stopping sotalol

[Sixtychick]

I have been waiting for a catheter ablation for over a year.I now have an appointment on 20th September at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester. I went to my pre-assessment yesterday (3rd time lucky. It’s been cancelled twice) They told me I have to stop the Sotalol for 2 days and as I ‘m on quite a high dose, it’s worrying me a bit, as it says on the tablet instruction DO NOT Stop this medication. Has anyone else on this drug, had to stop it like that for 2 days and were you ok.? I’m trying not to worry about the ablation also, but it’s not easy. I suppose it’s the fear of the unknown. I’ve never had sedation before and that worries me, as I don’t know what that is like. Can anyone put my mind at ease please ? 😩

[mav7]

hunterheart.com.au/content/....

Seems to be normal procedure to stop sotalol. I believe I read it helps to determine the best procedure for the ablation.

Sedation is a breeze. Relax and be aware you are under expert care.

Best to you !

[BobD Volunteer]

Enjoy your time with the fairies. If you haven't already please read these fact sheets. (may take a few mins to appear)

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[Sixtychick in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, I downloaded these a while back, to try and help me decide wether to go ahead with this. Must have worked.!! Still scared though.!!

[sportscoach]

I was on 140mg sotalol twice a day for paroxysmal AF. I had my 2nd ablation in Feb this year but wasn't told to stop it at any point.( its up to your EP he will know you history best) I was in AF when I had my ablation under sedation, I returned to sinus rhythm just after the procedure. I went into the day unit at 8am and left for home at 6pm, it would have been early but I still had a slight bleed in my groin. I felt a little bit groggy but none of the problems you sometimes have with a GA. I walked out of the hospital wondering what on earth I had worried about...As the saying goes " you have nothing to fear but fear itself"...Its not something I would choose to do Obviously !! but its no where near the worse thing you encounter in your life. They have now reduced my sotalol to 80mg and will be looking to reduce it further in the coming months. Easy to say I know but try not to let your mind run around with thoughts of what may or may not happen you will be in good hands, these EP's and their teams are highly trained and experienced. Best Wishes and good luck.

[Sixtychick in reply to sportscoach]

Thanks, it’s so re-assuring to hear these things. Much appreciated.

[Deejay62 in reply to sportscoach]

I’m glad you recovered. You have a very positive attitude which is a good thing. Can you please tell me what GA means. It’s probably something simple, like me😀but I keep hearing it here for the first time.

[Sixtychick in reply to Deejay62]

GA is short for general anaesthetic.

[Deejay62 in reply to Sixtychick]

Thank you. I knew it would be simple😄

[Bell50]

it’s only natural to be nervous about having the ablation and worrying about whether you should be stopping some of your medication but the EP wouldn’t want you to stop one of them if he didn’t think it was needed, I had my second ablation done at glenfield in June but i had GA I think the worse bit is the before as it’s the unknown. You will be fine I always said I would never have one done then I go and have two in seven months so it can’t be that bad.

[Sixtychick in reply to Bell50]

Thanks. It helps to get replies like this, but as you say, it’s natural to be nervous of the unknown. I don’t think I ‘m having GA, but I have been told not to eat anything after midnight, so I’m not sure. I was told it was local with sedation, when I saw Dr a while back, but forgot to ask when I went for pre-assessment on Thursday.

[oscarfox49]

Just to reassure you a little, I had been on Sotalol (80mg, half twice a day) without a stop for more than 25 years, but when I suffered my stroke three years ago, the doctors took all my usual medications away, including sotalol. I was given nothing, as far as I was aware, for my heart rhythm, and with so many other things going on I didn't notice any real difference, though of course I was feeling dreadful from the stroke. I saw a cardiologist a few weeks later who found permanent AF, and put me on to Amiodarone, which was another story completely..... and I didn't get back to Sotalol until at least six months later.

At least in my case withdrawing entirely and suddenly from Sotalol did not have the bad results they warn about, and I think this is really a worst case scenario. Discuss with your doctor about whether you would be safer if you reduce the amount of sotalol you take progressively over maybe 10 days, to perhaps half, and then cut it out entirely for the 2 days as suggested.

[Sixtychick in reply to oscarfox49]

Thank you, so reassuring to hear. I hope you are keeping well now and you fully recovered from your stroke.

[JeanetteH in reply to Sixtychick]

I had my 3rd ablation stopped Sotalo 4 days before and went into AF the night before the procedure.Good I thought they can see where the elec impulses are coming from but by the time I went in it had stopped!

[Sixtychick in reply to JeanetteH]

Oh dear. Hope you’re 3rd ablation worked

[Colutd]

Hi. I had ablation 5 weeks ago at Glenfield and had to stop Solatol 3 days before and had no problems. The procedure went well with no issues after so far. So be assured, you’ll be fine, they are very good there.

[Sixtychick in reply to Colutd]

Thank you so much. It is so reassuring to hear these replies. It really helps. I will try not to worry so much. Who did your catheter ablation? Dr Sandilands is doing mine still, I think, although I didn’t see him at my pre-assessment. Hope things continue to go well with you.

[Colutd in reply to Sixtychick]

I was very apprehensive even though I’d had one before 6 years ago but there was no need to be. Dr Chin did mine as I went pvt due to the waiting list but my friend is under Dr Sandilands and he had nothing but praise for him. Let me know how you got on and I wish you all the best

[Sixtychick in reply to Colutd]

Thank you.

[Mouchkin]

I was eighty when I had my ablation. I was so glad that something was going to be done to help me.

All went well. I had a lot of lovely sedation and all the staff were so kind. There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere in the theatre and there were about six people in there…all for me!

I had the usual things to cope with afterwards. Headache ,flashing lights…huge bruising…irregular heart beat. BUT ….here I am ,four years later and I very rarely have an episode and I feel so much better for having had the ablation.

It is really important to rest afterwards. My husband was so strict with me as I was keen to get going. It paid off .

Good luck ..I hope all goes well.

[Sixtychick in reply to Mouchkin]

Thanks nice to know.

[Qualipop]

Sedation is wonderful. You are awake enough usually to know what's going on but you just don't care. I had sedation for my angiograms and for MRI scans

[Sixtychick in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks, you make it sound ok. I’ll try not to worry.

[Qualipop in reply to Sixtychick]

It really is OK - depends of course how much they give you. Can't say anything about the rest of your treatment I'm afraid.

[Sixtychick in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks.

[4chickens]

I’ve had several ablations at Glenfield under Dr sandilands. He’s a please t, skilled chap with a nice bedside manner. The team are very experienced and calming on the day. When they do the sedation it’s a strange feeling of being there but not there. Just don’t be scared to ask for more if necessary although in my experience they notice as soon as a top up is needed before you do. Recovery is different every time. Rest, rest and more rest.

[Sixtychick in reply to 4chickens]

Thank you. Sounds reassuring. I think the sedation worries me the most.