Sotalol increase

[Karendeena]

I have been on sotalol 40mg twice per day for almost 2 years. I have been having about 2 to 3 episodes of fast afib lasting around 35 - 48 hours. My EP initially told me to take an extra tablet if this happens, however after seeing him yesterday he says I am on a low dose and he wants me to now take 40mg 3 times a day evenly spaced (the extra one after lunch).

I started it today but my heart rate is quite low, seems to be around 55 bpm. I am nervous about this. Is anyone in the group on sotalol and what mg and how does it affect you?

[Paulbounce]

Hi Karen.

I'm on 80 mg three times a day. No problems at all. HR about 70 - I wish I could drop down to 55 beats per minute - can function well on that.

Paul

[Karendeena in reply to Paulbounce]

Hi Paul, thanks for the response I am always nervous when increasing meds

[Windlepoons]

I'm on 40mg of Sotalol which I take first thing, after lunch and 7.30 at night. I started on just twice a day and that wasn't effective enough. However 3 times a day works ok. it's not adversely affected me as far as I know and a lot of drugs do. I have a slow heartbeat sometimes but not always.

[Karendeena in reply to Windlepoons]

Hi Windlepoons, thank you. I hope that I can stop being so anxious about it now. I think I am worrying too much. My heart beat fluctuates low around 55 up to around 74. My BP is always on the low side bug generally lower first thing, sometimes 98/60

[Windlepoons in reply to Karendeena]

My heart rate was very slow this morning. I think it's the warm weather. Who knows 🙄. Anyway it kept going when I went shopping and had a long walk (for me) whilst I was waiting for my air con to be regassed (the car not me)!😁 Another day my heart rate can be on the fast side. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. 🤔

[Karendeena in reply to Windlepoons]

Windlespoons I agree mine is up and down. I try to drink more water but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I don't tolerate the heat so much these days but I love to go abroad. Have you ever travelled with afib, w if so does it make you nervous on a flight?

[Windlepoons in reply to Karendeena]

No I haven't flown anywhere since I had AF. It does make me wary of traveling and I would rather be at home where I can cope better with episodes. I'm glad I got the travelling done when I was younger. I am grateful I live in a nice village with the pleasures of the countryside around me. ☺️

[sugaredalmonds]

I have been on it for ten years, first six years was 40mg twice a day, then it was raised to 80mg twice a day, still on that dose, HR always around 70,

[Tellingfibs]

I am on Bisoprolol rather than Solatol, but my heart rate is 53 - 65 maximum. My GP and cardiologist are very pleased with this rate. Apparently the lower the rate, the less stress on the heart. I believe they are only concerned if there are adverse symptoms, like feeling faint. Do you have a Kardia device ? You might see on that your heart rate is only that low at certain times, like when you have been resting for a while. I really don’t think a heart rate of 55 should worry you, rather you should be pleased - it’s giving your heart well-earned relaxation !

[Karendeena in reply to Tellingfibs]

Thanks Tellingfibs

[enviro1]

Hi Karendeena, I'm a 67-year-old male, fit and active all my life. Since last Spring 2021 on 80mg of sotalol, but after a few months was proscribed a quarter of a tab twice a day. It pulled my heart down to around 50bpm and lower, so I go out running for about an hour every day to avoid bradycardia, ie lower than 50 bpm. I am in AF most of the time now, under exercise heart jumps to 170pbm and then quickly falls back to 74bpm. I go into normal rhyme for 10 to 15 days every month and then for no reason I know, return to AF status. My lifestyle has not changed that much. Keep an eye on weight, eat healthy foods, buy a Kardia to monitor and I also bought a Whiting French watch which works with a smartphone to keep me informed on the status of my 24/7. Health Mate software pulls all the data together for me. Stay positive, life is still good with AF. Put that extra anxiety into a passion....I'm working on solutions for climate change!

[Karendeena in reply to enviro1]

Hey enviro1 now I understand the name. Thanks for your response, need to get your positivity and stop worrying so much! I get IBS now as well so classic worry. When I have 'episodes' they are always so fast it wears me out. I am always waiting for the next one.

[Clarrie]

I'm on 120 mg of Sotalol twice a day and take an extra tablet when I go into AF which is usually every 7-8 days and lasts up to 48 hours. I have a pacemaker to stop my heart rate going below 60.

[Karendeena in reply to Clarrie]

Thanks Clarrie, my EP has suggested an ablation if this doesn't work but he has said the sotalol is still a relatively low dose which could be further increased I necessary. I expect your pacemaker stops the heart rate going so fast, it's that I find difficult to handle

[Clarrie in reply to Karendeena]

I still feel my heart rate going fast. The pacemaker does not stop my heart rate going fast only stops it going below 60 as I was passing out when reverting to NSR because it was dropping too low.

[Sustainedvtach270]

Hello Karen. I am on Sotalol 80 mg twice a day but I decreased it to once a day except when having some afib episode, then I take an extra pill. My resting HR is 50 I have a pacemaker that kicks in at HR 49 and a defibrilator at HR 180. The only side effects are blurry eyes at times and cold fingers which usually goes away after doing some breathing exercises I have been on sotalol 1 year and half.

[Karendeena in reply to Sustainedvtach270]

Hi Sustainedvtach, if you don't mind me asking why did you need the implanted defibrillator, fo you have ventricular afib? I thought that was when they used these devices

[mav7]

Question for all above.

Are you still in Afib taking sotalol ? Paroxysmal or persistent ?

Reason asking I was told that if a person is cardioverted to NSR and then begins sotalol there is a good chance to stay in NSR.

Ever heard the same ?

Thx !

[Karendeena in reply to mav7]

Hi mave7 I have been on sotalol nearly 2 years but still get fast afib episodes about every 4 months hence the increase in dosage. I normally self convert after 48 hours. I have paroxysmal afib at the moment

[Windlepoons in reply to mav7]

Mav. I'm paroxysmal. It's sporadic. Sometimes once or twice a month, then I just managed two and a half months until an episode of AF last Monday. Im on 40mg three time a day. I feel I'm leading a more normal life nowadays after having taken Sotalol for a couple of years. I just get tired by early evening. What you said was interesting. Thank you.

[Chasemenow]

I also am concerned about my heart rate. Can be anywhere from 52 to 57 as the norm.I am on atenolol twice a day

[WelshMum]

Hi Karendeena, I have been on Sotalol for about 2 months. 40 mg twice /day. No problems at all. HR 63, BP 117/78. average over last 3 weeks.

[Karendeena in reply to WelshMum]

Hi Welshmum, I was good on sotalol 40mg twice daily until a few months ago, hence the increase. Only problem is my BP is quite low often around 90/60...Pleased it's working well for you. My EP says I am still on a low dose and there is still room for increase but I don't want to do that so if/when I have another episode I will decide about the ablation which has been recommended

[Maxiepad]

I'm on 40x2 of sotalol for six months and my heart rate stays at 48 to 50 bpm. My doctor say as long as I'm feeling great he doesn't worry about that number.

[Karendeena in reply to Maxiepad]

Since I posted this I have had a catheter ablation so my Sotalol has been reduced to twice daily. No episodes for 12 months that I am aware of. Sotalol does interfere with my sleep and I have awful dreams. My heart rate increased since the ablation and now runs at around 72bpm