Antiarrhymic medication survey

[zingo]

More frequent aFib episodes, yet found to be hypertensive on 18-hour continuous BP study in neighborhood of 160/85 average when in sinus, lower BP when in Fib. Symptomatic in that exercise tolerance is significantly less when in Fib, also with constant chest "heaviness" and mild breathlessness.
Wish to control the arrhythmia which started ~ 6 mos ago and is now recurring once/week usually while asleep, and suspect that it is of parasympathetic character.
When taking antihypertensive med can get orthostatic effects relatively often.....also would like to take urinary meds which can lead to orthostatic problems, but at present, because of exaggerated BP changes cannot take these for urinary urgency/frequency.
Talked with cardiac people about ablation, but my history is far too short and uncomplicated for that procedure at this time, and antiarrhymics were suggested. I am at this time researching antiarrhymics. I have had a liver transplant 5 years ago for hospital acquired Hep C, and have had good post transplant recovery using Prograf (Tacrolimus) medication for rejection.


This discussion is related to Terminating Afib and  Norpace.

[Lorne675]

I used metoprolol to calm my afib but it didn't control it. I normally had 3 -5 episodes a day that ranged in duration from a few minutes to a few hours. I had an ablation three weeks ago for Afib. I had a couple of svt episodes a week after the ablation but haven't   had a single arrhythmia in two weeks. I don't even think I'm having extra or skipped beats now for the past few days.

It's still to early to say whether I've had  my Afib cured but it is looking very positve. If your doctor thinks an ablation might be right for you I would go for it. It is about as safe a procedure as you can get. It sounds a lot worse than it is.

[Sweetwaterguy]

    I got along quite well with sotolol (betapace).  A couple of my friends also take sotolol, and have for several years.  I tended to feel tired quite often and found it easy to take a couple of naps a day.  However, if I was busy and active, it did not seem to affect my stamina.  
   Medication worked until I developed flu like symptoms hours after a flu shot, and I believe that triggered a week long episode of a fib.  After two trips to the emergency room in three days I decided for the ablation.   While recovering I was given amiodarone which I did not tolerate very well.  It caused significant hand tremor, and my already poor handwriting became completely illegible.  It is a powerful drug and very effective in most patients, but it was not for me and I discontinued early with doctors permission.