9 days ago I was getting severe symptoms from my 43% PVCs I’ve had for over 3 months. In the past after my first two ablations, Tenormin stopped my PVCs (33% burden) cold turkey.

But the country I currently living doesn’t offer Tenormin and my new EP strongly doubted its potential success. I was told repeatedly to get a ventricular (left) ablation instead.

I was approved on November 26 by the ministry of health to get imported “Tenormin” from Germany - which is the brand name of Atenolol. Technically both are similar with a 17% difference in their formula. I became my own advocate and got the drug passed after the second attempt by calling up the ministry and having a wonderful caring individual helping me fill out the form. I’m forever grateful to her.

I am very sensitive to drugs. I know I needed in the past Tambocor brand instead of Flecainide (GeorgeN buys his Tambocor from Canada if you are interested), and Atenolol didn’t work the past three months. I was holding out for Tenormin.

I am in NSR now when taking Tenormin these past 9 days. :-) !

Those reading this should be encouraged to be their own advocate.

I don’t know how long it will work but I’m grateful for this time of having a peaceful heart.

Quote
susan.d
I am very sensitive to drugs. I know I needed in the past Tambocor brand instead of Flecainide (GeorgeN buys his Tambocor from Canada if you are interested), and Atenolol didn’t work the past three months. I was holding out for Tenormin.

I am in NSR now when taking Tenormin these past 9 days. :-) !

Very awesome Susan!!! I hope this continues. I know this has been a struggle!! .

To clarify, I get my Tambocor (branded flec) from Europe & have for something like 17 years. Tambocor went off patent in the US in 2004 the year it was prescribed for me and to my knowledge is only available in the US as a generic now. I've actually used a med broker, goldpharma.com to order the med. They will have listings from various pharmacies in the EU for the med you want to order, both branded and generic. When you purchase, it comes from a pharmacy. Many times the Tambocor comes from Germany, but sometimes it is made by the same company but branded as "Apocard" for sale in Portugal or Spain. This has come from pharmacies in those countries. The Tambocor and Apocard always come in blister packs with each pill individually packaged, so they don't oxidize as fast (important for me as I go through it very slowly). The Tambocor was never packaged that way when I bought it in the US.

Congrats! It's wonderful to know that knowledge and tenacity can pay off, even in 'strange lands.'

And ... isn't a relatively benign pill a whole lot more appealing, right now, than another procedure?

Hope it sticks!

This is wonderful!!! I'm so glad for you!

I don’t know for how long, but I have my life back. I feel stronger so I’m at a restaurant and later will do food marketing. I used to spend my day huffing and puffing on my lounge chair spending down my life.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2025 10:25AM by susan.d.

I don't have to tell you how happy I am to see you post with these happy turns of event, Susan. You know how I feel about your circumstances. It makes me smile to know you are clawing your way back up to the surface, one 'W' at a time.*

*(Win)

Awesome Susan!!! Do you speak Spanish?

Congratulations Susan. Being your own advocate -- nice lesson often forgotten. kind regards and wishing you lots of uninterrupted NSR.

I think you are a super-hero!