multaq question

I was released from the hospital yesterday after a bout with A-Fib. I'm a 52 year old male, and have had 5 occurrances of this in my life. I have PAC's and PVC's, that are benign but bothersome. They did an echo on me in the hospital, along with other tests, all came back normal. The doc put me on Multaq 2 times a day, plus the Atenelol I was taking at 50mg a day. Any success stories with Multaq? Also the anxiety of living with this is troublesome. I would appreciate some input. Thanks, Mark

[RozMorey]

Mark, I'm just getting on this board so I haven't read all the threads.  First, thank you for your good wishes with my Cardioversion, we'll see!  

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after some weird heart beats for two weeks, I saw my GP, she ordered an EKG and literally raced out of the room; she called an amublance and off to the hospital I went; after many EKG's an Echocardiogram. a visit from a Cardiologist and more blood drawn than dracula could handle; I'm on Metoprolol 200mg, Warfarin 7 mg, Digoxin and Omeprazole 20mg [so that this cocktail goes down without blowing-up my intestines.]

Talk about a "zombie" I could be the Queen of The Zombie's!  It's not that I'm sleepy......I'm more like a thoughtless, mindless, moron!!!!!  I'm told it's the BetaBlockers that are doing it and to just "go with it" until, hopefully, the Cardioversion puts my heart on a more regular beating pattern.  

I'm still having "some" irregular heartbeats [but nothing like what brought me to the doctor in the first place.]  My heart was literally turning upside down!!!!!!

[cindy707]

I too am about your age and am on antenolol also...my heart doc gave me Multaq as a pocket pill only meaning that i am to take it only if my heart does not convert after 45 minutes of taking an additional antenolol and i had to take it only one time thank God and it worked like a charm.  My heart doc said that Multaq to docs is considered the big gun of converters and the amazing thing about it is that its like an at home converter so that we don't have to go to the E,R, to be converted so that makes me extremely happy.  I do not leave home without it in my purse for any reason.  The only other thing is that my doc told me that studies are showing that Multaq actually shouldn't be taken as a daily med so i would research this out and find out why...i personally never looked into it because i don't take it daily...good luck tho to me its a wonder med.

[DeltaDawn23]

I have Afib with a rapid ventricular response.  I had my first episode in 2003, was converted by medication, and got by on Atenolol and Xanax for 7 years.  The last 2 years have been very stressful and I have had 4 attacks, two converted on their own, the last 2 I had to be electroconverted.  Now I am on Atenolol, Xanax, Coumadin and Norpace.  It has been 2-1/2 months since my last episode.  This seems to be working and I actually need less of the Xanax and Atenonol while on the Norpace.  My goal is very simple -- stay out of the hospital and feel better, so far that is for the most part true.  I have a few runs of tachycardia, but nothing sustained.  Multaq was mentioned as a possible drug for me by a second opinion EP cardiologist, he also thought Rhythmol might work.  I think you can get it under control, just keep asking for help.  The squeaky wheel . . .  well, you know.  Good luck to you, don't get discouraged and don't give up.

[cherylv]

I was dx with afib in Feb 2011. I was put on Multaq twice a day and Pradaxa (blood thinner). I chemically  converted on Multaq. I am no longer on Pradaxa, I take 81 mg of aspirin. I still take  Multaq twice a day and I have had no problems with it except for the price. I was also told the other antiarrhythmia drugs, such as Rhythmol and Amiodarone would be cheaper in price but Multaq was a "cleaner" drug than the Amiodarone. So,  for now I am still taking Multaq twice a day, after breakfast and supper and 81mg aspirin. It is working for me and I have not had any episodes since March. I am back to exercising and I feel pretty good. You have to see what medications work for you. Dont hesitate to ask your EP or cardiologist questions about meds or symptoms you are having. As far as the anxiety, talk to your physician about getting something to help you with that. maybe a very  low dose Alprazolam. Anxiety and stress are not good for us afibbers. Stay positive and best wishes!! Take care!!

[DeltaDawn23]

One cardio told me that Amiodarone will eventually scar the lungs.  I believe that may have happened with my Mother.  It's also my understanding that it is kind of a last-ditch drug and one should not be on it long.