Quick history. Previous electrophysiologist had suggested flecainide + beta blocker and/or consider ablation earlier this year. Experienced lots of episodes September and October and a short episode of what was deemed possible VT end of November. Had Stress echo, positive for inducible ischemia.
Finally saw new EP today. He says I don't need an ablation now. He is putting me on sotalol (starting with a very small dose) and says he thinks stress echo may be a false positive. Still have cardiac MRI scheduled for February just to double check.
This EP confirmed all of the things so many of us talk about, and exactly what other EP completely brushed me off about. He says it is definitely my vagal nerve and autonomic system triggering my arrhythmias. He says I would be better served putting off the ablation and continuing to work on getting digestive symptoms under control. He is also going to have me tested for sleep apnea, even though I don't snore, just to cross out that possibility. He simply says an ablation is not needed, at this time, at my age, with the low frequency of my episodes. He says getting a handle on digestive symptoms, I will likely see even more success and do not need to do an ablation so soon.
I want to note I was in there completely resigned to talk to him about the ablation, and it was he who stopped the subject. I was not protesting at all at this point, so I did not steer him here. This was his genuine opinion.
I am elated that everything I've been saying has been validated at this point, and a little disoriented because I had thrown in the towel and now I'm instead encouraged to go back to the other frame of mind. Goes to show, we should always get a second opinion.
Is this EP right? Who knows. I am going to put my trust in him and try it. The facility I am visiting is very well regarded, along with the doctors themselves. I feel I'm in good hands.
Will update on the sotalol. I have to get an EKG in a few days after starting it to make sure it's ok.
Daily vs PIP dosing
