First EP visit today

I consulted with this EP today and he said I had A-fib.  That's different than what anyone else said.  I also have PACs which are no big deal.  But he put me on Rythmol SR 325mg bid.  He cut my Lopressor to 12.5mg bid.  And I am still on the Cozaar 100mg.  What do you think??  Everything I read about this Rythmol says that I need to be hospitalized with this drug to start.  The starting dose is usually 225mg bid.  I haven't started it yet.  Does anyone know anyone who has used this drug??  
jeri

[Brooke_38]

Hi Jeri...

Glad that you had your appt. but also suprised to hear that you had Afib...Are you in Afib right now or were you at one time and then converted? Did he prescribe a blood thinner like coumadin or at least an aspirin?

As far as the Rythmol, some Dr's do start it in the hospital but not always. For the patients that are started on an out patient regime, they are told to send in transmissions from an event monitor 2 hours after taking the dose. I took it for a very short time, but because of my asthma I was taken off it.

Were you given an event monitor?

[Jerry_NJ]

I was put on Rythmol 425 SR twice a day at home.  I was, however on a monitor that was coupled by cell phone (my home was not in a cell for the service) or by data set using a dail up line. So, there were some extra precautions.

The good news, no bad effects, the bad news, it didn't stop my AFib. But, that doesn't mean it will not work for you.

My EP then suggested some stronger meds that require hospitalization to implement.  I declined, so for know I'm taking only Toprol (Metoprolol) SR 50 mg once a day.  This helps keep my HR down, but it still runs in the 80s at rest due to AFib extra triggers.  I also take an anticoagulant, Warfarin 5 mg a day.  You didn't mention an anticoagulant, or is one of those other meds you listed take care of that?  Oh, yes, I also take 1/2 a 325 mg aspirin a day, along with a vitamin and Omega 3 (fish oil).

[Mrs_Spock]

I do take ASA 81 mg everyday.  He based his diagnosis on my holter monitor but my family never mentioned A-fib.  That's why I am confused.  He didn't give me a monitor or even listened to my heart sounds.  I am kind of afraid to take this drug at home.  Currently I am alone because my husband is away on a job site.  Tomorrow I see my family dr.  I guess I see what he thinks.  Do you think I should go ahead and take it.  I don't have it yet because my pharmacy didn't have it.

[Mrs_Spock]

I went to my family doctor this am and I told him about the EP wanting me on the Rythmol SR 325mg bid, and he told me he felt "very uncomfortable" about taking this drug unmonitored.  He felt I should be hospitalized for several days when starting this.  He asked me if I wanted another opinion about the drug and the A-fib and said yes I do.  So that is where we are right now.  I was really afraid to take this drug with no monitor and being alone in my home to top it off.  Has anyone out there taken this drug with being monitored??  Thanks for anyone's comment or advise.

[Jerry_NJ]

What level of caution to take?  That seems to be the question.  

Your followup post above seems to ask the question I already posted my answer to, but maybe I misread you.

In any case, and to repeat myself, I started 425 MG Rythmol SR twice a day at home, no hospital stay or check.  I was, however, on a monitor.  I'll add the following:  the monitor was not connected "real-time" to medical help.  It could send messages via wireless, but my home was not within a cell site, so the only why I got data to the monitoring station was to connect my monitor via a dataset to the telephone line.  This I did every time I felt anything strange, e.g., shortness of breath.  In any case, nothing serious went wrong, but nothing good either.  I have since discontinued taking Rythmol as it did not have any noticeable affect on my AFig.

[chennen2]

I am taking Rythmol SR 225mg BID.  I did start it in the hospital but only because I was there when they decided to put me on it.  I don't believe my EP would have admitted me to start the medication.  They took me off of Flecanaide (which also was started at home).  I believe I was given 1/2 dose in hospital and then was to start full dose at home.  I was to go in for EKG 2 days later.  If doctor is not giving you any follow up information then I would follow your 'gut' and question this.  Call his nurse and inquire.  Tell them you have read about this drug and understand that it can cause fatal arrythmia's--and that you need to understand exactly why he is certain that you are 'safe' in taking it unmonitored.  Good luck!

[Mrs_Spock]

Thanks for your response.  As it turns out, my GP had me go for a second opinion and it turns out that it is doubtful that I am in atrial fib and this new doctor stated that she would never prescribe that drug with EP testing, which the first EP never did.  He didn't even take a recent EKG or even listen to my heart.  SO she adjusted what I am on (which is Lopressor and Cozaar) and added Norvasc and Magnesium Ox.  the first EP based everything on a holter monitor that was done in December.  So I MAY have to go this EP testing in APril if things don't improve.  That sounds reasonable to me.  She also said a starting dose 325 bid  of Rythmol SR was way too high for someone with my weight (I weigh 97).  I feel much better about everything now.   I wish you luck and thanks again.
Jeri