Saw the cardio today, he has told me to stop Amiodarone and prescribed Arythmol (Propafenone). Does anyone have experience of this drug?

[Mamamarilyn]

[migmog]

Sounds a repeat in my lifestyle!! EP indicated that I should come off the Amiodarone and onto Propafenone . So had to go a few days without the Amiodarone to partially get it out of the system prior to commencing the Propafenone. Three days on Propafenone desperate to see GP - the side effects made me feel as though it was a ree-run as to when the AF first started. Just felt so rough with myself, GP and I decided that had to come off the Propafenone and back to the Amiodarone - phew thank goodness!! EP agreed with the decision made. Praise be to Amiodarone - only one that suits me!! Hope you get on better than my scenario.

Mags

[Mamamarilyn]

Holey moley I'm not looking forward to that, Mags! Cardios never seem to agree on anything!! My guy was annoyed that I had been prescribed Amiodarone when I was in hospital a couple of months ago and said it could have irreversible long term effects on lungs,kidneys and eyes, although I was OK on it! So fingers crossed, I guess!

Thanks for your reply....I'll keep you posted.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Mamamarilyn]

Amiodarone is a very dirty drug and causes all sorts of long term problems and under European Society of Cardiology guidelines should only be used as a last resort. I have taken propafanone in the past and again at the moment with little problems. apart from a slight metallic taste in the mouth. I used it for some time when I had AF and currently taking small dose to combat troubling ectopics. Other names are arrythmol or rytmonorm. depending on where it is made.

Bob

[Jackieboy55]

Hi Mamamarilyn, I have been taking Propafanone for the last 8months or so and so far no probs with it.

My Cardio prescribed it because it does not make you tired. I have had to up the dose once during that time to control rhythm though.

I have paroxysmal af for about last 18 months or so, by the way. I also take warfarin and statins.

Hope it works for you too.

[jude99]

I agree with Bob, I wouldn't want to be on Amiodarone long term unless it was the last resort. Hope you find the drug that suits you best, with the fewest side effects soon.

[lizwright]

People who read my rather brisk posts on not worrying about anything much will be surprised to learn that Propafanone was the only drug I had issues with and it gave me the foulest taste in my mouth. I went back on flecanide (described by one of my doctors as "not fit to give a dog" and I am fine. I can't take amiodarone. It causes thyroid problems. Anyone on it must ensure they are checked regularly for thyroid issues by a blood test.

[Hidden]

"Saw the cardio today, he has told me to stop Amiodarone and prescribed Arythmol (Propafenone). Does anyone have experience of this drug?"

Hi Marilyn, Yes, I was put on Arythmol 10 years ago and it worked perfectly with zero physical side-effects.

BUT........they affected my mind in quite an amusing way. It's very hard to explain, but best to say they altered my understanding of time. I could talk to someone and say I'd come back to them with an answer, and then do it the next day, only to be told that actually the conversation was 3 weeks ago. It happened all the time. Problem is everyone was so polite and helpful because I'd had a heart problem, no-one told me. Sounds like not a problem but I was in business, so it was not good.

Also, and this is the weird bit, I was like Grasshopper out of Kung Fu. I could see things happen in slooooooow motion. I could give a few examples but here's a typical one. Open the fridge, a jar fell out. I watched it spinning on it's way down to the floor, it must have taken 20-30 seconds to make the journey in my head. I calmly and without any thought, just put my bare foot out and caught it perfectly. I did this more than once as my wife crams the fridge full to the brim. Also, at a party, we had a horse racing game which involved real videos of real races. I picked 5 outright winners in a row and everyone thought I was cheating. So we went to the real races the following week and lost £100

I'm not in business any more and would take them again if suggested.

I thought Arythmol had been discontinued, my GP can't find it in her book!

PS. Because of the side-effects, I had an ablation instead. So was only on the drug for 2 years.

[Mamamarilyn in reply to Hidden]

Blimey Koll, are you sure it wasn't the wacky baccy?..

[Hidden in reply to Mamamarilyn]

Ah ha ... maybe it was

[Jason1971]

I've been on Amiodarone now for 12 months and not had an issue. I expressed my unease at being on a drug that is supposed to be very potent. My specialist and GP are happy for me to take it as long as I'm monitored regularly. This is the only medication I have been offered may I add. The drug works well for me and I manage my own dosage. I currently take 100MG every other day and when I go into AF I up the dosage for a short while which brings me back into NSR. I have read a lot into this drug negative and positive. Reading fellow AF sufferers statements I also read negative and positive. My concern is long term effects, but I have mixed emotions about changing something that works so well and causes me no issues, at the moment.

[Mamamarilyn]

Hey, many thanks to all of you who responded to my question. It's helpful to have this knowledge at a time when they don't seem to know what to try next with me!

I still reckon anxiety is the main problem (having never been a particularly anxious person) and that is not addressed. So it's lots of chamomile tea and mindfulness meditation for the moment. Certainly don't want to take meds for it!