A-Fib in 16 year old child

My  16 year old son has started to have vagally mediated A-Fib episodes about one every 2 months.  One doctor wants to put him on Norpace and another suggested taking rhymol when the episodes happen.  Two of the three episodes have resolved on their own by morning (lasting 12 + hours). His attacks are ususally precipitated by drinking cold drinks which he is now trying to avoid at night. What is your opionion on medication for this age child? Thank you.

[debbier]

Has your son seen an electrophysiologist yet?  He is so young to have this issue, I would look into ablation as a permanent fix and alternative to medications.

Good Luck

[cindy707]

Sorry about your son Marcy.   The first red flag that got thrown here for me was when you posted that it happened when drinking a cold drink........be very very sure that you are not talking about a caffeine drink here which is notorious for setting off a fib.  I would isolate what may be triggering this......and Debbier is right he may need an EP study done to find out where this is coming from to be sure its not electrical based especially at his age and if it is its an easy fix.  Ablations were created originally for a fib so they are super successful for it.  Keep him away from anything w. caffeine in it including sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, no late nites up, minimize stress, etc.  As far as his age and meds,,,,,yep he is a little young to be starting out of this and if there is a better resolution i would look for it.  Hopefully the doc who gave him the beta blockers is a heart doc and if he/she isn't i would hold off until you do get him into see one and a good one in your area.  They are specialists of the heart and knowing its working inside and out where a family doc is called a general practioner which is "generally the whole body".
Good luck

[marcy22]

Thanks for your quick responses.  Yes, he has seen two EPs both had different suggestions - one was for the pill in the pocket approach and the other was for starting Norpace as he feels it can have preventative properties in vagally mediated a-fib.  However, I worry about the side effects of an arrhythmia drug.  

Has anyone tried magnesium supplements?  I am going to have his blood tested for mineral levels and see if he is deficient in magnesium or potassium.  

Until then, we will just avoid the cold drinks and desserts which act as a trigger every time an event occurs.  The drink can be milk or gatorade; it doesn't seem to matter what kind, just the temperature of the drink.  

Thanks again for your well wishes!

Marcy

[itdood]

I'd go the PRN approach (as-needed). This is something he more than likely will grow out of.

Norpace has all sorts of side effects and is actually pro arrhythmic when used off-label.  This sounds like an off-label use.    If my choices are to take norpace or warm up my drinks, I'd warm up my drinks.  :-)

[marcy22]

Thanks, so much.  I agree with you that all cold drinks are out - at least when mom and dad are around.  The other night, I think it slipped his mind and he went for the ) Oreos and milk.

The doctor who is prescribing Norpace is a top guy at UCLA's arrhythmia center and feels that is has some preventative qualities for Vagally Mediated A-Fib with a low risk of complications for our son.  However, I know that nothing is without side effects and I am really afraid of causing something more serious.  

I like your philosophy of as needed in hopes he will grow out of this!

Thanks again.