Anyone take new drug Camzyos (mavacamten) for HCM?

Welcome to the Family boatsforlife! I think you will find this is an amazing group that will support you in your journey. I came to the group when I was trying to decide whether or not to take Camzyos. It is because of the comments from the people here — factual and spiritual — that I decided to move forward.

My journey with Camzyos, in terms of results, has not been as life transformative as some of the others here. I have been taking it 111 days today; 3.5 months. I still experience shortness of breath upon exertion, but not as badly as before. Now, my heart rate is often high even when I am sleeping, which did not occur before I took the medicine. My cardologist insists that it’s not because of Camzyos. I still experience angina occasionally.

My cardologist is a divo. His word, I refer to his as a rockstar, because after years of being misdiagnosed he found the problem and prescribed Camzyos. But, I have had to battle with him a couple of times. He dropped me from 5mg to 2.5mg after the first month because he said the algorithm said he had to do so. But, because of information I learned here I knew that was not the case. He still dropped me; but, after reminding him that MY obstruction was negligible during rest but through the roof during exertion, he agreed to another stress echo rather than the limited ego that is done during the first 4 months on the drug. The result, he took me back to 5 mg. The morale of this story is that YOU have to be your best advocate, YOU are not an algorithm!

Also, make sure you know what you cannot take and can take with Camzyos; many things are counter indicated. Things you might not think of like grapefruit and some allergy meds.

Bottom line: This drug is not for everyone; people respond differently. So, be diligent, ask questions, listen to your body, have faith, and stay positive!

Heck yeah! 81. Fighting off heart issues. Fought off surgery. Fought off cancer. Fighting off HCM with a brand new drug. And still with a positive, thankful attitude? I wanna be just like you when I grow up!

Hope these are encouraging words.

I'm an 80 yr old female who after chemo had Hcm. I experienced all the issues you described. My heart Dr ran tests on me and determined I was a perfect candidate for camzyos. I was on 5 mg 3 months and had improvenenr but my numbers not great. I was moved to 10 mg and stable here. Starting to step up exercising and much improved breathing. Please give it a chance. I live so grateful for the drug and life improvements. I have minor side effects mostly in the area of eating. Keep this group involved..WE CARE.

Good morning boatsforlife! I like your username-we are boaters too! We are supposed to be going sailing today, but it's been raining, so probably not. I haven't posted for awhile. I am glad that karugirl got me going today. I started Camzyos March 30th and have my life back!!! Just realized it's been 6 months today! I am so thankful every day! I couldn't do any of the things you mentioned above before I started taking Camzyos. I also felt immediate effects, within a couple of days. I don't think you are imagining it! I have now lost 17 pounds too! I had put on weight because I couldn't do any of my regular activities but now am as busy as ever!! I am playing pickle ball, sailing, doing water aerobics class, playing golf etc. My doctor told me last week he wants me to start doing the weight machines, so I walked up a big flight of stairs-which is HUGE-and didn't get out of breath-and did the machines and the bike for the for first time in a long time, for an hour. I am so so thankful I can do this! It sounds like you will too-soon! I live in Southern California, by the beach, so the weather is pretty much in the 70's much of the year. I want to snow ski again too. I am 58 and going to retire at 60, so that is a great motivator to get the rest of my weight off! Keep us up to date. You've got this!

Hi @karukgirl, thanks for the welcome. I'm in a small Alberta town 450 miles straight north of Yellowstone National Park. It's funny you ask about what concerns I have. After chasing one false lead after the next, getting my hopes raised then dashed for 17 years - my biggest concern is just going through that cycle again. Maybe I should be more worried about the heart failure business but it seems to me I've been living with a form of untreated heart failure all this time anyway, and now I'll be under a microscope. Not sure how up to date my cardiologist is on HCM but he is very attentive and responsive and I feel quite confident in him. I think I'm his first Camzyos case. For now I'm hopeful but trying not to let myself get optimistic. Time will tell.

Good afternoon. Meds arrived Tuesday and I've had 3 doses @5mg so far. No negative side effects yet. I've done a couple things where I thought "hmmm, that wasn't as bad as is should have been" but I think that's probably purely psychological at this early stage. Still recognizing the same symptoms as usual, and as described by others here. Chest pains, heart pounding, shortness of breath dizziness on any exertion. Bending down to put on shoes? Yep. Walking 1/2 block after even a small meal? Yep? Stairs? Yep. Carrying a bag of groceries up stairs? Yep yep yep. NYHA III. Got a call from my nurse-case-manager on day 2 just to ask how things were going, and see if I had any questions or concerns. Super-responsive team so far. I'm hopeful that over the next couple months things will start to go back to where I can do normal things again. Echo in 3 weeks or so. And yes, winters can get down to -40F but that's unusual. -5F would be more normal. It's been interesting to read some of other people's issues with having trouble in the heat. I have a lot more trouble (HCM-wise) with the cold. Would be great if I could take up skiing again!

Good afternoon. Meds arrived Tuesday and I've had 3 doses @5mg so far. No negative side effects yet. I've done a couple things where I thought "hmmm, that wasn't as bad as is should have been" but I think that's probably purely psychological at this early stage. Still recognizing the same symptoms as usual, and as described by others here. Chest pains, heart pounding, shortness of breath dizziness on any exertion. Bending down to put on shoes? Yep. Walking 1/2 block after even a small meal? Yep? Stairs? Yep. Carrying a bag of groceries up stairs? Yep yep yep. NYHA III. Got a call from my nurse-case-manager on day 2 just to ask how things were going, and see if I had any questions or concerns. Super-responsive team so far. I'm hopeful that over the next couple months things will start to go back to where I can do normal things again. Echo in 3 weeks or so. And yes, winters can get down to -40F but that's unusual. -5F would be more normal. It's been interesting to read some of other people's issues with having trouble in the heat. I have a lot more trouble (HCM-wise) with the cold. Would be great if I could take up skiing again!

Good afternoon. Meds arrived Tuesday and I've had 3 doses @5mg so far. No negative side effects yet. I've done a couple things where I thought "hmmm, that wasn't as bad as is should have been" but I think that's probably purely psychological at this early stage. Still recognizing the same symptoms as usual, and as described by others here. Chest pains, heart pounding, shortness of breath dizziness on any exertion. Bending down to put on shoes? Yep. Walking 1/2 block after even a small meal? Yep? Stairs? Yep. Carrying a bag of groceries up stairs? Yep yep yep. NYHA III. Got a call from my nurse-case-manager on day 2 just to ask how things were going, and see if I had any questions or concerns. Super-responsive team so far. I'm hopeful that over the next couple months things will start to go back to where I can do normal things again. Echo in 3 weeks or so. And yes, winters can get down to -40F but that's unusual. -5F would be more normal. It's been interesting to read some of other people's issues with having trouble in the heat. I have a lot more trouble (HCM-wise) with the cold. Would be great if I could take up skiing again!