My heart wasn't in the best of shape (2 valves replaced) to start with when I started on Ibrutinib. Ibrutinib really exacerbated my AFIB, but after a year of Ibruitinb, I was off all medication for almost 3 years......until the CLL started to get more aggressive.
My doctor put me on Acalabrutinib and the AFIB came back with a vengeance and I had a harder time going on walks and exercising. The doctor just told me to stop taking it and wants to meet with me to discuss "what's next".
'What's next' has me a little nervous and I am not sure what else she has in mind. Anyone with a similar type deal going on?
Cheers,
Barger1951
Written by
barger1951
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
sorry about your ordeal. I was on Acalabrutinib for 8 months when atrial fibrillation experience hit me first time. I was cardioverded, but another AF hit me few weeks later and the cardio version took care of it only for a week or so and I ended with permanent AF and a heart failure.
My next treatment which I am still on is Rituximab/Venetoclax for two years and even though my heart problems are still present and under care of cardiologist, I hope for long remission after February when I finish.
I wish you well and hopefully all will be sorted out for you soon.
Depends where you live - and whether any clinical trials are available to you. Ventoclax + obinutuzumab is another possibility (obinutuzumab is a later generation, more effective version of rituximab). Venetoclax monotherapy is also a possibility, as is chlorambucil + obinutuzumab, with or without the chlorambucil, which is a very old 'chemo' treatment and which doesn't add much to the combination, but is how obinutuzumab was FDA approved.
My husband was also told to stop Ibrutinib after heart failure and was put on Venetoclax monoterapy for 2 years. He is now already 3 years on remission, although it looks like the CLL is crawling back. He will return to Venetoclax I suppose.
Prior to my treatment I had to have two ablation procedures due to AFIB. So when I needed to start treatment I chose to be treated with Obinutuzumab and Venetoclax instead of Ibrutinib or Acalabrutinib. I was lucky enough to have a choice. I had no AFIB issues during my treatment due to the low probability of Obinutuzumab causing AFIB.
Just to clarify the ablation procedures were successful. I have heard of stories where they work for a few days only. I am about to see a consultant to consider one…..
The first was successful until I had a tear in my Mitral valve, when the heart specialist went in to repair the Mitral valve he performed a second Ablation procedure and I have had no problems since.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.