Question re: medication

[Guest guest]

Doc has had me on Sotalol and warinfin for the last

three months. I had a couple of Afib thingies a month

following a surgery. I think the stress of the surgery

brought it on but that is my theory. The meds have

kept me in NSR and I had converted on my own after

about 6 hours.

I am 64 years old and otherwise in excellent health. I

am very active. I have always exercised, a combination

of weight lifting, aerobics, and running. Since being

on meds my max heart rate is around 125 while

exercising. I run short of breath rather quickly.

I'm experiencing two problems. First my muscles seem

to exhaust quickly and are slow to recover. This

morning for instance I worked out my lower body for

about 30 minutes then went my regular aerobics class.

My legs were like rubber, I thought I was going fall

down half way through the class. My theory is that

because of lower heart rate not enough oxygen is

getting to my blood and heart.

Second problem: Four months ago I had radical Prostate

surgery. It normally takes three months to a year for

erectile ability to return. The nerves have to

reconnect. From what I have read Sotalol can have the

side effect of impotency. I am concerned that the

sotalol is slowing or interfering with my rocovery of

potency. At this point Viagra has not helped.

I'll be seeing doc again soon and was wondering if

other meds might be better for me. Seems like everyone

is taking some different. I am grateful that the

sotalol is keeping me in NSR so maybe I should be

content. Doc is not particulary sympathetic to my

concern. His focus seems to be keeping me in NSR. Like

if it isn't broke don't fix it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I need to know

how to discuss this with him in an informed way. I

don't want to change to meds that have even worse side

effects.

Thanks for all the good work that this site is doing.

[Guest guest]

,

You may need a doc who is more willing to work with you on issues.

One thing you and your doc might consider is whether you actually

need a med for afib. Some people have 1 or 2 episodes while severely

stressed and then never have it again their entire lives. If the doc

and you agree that you can stop the med, be sure to get a tapering

off schedule from him or her and expect that you might have transient

problems as you taper off.

I sympathize with your exercise problems on the med. It sure does

have this effect. I have adjusted after almost a year, but mostly by

having the inability to exercise well become more normal seeming to

me, gak, than regaining my ability to do stuff.

I don't know why he put you on solatol instead of a milder med when

you just had one episode and converted back to sinus on your own. I

have more than that and am still on just a beta blocker.

Unfortunately, the beta blocker part of the solatol is probably what

is responsible for the exercise problem.

[Guest guest]

,

You may need a doc who is more willing to work with you on issues.

One thing you and your doc might consider is whether you actually

need a med for afib. Some people have 1 or 2 episodes while severely

stressed and then never have it again their entire lives. If the doc

and you agree that you can stop the med, be sure to get a tapering

off schedule from him or her and expect that you might have transient

problems as you taper off.

I sympathize with your exercise problems on the med. It sure does

have this effect. I have adjusted after almost a year, but mostly by

having the inability to exercise well become more normal seeming to

me, gak, than regaining my ability to do stuff.

I don't know why he put you on solatol instead of a milder med when

you just had one episode and converted back to sinus on your own. I

have more than that and am still on just a beta blocker.

Unfortunately, the beta blocker part of the solatol is probably what

is responsible for the exercise problem.

[Guest guest]

,

You may need a doc who is more willing to work with you on issues.

One thing you and your doc might consider is whether you actually

need a med for afib. Some people have 1 or 2 episodes while severely

stressed and then never have it again their entire lives. If the doc

and you agree that you can stop the med, be sure to get a tapering

off schedule from him or her and expect that you might have transient

problems as you taper off.

I sympathize with your exercise problems on the med. It sure does

have this effect. I have adjusted after almost a year, but mostly by

having the inability to exercise well become more normal seeming to

me, gak, than regaining my ability to do stuff.

I don't know why he put you on solatol instead of a milder med when

you just had one episode and converted back to sinus on your own. I

have more than that and am still on just a beta blocker.

Unfortunately, the beta blocker part of the solatol is probably what

is responsible for the exercise problem.