500 IU's, CoQ10 at 200 mg. as I am on Statins.
I appreciate the statement that it takes 8 weeks to work. That helps. I am in Afib as I write this for the 2nd time since starting on Sotolol only a week ago. Before that, my last episode was 56 days ago so something is happening. Again, Thanks so much and may you remain Afib-free always!
Hi Will. In my research, it was not recommended to take the Ginko Biloba. I don't recall why because I don't use that supplement. After reading your post, I realize Hawthorne Berry may be the supplement that had the best effect, however, I take 750 - 800 mgs a day of the magnesium, 1800 of the fish oil and and 1600 Hawthorn Berry. Maybe you need to increase the Magnesium. BTW, you mentioned a low HR. That was my problem with Sotalol too, a very low HR causing Bradycardia. They do not make 60 mgs. I cut the 120 mgs. in half. My Afib went away after one week on 120 mgs. of Sotalol but the side effects interfered with my QOL. After 10 days, on 120 my Afib returned!!!!! Now I assume it was the Sotalol!!! So I couldn't increase it anymore and decided on the Cardioversion. But even on the 80 mgs. after Cardioversion Afib returned. It didn't work on my Afib but did help on my Blood Pressure. Therefore, I had to find something natural to help my Afib. So far, these supplements kept me out of Afib longer than Cardioversion or Sotalol!!!
If you want to send your email address, I will send you some of the screenshots of research I found, otherwise you may research on your own.
Hope you become Afib free in 7 weeks or sooner!!!!!
Thanks again! Well, I've been taking the Ginko for years, long before Afib but, maybe if I start the Hawthorne Berry I can let it go. Oh yes, I can see I probably need to up the Mg. by at least 200 mg. as I'm only at 600 mg between the two forms. And need to up the Fish Oil by at least 800 compared to your regimen.
I haven't had any procedures like Cardioversion, Ablation, etc. I may get there but, hopefully, won't. Time will tell.
Yes, my email is: hermes49@msn.com Again, thank you SO MUCH for your kind time and attention.
I was going to schedule another Cardioversion but after doing research, I learned most cases of Afib are caused by an electrical impulse issue due to either a high BP, dehydration, an electrolyte imbalance, mineral deficiency or over exercising. Since I do not eat meat but mostly veggies, I lacked nutrients. While over exercising I may have set off the mineral imbalance. Since the Cardioversion did not hold (went into afib wearing a mask and having breathing issues wearing one) I realized after reading this Health Forum that most people went back into Afib after Ablation or Cardioversion. So I decided to try supplements that were used prior to these drugs being pushed on people. They seem to make me feel sicker!
I refrain from placing my regimen on this forum because I don't want to feel responsible for my recommendations. I believe everyone needs to do what is best for them. I responded to you because you are trying to clear up your Afib naturally as well. I wish you good luck going forward. Keep your faith. Break up the dosages of supplements at least 3 -4 times per day. And please let me know in 2 months if you had any good results. Of course this all depends on the cause of your Afib. I would love to know how you are. Hope I was able to help.
Magnesium should be taken two hours before or after Sotalol >
Administration of Sotalol within 2 hours of antacids containing aluminum oxide and magnesium hydroxide should be avoided because it may result in a reduction in Cmax and AUC of 26% and 20%, respectively and consequently in a 25% reduction in the bradycardic effect at rest. Administration of the antacid two hours after Sotalol has no effect on the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of sotalol.
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