Side effects of Afib medication

[Guest guest]

My wife is now on her fourth medication for Afib. Tylenol produced

slurred speech and inability to pronounce words. Atenelol resulted in

depressin so severe that she wished to die. Tiazac after two weeks

caused rash over whole body. Now she is taking Verapamil and we are

waiting to see what happens. Is this a typical pattern or is she

having a unique reaction? Kdcs2

[Guest guest]

I tried three meds that I could not tolerate before finding Flecainide -

some of them put me in the hospital - one my heart rate went

wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too low - another make my asthma worse (hard to breathe).

I could not tolerate Verapamil - I sure do wish her the best. Good luck and

God Bless.

Debbie in Texas

>

>Reply-To: AFIBsupport

>To: AFIBsupport

>Subject: Side effects of Afib medication

>Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:13:40 -0000

>

>My wife is now on her fourth medication for Afib. Tylenol produced

>slurred speech and inability to pronounce words. Atenelol resulted in

>depressin so severe that she wished to die. Tiazac after two weeks

>caused rash over whole body. Now she is taking Verapamil and we are

>waiting to see what happens. Is this a typical pattern or is she

>having a unique reaction? Kdcs2

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Have you guys considered just stopping all meds?

I convinced my cardio to take me off meds and use 300mg of Flec to convert

when A-fib does return.

So far I have converted 2 times with the Flec and 4 times with cardioversion

in the ER. These are some heavy weight drugs they give us for A-fib and it

always comes back anyway!

Has anyone on these boards found a drug that prevented A-fib for more then a

couple of months?

d m dm365@...> wrote:

I tried three meds that I could not tolerate before finding Flecainide -

some of them put me in the hospital - one my heart rate went

wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too low - another make my asthma worse (hard to breathe).

I could not tolerate Verapamil - I sure do wish her the best. Good luck and

God Bless.

Debbie in Texas

>

>Reply-To: AFIBsupport

>To: AFIBsupport

>Subject: Side effects of Afib medication

>Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:13:40 -0000

>

>My wife is now on her fourth medication for Afib. Tylenol produced

>slurred speech and inability to pronounce words. Atenelol resulted in

>depressin so severe that she wished to die. Tiazac after two weeks

>caused rash over whole body. Now she is taking Verapamil and we are

>waiting to see what happens. Is this a typical pattern or is she

>having a unique reaction? Kdcs2

>

>

>

>

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be

acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie

I have stopped all meds apart from Warfarin (because I had a TIA and

risk of stroke is that much greater) however although I have bouts of

afib everyday My BP is on the low side of normal average 100/65. Tried

sotalol until my heart went very slow and needed a PM, amioderone,

atenelol, and flecainide none of them worked just gave me side effects

to cope with as well as the afib.

ine

Side effects of Afib medication

>Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:13:40 -0000

>

>My wife is now on her fourth medication for Afib. Tylenol produced

>slurred speech and inability to pronounce words. Atenelol resulted in

>depressin so severe that she wished to die. Tiazac after two weeks

>caused rash over whole body. Now she is taking Verapamil and we are

>waiting to see what happens. Is this a typical pattern or is she

>having a unique reaction? Kdcs2

>

>

>

>

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or

should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

WRT stopping all meds: I did that on my own, and have ended up with chronic

a-fib. So please don't try it without a doctor's supervision.

Side effects of Afib medication

>Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:13:40 -0000

>

>My wife is now on her fourth medication for Afib. Tylenol produced

>slurred speech and inability to pronounce words. Atenelol resulted in

>depressin so severe that she wished to die. Tiazac after two weeks

>caused rash over whole body. Now she is taking Verapamil and we are

>waiting to see what happens. Is this a typical pattern or is she

>having a unique reaction? Kdcs2

>

>

>

>

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or

should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

> (snip)

> Has anyone on these boards found a drug that prevented A-fib for

more then a couple of months?

>

Hello Kwelname,

I suffer from familial, and mostly vagal, a-fib. Had short, occasional,

self-terminating episodes all my life --- but was not diagnosed until

episodes became almost monthly at age 57. Flecainide has been very

successful for me. After an electro cardioversion in June 2003 I went 8

months in NSR. After electro-cardioversion in Feb 2004, I went 14

months in NSR. I had a self-terminating 36-hour episode in April 2005,

and have been in the 10-months NSR since then. So, yes -- I have found

a drug (flecainide) that works for me (and with minimal side-effects).

, Charlotte NC

NSR for 10 months on flecainide 150mg x2, magnesium oxide 250mg, fish

oil concentrate 1000mg x2, aspirin 325mg, diovan 160mg

[Guest guest]

Interesting, thank you.

I have been avoiding the drugs but the ER always insists on trying to convert

me with Flec before giving me the 150 joules.

I may have to rethink my stubborness.

sinusrhythm58 NavyGoat@...> wrote:

> (snip)

> Has anyone on these boards found a drug that prevented A-fib for

more then a couple of months?

>

Hello Kwelname,

I suffer from familial, and mostly vagal, a-fib. Had short, occasional,

self-terminating episodes all my life --- but was not diagnosed until

episodes became almost monthly at age 57. Flecainide has been very

successful for me. After an electro cardioversion in June 2003 I went 8

months in NSR. After electro-cardioversion in Feb 2004, I went 14

months in NSR. I had a self-terminating 36-hour episode in April 2005,

and have been in the 10-months NSR since then. So, yes -- I have found

a drug (flecainide) that works for me (and with minimal side-effects).

, Charlotte NC

NSR for 10 months on flecainide 150mg x2, magnesium oxide 250mg, fish

oil concentrate 1000mg x2, aspirin 325mg, diovan 160mg

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be

acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

I'm into my 6th year of NSR on Dofetilide after a history of permanent

Afib back in 2000 and long before before. BTW absolutely no side

effects!

Ellen

*********************

-- In AFIBsupport , Kwelname wrote:

(snip) Has anyone on these boards found a drug that prevented A-fib

for more then a couple of months?

*********************

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen

I have tried 4 meds including Amerdione and Flecainide, no one has

suggested Dofetilide, and it sounds like it works for you. I think I am

heading for permanent Afib, it was 52% at last pacing check so I think I

am going to have to take something.

ine

Re: Side effects of Afib medication

I'm into my 6th year of NSR on Dofetilide after a history of permanent

Afib back in 2000 and long before before. BTW absolutely no side

effects!

Ellen

*********************

-- In AFIBsupport , Kwelname wrote:

(snip) Has anyone on these boards found a drug that prevented A-fib

for more then a couple of months?

*********************

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or

should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

Hi ine: Keep in mind there are other members in our group that have

tried Dofetilide and have not been as successful. Its just another reminder

that one size does not fit all. It has been absolutely wonderful for me.

I never thought in a million years that it would last this many years for me

~~ but it has. My only wish is that it holds on until Ablations are a wee

bit (or maybe a lot a bit) more advanced.

Also, back in 2000, I was having four second pauses - and I now have a

Pacemaker.

Ellen

**********************************

>

> Hi Ellen

> I have tried 4 meds including Amerdione and Flecainide, no one has

> suggested Dofetilide, and it sounds like it works for you.(snip) I think I

> am going to have to take something. ine

**********************************

------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen

I was having 5 second pauses in 2002 that's why I had a pacemaker; I

still blame the sotalol, although I had a TIA I had very little symptoms

before. I really don't want to have a AV node ablation, I am concerned

that because I have a pacemaker in place that the doctors would want to

perform that option, it seams so final and I am only 46. Things are

that much behind in the UK so I may have to wait that much longer.

There is more interest in ablations since Tony Blair had one, but there

are only a handful of doctors that perform them.

My biggest problem with the meds is that it Is usually 3/4 months

between appointments with the cardiologist, my GP is possible more

knowledgeable that most really does not know about all the arrhythmia

drugs. I an seeing a new cardiologist at the end of next month.

ine

Hi ine: Keep in mind there are other members in our group that have

tried Dofetilide and have not been as successful. Its just another

reminder

that one size does not fit all. It has been absolutely wonderful for

me.

I never thought in a million years that it would last this many years

for me

~~ but it has. My only wish is that it holds on until Ablations are a

wee

bit (or maybe a lot a bit) more advanced.

Also, back in 2000, I was having four second pauses - and I now have a

Pacemaker.

------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I also had good luck with dofetilide, although not nearly like Ellen. I was 15

months in NSR with nary a missed beat or side effect. It stopped working quite

suddenly last fall, and now I'm on Rhythmol. Its keeping me steady, but makes

me feel like I have a perpetual hangover...I'm going for an ablation on Tuesday.

- Re: Side effects of Afib medication

I'm into my 6th year of NSR on Dofetilide after a history of permanent

Afib back in 2000 and long before before. BTW absolutely no side

effects!

Ellen

*********************

-- In AFIBsupport , Kwelname wrote:

(snip) Has anyone on these boards found a drug that prevented A-fib

for more then a couple of months?

*********************

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or

should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

Just before they came up with the Dofetilide in 2000, the EP was highly

recommending an AV NodeAblation, because half of his job was done with the

Pacemaker already in place. But even then, 6 years ago, the members of our

Group were adamant about the fact that once this procedure was done, there

was no reversing it. This would mean that I would be in permanent Afib, on

Coumadin the rest of my life, and more important, should a true cure come

down the road, I would be left in the dust. I told the EP - " No thank

you! " . I'm still holding out for the BIG CURE!

What do you think? Another five years? I'll only be 78 :-) Oh my!

Ellen

********************************************************************

Hi Ellen

I was having 5 second pauses in 2002 that's why I had a pacemaker; I

still blame the sotalol, although I had a TIA I had very little symptoms

before. I really don't want to have a AV node ablation, I am concerned

that because I have a pacemaker in place that the doctors would want to

perform that option, it seams so final and I am only 46. (snip)

***************************************

[Guest guest]

That's what I thought when it was suggested, two years ago I was 44 at

the time, with no chance of reversal I am just hoping for a better

alternative, from what I understand it is one of the oldest form of

ablations and convenient to do with patients that already have a

pacemaker in place, than you for your comments it has just made me feel

more confident about what I don't want, so my answer will be a definite

" NO THANK YOU " to a AV note ablation, however does anyone know if a PVI

is possible with a pacemaker or a maze procedure.

Re: Re: Side effects of Afib medication

Just before they came up with the Dofetilide in 2000, the EP was highly

recommending an AV NodeAblation, because half of his job was done with

the

Pacemaker already in place. But even then, 6 years ago, the members of

our

Group were adamant about the fact that once this procedure was done,

there

was no reversing it. This would mean that I would be in permanent Afib,

on

Coumadin the rest of my life, and more important, should a true cure

come

down the road, I would be left in the dust. I told the EP - " No thank

you! " . I'm still holding out for the BIG CURE!

What do you think? Another five years? I'll only be 78 :-) Oh my!

Ellen

********************************************************************

Hi Ellen

I was having 5 second pauses in 2002 that's why I had a pacemaker; I

still blame the sotalol, although I had a TIA I had very little symptoms

before. I really don't want to have a AV node ablation, I am concerned

that because I have a pacemaker in place that the doctors would want to

perform that option, it seams so final and I am only 46. (snip)

***************************************