Electro-cardioversion Friday

I am the 59 year female (with Medtronic Sensia Dual-chamber PM) who developed atrial tachycardia after a severe asthma attack. I went to my doctor last week and he lowered the RR on the lower lead in the hopes that the tachycardia would go away on it's own within a week. I went to my cardiologist yesterday and the tachycardia has now become erratic. I am scheduled for an electro-cardioversion this coming Friday. While I don't look forward to it I know it has to be done. And it sounds like that will be part of my life going forward. My doctor also mentioned that he might have me stay 3 days in the hospital to try the drug Tikosyn in IV form to see if my lungs tolerate it before giving it to me orally. This is a maybe and will be determined after he consults with my Lung Specialist and Primary Care doctors. He tried me on Fleconide a year ago and it kicked up asthma symptoms within a day. Has anybody with lung issues ever tried this drug, and what were the results? And Don, since you have lung and heart issues, are steroids and antibiotics the only treatment for a severe asthma attack? Any advice is appreciated.
Mojo

2 Comments

Tikosyn

by gleesue - 2013-12-12 10:12:23

This is a high-risk medication and as far as I am concerned a medicine of last resort. Though this medication often gives great benefits to people with irregular heartbeat, it may also cause a serious new irregular heartbeat.

I had an appointment with my EP and he was called away. I saw another doc not familiar with my case she wanted to put me on Tikosyn but I said no way until I see my regular EP. You go into the hospital not to see how it might affect your lungs, Mojo, but it is a hard drug to regulate because the kidneys excrete 80% of the dose. All patients going on this drug go through a 3 day hospital stay. And bdfore your doctor can prescribe this medication to you, he must have completed the Tikosyn Education Distribution Program. Only pharmacies that have enrolled in the T.I.P.S. program can dispense this medication.

I left the appointment with this doctor and went back to my regular EP and he said you do not what to be on that. He has kept me off all drugs except Flecanide, as need, when I get flair up. I had to get cardioverted in May but I'd rather be cardioverted once or twice a year than take Tikosyn.

I don’t know your entire background so it may be right for you but I would just suggest you look at all the alternatives before you choose this drug.

Hopefully there are some of our members who have had a positive experience with Tikosyn will also respond to you. I'm just very leery of it.

Jerry

From Donr

by donr - 2013-12-13 12:12:21

Mojo: Will answer your questions tomorrow.

Donr

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