Anyone take new drug Camzyos (mavacamten) for HCM?

Posted by captainterry @captainterry, May 25, 2022

Since FDA approval in April has anyone (non-clinical trial patient) actually obtained a prescription and had it filled? If so, when and where was the cardiologist located? Is the registration process for doctor/patient/Rx taking a long time for this much anticipated drug?
Thanks from a fellow patient!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.

@jess51

I have on Camzyos for 2 -3 years now. It works really well for me at the 5mg dose. If I forget to take it I really notice the moment I go for a walk. The difference is huge. I have no side effects that I am aware of although I did for the first week or two. Just minor things, minor dizziness and some tingling in the legs. If I forget to take it becomes immediately obvious upon exertion. Hoping that it continues to be a solution for me.

Jump to this post

I was just diagnosed with HCM
And am thinking about ablation.
Does Camzyos make it better, or only relieve symptoms?

REPLY

Hello @mbi . Back on July 17 the same question was posted to the related conversation "Does Camzyos reduce thickening of the heart or manage symptoms?" My response (pasted in below since I don't know how to link directly to that message), says that **IN MY NON-MEDICAL OPINION** it kind depends on how you define your terms. Whether I have interpreted the question or the actual medical information correctly, I suggest you check the video at the camzyos website (https://www.camzyos.com/resources#video1). It was very helpful to me. And regardless where you go on your HCM journey - Best wishes!

Message from related conversation:
Hi @haasil and welcome to the family. I hope folks here can help answer your question. This support group has been an amazing support for me. I assume you probably found the video https://www.camzyos.com/resources#video1 but in case you haven't, I recommend it. But first, I am no expert - I'm just an idiot who watched a video. So take everything that follows with that in mind.... The way I understand it, Camzyos doesn't actually cause any structural changes to your heart (thinning out the the thickened muscle), but it also doesn't really just treat/mask the symptoms either. Rather, it affects how the compounds myosin and actin interact with each other to help your heart contract and relax better. So while the Camzyos is in your body, it helps the heart pump better DESPITE the thickened muscles. But if you go off Camzyos, (when the last traces are washed out of your body), things go back to the way they were - same thickened muscles as always, but back to the old impaired contract-relax cycle. Now that being said, I'm defining "symptoms" as "the things I feel." But if you define "symptoms" as "the things I feel AND the numbers that show up on an echocardiogram" (see the post from @andyherman3), then YES, Camzyos is working on the symptoms. But again, not just by masking them. Did that make sense? It made perfect sense in my head, and I hope it translated properly. For what it's worth, I was lucky enough to be eligible for Camzyos, and that it worked immediately and amazing well for me. 17 years of debilitating symptoms 100% gone in under 2 weeks. Whatever you elect to do, I wish you good fortune!

REPLY
@boatsforlife

Hello @mbi . Back on July 17 the same question was posted to the related conversation "Does Camzyos reduce thickening of the heart or manage symptoms?" My response (pasted in below since I don't know how to link directly to that message), says that **IN MY NON-MEDICAL OPINION** it kind depends on how you define your terms. Whether I have interpreted the question or the actual medical information correctly, I suggest you check the video at the camzyos website (https://www.camzyos.com/resources#video1). It was very helpful to me. And regardless where you go on your HCM journey - Best wishes!

Message from related conversation:
Hi @haasil and welcome to the family. I hope folks here can help answer your question. This support group has been an amazing support for me. I assume you probably found the video https://www.camzyos.com/resources#video1 but in case you haven't, I recommend it. But first, I am no expert - I'm just an idiot who watched a video. So take everything that follows with that in mind.... The way I understand it, Camzyos doesn't actually cause any structural changes to your heart (thinning out the the thickened muscle), but it also doesn't really just treat/mask the symptoms either. Rather, it affects how the compounds myosin and actin interact with each other to help your heart contract and relax better. So while the Camzyos is in your body, it helps the heart pump better DESPITE the thickened muscles. But if you go off Camzyos, (when the last traces are washed out of your body), things go back to the way they were - same thickened muscles as always, but back to the old impaired contract-relax cycle. Now that being said, I'm defining "symptoms" as "the things I feel." But if you define "symptoms" as "the things I feel AND the numbers that show up on an echocardiogram" (see the post from @andyherman3), then YES, Camzyos is working on the symptoms. But again, not just by masking them. Did that make sense? It made perfect sense in my head, and I hope it translated properly. For what it's worth, I was lucky enough to be eligible for Camzyos, and that it worked immediately and amazing well for me. 17 years of debilitating symptoms 100% gone in under 2 weeks. Whatever you elect to do, I wish you good fortune!

Jump to this post

Thanks for the information!

Sent from Gmail Mobile

REPLY

I am about to start Camzyos tonight…scared. My gradients have been all over the place from 50 tob175 last time. Im on 25 mg metoprolol succ 2 x a day. I have always used natural medicines until recently. Wish i had a buddy. 🤗

REPLY
@susanml

Hello
Having HCM, I have been on Camzyos since November of 2023. I started on 5 mg and then in March was reduced to 2.5 mg. because I was doing so well (my cardiologist was following the BMS protocol). However, I found that that dosage was not giving me the same visible results that the 5 had done so I asked to be put back up to 5 mg. I’ve done so well. No other medication has changed.The difference is amazing in that I can now walk up hills without getting winded plus, more importantly for me I regained my joie de vivre. I see my cardiologist next week and I hope that the tests show what I feel is a huge improvement. I’m 76.
This support group has been an endless source of information and encouragement.

Jump to this post

Thank you im 77 and about to start Camzyos nervous about it.

REPLY
@kelliw

Good morning-I went to Steamboat Springs. Colorado, last summer and didn't have any problems. It was about 6900-8000 feet. I was there for a week. 🙂

Jump to this post

Thank you just getting back here to see your reply.

REPLY
@mspope111

Hi Karen,
I am on month 2 of Camzyos. I went from 257 LVOT down to 57. Still on 3 blood pressure meds and still tired with naps. Hopefully this will improves. Did it improve for you right away or over time? Thanks.

Jump to this post

How are you doobv now?

REPLY
@joanallione

Thank you im 77 and about to start Camzyos nervous about it.

Jump to this post

I appreciate your nervousness using a newish heart drug. I was too, however the alternative of being so tired that I just wanted to give it all up overcame the hesitation. My echocardiogram results supported my feeling that I had my mojo back! I started off at 5 mg went down to 2 1/2, but then went up again to five when I could tell the difference with a half dose. I haven’t had any side effects from camzyos that have disrupted my life. I do tend to sleep a lot but I have given up the two hour naps in the afternoon pre-Camzyos. I am so grateful that I had a cardiologist (in Canada) who thought that I was a candidate for the drug. Each visit I give him my thanks. Ask questions of your SBM support nurse and your cardiologist. They have had some experience now with the results of the drug. This Mayo Clinic group of wonderful people has been an endless source of support and information. Welcome aboard.

REPLY
@joanallione

Thank you im 77 and about to start Camzyos nervous about it.

Jump to this post

Any tips about hydration or nutrition while taking CAMZYOS would be helpful also, does anybody have the experience of getting a headache?

REPLY
@whidbey

I am on 15 mg of Camzyos and have had minor side effects. Having a team monitor all medicines you are taking and how you are feeling really makes the process easier. For instance, at one point I began experiencing arrhythmia and the nurse advocate adjusted another medicine I was taking (metoprolol) and instantly I had relief. Camzyos has changed my life. I couldn't walk up a hill without stopping for a breath. Walking up hills isn't daunting for me anymore. I hope you get the care you need and attain great results as I have!

Jump to this post

What are the minor side effects? Thx!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.