Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hi All,
I crossed another threshold -- my first electrical cardioversion. At 37 years of age, this week was humbling. For the past year since my aborted ablation, I have about 1-2 bouts of afib per week lasting about 2-3 days each. In January though I had a bout last 5 days. And last Monday, I was on day 6 of consecutive afib, so I called my EP's office. Tuesday's TEE was quickly followed by an electrical cardioversion that did not hold. It was recommended that I stay a couple nights and load on sotalol (having not responded to flecainide and rythmol in the past). Two days later, I was able to maintain normal sinus rhythm afforded by a second electrical cardioversion. I'm excited for the past 48 hours of NSR, but the sotalol, 80 mg twice per day, is not without side effects. I'm very fatigued, and my heart rate does not respond to even moderate exercise.
For those with experience with sotalol:
How long was sotalol therapy able to prevent afib recurrence?
Has an 80 mg once per day dose worked for folks?
Has anyone discontinued sotalol due to the side effects?
The silver lining is that we now have an anti-arrhythmic, sotalol, that we can use after what will likely be a second ablation attempt later this year. It bought me some time to weight my options. Recall I'm the guy with the left sided inferior vena cava which makes femoral access complicated. I'm likely looking at subclavian entry.
I'm rambling! Hey y'all I hope you're having a great day in NSR, and thank you for the online fellowship.
-Sean
I crossed another threshold -- my first electrical cardioversion. At 37 years of age, this week was humbling. For the past year since my aborted ablation, I have about 1-2 bouts of afib per week lasting about 2-3 days each. In January though I had a bout last 5 days. And last Monday, I was on day 6 of consecutive afib, so I called my EP's office. Tuesday's TEE was quickly followed by an electrical cardioversion that did not hold. It was recommended that I stay a couple nights and load on sotalol (having not responded to flecainide and rythmol in the past). Two days later, I was able to maintain normal sinus rhythm afforded by a second electrical cardioversion. I'm excited for the past 48 hours of NSR, but the sotalol, 80 mg twice per day, is not without side effects. I'm very fatigued, and my heart rate does not respond to even moderate exercise.
For those with experience with sotalol:
How long was sotalol therapy able to prevent afib recurrence?
Has an 80 mg once per day dose worked for folks?
Has anyone discontinued sotalol due to the side effects?
The silver lining is that we now have an anti-arrhythmic, sotalol, that we can use after what will likely be a second ablation attempt later this year. It bought me some time to weight my options. Recall I'm the guy with the left sided inferior vena cava which makes femoral access complicated. I'm likely looking at subclavian entry.
I'm rambling! Hey y'all I hope you're having a great day in NSR, and thank you for the online fellowship.
-Sean
Im glad you brought up the subject of Sotalol and am interested in what other members have to say on the subject, too.
Im new to it too (since my second ablation in October 2014). 2x 40mg did nothing to stop a-fib for me; it slowed down my heart rate some. Luckily the beta blocker part of the drug didnt give me the nightmares I was having while on metoprolol. Tired? Honestly, in and out of a-fib, heart racing, not being able to exercise; I have no idea whats normal anymore!
My dosage was doubled on Friday. I guess its too early to tell if the anti-arrhythmic action will kick in or not or any noticeable side-effects will show up. My pcp said that the optimal dosage is between 160mg and 320mg per day (but it can be higher if need be).
Be sure to keep us up to date on how you are doing!!
Carpe diem,
atp
atp - your comment below about 'normal' reminds me of something my girlfriend's mother asked me on Friday: "Do you remember how to be well?" I responded that that was a good question.
PIP. Have only taken it once and it worked within an hour -mild episode. I am taking Carvediolol twice daily for rate control, bp and also lisinopril. Hope this continues to work. I didn't like the side effects on sotalol! June is also on carvedilol, too. Hope things get better for you, you are so young and have been through so much. God bless u and hope Sotalol works for you - hang in there. Prayers !
Tony