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?
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Karendeena
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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.
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
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. 🤔
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?
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. ☺️
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,
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 !
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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