Atrial fibrillation on Imbruvica

[Lenny123]

Just had surgery for a hernia, stopped Imbruvica for a week before, holding off for another week before re starting. Really feel that advice to do so was good, healing is impaired with this medication.

During routine pre opereative evaluation i was found to have premature Atrial contractions(PAC). and had a stress test that showed i had Atrial fibrillation on exercise.

Imbruvica is know to cause, or be associated with Atrial Fibrillation in 6-9% of cases.

So now i am on a Beta blocker, have an explanation for extra heart beats which i have noticed, shoved under the rug for years. Am to have a holter monitor in a few weeks.

Really a terrible dilemma. i am terrified of stopping Imbruvica, which has worked well for me, and yet Atrial Fibrillation is no joke( strokes, rapid heart rate and so on).

My preference would be to take Imbruvica, and anti arrythmic( beta blocker?) , but posts seem to lean towards stoping Imbruvica.

Will be doing research, but just tossing it out there in case there are fellow travelers.

I am 60, diagnosed October 2013. Had three rounds of FCR, remission, on Imbruvica since. doing OK.

[Kwenda]

Suggest a private message to Wayne Wells who experienced AF while on Ibruvica and he has lots of information on this subject.

Wayne can also be contacted via the CLLSociety.org

Dick

[Lenny123 in reply to Kwenda]

Thanks so much exactly what i would loke to do. Not sure how to contact Wayne Wells, tried to search him by name but nothing came up. Is there a user name??

[Kwenda in reply to Lenny123]

Here are some links for you, some of which include Wayne’s detailed personal experience comments:-

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Also start here:-

cllsociety.org/2016/01/cll-...

Dick

[Foggymind]

Hi Lenny,

I think this is Wayne Well's (ThreeWs) link to AF on Imbruvica

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

And this is his profile Page

healthunlocked.com/user/thr...

Take care

Kevin - Essex, UK

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

I had pre existing A.fib due to chemo toxicity from doxorubicin , but it was escalated on Imbruvica (ibrutinib)... use of a blood thinner and a beta/alpha blocker helped...

I quit ibrutinib due to bleeding issues primarily and pending colon surgery... never went back on it...not my drug.

Currently test driving Zydelig (idelalisib) and rituxan... it still has that new car smell... 🚗...

~chris

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Cllcanada]

Hi Chris, How's the test drive with Idelalisib going ? I realise you've only just started it, but I remember how quickly it made a difference to me, as it made my spleen shrink dramatically in just a few days. It also made my ALC shoot up, but I felt worlds better in myself. I do hope that you do too...

Wishing you well,

Paula

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to PaulaS]

So far so good Paula... not much change... a night of diarrhea ... ...hope it passes... more rituxan on Friday...

~chris

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Cllcanada]

I don't like the sound of that night of diarrhea... Hopefully it was just due to some rich Christmas food, and will soon pass...

Paula

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to PaulaS]

Rituxan... it has that effect on me... others it constipates...

I have actually experienced both on it... Chinese Hamsters like to keep you guessing... 😜

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Cllcanada]

It's good that you know the reason for it. I thought it was much too soon for Idelalisib-induced colitis. I hope this Friday's Rituxan is kinder on you...

[virdieblue]

Chris - just wanted to tell you how amazing you are! Class A survivor!

[PThomas]

I had a fib which did not respond to cardioversion prior to Imbruvica. Was started on Pradaxa twice daily. I now take it once daily and am followed closely by the cardiologist. Still hanging in there with Imbruvica and Pradaxa. My pulse stays around 60 so I don't have to have beta blockers.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to PThomas]

Monitor your stools... I was on Xarelto and Imbruvica (ibrutinib) and had colon and bladder bleed issues... rare sure... but safe than sorry...

~chris

[PThomas in reply to Cllcanada]

Thank you! I am trying to keep an eye on everything.

[RobDK]

On a similar ride. Part of the 6-9%. Diagnosed with CLL in '10. Started Imbruvica 1/1/17. Two episodes of AFIB in Jan and Feb '18. Told I needed a pacemaker due to SSS( Sick Sinus Syndrome), slow heart rate. Taking Xarelto 20 mg and beta blocker in the pocket(due to slow heart rate). Stopped Imbruvica 30 days ago. Blood work OK. Looking for next choice.

[Berrytog]

Seven years on Ibrutinib, had AF occasionally to start with but nothing in the last five until my second hip Op six weeks ago when I stopped taking it for two weeks. While in hospital they told me that my blood pressure was too low and changed my drugs now I have AF at 80 to 95 instead of the normal 60 and my blood pressure is up. Changing drugs could be the reason or stopping and starting but the jury is out after all the usual tests.

I am taking 30 mg of Edoxaban to thin the blood, still take a double dose of the new drug, Bisoprolol Fumate with no effect on my blood pressure so also take a previous drug, 30 mg of Nifedipine, so now back to 115/65 but AF still 80 to 90.

[tlcladygiraffe]

I also experienced rapid heart beat but my dr put me on a channel calcium blocker to reduce my blood pressure and I no longer have them....