Glad you are doing better and found a new EP. I take the Tikosyn, getting loaded in the hospital is not that bad other than being bored.........

Good luck, Paul:
Hope ur visit goes well! U sound to be doing well. Hope u find the right med. I am on Sotalol and now that I am used to it am doing better. I also take Warfarin. Don 't like MEDS but was told this is the safest for me. Helps control b.p.too. I have been using Resparate for a few weeks and my b.p. has been good. I stress and worry a lot about everything so am trying to get this under control.
Let us know what happens? I still wonder why people get ablations when reading the posts the a- fib seems to return and have to take med again.
Have a good weekend - believe u live in N.J. GO BRONCHOS!!!!
Hugs
CHRISTINE

Hi Paul: Good luck with the new EP. Glad to read that almost all the lightheadness is gone and you are back on the road (driving). I will be interested to read your updates regarding your converation with new EP regarding rhythm control medication. I have only tried 2 (Flec and Rhythmol), however, neither were right for me. The next drug that was proposed to me was Sotalol, however, I opted for rate control and never tried it. Take care, Carrie

Hi Paul, I've been on Multaq for rhythm control for a little over a year. I'm also on diltiazem and lisinopril for rate control (and,of course, Xarelto). It took a couple attempts to get used to the Multaq, but I finally did it. The real downside is that Multaq is terribly expensive, but, so far, I haven't had problems with it. Possibly another option for you to discuss with the EP.
Take care,

Cheryl

Thanks Cheryl:
The cost is not a big issue for me, I have excellent insurance, so the costs of non-generic drugs like Multaq and Tikosyn, would be contained. The bigger issues are side effects. I have read that amiodarone has the worst side effects of all the drugs and that Multaq was developed as amiodarone with less side effects. But these side can still be a problem. What types of side effects have you had with Multaq?

Initially I had gastrointestinal problems. I called the cardiologist and was told to try it again. I did, and, so far, things are okay. I dislike taking all these drugs - I'm sure I don't have the energy I had before, but I guess there's not much of an alternative. Let us know what you decide to to try.

I took Tikosyn before my first ablation. 3 days in the hospital. I was in afib when I started the med and before the end of the first 24 hours I converted to NSR. So, everyone said " Hey, I guess Tikosyn works for you.". Couple months later afib came back. I wish there was a better way to find out if a med will work. Good luck in your search. I think I will be looking for a rhythm control drug soon. It will be interesting to hear what info you receive from your new EP.
Take care

Paul and Bar 23, Whatever you take do NOT take Amiodarone! When I had my first attack. in March of last year, they kept trying different meds in the drip, but no--one told me that I was taking Amiodarone.
I was scheduled for Cardioversion and was taken down for the Anesthesiologist to give me Profanol (sp?) Michael Jackson Drug!! They checked with a scope to make sure no blood clots around heart and when I opened my eyes and asked if it worked, they all laughed and said we didn't need to shock you, as soon as we gave you the sedation (I was totally out), your heart went back into rythym. I went home the next a.m. and one of the meds was the amiodarone, still didn't know its reputation, diltiazem and coumadin. The Cardiologist said I don't want you to take this for longer than one month and decrease it gradually whiich was done. It tripled my TSH level - never had thyroid problems, always been normal. It kept going up and finally got to 14, now it is 8 and they are still waiting to see if it comes down further, as thyroid meds interfere with Warfarin levels. It just goes on and one. Anyhow for now, the sotalol seems to be working. I don't like taking drugs. Good luck Paul with the new E.P. and be smarter than I was - I did ask each time they gave me a pill, but apparently the amiodarone was in the drip with the diltiazem. I ALWAYS ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, but I was so new to a-fib and still basically am. This site has helped me so much. Had my INR done today and it is still too low, so have to up it. Last year when I took it for about 6 weeks before being switched to Aspirin - no problems.
Stay well, you guys and hugs.
Christine

Flecainide (Tambacor) and Rythmol (Propefanone) are typically the first pass anti-arrhythmics, since they have a pretty good safety profile. Many EP's let patients begin these medications at home. They are often prescribed with some beta blocker (e.g. metoprolol) for simultaneous rate control. Rythmol at 325 mg twice daily is not working well for me, so my EP is now recommending loading with Tikosyn at the hospital. But at the age of 36, I may just live with a-fib until I get the peace of mind needed to attempt a second ablation.

So Tikosyn loading isn't that bad???

I've also read about 2 new anti-arrhythmics in early clinical trials with good safety profiles and efficacy, so there may be some new options in the coming years.

I am also still amazed at how well my benzo, Klonipin at just 0.5 mg, takes care of my paroxysmal a-fib. There is one study out of Russia showing efficacy of Klonopin in converting a-fib but it is not discussed much here in the US. It is my most effective pill-in-pocket , especially when used with metoprolol.

One of the new drugs approved overseas is Vernakalant: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24108230

I'm recuperating from a concussion, so can't read much on the computer. Just wanted to put my 2 cents in. I took sotolol, made me feel really sick, rundown, lethargic. When they backed off on the dose, the A fib came back. I took Tikosyn and that was the only one I didn't have manyside effects on. The load in the hospital was boring, but not bad. It didn't work for me, however. There are MANY drugs you can't take with it, so be aware. I took amio, it worked but the side effects are too scary. They are not for a younger person to be on. Good luck!

Thanks for the input Heart:
Yep, we're all different. These drugs are definitely a crap shoot. Flec has a lot of positive votes here, but who knows what my body will do with it. And Tikosyn seems to be rather effective with minimal side effects. We all agree that amio is a nasty drug. I see the new doc in a week.

"Flecainide (Tambacor) and Rythmol (Propefanone) are typically the first pass anti-arrhythmics, since they have a pretty good safety profile. Many EP's let patients begin these medications at home. They are often prescribed with some beta blocker (e.g. metoprolol) for simultaneous rate control"

Sean a beta blocker is prescribed for Flec or Rythmol to prevent 1:1 conduction because they can be pro arrhythmic. You don't want your ventricles beating at 300 bpm !.

McHale

They are safe as long as you don't have any coronary heart disease!


McHale

Hi Paul,

I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming appointment. When I was initially diagnosed I went to 3 eps for treatment advice because I wanted to get diverse opinions.

I gave each ep the same data ekg, stress, holter, echo and blood tests. I got 3 different recommendations. One ep recommended rhythm control (rythmol) or ablation, a second ep said ablation and a third said that when the symptoms bother me enough to get an ablation. All 3 agreed on aspirin that my cardiologist had prescribed.

I am sure you can find an ep that will support your desire for rhythm control.

I am very happy to hear than you are improving from your stroke.

opsyn