IMO this is good.....if you are not having episodes all the time.

I was having them once every 3 weeks, and I got off my Beta Blocker because I was way too lethargic.

I just take it when I have an episode...PIP (pill in Pocket). I am symptomatic and know when I am in afib.

I still like the idea of keeping an afib diary when you are working on management strategy.

Yogacat, I like your thinking. I use my betablocker as a PIP. I had some symptoms I didn't like when I started using it beyond just to address an afib episode and emailed my doctor right away. I had noticed that when I took it, about 2 hours later I was in NSR. So I let him know that I was going to use the betablocker but only to help me get back in NSR. It's still working for me.

I haven't started a diary but I guess I should.

Todd

yogacat you are brilliant...I will keep them as a PIP just in case....I feel so much better now....

After a 15 min phone conversation with the EPs nurse, Ive decided they really have one interest at heart, pun intended, Ablation. Yes, they do prescribe a drug protocol, but she suggested that at some point in my lifetime, they expect them all to fail and ablation is inevitable. Am I wrong?

Oh boy, I can only tell you how it is for me....Hwkmn, my EP said to me, "you will have to have an ablation sooner or later, and sooner is better. Most people come here begging for one" That was in '13, I believe. I was in afib most of the time for a month from taking Epinephrine. I was usually having afib once a month.

Well, I am 6.5+ mos. NSR today. I can only think it is because I have had no alcohol for 4 yrs. I was diagnosed in '11 and was binge drinking. I also did not handle stress well....I still don't, but since retiring a month before I was diagnosed, my stress level has plummeted.

One day at a time....knock on wood, when I do get my next episode, I'll take my Metoprolol, and start marking the calendar again...and see what happens.

The couple of times I have had afib constantly for a month, are from drug interactions. It was awful, and I did consider having ablation for a day or 2. I have a Pakistan cardio Dr. who, said, wait it out, my heart would reset and I would be fine....he was right.

I had a neighbor who had persistent afib. She had had it for many yrs. She died at 105 or 6. Her cause of death was, broken heart, her beloved Son died a month earlier, and she grieved and gave up her will to live.

That's my story my Dear, BYW, I am 73+ and I could afford to loose a few lbs. I take only Pradaxa and Levothyroxin daily....I usually forget a multi vitamin. and I don't drink enough water. I do get outside and enjoy Nature daily, and I do a bit of Tai Chi...(had to give up the Yoga of 40yrs. because of DDD, Spinal Stenosis, Arthritis and Scoliosis got to bad for me to bend ) and I meditate/pray.

Today, All is Well :-)

Todd, I was told way back to record anything that was of concern for me. I have continued to do this....grateful now, because, I sure do loose track of facts and time.

Wonderful that you convert in 2 hrs. Takes me the better part of a day.

I admire U and think U R doing Great!

Diamorrow, It is raining tonight, so I'll continue hogging your thread. I wish Dr's would tell us what to do when we have an episode!!! Mine didn't. I had to get a new Dr. to get an OK to be off of Metoprolol. The new Dr. was like yours...OK stop taking it....but he didn't tell me what to do when I got an episode. I learned it from here. When I told him what I wanted to do, he said OK.

Now, the thing I want to tell you also....the reason to take a Beta Blocker when in afib, is to lower your HR to a safe speed. ...100 or so. Most of us do not convert because of the Beta Blocker or Chanel Blocker...it's job is to slow things down.

Some convert soon...others, like me, take longer. I can be in Afib for 6 more hours or 18 more hours.

I found that if I raise my HR...after my HR has lowered to 100 and I feel OKish , I go out for a speed walk/ slow jog to raise my HR...takes about 25 minutes to go around 4 blocks. Most of the time, when I get home,, I have converted. I learned this, by being in afib one day and cancelling my plans and feeling bummed...decided to mow my tiny yard. It was summer and I was sweating when I finished and much to my surprise, I had converted. I had read others converted when they jogged, so I do this now...a very slow awkward jog.

This has not worked several times....when I was anxious to convert, and when I had gone into afib because of out of control emotions of fear. Emotions affect my afib, IMO

So, when you have an episode, try your Solotol and see what happens.....be patient. It takes time to learn how to manage your own personal afib. When I was in and out of afib because of taking Epi, I was in afib for 3 days...but my HR Was in the 70's, so I was OK. It is just a bit nerve racking to be in afib, and not know when you will convert....just try to trust that you will and do your best to doing relaxing things and have positive thoughts. Oh, I'm very sure to take my Pradaxa as prescribed.

And, there are other choices for PIP...you might have to try a few to see what works.

My PCP also gave me a prescription for Rythmol. It is an antiarrythmic and will convert me in a few hrs. I have taken it when I was tired of being in afib or I had plans I wanted to keep. It is another option.

My management plans took me 5 yrs. to assimilate, and I went through many many days and nights with frustrations, fears and depression in getting here. But, today, it's all good. One day at a time, and keep the Faith...you'll be just fine.

Thanks yogacat.
I had an episode at 540 this morning. I took one Sotalol and 6 hours later I converted to NSR. But I might have dont that anyway. But I did notice my HR slowed so I could sleep. I sent the doc another email asking why he didnt answer my question. His nurse did say I could try this method and see if it helped. Arent they there to HELP US? Isnt that why I am paying them??? ugh...I will call on Monday or find another doc. I live in a large city with many hospitals. I will pursue this further. Please feel free to comment.

Hello had another episode today..called the doc office and went there for EKG. It seems that the doc wanted an Echo cardiogram but no one told me that....drat...so now I have it scheduled for Friday...I did take the Sotalol and it resolved in about an hour but I did the same thing on Saturday and it took 6 hours....no clue...and I think the docs have no clue either....

Doc wants to put me on these 2 meds. The side effects sound horrid.
Flecainide 100mg Twice an day and Cardizem 180mg daily
Anyone on these?? What was your experience wtth them. I just seem to react badly to meds.