No Meds?

Anyone come off meds? With docs guidance? And remain active? And have an ICD?

Thx!

4 Comments

meds

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-10 01:04:47

If your dr is ok with trying it, go for it! Just do it like they tell you, you can't stop them suddenly. My mom was on sotolol for afib, not vt, but after a few years with no episodes, they let her cut back. She wasn't able to get off them completely (had a few minor episodes) but she was able to but the dose back by more than half and still keep it under control.

Maybe they can try something else if you have problems after trying without? I was on metoprolol for svt, it made me like a zombie. I switched to atenolol and it's a lot better. I'm still a bit tired and my stamina when I work out isn't great, but I'm able to work out and, unlike the metoprolol, generally function. Just something to keep in the back of your mind, but hopefully you can go off and stay off!

They often can't find a reason for electrical problems. They rule out anything structural and that's about all they can do. It's not much different from a short circuit in anything electronic. Sometimes a tv dies after a few years, but the one in the next room is older than you are and still going strong. Who knows why?! Our heart electrical systems can be the same way. They are healthy and strong but with a wonky circuit. Or maybe yours just had a bad day, there's no telling. Good luck getting off the meds! My dr rolls his eyes at me when I ask :)

meds

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-10 09:04:13

Many here are not on meds. Never come off them without a dr's guidance. How safe it is to consider depends on what is wrong with your heart.

No Meds?

by natlat - 2015-04-10 09:04:26

HI, suffered fainting spell and sustained vt while running. All sorts of tests, docs found no reason. Could have been sickness, but no one knows. Had a yearly ECHO and normal heart. Docs now say can come off Sotalol. I am on 40 mg and it saps me mentally and physically. I am 39 and feel 80. Anyways, docs wanted me to wait a year, and so it is a year and they say I can come off the meds. I am a bit scared but cannot live the rest of my life feeling 80.

Had my first event! :(

by natlat - 2015-05-10 08:05:31

So I was doing very well - no events for a year, I have an ICD, and take 40 mg of Sotalol am/pm. I tried to lower my dose last Saturday from 40 to 20 mg, it is a 12 hour med and I normally take it 9am (after I workout) and 9pm. On Sunday last week , while running, I had my first event - sustained vt. My ICD was able to outpace me, thankfully. My doc now put me on an HR restriction of 130 and I am back to my normal dose of sotalol 40 mg at 9am (after I workout) and 9pm. I ran this morning, very slowly and kept my HR under 135.

Doc thinks the reduction of meds (which he said was like having nothing in my system) and the running caused the event.

Could a one day reduction of my meds cause an event the very next day? I find it odd that it did happen the very next day.

Hope to get some feedback!

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