Multaq Anyone Else Take It (Page 19)

Okay I will start off by saying this drug scares me because it has not been out for very long. I have Afrial Fib which is not behaving I can be 70 beats one min and regular and the next I will be at 190 and in atrial fib and flutter. this is my last chance at a med I have tried all the others I usually end up in the ER two or three times a week. I have had one ablation so far. If anyone else takes it please let me know what it is like. I am starting it on Tuesday.

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Hi Bobby, I too am afraid to drink alcohol as it did seem to trigger my afib, I have been afib free after my ablation though I am on multac and cumadin, for right now, off in 20 days! In order to prevent clots from forming during and after an ablation cumadin is necessary or another anti-coagulant drug. I had to keep my INR level between 2 and 3 for 4 weeks before my ablation and have continued to do so after my ablation that was on April 12th. It was performed by Andre Natale at Cleveland Metro in Ohio. I highly recommend speaking with him and if possible scheduling an ablation. I found that most people who have success dont post reports online so you hear the "horror" stories when researching online. Talk to other people, family, friends, co-workers i was amazed by how many people had one or had heard of someone who had an ablation. good luck an here's to a nice stiff drink!

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I have been on Multaq for 5 months. At first, I got more short incidents of A-Fib but once I started taking an over the counter potassium (99mg) at night, no more a-fib. I take SLO-MAG twice a day too. According to many reports, magnesium and potassium are the most important elements to take to control A-fib. They work for me. I am a little worried about the Multaq potential side effects, but so far so good. I also tried every other medication on the market for a-fib.

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I also do the mag and potassium - but stopped at that. Enough with the supplements. I have been on Multaq for 9 months with intermittent episodes - I'm staying the course for now. Good luck !

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I have been taking Multaq since Dec 2009. I tried coming off Multaq once and my heart rate elevated (which was a sign I was going out of rhythm) so I continued taking it. It has now been a year and a half with no negative side effects. I like many others in post have been on or tried what seems like alll the other rhythm meds but Multaq is the only one that has seemed to work.

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Hi Vaino, it has been a while since I wrote in this blog and will not be writing too often. It seems everyone is happy with Multaq regardless of what the outcome is in years to come. I am concentrating on my Thyroid - TSH results - I am still overactive (after that RAI, "radioactive iodine drink back on 4/7/11) latest result was 0.05 - hopefully in a while it'll start the climb to 1. The normal should be between 1-3 - I have noticed in my heart rate-it's been OK and not all over the place as it was prior to the RAI.
Like I said before I would not touch Multaq with a ten foot pole or any of the other Antiarrhythmic drugs.
I never realized that overactive thyroid has so much to do especially with A-Fib. It also has a lot to do with other cells in your body. I am glad that those two electrophysiologists pointed that to me and told me until my thyroid is fixed it does not pay to do the ablation because it will not work.
It is hot here in Connecticut about 34 in Celsius and tomorrow is going to be even hotter and more humid.
Have a great Juhannus!!

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I am also from Ct. and just wondering what EP's you may have used? And you are right - it IS hot here.

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Some background on my Afib first......

My Afib started about 8 months ago after I was put under and received dye and steroid injections right before I was to get an MRI for my hip afterwards.

My heart has been healthy and strong until that day. After the injections while under my heart went erratic and they had to lower it. The doctor did not look at the meds I was on to check for drug interactions. I checked what had injected and found that 2 of the injections warned not to use them with someone taking an MAOI antidepressant, which I had been on for 25 years with no problems, until the injections. Two of the injections had the warning that said they can cause erratic heart beat and Arrhythmia. That's when it all started for me.

Yeah, probably could have sued but I'm not that type of person.

So anyway I was recently put on Multaq for Lone Afib after trying a few other drugs that really didn't work. I was getting attacks a few times a week

It's been about three months now and I haven't had the slightest hint of Afib, my life is normal again!

The one thing I did learn from my own experience and some others here, is that you must take Multaq for at least "two weeks" before it fully kicks in. You'll notice some small changes during the first two weeks but it takes two weeks to fully work.

I mention the above because neither my doctor, nor the directions say anything about the two week period. I also searched all over the net and found nothing on the effective time period for taking Multaq.

The only side effect I have is an occasional watery stool which the drug mentions as a side effect and why it says to eat something before taking it. I also take a lot of herbs and vitamins and that sometimes causes that also, so it's really a matter of scheduling when I take something to balance things out.

Do not expect it to take effect in a few days etc., stay on it for at least two weeks or you will never know if it works or not.

Good luck to all!

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This is for Bobby, I'm in Canada and they do heat ablation (Ontario) but also do Cryoablation in Montreal, Quebec. They insert a balloon next to the nodes that go haywire and when they start up the balloon freezes them. Apparently a quicker type of ablation and more effective. I'm going for a pre-assessment in another week for heat ablation, they say 8 weeks later I would have ablation done, I'll keep you posted.

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Hi Maebellino, you did not direct the question to me exactly but here come the answers:

First EP was from UConn Medical Center, Farmington, CT. I believe he is an excellent doctor however he does not do too many ablations per year.but then there are other procedures involving heart he does - maybe in CT we do not have too many people with A-Fib who require/want ablations. And I am interested in ablation. (I am still thinking of this UCONN doctor for ablation because I believe anything he does he does well)

The second opinion of EP was at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT but he was too keen on antiarrhythmic drugs and I said no thank you.

The third EP was at Yale New-Haven Hospital, in New Haven, CT - but I had a bad experience with Multaq as you have seen from my other postings - and cardioversion did not work as they told me it would, they used the paddle on me 8 times and I believe that was too many - so that was a bad experience for me amongst other - so consequently I would not go there for anything else either. In my opinion that hospital is extremely discombobulated - they seem to do things after the fact when it should have been done before the fact.

The fourth EP was from Cornell University, NY - and he does about 3-4 ablations a week. So I am more or less inclined to go there once my Thyroid is heading for normal direction - which it is doing now two months after that radio active iodine drink on 4/7/11. And depending on if my heart is still in A-fib. only time will tell.

Hope this is of some help. No more opinions for me.
Have a nice week-end!! I would give the names of these doctors but I do not know if it is legal.

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MPYJRTo TUTSI. TY for replying to me and my search for Ct. Dr. I am so interested in who you have seen - sounds like we have been on the same track. I will check that for the next few weeks, hoping you may respond. Hey, we could be neighbors! It is not "illegal" to give Drs. names, per se.....another Yahoo group I am on talks about specific Drs. all the time. Most of them are in Ca. I do hope you will contact me.

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I hope you have had success with Multaq as I have had 4 ablations, 8 cardioversions and a pacemaker, BUT I started taking Multaq Feb/March 2010 followed by my 8th cardioversion in April 2010, which touch wood - the Multaq has kept me in sinus rhythym - I am still taking small amount of beta blocker and small blood pressure tablet. I am not taking any alcohol at all - to give this every chance, I hae suffered AF since 2001 - side effects - slight weight gain (7lb) and 1 leg up to the knee has kept slightly swollen, which it already had a tendency to do in hot weather. I am also having 6 monthly liver function tests

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Hi Maebellino,

EP at UCONN Medical Center in Farmington, CT who I saw back in Spring of 2010 - I like him and believe he is a good doctor - have not seen him since then is:

DR. CHRISTOPHER PICKETT
CARDIOLOGY, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

There also is another EP at UCONN

DR. HEIKO SCHMITT
CARDIOLOGY, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

I have not seen him.

Yeah, we could be neighbours - you never know.

If you want more info of the doctor at Cornell University NY let me. Have a great Summer Solstice week-end.

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TUTSI - that was so nice of you to reply. I sent you some questions but guess they were deleted. I am still betwix and between hanging in there or starting all over with new Dr. I hate that whole new process. BYW - I live in Middletown after 25 years in Guilford.

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Maebellino,

You are welcome. You don't have to start with a new doctor - in these types of things like A-fib one should always seek a few opinions and always have someone knowledgeable with you - I have been fortunate to have my sons, one or the other, accompany me - and always have your questions ready. for the doctor. It does not mean that one switches doctors you are just seeking the best information these doctors have and then hopefully come to a conclusion what would be good for you and which one had the most experience whatever procedure you are seeking. Most insurances cover second etc opinions. Doctor's offices now-a-days will check ahead of time if the office visit is covered or not and let you know.
Good luck to you.

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My own experience is terrific, this is all I can say. I had attacks causing loss of consciousness for a short while until I was put on Multaq 10months ago. I take it twice a day and have greatly improved. Every drug has some side effects, it is unavoidable but I have had so far not more than some abdominal discomfort. BUT: Every person reacts differently to a drug. We must remember this. I saw my Dr. once after having taking the drug for 5 months and he was satisfied with the progress. I can get a slight attack once, maximum twice a month which can last up to 8 hours. These attacks do not disable me from functioning and doing my work. I just feel a bit miserable and out of sorts kind but it is bearable. I will go back to see my Dr. in 2 months time. I got a prescription for ONE YEAR which will then be completed. Take courage and start the drug. I only wish that you respond to is as well as I have. Multaq is to prevent the Afib attacks and it has done so with me. Trust that it will do the same to you.

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I just started on Multaq four days ago and had red wine the last two nights and plan on having another glass tonight. However, I am very concerned about this medication and am considering seeing another doc for a second opinion.

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Alcohol....I hate to admit it but the Multaq is trying to keep you in NSR and the wine etc. are trying just the opposite. Alcohol stimulates my heart ( and sugar too late at night ) and with the AFIB - even on Multaq - makes it race...leads to fibbing. I have been on it a year and have tried all diff combos of no-alcohol....just wine....small vodka....all do the same. For 4 months after startinfg Multaq, no problem but these drugs like to wear off and now if I do have a drink....almost guaranteed fibbing. Maybe you will be different - hope so !

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A glass of wine every night!!! , wine seems to work for some reason (relaxation?)
I'm on Multaq

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Hi, anyone who wants to read.

Either some of you are so young and foolish that all you think of is that drink that you would like to keep on having - and it seems that the drink is more important than taking care of your heart and medication you are on. If people had a normal heart rate and no a-fib then some wines are probably good for the heart. My feeling is this that either you people take care of your hearts or keep on drinking and see what happens. You see I wasn't born yesterday!! Good luck to you all.
.

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Tutsi - I don;t think it is all about the alcohol as your message implies. A diagnosis like this involves so many changes and choices.....and it takes time to realize how we individually will deal with it. I am only 59 and have lived a life that included the freedom of many choices - and am gradually dealing with the sugar thing and the electrolite thing and the food thing and the alcohol thing and the stress thing and the anxiety thing and the dehydration thing and the medication versus surgery thing and the emotional thing and the family involvement thing etc etc. It takes time. And change..... and no judgement from others who are in the same boat would be nice,as well. Good luck to all my friends dealing - in their own ways - with this awful disease. That includes you Tutsi, as well.

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