Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
PAF & Sotalol
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
PAF & Sotalol
by Bil__0__0, Jun 10, 1998 12:00AM
I have been diagnosed with Paroxsysmal(?) Atrial Fibrilation since 11/96. I am a 34 year old male with no other significant medical issues (except for GERD). I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve prolapse in 1982 but when the first episode of A-Fib happened in 11/96, they told me that I did not have a MVP but that I had a 'floppy mitral valve'. Also, I do not have any problems with my Thyroid and the EKG indicates that there is no underlying structual defect in my heart. I was initially put on Digoxin & Lopressor. I felt really crappy on them & discontinued the Digixon and lowered the dose of Lopressor to 50mg a day after talking to my Dr. He told me that that dosage of Lopressor might not be effective at controlling the A-Fib. He was right. I had another episode in 9/97 & again in 1/98. After the last one I was put on Sotalol 80mg twice a day. Now I feel even worse than I did before. I'm constantly tired & feel drugged and have a marked decrease in my sex drive. My question is: are there any other drug therapies that do not have these types of side affects (i.e. flecanide or amiodarone) or is it just trial & error? Also, can you tell me about other alternatives such as implants or ablation for A-Fib? Are they available and are they appropriate for my situation?
Any information would be greately appreciated. Thanks!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Bill:
Sotalol has properties similar to the Lopressor. Sexual dysfunction is a well-recognized side effect. However, I urge you not to discontinue any of your medicines abruptly without talking to your doctor. Amiodarone can be a useful drug for atrial fibrillation. It does have lots of potential side effects, but these are not usually too much of a problem with the low doses of amiodarone that are typically used for atrial fibrillation. Flecainide can also have side effects; it is a drug to be avoided if there is any evidence or chance of having structural heart disease or coronary heart disease. I think that an appropriate medication can be found for you, but it will be through trial and error.]
Only if medications fail would I recommend pursuing experimental therapies. This includes catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, a procedure a few medical centers are doing. Another experimental option is an implantable atrial defibrillator - it gives your heart a tiny shock when it goes into atrial fibrillation. Again, I would not pursue these options yet.
I hope this information has been useful to you.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiac electrophysiologist at Desk F15.
