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Afib and Multaq

Posted by elegantgem @elegantgem, Jan 2, 2022

I have posted to this group in the past. I am a 72-year-old female with afib starting in 2017. Initially I was taking diltiaziem and it was helping. I also take Eliquis 5mg now. But my afib was happening 4 times a week with a heart rate of 190 ppm and blood pressure of 140/100. In 2018 I had an ablation. At first my ablation worked but afib reoccurred after about 8 months. I went t see an electrophysiologist and he put me on multaq 400. It is working very good for me. My problem is some of the side effects. I would like to know other people experience with this medication. I do not eat meals as regularly as I should. Multaq is recommended to be taken with a full meal. So do you think it is ok to take Multaq even though I have not eaten a meal? I also have developed stomach pains and diarrhea too. Recently I have started to get a rash on my arms and chest area. I definitely do not want to stop taking this medication. It has given me freedom from afib. But do you have any suggestions on the side effects? I am willing to have a second ablation, but my electrophysiologist wants me to wait. Can I stay on Multaq forever?

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mercuryrose | @mercuryrose | Jan 3, 2022

I went on Multaq in the Summer of 2019, Diltiaziem and Eliquis 5 mg, when I was first diagnosed with AFIB. It all made me feel tired, depressed, and I had itchy skin. It all controlled it until late Summer 2020. I had to go to ER twice and had Cardio Versions, and that didn’t work....The Doctor I saw in my City that does Ablations had a success rate of 40%! I was on an AFIB Site that I read about people having two, three and more Ablations! I was 76 years old last year and concerned and scared because my Medications were not controlling my AFIB. I had an Ablation Surgery on 11-2020 at a Mayo Clinic and feel great now that I am off all Meds except Eliquis..my energy is back and I feel like my old self. I found many Doctors do Ablation Surgeries but there is a big difference in their success rate.

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lmurray03 | @lmurray03 | Jan 4, 2022
In reply to @mercuryrose "I went on Multaq in the Summer of 2019, Diltiaziem and Eliquis 5 mg, when I..." + (show)
@mercuryrose

I went on Multaq in the Summer of 2019, Diltiaziem and Eliquis 5 mg, when I was first diagnosed with AFIB. It all made me feel tired, depressed, and I had itchy skin. It all controlled it until late Summer 2020. I had to go to ER twice and had Cardio Versions, and that didn’t work....The Doctor I saw in my City that does Ablations had a success rate of 40%! I was on an AFIB Site that I read about people having two, three and more Ablations! I was 76 years old last year and concerned and scared because my Medications were not controlling my AFIB. I had an Ablation Surgery on 11-2020 at a Mayo Clinic and feel great now that I am off all Meds except Eliquis..my energy is back and I feel like my old self. I found many Doctors do Ablation Surgeries but there is a big difference in their success rate.

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I am going through this now. I seemed to be in AFIB all the time ,however for now at least, it is at a controlled rate. My Doctor would like to Cardo convert but I have heard from many patients also that if it works at all it is temporary. I have a feeling an an Ablation is in my future. Best of luck to you and continued good health.

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