@whidbey have you tried reaching out to a Nurse Navigator at Bristol Myers Squibb? That said, I have not found them to be that helpful. because tend to refer you to back to your cardologist.
My cardologist has a nurse navigator that is very responsive when I contact the office ( using emails) with problems. My heart rate was averaging between 95 and 110. I reached out and got a response within 15 minutes that they were calling in a prescription for Metoprolol succinate 12.5mg. On the other hand, my cardologist says that rapid heart rate is a symptom of Camzyos. But it’s a symptom I am having. It is frustrating and scary. But it’s your life so you have to advocate for yourself.
My cardologist and I had to have a “heart to heart” because he is very pro Camzyos and follows the dosing guidelines to the book. When I tell him my symptoms ( initially I was lightheaded, now I am suffering from a high heart rate) he tends to say symptoms with Camzyos are rare. He reduced my dosage from 5mg to 2.5 even though my symptoms were not improving because it’s what the algorithm called for based on my limited echo. @kelliw’s cardologist deemed it was in the best interest of the patient not to follow the guideline.
After some back and forth, my cardologist agreed to do a stress echo since my obstruction is only evident upon excretion. We will see it there has been improvement in my LVOT and EF ( ejection fraction) since my last stress echo.
Bottomline, you MUST educate for yourself if you are having issues which is not easy because the drug is so new, know your LVOT and EF so you know whether you are improving, you MUST ask question, and listen to your body! You are an individual and this drug is not for everyone. Some respond very well, other not as much. Unfortunately, I appear to be in the later category. I have been on it for 8 weeks. I expected to be able to do a lot more by now. My cardologist wants me to stay with it. So I going to hang in there for a while longer. We will see what happens with my stress echo tomorrow. I may be headed to surgery. But, with the support of the group, I decided to give the drug a try first.
Use this group, ask specific questions. The participants are wonderful, caring people, that are willing to take the time to give you the benefit of their experience.
Absolutely solid advice @jaymaysea. Thank you for sharing this valuable information with @whidbey. The entire group will benefit from your information. Even those who don't post may be out there reading.
You certainly have had a different response then others, and I hope Camzyos works for you. I am so happy that you are here and so willingly share your experience with others. No two experiences are alike, just like no two people are alike. You are very brave for trying this, it takes courage to step out and have faith in something we know little about. I will say a prayer for you that you get only good news tomorrow from your stress echo. Keep the group posted. Do you know how long your doctor will encourage you to stay with this before other options are necessary?