Amiodarone

[Ch43351]

While taking Amiodarone I feel a tightness in the heart as though it is being contained, does anyone else feel this?

[robboian]

Hi

I had an ablation 2 months ago and (touch wood) I'm going well. Have been on Amiodorone for nearly three months now and I seem to suffer from an almost constant sensation of indigestion. Also, I get a tightness under the sternum, almost like a bruise sensation. I'm really not sure whether this is due to the amiodorone or is simply post ablation.

I would also love to hear some feedback from others.

Ian

[pip_pip in reply to robboian]

Hi. From my exprienceany post ablation problems should have settled a short while after the ablation. The digestive problems with anioderone I can only say "join the club". The drug does mess with the digestive system, less or more with other.

The tightness under the sternum, you might get that checked out with the cardiac nurse (did you get a number after the ablation). Doesn't sound like amioderone or ablation problem.

Again, tightness in the heat you might get that checked with the cardiac nurse as well.

If you did not get a number to ring try the EP secretary, who can be very helpful, altho my EP secretary seems to have a stock answer for everything "see you GP" or " what are you asking me" .

Persevere.

Be well

Pip

[Redman]

Hi, I've been on Amiodarone since April post Cardioversion taking 1 200mg tablet a day. Must be fortunate as I have no symptoms at all.

[porsche]

I was taking Amiodarone until 4wks ago, only on it for 3mths to correct my arrythmia but the nightmares & insomnia it caused was just too much & I ended up feeling ill. I also experienced some central chest pain while on it. For me I felt the risks from side effects were too high so requested i stop it & i feel so much better.

I cant have an ablation as my 'electric sparks' are too close together & would result in a pacemaker. Have appointment with EP soon to discuss way forward.

[Bev999]

Hi, I'm also on Amiodarone. I don't have the symptoms you describe, although since on it I would agree my heart feels more 'contained' as it's not feeling as if it lurching around in my chest! Hope you can be seen to try and find out the cause.

Bev

[Elbows]

Interesting to read as I have been on Amiodarone now for nearly 5 months for the ablation I had on the 9 July. Never wanted ever to go on the drug but have confidence in Professor Schilling and have done so. I will be so glad to come off it tho. I too have had what I can only describe as an indigestion type ache which comes and goes with what I eat and drink. As anyone discussed this with their EP/Arythmia Nurse?

[Jason1971]

Hi, I was placed on Amiodarone when I first got AF. I had no idea how potent the drug was until I read all the reports on this forum. I was on it for 16 months before I was able to see another Cardiologist who then changed me to Flecainide. I had no side effects from Amiodarone other than I was sensitive to sunlight and I mean sensitive! I could have a stroll in the winter sun and come back as red as a beetroot. In all the time I was on Amiodarone (I was on 100MG every other day) I only had the odd episode unlike Flecainide where I am having one episode a week. I do however recall a slight tightness in the chest whilst on Amiodarone prior to returning to NSR after an episode, but I assumed it was the drugs working their magic. Once back in NSR I felt nothing. Hope you get things sorted.

[champ696]

Hi, I've been on Amiodarone 4 weeks pre Cardioversion taking 1 200mg tablet a day. Must be fortunate as I have no symptoms at all.

[excalibur]

Hi

I was on amiodaone for about 8 years. I often got palpitations, particularly at night when though I was in NSR it felt as if my heart was fighting against the drug - is this what you mean by "contained"?

But it did keep me in NSR effectively.

I had to stop taking it when my optician found deposits in my eye corneas and referred me to the eye clinic. These reversed when I stopped taking amiodarone, but my AF then came back.

I don't know how long your cardiologist/EP wants to keep you on Amiodarone but I would recommend that you ensure you have annual check ups and tell your optician you are on amiodarone.

Lance