Update and Plan

[MeganMN]

Well, I feel pretty good about my EP appt. today. He was really succinct about a plan, goals, and end game.

So he has proposed in ascending order, four medications to try. He is starting with the mildest and going to the strongest. He is recommending to start with Bisoprolol, then Verapamil, then Sotolol or Tikosyn. He is leaning towards the Bisoprolol because I am now running tachy much of the time. So I am now alternating between inappropriate sinus tachycardia and SVT/Atrial Bigemjny.

He also said that based on my last monitor he can see that I am having more and more episodes during the day and increasing bouts of tachycardia. He said we can try each med for 1-2 weeks and we will revisit in April. He said ultimately, we may have to look at other alternatives for an ablation- such as later in the evening, having me stay up all night for a few days, and also potentially doing a blind ablation where he ablates based on my EKG even if he cannot induce it.

He said worst case scenario, if it just gets worse and worse, he could do an AV node ablation and pacemaker, but that is obviously his last choice for options. He seemed to understand that the meds may just be a stop gap and that ultimately, I will be back in the EP lab. I feel good about the plan.

[wilsond]

Why does EP suggest you stay up all night firxa few days to test medication? Never heard of that!

[MeganMN in reply to wilsond]

My arrhythmia is almost entirely at night and the last two ablations have been unsuccessful because they cannot induce during the day. So he proposed if I reset my sleep schedule, Maybe the rhythm would happen during the day so they could ablate.

[Ilovedogs12]

Hi Megan,Your condition is very similar to mine, except I had a constant heartbeat of 160-180 beats per minute before I began taking medication.

I'm on Verapamil and it is having some effect but isn't perfect.

I'm waiting for an appointment with an EP so it's good to know you're feeling reassured after seeing yours.

I hope everything goes well for you.

[MacGrumphy]

Hi Megan, I have been on Bisoprolol for over twenty years and it works just fine for me. I am 81 now and AF attacks have become more frequent as was predicted many years ago to around one every two weeks but an extra 5 mg gets me back into sinus rhythm within three hours.

[MeganMN]

Thanks all. We will see. I have a frustrating history with meds. So far the Bisoprol has slowed my rate into the upper 50's but unfortunately I am still having the SVT runs and bigeminy at night.