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.

Profile picture for rebaheizer @rebaheizer

@jimhealthy maybe your spouse carries the gene.

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@rebaheizer — or my mistress.

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Profile picture for jimhealthy @jimhealthy

@peggykmitchell — I have HCM but I don’t have any of the genes. I have been gene-tested three separate times.

On the other hand, my two grandsons have been tested and found to have the genes. Both are non-symptomatic so far.

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@jimhealthy maybe your spouse carries the gene.

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Profile picture for peggykmitchell @peggykmitchell

@memphis901
Hi, I am a 75 year old female who lives in Mississippi, not too far from Memphis. Why do you say that HCM is not genetic when every source I can find says that it is. I am zeroing in on my mother's maternal grandparents as being the side of my family that passed the gene on. They both died fairly young in age. One of their sons had 3 sons who each died at a relatively young age of some kind of heart problem, and their father had heart issues, as well. Most of my other ancestors all lived very long and productive lives. I am also curious as to why you think HCM is not treated in Memphis? My own cardiologist is with the Stern Clinic in Oxford, and they are working to get me approved for Camzyos.

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@peggykmitchell — I have HCM but I don’t have any of the genes. I have been gene-tested three separate times.

On the other hand, my two grandsons have been tested and found to have the genes. Both are non-symptomatic so far.

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Profile picture for peggykmitchell @peggykmitchell

@memphis901
Hi, I am a 75 year old female who lives in Mississippi, not too far from Memphis. Why do you say that HCM is not genetic when every source I can find says that it is. I am zeroing in on my mother's maternal grandparents as being the side of my family that passed the gene on. They both died fairly young in age. One of their sons had 3 sons who each died at a relatively young age of some kind of heart problem, and their father had heart issues, as well. Most of my other ancestors all lived very long and productive lives. I am also curious as to why you think HCM is not treated in Memphis? My own cardiologist is with the Stern Clinic in Oxford, and they are working to get me approved for Camzyos.

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@peggykmitchell you may or may not carry the gene related to HCM. I have a gene mutation but not the pathogenic gene associated with Hcm but still have Hcm. The gene test determines who else maybe needs screening like parents, siblings or children.
One tool in the box.

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@jess51 @memphis901 @peggykmitchell, gene mutations and family genetics can sometimes be used interchangeably, but they are distinct.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) usually is caused by changes in genes that cause the heart muscle to thicken. It is often inherited, called familial HCM. People with one parent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have a 50% chance of having the gene change that causes the disease. Not all genetic mutations causing HCM are familial. However, genetic testing or genetic counseling may be recommended if you have a family history of the condition.

Further reading from
- Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198
- Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Always a Familial and Inherited Disease? https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.122.028974

In this Q&A with Mayo Clinic's expert, Steven J. Lester, M.D., talks about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and genes.

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Thank you for the information. I have done some genealogy in the past and
recall both of my mother's maternal grandparents dying fairly young. I then
realized that one of their sons had three sons, all of whom died young,
with two of them definitely having heart issues, although I am not sure
what happened with the oldest son. Then, I found other cousins descended
from those grandparents who had died in their 40s, although one died of
cancer. So, I am thinking there may be a familial gene mutation, but I need
more information to determine that. I like to KNOW about things and so I
like to solve family "mysteries". Thanks, again.

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@jess51 @memphis901 @peggykmitchell, gene mutations and family genetics can sometimes be used interchangeably, but they are distinct.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) usually is caused by changes in genes that cause the heart muscle to thicken. It is often inherited, called familial HCM. People with one parent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have a 50% chance of having the gene change that causes the disease. Not all genetic mutations causing HCM are familial. However, genetic testing or genetic counseling may be recommended if you have a family history of the condition.

Further reading from
- Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198
- Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Always a Familial and Inherited Disease? https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.122.028974

In this Q&A with Mayo Clinic's expert, Steven J. Lester, M.D., talks about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and genes.

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Profile picture for peggykmitchell @peggykmitchell

@memphis901
Hi, I am a 75 year old female who lives in Mississippi, not too far from Memphis. Why do you say that HCM is not genetic when every source I can find says that it is. I am zeroing in on my mother's maternal grandparents as being the side of my family that passed the gene on. They both died fairly young in age. One of their sons had 3 sons who each died at a relatively young age of some kind of heart problem, and their father had heart issues, as well. Most of my other ancestors all lived very long and productive lives. I am also curious as to why you think HCM is not treated in Memphis? My own cardiologist is with the Stern Clinic in Oxford, and they are working to get me approved for Camzyos.

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@peggykmitchell, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I'm glad you found the HCM group and it sounds like you will be starting Camzyos soon.

On Connect, we share our stories with each other with the intention to help each other learn from what we may or may not know.
We may think we know something, and then after being educated by our physicians or even learning here on Connect, we are better prepared to face what comes next with this condition.
Sometimes, new members, just beginning their own HCM or HOCM journey may not have all the information they need at the moment they post here...so it is good that others out there can give them additional information that may help them get going in the right direction.

That being said, it sounds like you have a strong family history of undiagnosed heart problems which very well may be HCM. Without knowing for sure what your relatives died from at early ages, it seems logical to assume it was HCM, but really, it is a mystery.
But now you can help solve the mystery in your family as the first one up with a confirmed diagnosis of HCM.
I'd say that is a good thing, but it's not something you wanted or asked for I bet. The good news is you can help your family by unraveling the pieces of the puzzle that are missing.

It is good that you have found a cardiologist who is up-to-date on HCM/HOCM. You will need that going forward. And also learning as much as you can about what is going on inside your heart will help you be your own best advocate.
Have you had a chance to read some of the numerous posts here on Connect about Camzyos or HCM?
Here is a link to a Mayo Clinic article about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198
And here is another link to another organization you may find interesting:
https://www.4hcm.org
They have a section you can learn if you have a Center of Excellence in your state or near by state.
COE, or Center of Excellence, such as the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic (and others) are leaders in the study and treatment of HCM. They have excellent outcomes and are specialized in treating this condition. It is good to know if you are being treated by a physician trained in all things HCM.
When do you see your cardiologist again? Do you have your list of questions to ask ready?

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Profile picture for memphis901 @memphis901

@jess51
Hi Jess, I am a 69 year old, female. This is not genetic. I am on my second month of Camzyos and I feel much better. A few weeks ago I took my Covid and flu Vaccine at the same time and the next day I was in the emergency room for arrhythmia. I do not know if was the shots were too strong or this is from obstructed HCM. My doctor in Memphis did not say. I do go to exercise 3 times a week. I take Amiodarone twice a day. I am feeling tired. I go back to him next week. Since they do not treat HCM in Memphis I drive to St. Louis for my echo’s . I would like to have a buddy to go through this with me. I found out I had HCM 7 months ago. I went to get a cataract done ( it was fine) but ended up in the hospital that night for fluid in my lungs. This is my journey so far.

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@memphis901
Hi, I am a 75 year old female who lives in Mississippi, not too far from Memphis. Why do you say that HCM is not genetic when every source I can find says that it is. I am zeroing in on my mother's maternal grandparents as being the side of my family that passed the gene on. They both died fairly young in age. One of their sons had 3 sons who each died at a relatively young age of some kind of heart problem, and their father had heart issues, as well. Most of my other ancestors all lived very long and productive lives. I am also curious as to why you think HCM is not treated in Memphis? My own cardiologist is with the Stern Clinic in Oxford, and they are working to get me approved for Camzyos.

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Profile picture for captainterry @captainterry

@memphis901
I am in Memphis and have been on camzyos for 3 years with great results. You can follow my posts on this forum.
Get a referral to Sutherland Cardiology Group Memphis, Heart Failure Clinic, Dr. Anderson. Part of the Methodist/ LeBonneur Health System.
No need for you to travel to St. Louis for all of your camzyos after care and monitoring. They also have excellent and experienced Echo Cardiogram Sonographers which is very important.
I have no experience to share if you require surgery, thankfully.
God Bless!

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@captainterry
I am from St. Louis and I have family there . I really don’t mind the drive. My insurance is not with Methodist Hospital. This doctor sat down with me for 3 hours telling me all the procedures and all about HCM. Dr. Bach even calls me and works with my cardiologist in Memphis.
Thank you for letting me know .

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Denver, Colorado (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus).
I am taking Camzyos 5 mg since March 29 2024 and I am doing great with no side effects. I put in my mind before I started Camzyos that I will not have any side effects ( I had light dizziness only the first week but now no side effect at all). My septum when from 2.4 cm to now 1.2 cm so I have nice color on my face, I have no angina anymore and I am keeping my dosage not missing it at all.

Good luck.

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