Guest guest Posted March 8, 2003 Report Share Posted March 8, 2003 Hi All This is a follow up to the message below. The method is working just fine. It has enabled me to drop the Diltiazem 120CD (time release) completely and only use 60mg every six hours when I go into a-fib. This has lifted the zombie like trance that I was in taking the stuff daily. I still get A-Fib every 10-27 days as before but now feel much better and more in control. The 60mg doses are not time release by the way and take about 2 hours to kick in. The A-Fib is usually gone in 12-18 hours. ciao > Hi All > > Today I am coming off daily Diltiazem 120CD (time release) and only > going to use 60mg every six hours when I go into a-fib. > > My AP has sanctioned this experiment. He says it is safe. I am doing > this because continuous use of the 120CD is slowing me down too much. > It makes doing my Nordic Trac ski machine exercises harder to get to > my target heart rate as one example. > > Normally I get a-fib every 2-3 weeks and it last usually less than 24 > hours. Without the diltiazem my heart rate goes up to 150bpm, very > uncomfortable! > > Keep you posted. > > ciao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2003 Report Share Posted March 8, 2003 Hi, I'm curious as to whether you are on coumadin since you are going into a-fib every 27 days? If not, doesn't your EP think you could develop blood clots during the a-fib episodes? Have you and EP considered an anti-arrhythmic, like tikosyn, so that you do not have a-fib at all? Just wondering.. Cheryl <SNIP> It has enabled me to drop the Diltiazem 120CD (time release) > completely and only use 60mg every six hours when I go into a-fib. <SMIP> I still get A-Fib every 10-27 days <SNIP> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2003 Report Share Posted March 9, 2003 Hi Yes, I am on Coumadin. I was on sotalol, but like all anti- arrhythmics it lost its effect eventually. I can handle my present situation, and will continue since the anti-arrhythmics scare the hell out of me. Waiting for the cure. Regards O > <SNIP> > It has enabled me to drop the Diltiazem 120CD (time release) > > completely and only use 60mg every six hours when I go into a- fib. > <SMIP> > I still get A-Fib every 10-27 days > <SNIP> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2003 Report Share Posted March 9, 2003 O., What about the anti-arrhythmics scare the hell out of you? I am new to this afib situation and the EP put me on Flecainide. She said it was " safe " . I am also on Atenolol. Should I be worried about the Flecainide? Also, once you stopped the anti-arrhythmics did the afib become worse or about the same? Thanks, Re: Pill in the Pocket Hi Yes, I am on Coumadin. I was on sotalol, but like all anti- arrhythmics it lost its effect eventually. I can handle my present situation, and will continue since the anti-arrhythmics scare the hell out of me. Waiting for the cure. Regards O > <SNIP> > It has enabled me to drop the Diltiazem 120CD (time release) > > completely and only use 60mg every six hours when I go into a- fib. > <SMIP> > I still get A-Fib every 10-27 days > <SNIP> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2003 Report Share Posted March 9, 2003 Hi , Glad to hear you are on coumadin. Tikosyn is a totally different anti-arrhythmic compared to sotalol which is in the beta blocker family of drugs. I had trouble with my beta blocker, toprol and tried atenolol that caused immediate shortness of breath, so that is why I have tikosyn. So many, including Ellen, have been fib free for years on tikosyn. There is really nothing to be scared of. The worst that could happen is when one is in the hospital being monitored for the first 6 doses. If QT wave starts lengthening too much, they will catch it before it becomes harmful and reduce dose or stop the medicine. And, the chance of sudden death....well all of the anti-arrhythmics have that MINUTE possibility and it is usually in people with other heart problems. Again, that is why you are in the hospital when the drug is given so that a team can revive you if that MINUTE occurance happens. Afterwards, there are a list of symptoms that one is given to watch for and if they occur, get to ER. Never had any of the symptoms yet. I'm just so glad to be fib free that I want everyone to experience life like that! Cheryl ><SNIP> ....since the anti-arrhythmics scare the hell out of me. Regards O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 Hi The one thing I know from this group is that everyone is different. I know they work for some. I don't like fooling around with drugs and like to keep things to a minimum. I can handle my current regime and just don't want to fool around anymore until something comes along that really works. The A-Fib is no worse now than it was before, I know what to expect and I know how to stop it with minumum drugs. It usually stops after 2 pills and I can't remember ever having to take a third. Hey whatever works for you that you can live with, go for it. ciao > O., > > What about the anti-arrhythmics scare the hell out of you? I am new to this afib situation and the EP put me on Flecainide. She said it was " safe " . I am also on Atenolol. Should I be worried about the Flecainide? Also, once you stopped the anti-arrhythmics did the afib become worse or about the same? > Thanks, > > Re: Pill in the Pocket > > Waiting for the cure. > > Regards O > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 , I apologize for trying to convince you to consider another anti- arrhythmic. If you are happy having a-fib episodes, then I should not have interferred by suggesting a solution that might make you be fib free. Silly me, I thought most anyone would jump at the chance to be fib free. >SNIP> > Hey whatever works for you that you can live with, go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 HI, I am just curious what pill you take that can be taken not every day, but only when your episode comes up? I am really new to this and just trying to understand. I take Flecainide (100 mg. 1x a day) and Atenolol (25 mg. 1x a day). I also take on my own 750 mg. of magnesium every day. I'm wondering why the dr. placed me on Flecainide without any monitoring at all. I have never been hospitalized. I am 42 years old and the dr. also tells me aspirin is sufficient in my case and Coumadin not indicated. Re: Pill in the Pocket > > Waiting for the cure. > > Regards O > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2003 Report Share Posted March 11, 2003 I guess that it all depends on your point of view. In chronic a-fib, at least you don't worry about what you eat, or if something is going to put you in a-fib, you just go on with your life, and forget about it. I realize that this might be a different point to make, but after reading all the AFFIRM, and RACE studies, and their follow-ups, and having tried and knowing most of the side effects of various class III drugs, I think that losing some weight, and exercising regular, and watching your diet makes all the difference in the world. There is just something about putting scar tissue in your heart, and burning holes in places and spaces, that does not appeal to me. I have looked for a study on the future effects of hardening of those scars, and can't find any, but maybe time will tell. I have seen lungs which have been seared,by smoke and heat and some of those from smokers, all hardened and black, and very brittle, is it like that.??? Walt, trying to find a better way for me, in SC I apologize for trying to convince you to consider another anti- arrhythmic. If you are happy having a-fib episodes, then I should not have interferred by suggesting a solution that might make you be fib free. Silly me, I thought most anyone would jump at the chance to be fib free. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 But, what drug are we talking about here?? There must be a special drug for this type of treatment. Some drugs you must take for a while to build up in your system, for them to be of any service to the problem. What is the name of the " Pill - in - Pocket " ??? thanks, Tink > It means you only take a medicine when you are having or think you > may have an attack, as opposed to all the time. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 > But, what drug are we talking about here?? There must be a special drug > for this type of treatment. Some drugs you must take for a while to build > up in your system, for them to be of any service to the problem. What is > the name of the " Pill - in - Pocket " ??? thanks, Tink > Tink, I think this is various meds. I add on extra toprol xl when in a problem although I take a background dose all the time. I know others have mentioned various meds as pills in the pocket. Probably it is okay for some meds for some people, your doc could advise you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 I haven't followed this string, but it appears that you are asking about pills that can be taken just when in afib. Today, my EP has agreed that I can stop toprol, so she gave me a RX for inderal to take if I go into a-fib to control the rate. She said I can take 1 every 2 hours to keep heart rate under control. > > But, what drug are we talking about here?? There must be a > special drug > > for this type of treatment. <SNIP> > > > > Tink, I think this is various meds. I add on extra toprol xl when in > a problem although I take a background dose all the time. I know > others have mentioned various meds as pills in the pocket. Probably > it is okay for some meds for some people, your doc could advise you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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