Multaq any one?

[ksig]

I have had a long history of AFib.  I have been on a whole boart load of meds including Tikosyn.  None of them kept AFib at bay.  I had an AVJ Ablation in March and still have bouts of AFib but at a much lower rate... ususalyy between 90-110.  I am being considered for Multaq to help rid me of AFib.  Because the drug is so new, I do not know anyone who has been taking it.  Are any of you?  How are you doing on it?

ksig

[jallen0347]

I have a surgery that has yet to be scheduled, because an EKG confirmed my heart was in A Fib, started on Warfarin I've been on it for 7 weeks 5 within the therapeutic range.... I went in for a cardioversion yesterday 1st attempt out of A Fib for about 1 minute than right back in, 3 more attempts and nothing after about 15-20 minutes they tried 1 more time, out of A Fib for about 30 seconds..... Now I am on the Multag;to hopefully get out of A Fib Warfarin; to thin the blood to avoid a stroke, and Cartia; to slow down my elevated heart rate.... I need to schedule a follow up appointment with my cardiologist when he returns from his vacation...... So my Surgery is now in limbo, I was curious if anyone who has had the cardioversion was awake and aware of it while it was going on, cause they told be I wouldn't feel it nor remember it.... However I was sleepy and relaxed, but I was aware of everything and I most definitely felt it each jolt felt like it was stronger than the one before it, except the 5th one wasn't as strong as the 4th jolt

[beamerone]

I had abelation, tried all of the meds, including amiadrone (sp), which made everything worse and they put me back on it in the hospital with me begging them not to.  They kept saying everything would settle down in a few months.  Didn't.  Multaq gave me horrible a-fib episodes and after I got off of it and began reading about it, it didn't seem that much better than amiadrone, it's sister drug, but I understand we have to take chances that are better than continual a-fib.  Now I'm just struggling, considering the five box or hybrid treatment where they punch five holes in your chest and use lasers.  Exhausted and disgusted.  Glad you are all doing so well.  All of my cholesterol drugs have made my a-fib worse, currently on last chance Pravastatin (because it processes differently than lipitor, etc.) that isn't strong enough for me and is now beginning to give me a-fib problems. Anyone else have a-fib/cholesterol drug connection problems?  Wanted to tell you, beware of Nutrasweet/aspertame - puts me in a-fib within minutes.  

[fmctaggart]

I guess I am lucky; I've had no side effects at all from the Multaq. I did have joint and muscle pain when I took Crestor, however, and I believe it was Crestor that brought on my AFib. I will be 72 next week but have been healthy and exercising regularly for the past 30 years. Although my cholesterol was normal, I took Crestor because of a high CRP level. The Crestor brought my cholesterol down dramatically but barely affected the CRP. And my joints and muscles hurt so much I became unable to exercise. Then the AFib started, and I couldn't run more than a block without getting winded.

I signed up for electrocardioversion last July but was in normal rhythm when I went in for the procedure. The following month, I was in and out of normal rhythm for about a week at a time. On September 1 of last year, I started Multaq, 2 pills a day. I had three brief episodes of AFib during the first month, then haven't had another since. I can run 4 plus miles several days a week, and I really feel like I'm cured. I see my cardiologist tomorrow, but I think he will probably keep me on Multaq until sometime this summer. That's okay with me because I've had no side effects. But I don't want to take any drug long term if I can help it.

I think the Multaq has helped me; then again, I might have gotten better anyway after an extended period away from Crestor.

[Jcmalex]

I have been on multac since nov 2010. I had a stroke on aug 31 2010. Just turned 50. Stroke was caused by AFIB. I never knew I had it.. I am not overweight and do not smoke.

I am on varfarin and pravastatim.  I am back in rhythm and have gone out twice since on multac. I went on it after a cardioversion

I have stomach issues and joint pain from the medications

I worry about long term effects as well

I also get occasional chest pains, very brief. I think it is related to the pravastatin. My heart is strong.

Any one else experience any of this.

[fmctaggart]

An update: I've been taking Multaq since September 1 and had three brief episodes the first month. For the past 100 days, the medication seems to be doing its job: I've had no AFib episode and I've been able to exercise with no problems. I'm at a level just below what I was able to do before I first noticed AFib--3.5 to 4 miles of running a couple of days a week plus brisk walking or run/walking for another three days a week. I can keep my heart rate in the 130s for 40 minutes or so.

[fmctaggart]

Oops, I meant to write "I am now up to 75 days" rather than "not up to 75 days."