Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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DeeMR11 02/11/2012

Have a few questions.
Sometimes when I come to this site, I'm able to read all the discussions but blocked from adding a post. It's frustrating! Has anyone else had this problem?

I've been on Multaq nearly 4 months. It was ok at first but now it sometimes causes stomach pains which last about 10 min, or feel like I'm getting mild stomach flu for a few minutes and then the feeling leaves. Other times can't eat meat or hate the smell of it cooking. Has anyone else had this happen?
I had an ablation in Oct. and can go off Multaq in 5 weeks. Told EP Dr. at last appt. that Multaq seemed to dampen my appetite. He said that many of his patients mentioned this about Multaq. These side effects seem to be coming on slowly, and my gut feeling is that this is a bad time for me to change meds.

One last thought: My sister's Dr. told her last week that 30% of the population has A Fib. Are there really that many of us?!!
D.

katyreck 02/11/2012

I've taken Multaq for a year. When I was on the full dose 2 pills a day my appetite went and I had upper stomach pain on the right side. I've been on 1/2 twice a day and seem to be okay, so far no arrythmia other than normal pvc's.

pacyetep 02/11/2012

RN52 02/12/2012

I was on multaq for appproximatley a year. I never had any issues with loss of appetite or stomach pains. It really surprised me, because I usually have some kind of a side effect from most of the meds I have been tried on. I could not tolerate Pradaxa because of heartburn and upset stomach . Let us know how you do coming off of the multaq. I had some problems with skipped beats and increase in HR when I discontinued it in December. (I had cryoablation in June.) Things seem to be settling down now. Good luck!

deleted_user 02/12/2012

I read 9% in this mornings paper.....looks like there's a big difference in the % we are all seeing, but it does look like there is a large # of us.

pacyetep 02/12/2012

Send the link. I heard that number for over 80. They say everyone age 40 and over has a 25% risk of afib and it doesn't seem to make logical sense against the 2-3% numbers I have read about.

DeeMR11 02/12/2012

Thanks katyreck and RN52 for sharing your experiences with Multaq.
It's reassuring to know that the dosage could be lowered (if necessary) and still be effective. This is especially good to know if I end up needing Multaq for longer than the 5 weeks.
Since I'll be traveling 2-3 weeks, going to try to stay on the regular dose. My Dr. really doesn't want any changes in my meds until I get home.

Wonder what the real % of A Fib is?
Whatever it is, it's too high!!
D.

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