Magnesium supplements

[Gemma]

Got the test results!

Got the test results!

Hi again,
Jim got his test results yesterday - all were ok, including magnesium, calcium, electrolytes, and no sign of infection. Which is all good but leaves us none the wiser as to the reason for the ectopic beats. Starting to think it may just be simply down to over-tiredness or as rehab suggested, the sotalol being too effective.
Guess the SVT in January was probably caused by either over-exertion (is that possible - that it was a one-off? He'd been running round like crazy the weeked prior to it) or scar tissue forming an extra pathway, in which case he will need some kind of treatment for it long-term. Just wish so much it was not a permanent problem and we could both stop worrying about it .
I'm starting to really hate those little green sotalol pills - Jim takes half before bed-time in addition to 2 during the day, because he thinks it makes him feel better, until 20 minutes later there go the ectopics again and he's jumping around trying to make his heart beat faster!!! Didn't take it a few nights ago and we both had the best night's sleep in ages. But he worries about going back into SVT (unfounded I know) and that's why he takes it. What can I do to stop him worrying and start trusting his own body again?
Seeing the cardiologist in 5 weeks and boy have we got a lot of questions for him!!!
Gemma.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Sorry to hear of Jim's difficulties. Does his cardiologist concur that Sotalol may be the cause of his ectopic beats?

Does he have any other possible side effects from the Sotalol?

I had headaches for the first few weeks on Sotalol but they have subsided for the most part after 2 months. I find myself getting 'Short of Breath' more easily since starting on Sotalol but I'm not sure if it is a side effect of the medication or a sign of further deterioration of my heart. I take 40 mg twice a day and would dearly love to discontinue the evening dose but a Heart Center Nurse strongly advised me against that. Hopefully my next echo will resolve the issue next month.

'AL'

 

[Gemma]

Hi Al,
We haven't seen the cardiologist since February, which was before the ectopics started. Jim's rehab nurse felt atenolol may be better for Jim as she thought the sotalol could be working a little too well when he wasn't doing anything. This seems like it could well be true based on what surfsparky and stich have said above. His GP agreed at first but said he'd need the cardio's go ahead before changing the rx. But for some obscure reason I haven't fathomed out, either he didn't offer to contact the cardio or Jim didn't ask if he would. Either way, we're stuck with it until the next appointment on Nov 2nd. Only 4 weeks and 5 days!!
I guess the reason you were advised against skipping your evening sotalol is that it's fairly short-lasting, so there would be around 12 hours without "cover". Unfortunately those 12 hours are probably when you're less likely to really need it and when side effects might be more noticeable.
Jim doesn't get headaches but he does find his thighs start to ache when he's been standing or walking for a while, which seem to be caused by the sotalol. Also there's the occasional dry cough (ramipril - which we're hoping he can stop taking in Nov.) and tiredness with some occasional shortness of breath (sotalol probably). And bad wind, burping, intolerance of spicy foods.... Most of these started round the time he started on ramipril prior to surgery.
It's just really starting to p**s me off to be honest and I'm so sick of the whole thing!! I don't know whether Jim's asking his GP the wrong questions or what but I can't really take time off work to go with him. Will do for the cardio but it seems so ridiculous for the GP!
So for the time being I'm minding my own business - Jim seems happy enough to put up with it until we go back to his cardio. Guess I should too. Got a mental list of questions about 10 pages long which I should start writing down soon if I'm going to have it ready by November!
Gemma.

 

[surfsparky]

Hi Gemma,
It's tough only being able to see the cardio a couple of times a year, particularly as GP's (mine anyway!) often prefer not to make big decisions about meds without the cardios GP. You sound like my wife Yolanda...at all my visits, she's always armed with her research and questions! At the last surgeon's visit, he asked if he could photocopy all of her research!
My GP told me that atenolol could be taken as a one off dose before surfing to keep the arrythmias at bay. However, my cardio never mentioned this was possible! I was also told by the cardio to stop my coversyl meds when changing over to atenolol, but when I went to the GP to have my blood pressure checked after being on the atenolol for a week, he said that he thought I should be on the coversyl in conjunction with the atenolol!!! I've been trying to call my cardio but he's away on holidays. As for Jim, it seems (in my "non-expert" opinion!) that perhaps Jim's sotalol is working a little too well. It's just frustrating that you have to wait 4 weeks before you can get any answers to all of this.
Keep us posted,
Chris