Re: Sotatol (betapace-f)

December 29, 2001

In a message dated 12/29/2001 8:03:42 PM Pacific Standard Time,

chaz41c@... writes:

> Am I taking too much for a 43 year old male? Is Sotatol

> really bad stuff?

How do you feel? It was very bad for me and I stopped

after 3 days..... it helps others. We are all different and

react differently. You probably will be the best judge of

how it is working for you. Just monitor yourself and tell

your doctor if it is causing you problems.

Best wishes,

Bill Utterback

South San Francisco

December 30, 2001

If you feel OK on sotalol it may be ok for you. I didn't, but let the

Dr's convince me that they were side effects I would get over. I

tried for a year and got worse and worse. They made me really ill,

and with the side effects, my Dr gave me a new diagnosis of illness.

They said I had ME, and in the end I started questioning my sanity.

IT was only when I started playing around with my diet and coming off

the sotalol that my new 'illness' disappeared. I believe they were

poisoning me slowly.

Hope that helps.

I was just wondering, is there anyone on this board that can tolerate

sotaolol?

Fran

> Ater reading quite a few of the posts in this site I'm left with

the

> impression that the medication that my cardio doctor put me on,

> Betapace/Sotatol isn't particulary cared for by the majority of the

> group. My doc recently increased my does efrom 80 mgs. to 160

> miligrams a day beacuse i had a second afib attack while taking the

> lower dose. Am I taking too much for a 43 year old male? Is Sotatol

> really bad stuff? Thanks for the help.

> Charlie

December 30, 2001

I actually dont feel to bad from it.I'm just concerned about long

term effects.

December 30, 2001

I did read somewhere (on this board I think) that men seem to

tolerate Sotalol better than woman.

Fran

> I actually dont feel to bad from it.I'm just concerned about long

> term effects.

December 30, 2001

In a message dated 12/30/2001 10:33:19 AM Pacific Standard Time,

fross@... writes:

<< I did read somewhere (on this board I think) that men seem to

tolerate Sotalol better than woman.

>>

Fran,

I'm the one who posted that information which I received from my new

cardiologist, who said that he would not give me Sotalol under any

circumstances. I'm also the one who " resisted for two years " the efforts of

my now retired cardiologist to start me on Sotalol. After hearing my current

cardiologist's opinion that women don't do as well on Sotalol as do men, I am

glad that I did not start on the Sotalol. The main reason for resisting at

the time was based on an informal, very nonscientific Internet survey on

Sotalol which I conducted. (That was just before I became involved in this

group.) Out of about fifty people who responded, only a few had stayed on

Sotalol and found it helpful. Many quit the drug because of depression,

tingling and numbness in the extremities, a very slow heart rate with pauses,

and dizziness or fainting. Also, I was quite disconcerted at the time to

discover that Sotalol, along with the other drugs in its class, has the

unlucky potential for causing arrhythmia as well as treating it. It took me

a while to understand and accept that paradox, which was quite shocking at

the time. Also, I have learned that dangerous arrhythmia from Sotalol is

quite uncommon if the drug is properly started in the hospital since the

first few days are the most dangerous statistically. Now that I'm accustomed

to the idea, if my doctor wanted me to move from Atenolol/Verapamil to

Flecainide, his next choice, I would do it if my symptoms became unbearable.

Sotalol is a dead issue for me, but if one happens to be a person for whom

Sotalol works, that's the only information necessary, I think. If it works

for you, don't change!

After all, the bottom line in the drug controversy was stated quite well by

my cardiologist, I think, when he said that none of the currently available

drugs for afib is more than 60-80 percent effective. That is the

disconcerting fact that we afibbers must live with. The other fact is that

the drugs affect different people very differently. Even Amiodarone, which

is notorious for bad side effects, works well for some people while for

others it causes serious health problems. Also, I have noticed from reports

here and elsewhere, that the proarrhythmic drugs seem to work well for a

while with some individuals and then seem to lose effectiveness with the

consequent necessity of trying a new drug.

Although I am not doing too well right now, I wouldn't consider trying a new

drug unless my symptoms worsened considerably. I think my currently longer

and more intense than usual afib episode is due to the effects of the

colonoscopy test which I had the day before yesterday. Despite the test

results which the doctor described as " normal, normal, normal, " I have been

having severe stomach pains along with gas and the usual effect on my heart

from such stomach upheaval. I hate to think about the effect of such a test

if the results showed colon cancer since a test with " normal " results can

leave such devastation in its wake. :-) I am currently in day five of afib,

the halfway mark to breaking my previous record of ten days; and when my

stomach symptoms worsen, the familiar " small mammal " returns to my chest.

I'm hoping that as I recover from the test, my stomach and heart will return

to normal. Has anyone else had this much trouble after a colonoscopy?

in afib in Seattle

December 31, 2001

In a message dated 12/30/01 7:37:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Starfi6314@... writes:

> Although I am not doing too well right now, I wouldn't consider trying a new

>

> drug unless my symptoms worsened considerably

,

If I were you I would take up your cardiologist's suggestion of flecainide.

I have found it quite useful to take not all the time but only as needed.

This keeps the length of episodes down to about 2 hours. By spending a

longer time in AF you may be running the risk of electrical remodelling.

Moreover, if taken only as needed, the effectiveness of the drug may be

maintained, since the body doesn't get used to it.

I take 200 mg when I get an episode. I had it started as an outpatient at

300 mg (I weigh nearly 200 lbs.).

Victor

December 31, 2001

Hi

Sorry for forgetting that it was you who posted the info. I've read

so much this past week or two. But the info is sticking. I'm sorry

that you are having a bad run just now. I hope it gets better in time

for the New Year.

You wrote " Also, I was quite disconcerted at the time to discover

that Sotalol, along with the other drugs in its class, has the

unlucky potential for causing arrhythmia as well as treating it. " "

I was one of those on the sotalol. I have also discovered since

stopping the atenolol that my heart is a lot more regular. I can't

believe the difference. I am now 4 days drug free, and the difference

is remarkable. I'm keeping a strip of tablets handy though, just in

case it goes out of control. But so far so good. I'm going to ask my

GP for an ECG come his next visit. I'm still having what I think is

AF, but it is not too fast. On average I am 80bpm. And if it has gone

above a hundred it was when I was rushing about.

This is the first time in 25 years I have not had a medicine of some

description in my body. So its good to feel what I am really doing.

I'll have to be really careful with my triggers over the new year. We

always spend it with my Mother in law, where there are loads of first

footers. It lasts for four or five days. NO DRINK FOR ME. And no food

additives. I've spent all day in the kitchen making my own mayonaise,

quiche, salads, trifle etc. We slob from now on and eat plenty of

buffet stuff. Most of them drink too!!

Have a great New Year. I might not be around for the next few days if

all goes well.

Fran

> In a message dated 12/30/2001 10:33:19 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> fross@e... writes:

>

> << I did read somewhere (on this board I think) that men seem to

> tolerate Sotalol better than woman.

> >>

> Fran,

> I'm the one who posted that information which I received from my

new

> cardiologist, who said that he would not give me Sotalol under any

> circumstances. I'm also the one who " resisted for two years " the

efforts of

> my now retired cardiologist to start me on Sotalol. After hearing

my current

> cardiologist's opinion that women don't do as well on Sotalol as do

men, I am

> glad that I did not start on the Sotalol. The main reason for

resisting at

> the time was based on an informal, very nonscientific Internet

survey on

> Sotalol which I conducted. (That was just before I became

involved in this

> group.) Out of about fifty people who responded, only a few had

stayed on

> Sotalol and found it helpful. Many quit the drug because of

depression,

> tingling and numbness in the extremities, a very slow heart rate

with pauses,

> and dizziness or fainting. Also, I was quite disconcerted at the

time to

> discover that Sotalol, along with the other drugs in its class, has

the

> unlucky potential for causing arrhythmia as well as treating it.

It took me

> a while to understand and accept that paradox, which was quite

shocking at

> the time. Also, I have learned that dangerous arrhythmia from

Sotalol is

> quite uncommon if the drug is properly started in the hospital

since the

> first few days are the most dangerous statistically. Now that I'm

accustomed

> to the idea, if my doctor wanted me to move from Atenolol/Verapamil

to

> Flecainide, his next choice, I would do it if my symptoms became

unbearable.

> Sotalol is a dead issue for me, but if one happens to be a person

for whom

> Sotalol works, that's the only information necessary, I think. If

it works

> for you, don't change!

>

> After all, the bottom line in the drug controversy was stated quite

well by

> my cardiologist, I think, when he said that none of the currently

available

> drugs for afib is more than 60-80 percent effective. That is the

> disconcerting fact that we afibbers must live with. The other fact

is that

> the drugs affect different people very differently. Even

Amiodarone, which

> is notorious for bad side effects, works well for some people while

for

> others it causes serious health problems. Also, I have noticed

from reports

> here and elsewhere, that the proarrhythmic drugs seem to work well

for a

> while with some individuals and then seem to lose effectiveness

with the

> consequent necessity of trying a new drug.

>

> Although I am not doing too well right now, I wouldn't consider

trying a new

> drug unless my symptoms worsened considerably. I think my

currently longer

> and more intense than usual afib episode is due to the effects of

the

> colonoscopy test which I had the day before yesterday. Despite the

test

> results which the doctor described as " normal, normal, normal, " I

have been

> having severe stomach pains along with gas and the usual effect on

my heart

> from such stomach upheaval. I hate to think about the effect of

such a test

> if the results showed colon cancer since a test with " normal "

results can

> leave such devastation in its wake. :-) I am currently in day five

of afib,

> the halfway mark to breaking my previous record of ten days; and

when my

> stomach symptoms worsen, the familiar " small mammal " returns to my

chest.

> I'm hoping that as I recover from the test, my stomach and heart

will return

> to normal. Has anyone else had this much trouble after a

colonoscopy?

> in afib in Seattle

January 1, 2002

In a message dated 12/31/2001 12:29:03 PM Pacific Standard Time,

victortt@... writes:

<< If I were you I would take up your cardiologist's suggestion of

flecainide.

I have found it quite useful to take not all the time but only as needed.

This keeps the length of episodes down to about 2 hours. >>

Victor,

Thanks so much for the information and suggestion. My cardiologist does not

currently want to give me Flecainide, or at least last Thursday he didn't

want to. However, that could change if this marathon afib session continues.

I am now in my seventh day of afib. If it continues past this week, I might

call and ask about the possibility of taking Flecainide sporadically as you

do. He said that Flecainide would be his next choice for me if I need

something stronger than Atenolol and Verapamil, but he has been satisfied

with the degree of control provided by those two drugs. They don't prevent

afib, obviously, but usually I have almost no symptoms when I am in afib and

on those meds. I think the current afib marathon is due primarily to severe

stomach problems which I have been having since the colonoscopy test last

Friday. Although test results were normal, I think my vagus nerve is in a

state of uproar from continued stomach symptoms. If this doesn't change by

Friday, my tenth day of afib, I will call the cardiologist. My previous

record of days in afib is ten days, and I don't want to break my own record!

Thanks,

in afib in Seattle :<(

January 1, 2002

**

Dear Group

Tomorrow I reach day 28 of my longest bout of AF, the previous being 8 days.

I wonder if this means that I am now in permanent AF? My heart rate/pulse

remains at an irregular 80 beats per minute. I stopped taking Flecainide

about 12 months ago because of the possible unpleasant side affects

including possible torsade du pointe (sp?).

You may recall that 3 months ago I was supposed to be seeing the specialist

with a view to ablation but nothing came of it due to health service

incompetence. I feel 'uncomfortable' although I am able to function quite

well and still exercise regularly. My chest is like a car engine running on

only two of its four cylinders. I am becoming increasingly worried the

longer I remain in AF.

I believe the heart/pulse rate I am registering is the ventricular rate

only. The atria are probably a quivering mass and I wonder is it time to try

the Flecainide again. I ask here because I know if I ask my doctor he will

just tell me to go ahead and try it. I had a fairly thorough heart

examination just before Christmas and saw my heart on the monitor. Informal

discussion with the technician who carried out the examination revealed

little or no enlargement, and that all was functioning quite well. He

suggested I should be seeking cardio-version perhaps! I am still taking

Warfarin but do worry about the stroke risk the longer I remain in AF, which

is when the 'pooling' of blood in the atria occurs I understand.

Your advice and input would be appreciated.

A happy 2002 to you all.

Kind regards,

Oliver

**

Re: Re: Sotatol (betapace-f)

> In a message dated 12/31/2001 12:29:03 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> victortt@... writes:

>

> << If I were you I would take up your cardiologist's suggestion of

> flecainide.

> I have found it quite useful to take not all the time but only as needed.

> This keeps the length of episodes down to about 2 hours. >>

>

> Victor,

> Thanks so much for the information and suggestion. My cardiologist does

not

> currently want to give me Flecainide, or at least last Thursday he didn't

> want to. However, that could change if this marathon afib session

continues.

> I am now in my seventh day of afib. If it continues past this week, I

might

> call and ask about the possibility of taking Flecainide sporadically as

you

> do. He said that Flecainide would be his next choice for me if I need

> something stronger than Atenolol and Verapamil, but he has been satisfied

> with the degree of control provided by those two drugs. They don't

prevent

> afib, obviously, but usually I have almost no symptoms when I am in afib

and

> on those meds. I think the current afib marathon is due primarily to

severe

> stomach problems which I have been having since the colonoscopy test last

> Friday. Although test results were normal, I think my vagus nerve is in a

> state of uproar from continued stomach symptoms. If this doesn't change

by

> Friday, my tenth day of afib, I will call the cardiologist. My previous

> record of days in afib is ten days, and I don't want to break my own

record!

> Thanks,

> in afib in Seattle :<(

>

January 2, 2002

Hi Oliver

Dont give up, it may be the stress of Christmas for some reason my Asthma

has gone mad and I can see no logical reason for this.

The trick is don not hesitate to complain find out who the senior registrar

is and talk to them. Ask for an earlier appointment don not take second

best. What Hospital are you attending.... Ask about Dofetilide and utmost

try and learn as much as you can about AF Drs here in the UK do not like to

be challenged.

good luck

C

> Tomorrow I reach day 28 of my longest bout of AF, the previous being 8

> days.

> I wonder if this means that I am now in permanent AF? My heart rate/pulse

> remains at an irregular 80 beats per minute. I stopped taking Flecainide

> about 12 months ago because of the possible unpleasant side affects

> including possible torsade du pointe (sp?).

>

> You may recall that 3 months ago I was supposed to be seeing the

> specialist

> with a view to ablation but nothing came of it due to health service

> incompetence. I feel 'uncomfortable' although I am able to function quite

> well and still exercise regularly. My chest is like a car engine running

> on

> only two of its four cylinders. I am becoming increasingly worried the

> longer I remain in AF.

>

> I believe the heart/pulse rate I am registering is the ventricular rate

> only. The atria are probably a quivering mass and I wonder is it time to

> try

> the Flecainide again. I ask here because I know if I ask my doctor he will

> just tell me to go ahead and try it. I had a fairly thorough heart

> examination just before Christmas and saw my heart on the monitor.

> Informal

> discussion with the technician who carried out the examination revealed

> little or no enlargement, and that all was functioning quite well. He

> suggested I should be seeking cardio-version perhaps! I am still taking

> Warfarin but do worry about the stroke risk the longer I remain in AF,

> which

> is when the 'pooling' of blood in the atria occurs I understand.

>

> Your advice and input would be appreciated.

>

> A happy 2002 to you all.

>

> Kind regards,

>

> Oliver

>

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January 2, 2002

**

Dear

Thank you for your kind reply.

I wonder if anyone thinks that there is a chance of spontaneous return to

NSR after my longest bout of AF - now 29 days? I am also having problems

with what may be dyspnoea - difficulty drawing a full breath. This is also a

symptom of cardiomyopathy I understand - should I be concerned about this

possibility.

If not does this mean that I am now in permanent AF? My heart rate/pulse