medicine

Anyone on Multaq? If so what is your experience? I am on Sotalol but it is not working so doctor now wants to switch to Multaq.

9 Comments

thank you

by nat36 - 2010-11-05 01:11:30

I have been doing some research and it seems that most people have had issues with it. SInce it is such a hard process to change meds I think I may just not do it. I'm really on the fence about it, but the doctor said this or a complete sinus ablation which is risky because my nerves sit on my heart so I could end up on a respirator.

multag

by franko1966 - 2010-11-05 07:11:12

did not work for me also tried tikosyn,that did not wok either gave me fast poundin hear rates

thank you

by nat36 - 2010-11-05 07:11:45

That seems to be the concensus! I am really leaning toward sticking with what I'm on. thank you!

didn't like it!

by mereiriz - 2010-11-05 11:11:37

It was awful! Gave me chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. It didn't help with my arrhythmias, so I only used it for a few weeks.

sinus node ablation

by mereiriz - 2010-11-08 04:11:59

After trying most of the meds on the market and different ablations I tried the sinus node ablation. First, it was a modification, and then I went to the full ablation via thoracotomy (open surgery). That way, the nerve was not an issue. Unfortunately, it only worked for about a year and now I'm back with my arrhythmias and my megadoses of medications!

Oh my goodness!

by nat36 - 2010-11-08 06:11:37

Mereiriz,

That is awful! So you have an issue with where your nerve is located also? They suggested open heart surgery and you did it and then it came back? Well I have decided I am just not doing anything. What is the prognosis if you can't get it under control? Has anyone told you that? So sorry you have to go through all that! What medicine are you currently taking and how do you live with it all? Day by day like me, I guess!

Meredith

by nat36 - 2010-11-11 09:11:03

Wow, I am sorry you are having to deal with all that. My situation is similar although some differences. I am older than you (38) and I have been dealing with this since I was pregnant with my son who is fourteen. I got a heart infection which caused the arrhythmias. Since then I have been dealing with fast heart rates almost constant. Then I started having slow heart rates and pauses, etc. The doctor said maybe if we can get the constant fast rate under control it will help the slow also. So I did a sinus node modification which paralyzed my diaphragm. Two weeks later I had to get a pacemaker because the rates had dropped too low. Since then my fast rates have come back and I have developed more arrythmias. I have tried almost every medicine and like you I am on sotalol now. It is not working which is why the doctor recommended we try a last drug which was the Multaq. I opted to stay on the Sotalol after reading about the Multaq. I am currently taking three 80mg a day of sotalol and it is not working. I don't know what to do and also like you I worry about the risks of staying this way long term. Are you on a blood thinner?

failed ablation

by mereiriz - 2010-11-11 10:11:29

For most people undergoing sinus node modification/ablation, the phrenic nerve is an issue, because it normally sits on the right side of the heart. As you may know, it controls the diaphragm (main muscle of respiration). When we tried the first ablations they couldn't do what they were supposed to because of that. So, we decided to go for open surgery. That way, they could move away the nerve and have full access to the right atrium and right ventricle. I knew it was risky and painful, but it gave me hope, so I tried it. I had my pacemaker implantation first and a few months later they did the ablation. I went out of the hospital being 100% paced atrially (60 beats per minute most of the time). I really felt awesome for a while. Then, it slowly came back. Now I'm back at 200 beats per minute.

Unfortunately, in my case the prognosis isn't so good. I'm 27 and I've been living with this since I was a little kid. The doctors say that I might end up with heart failure or cardiac insufficiency or, if for any reason a clot forms inside my heart, during one of the arrhythmias it could go to my brain, lungs, kidneys, etc. That's why we're being so aggressive with this. I'm a medical student, I'm married and I want to lead a normal life. I want to be able to practice medicine and have a baby. So, the next step is probably AV node ablation. That would make me 100% PM dependent at atria and ventricles, but it could bring a difference. At the moment, I'm thinking about it.

Right now I'm taking Sotalol, which for me works better than most other medications. But obviously is not enough. How do I live with this? Honestly, I don't know. I feel like life is passing me by and I'm not being part of it. That's why I need a change! Maybe someday...

What about you? What's your specific situation?

Best wishes,
Meredith

no blood thinner

by mereiriz - 2010-11-13 08:11:09

I'm not on a blood thinner because I don't have atrial fibrillation, so the possibility of developing a clot is minimal. I'm only taking the Sotalol right now.

Yesterday I went to see the doctor and decided to go for the AV node ablation. He says it's the only option I have right now to solve the problem and be able to get pregnant. I'll have it on Dec 17. Fortunately, this will be in my country (Puerto Rico). For the other ones I had to travel to Tampa, Miami and lately to Cleveland. Let's hope this is the last one!

I hope you find an option soon too. Please keep in touch.

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