question for those on Rhythmol (or on it in the past)

[Guest guest]

after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider switching from Tikosyn

to Rhythmol.

If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would appreciate a response

with the following information.

1.) was it started in the hospital

2.) did it work

3.) what were the side effects

4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

thanks tons of bunches!

Stef

[Guest guest]

1.) was it started in the hospital - nope

> 2.) did it work..two episodes both uner 18 hours in last calendar

year as compared to monthly 30 hour episoded prior.

> 3.) what were the side effects -fatigue in the beginning...mindf

depression but is seemed to go away after a couple weeks.

> 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not N/A

fred Pressel Rythmol 225SR X2, Toprol 50mg X1 daily

...ativan PRN

>

> after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider switching

from Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

>

> If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would

appreciate a response with the following information.

>

> 1.) was it started in the hospital

> 2.) did it work

> 3.) what were the side effects

> 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

>

> thanks tons of bunches!

>

> Stef

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I tried rhythmol very briefly last fall. I started it as an outpatient. First

I had a pill in the pocket arrangement. I take Cardizem LA 360 mg once a day.

I have usually brief episodes of afib that I can usually get to stop by

breathing and relaxing. These come and go through the day, more if I'm upset,

driving the car, lying on my left side, etc. They thought it would be good for

me to have those little episodes less. So they scaled back the cardizem to 240

per day and added some rhythmol twice a day. It was great for about a week,

very steady rhythm. Then I started having bouts of afib for a few hours in the

day, eventually overnight. Each episode was a little longer than the last.

Finally one Tuesday morning afib started and didn't stop for a week until I

stopped the rhythmol and went back to 360 mg of Cardizem. Rhythmol isn't for

me. Don't know why. I have to go back to cardiologist in early March, hope to

find out why rhythmol works in the wrong direction for me.

Doris

Quarter Acre Orchids quarteracreorchids@...> wrote:

after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider switching from

Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would appreciate a response

with the following information.

1.) was it started in the hospital

2.) did it work

3.) what were the side effects

4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

thanks tons of bunches!

Stef

[Guest guest]

I was place on Rythmol SR 225 in Sept of 2004 after trying Sotalol

at 3 different doses. I was not placed in the hospital to start it.

That ended up being the worst month of afib in my life. I was in

almost constant afib, the longest episode being 8 days. When I had a

short break , I was in sinus tach. Heart rate never got below 100. I

called EP several times, dosage was increased to 325 and still no

help. It was driving me nuts and wearing me out. I tried for the

month and said get me off this, it doesn't work at all. He then

placed me on Toprol XL and Flecainide. That didn't take it away

completely, but has done the best job of the three meds so far. Now,

when I get afib it lasts anywhere from 10 min to 2 hrs a couple

times /month. That is more tolerable for me. Flecainide gives me a

prolonged QT though. I've never been in the hospital to start any

new antiarrythmic.

Pam

>

> I tried rhythmol very briefly last fall. I started it as an

outpatient. First I had a pill in the pocket arrangement. I take

Cardizem LA 360 mg once a day. I have usually brief episodes of

afib that I can usually get to stop by breathing and relaxing.

These come and go through the day, more if I'm upset, driving the

car, lying on my left side, etc. They thought it would be good for

me to have those little episodes less. So they scaled back the

cardizem to 240 per day and added some rhythmol twice a day. It was

great for about a week, very steady rhythm. Then I started having

bouts of afib for a few hours in the day, eventually overnight.

Each episode was a little longer than the last. Finally one Tuesday

morning afib started and didn't stop for a week until I stopped the

rhythmol and went back to 360 mg of Cardizem. Rhythmol isn't for

me. Don't know why. I have to go back to cardiologist in early

March, hope to find out why rhythmol works in the wrong direction

for me.

>

> Doris

>

> Quarter Acre Orchids wrote:

> after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider

switching from Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

>

> If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would

appreciate a response with the following information.

>

> 1.) was it started in the hospital

> 2.) did it work

> 3.) what were the side effects

> 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

>

> thanks tons of bunches!

>

> Stef

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Doris - I actually started and it's been ok for a couple weeks now.. I

have had 4 very short runs of afib, which I never had on Tikosyn (until they

restarted in ernest), so it slightly concerne me that it's not going to be as

effective as Tikosyn, but the afib on Rhythmol is very " light " and short, so I

actually think it's better, despite these little breakthroughs.

I'm also having my ablation next Tuesday, so I'm hoping that three months

afterward, I'll be weened off for good. I'm also on 150mg atenelol and one of

these is making me VERY tired... actually it's not that I'm tired in that I

can't do things.. its' that I yawn all the time, and could take a nap at a

moments notice! Does make me sleep extrememly well, though!

Stef

Doris doris.med@...> wrote:

I tried rhythmol very briefly last fall. I started it as an outpatient.

First I had a pill in the pocket arrangement. I take Cardizem LA 360 mg once a

day. I have usually brief episodes of afib that I can usually get to stop by

breathing and relaxing. These come and go through the day, more if I'm upset,

driving the car, lying on my left side, etc. They thought it would be good for

me to have those little episodes less. So they scaled back the cardizem to 240

per day and added some rhythmol twice a day. It was great for about a week,

very steady rhythm. Then I started having bouts of afib for a few hours in the

day, eventually overnight. Each episode was a little longer than the last.

Finally one Tuesday morning afib started and didn't stop for a week until I

stopped the rhythmol and went back to 360 mg of Cardizem. Rhythmol isn't for

me. Don't know why. I have to go back to cardiologist in early March, hope to

find out why rhythmol works in the wrong direction for me.

Doris

Quarter Acre Orchids quarteracreorchids@...> wrote:

after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider switching from

Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would appreciate a response

with the following information.

1.) was it started in the hospital

2.) did it work

3.) what were the side effects

4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

thanks tons of bunches!

Stef

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/28/2006 10:46:13 A.M. Central Standard Time,

doris.med@... writes:

They thought it would be good for me to have those little episodes less. So

they scaled back the cardizem to 240 per day and added some rhythmol twice a

day. It was great for about a week, very steady rhythm. Then I started

having bouts of afib for a few hours in the day, eventually overnight. Each

episode was a little longer than the last. Finally one Tuesday morning afib

started and didn't stop for a week until I stopped the rhythmol and went back

to 360 mg of Cardizem. Rhythmol isn't for me. Don't know why. I have to go

back to cardiologist in early March, hope to find out why rhythmol works in

the wrong direction for me.

Hi Doris

I wish you could get in to see your cardio. earlier. It's frustrating to

have to wait so long. Rythmol did not work well for me either. When I was on

Rythmol I went to the ER one night to get cardioverted and they used a

Procainamide IV drip which always worked for me. Procainamide is the same type

antiarhythmic as Rythmol. They told me to stay on my medication schedule but I

failed to tell them that I took the Rythmol at night before bed.

When I got home we had something to eat and before bed I took my Rythmol. A

little later I had the worst afib attack I have ever had. My heart was really

pounding.

I don't really know, but I have always thought that it was caused by too

much of the drug.

If one has any heart disease most cardio's will not prescribe Rythmol

because it can cause very serious heart rhythm problems. I found out later that

I

have some heart disease so the extra dose that night may have been the

problem.

That is one of my Rythmol experiences.

Guy

[Guest guest]

Stef,

I have Lone A-Fib - have had an episode or two each year for 8

years. I started taking Rhythmol four years ago, and it has been a

great drug for me. Now if I do go into AF, it goes away in 24

hours. I am seriously considering ablation however, as I am sick of

even the 1 or 2 episodes per year though. I haven't had any side

effects from the drug itself.

Hope this helps!

NK

> Quarter Acre Orchids wrote:

> after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider

switching from Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

>

> If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would

appreciate a response with the following information.

>

> 1.) was it started in the hospital

> 2.) did it work

> 3.) what were the side effects

> 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

>

> thanks tons of bunches!

>

> Stef

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks NK - I've been on Rhythmol for about 3 weeks now... have daily headache,

but not too bad, and certainly tolerable.. not preferable, but tolerable.

Since starting I have had small episodes of afib rather frequently.. someone

else here coined the phrase " afib light " ... that's how I would refer to them..

just sort of mild and fleeting.. lasting a minute to maybe 10 at the most.

Last night was different... sitting just watching TV (Corpse Bride - kinda

cute) and bam.. into hard and fast afib... I could tell it wasn't going away by

itself. Faster than it's been in a while... between the 130s and 170s...

called the cardio on call and went off to the ER for cardioversion #7 in 5

months.

I have been fighting with Blue Cross of MA to approve my PVI scheduled for

this coming Tuesday.. they say I don't medically qualify as of two days ago...

not sure how many more times I have to be cardioverted before I qualify...

someone there has forgotten there is an actual living person on this end....

it's been quite ugly. I will point out to them today that last night brought

the 5 month total that BC has paid out on my behalf to about $28,000. Unless

they approve this procedure, I unfortunately do not see this figure remaining

steady.

Stef

nkohn1 nkohn1@...> wrote:

Stef,

I have Lone A-Fib - have had an episode or two each year for 8

years. I started taking Rhythmol four years ago, and it has been a

great drug for me. Now if I do go into AF, it goes away in 24

hours. I am seriously considering ablation however, as I am sick of

even the 1 or 2 episodes per year though. I haven't had any side

effects from the drug itself.

Hope this helps!

NK

> Quarter Acre Orchids wrote:

> after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider

switching from Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

>

> If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would

appreciate a response with the following information.

>

> 1.) was it started in the hospital

> 2.) did it work

> 3.) what were the side effects

> 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

>

> thanks tons of bunches!

>

> Stef

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Stef,

I tske rythmol, 225 mg 3 times/day, but I take it with cardizam.

My cardio claims that the combination works well together. I have

had two episodes since starting the combo in July, but I self

converted in 36 hours. My 2 previous episodes I needed to be

converted. The cardizam helps keep the rate down a bite when I do

go in to afib. It was staying about 120 - instead of the 130-170

like you describe

Kathy

> > after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider

> switching from Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

> >

> > If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would

> appreciate a response with the following information.

> >

> > 1.) was it started in the hospital

> > 2.) did it work

> > 3.) what were the side effects

> > 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

> >

> > thanks tons of bunches!

> >

> > Stef

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kathy - I took cardizem for a couple years to no avail... I'm on 150 mg

atenelol now for rate control... controls it quite nicely when I'm in rhythm,

but nothing much seems to help when I'm in afib. This is one of the mail reasons

my doctor has suggested the ablation... since my rate control is so poor.

A couple events ago I got a new ER doctor (didn't know the routine), and she

wanted to go the medication route to try to convert me (hasn't worked in 5 years

now), so she gave me IV digoxin and cardizem... that managed to get my afib down

into the 60s, but it wouldn't convert and within an hour of the IV I was back up

in the 100s and pushing higher as the minutes ticked by... it worked well for a

very short period of time, and then we did the cardioversion anyway.

If I have anymore afib on rhythmol and atenelol, I'll ask my cardio about

cardizem.. I didn't take it in combination with anything before.

Stef

Kathy funinsun29@...> wrote:

Stef,

I tske rythmol, 225 mg 3 times/day, but I take it with cardizam.

My cardio claims that the combination works well together. I have

had two episodes since starting the combo in July, but I self

converted in 36 hours. My 2 previous episodes I needed to be

converted. The cardizam helps keep the rate down a bite when I do

go in to afib. It was staying about 120 - instead of the 130-170

like you describe

Kathy

> > after 3 zaps this week, my Dr. would like me to consider

> switching from Tikosyn to Rhythmol.

> >

> > If you are on Rhythmol, or have ever been on it, I would

> appreciate a response with the following information.

> >

> > 1.) was it started in the hospital

> > 2.) did it work

> > 3.) what were the side effects

> > 4.) if you're no longer on it, why not

> >

> > thanks tons of bunches!

> >

> > Stef

> >

> >

> >