Multaq Anyone Else Take It (Page 5)
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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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REPORT

A couple of other points.

Multaq slowed down my heart rate dramatically (near 40), and decreased my exercise tolerance. After being on it for several months post cardioversion, I started a half dose 2x daily. This improved the rate and exercise problem, and still helped maintain NSR.

I forgot to mention that an attempt was made prior to my first successful cardioversion to let the multaq convert me to nsr on its own. It did not.

Please keep in mind that everyone is different, and like any med, your mileage may vary.

Also, be very wary about taking multaq and pradaxa together. Do a web search - multaq can dramatically increase the blood levels and dangerous side effects of pradaxa - I know from experience. THE SAME IS TRUE for Zocor (simvistatin) and multaq, and perhaps other drugs as well. In fact, there is a list of 274 MAJOR drug interactions with multaq.

It's no wonder multaq use is questioned by many.

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Hi everyone just checking back in. I see a lot of new posters among the "old timers".

Been a year and a half since my last afib episode.and I've been off of multaq and all other meds for over a year now.

I attribute my lack of episode recurrences to the following:

Losing 50 pounds

Total alcohol abstinence

250 mg Magnesium daily

Aerobic swimming 5 or more times a week (but not to excess - about a half mile per session).

For me multaq's main benefit was the use before and after cardioversion. After several unsuccessful cardioversions, utilizing multaq in the mix helped the cardioversion "stick". This tactic worked twice. Once three years ago, and a year and a half ago. I was afib free for a year and a half, until I had several brandies, some food that upset my stomach, and took an anti-inflammatory in one night. That combo caused some really bad GERD, and an afib episode followed. I'm firmly convinced that many cases of afib are related to GERD and vagus nerve responses.

For those of you struggling with afib, and are looking for more information, I recommend Dr. John Mandrola's blog. He covers many aspects of afib, exercise and cardiac issues in general. I've learned a lot there. He is NOT a fan of multaq.

Good luck to you all.

BTW, Pradaxa was a hellish drug for me - a switch to Xarelto was a godsend when I was on anticoagulants.

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I am on my second day of Multaq..the first pill really elevated my BP and HR..the second pill a little less..today's dosage seems to be better..my numbers appear to be returning to normal..didn't see that in the list of side effects..I have been spending some time questioning the risk vs benefit of taking all the drugs..I'm okay with my doctor but he's really no different than anyone else..he has no skin in the game and I get that..

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Anxiety is Huge and is definatley one of my triggers. I'm on my second week of Multaq and I think I am getting used to it. But my heart rate is feeling more regular than when I first started taking it. I wish you the best of luck!

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Hi FinnGirl..since I am new to this condition (afib flutter) and now taking Multaq and Eliquis I decided to participate on this site..I certainly follow my doctor's instructions but I think it is important to share information and concerns with folks who live with heart conditions..I have spoken to my doctor about ablation..he thinks I would benefit from the procedure..with that in mind I was under the impression that following 3 months post procedure these medications could be eliminated..It appears you are still on the meds..would appreciate your input..thanks

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I hope the change in medication works for you..it's absolutely disgraceful the prices they charge for lifesaving medication..I just had my first ever episode of atrial flutter about a month ago (i'm 65) so this is all new to me..fortunately for me I have a really good retirement medical/prescription plan and got the Multaq for a $25 co=pay..there certainly is a lot of anxiety associated with these conditions and it seems to be the one area the doctors seem to ignore..today will be my first dose..I will keep you in my thoughts..feel free to update me on your condition..

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I start my first ever dose in about two hours..I was diagnosed with CHF four years ago..ICD implanted..no issues until a month ago..a-flutter..ICD shock 10 times in over 30 mins...hospitalized for several days and put on eliquis and sotalol..side effects from sotalol were horrendous..dr took me off immediately..I sure hope the multaq doesn't give me the same side effects...wish me luck

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I have been on Multag since Jan. 2014. I was previously on propafenone 325 mg but the doc changed it. I have medicare and AARP and when I went to get the Multag filled this week, they informed me that my co-pay was $171. I had previously been paying $45. When I checked with AARP they informed me that I was in the gap period and until I had spent $4550, I would continue to pay the higher price. I am in the process of asking my doc to put me back on the propafenone, as I have not seen any difference in my afib with the change of prescription. There is no generic for Multag at the moment..........

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I have Supra ventricular tachycardia. I am 72 yrs. old. My ablation last one 4/12 yrs. ago was done radio frequency .......the new machine.....Drs. are in the other room.

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Anyone out there......what is the longest time that you have used Amiodarone?
I used it about 11 years ago for 3+ years until the drug did not work any longer.
This is my second time using it. I am currently taking 200mg twice daily.

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I took Multaq for 4+ years until it did not work for me anymore. Multaq was the best drug from all I have taken. ( Flecanaide, Amiodarone, Rythmol, Sotalol) I am back on Amiodarone which I took 11 years ago, I am scared of taking it! Too many side effects. I have had 2 ablations. I am also at the end of my rope......may be another ablation. My last one was a disaster, very close call with internal bleeding.
Good luck to you....try the Multaq, I think you will like it. I always had blood work every 6 mos. to watch my liver etc.

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I just started Multaq a few days ago and I don't like it already. My dr took off of Zebeta so now my BP is going up and my PACs are almost constant . How long does it take for Multaq to work? Has anyone taken Zebeta with it??

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Fin girl, I am so sorry that the ablation did not work for you.Which ones did you have and when were they both performed. If I may ask what age are you and what type of A Fib do you have? All this stuff is scary when it is related to your heart. It is the uncertainty of it all. Medicines leave you feeling fatigued or dizzy. You are trying to do everything right but still have the episodes. My family lives out of state so when we visit, I take my medicines plus bp monitor because I have hypertension also. Any where you visit, you have to know the route to the nearest hospital in case of an emergency. It all just gets very tiring and frustrating. We just have to keep pressing on and hope for the best. I kept trying to find a local A Fib support group here in South Carolina but did not find one. I am glad I found this site. You know that someone understands what you are going through. I hope that things will improve for you. I know that we have a greater purpose in life than to be chained to A Fib.

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SCMEE MAW
Thank you for your answer. I have had two ablations, last one before I was put on Multaq. That ablation almost killed me, internal bleeding in the cardiac sack, lungs. This became total emergency. Now, since Mu;ltaq does not work, I am back on Amiodarone (Pacerone). I can not stay on this very long. The drug called Tikasyn is the one you have to be hospitalized for 3 days. That has been mentioned to me, but it does not always work. Also AV node ablation with pacemaker....that totally scared me! This would be the last resort. Wires to your heart are cut, so that you do not feel the AF. One would be totally dependent on the Pacemaker. I live in Tucson, Az. there is a Heart Hosp. in Austin, Texas where they specialize in difficult cases like mine. However, another ablation could be done also here. I am thinking of going back to Sotalol, it did not work totally, but may be they can add something else with it.

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Finngirl, I have been on Multaq for four years and it is no longer working for me. I saw my electro physiologist yesterday. He told me there was another ryythmic drug he could use but you have to go to the hospital for three days to be monitored if you switch meds. I decided I wanted a better quality of life and am tired of all these drugs. I have paroxysmal A Fib. He told me that is harder on the body than chronic A Fib because of it going in and out instead of it being constant with chronic A Fib which your body gets use to it. He also stated you had a higher risk of stroke with Paroxysmal A Fib especially if you take Warfarin which I am currently on. He switched me to Eliquis. We decided on the ablation route for me. Scheduled for early December. He is already booked four months out already. Dr. Wharton for those who live in South Carolina, practices at the Medical University of SC in Charleston. He does the Radio Frequency procedure with an 85% success rate versus the other types of procedures with lower percentages.. I will turn 65 in November and will have Medicare plus commercial insurance. He told me without any insurance the cost would be around $110,000 for the procedure. I chose December so my Medicare would be in effect and I would not have to pay so much out of pocket. As with any procedure there are risks involved, he told me a chance of having a stroke is less than 1%. Well currently with A Fib you have five times greater chance of having a stroke. So the odds with the ablation look pretty promising to me. It is an individual choice for everyone. I will update everyone after I have the procedure done. For now I am staying on the Multaq, I have only had two A Fib episodes this month. So I am going to try to hang in with the Multaq until I have the procedure done. Good luck and God Bless everyone.

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I was on Multaq for 4+ years. It worked great. The best drug of all I have been on. But after 4+ years it became in effective.

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go the the mfg website, great discount voucher you can use at any pharmacy.

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I am on multaq 400mg xdaily,can't no longer afford it; checking in with a Canadian pharmacy, it is much cheaper; how can I trust if I am getting the same drug. Please advise, my heart is number one in my life. Thanks.

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Bill, I'm glad to hear that. I was wondering if I am putting myself at risk but I feel fine. It's been 5 months since my last episode with the 1/2 tab 2xday. I'm also on Xarelto which I like becasue it's so small and don't need frequent follow ups. Best part is with the Xarelto savings card from the mfg. and my insureance, I only pay $10.00 a month for it

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My doctor agreed for me to keep taking the 1/2 multaq tab 2 times daily after i gave him the same report as you. I have been on the half dose for a year and it is much better for my health and stamina and only two brief episodes when i overexerted or forgot it altogether. I am thinking about trying 1/2 tab each day; but only if the doctor agrees.

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