Cardioversion and travel?

[AgeingHIppy]

Hi some advice please. I have a cardioversion planned for late November and am travelling to the Far East a week later. It occurred to me yesterday that I may be prescribed amilodiapine after the CV which then may cause me to have a bad reaction to sunlight.

Is that correct?

If yes any known options on medication?

With thanks

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Hippy

Do you mean Amiodarone or Amlodipine, the first would be highly unusual to be prescribed after a CV much more usually prescribed before the CV to try and bring you back into NSR. The second is a calcium channel blocker and not usually bringing on photosensitivity.

If you do mean Amiodarone, then yes you will have to stay in the shade and cover up, it can make you much more photosensitive, and burn more easily.

Be well

Ian

[AgeingHIppy in reply to Beancounter]

Hi Ian spot on, I should have checked my spelling, yes Amiodarone. So not needed after CV? that would be very good news. I wonder where I got this odd idea from. So a re boot and that's all, excellent hope I join the ranks of those lucky to have it make the AFIB go away.

I was on Amiodarone a few months back and sadly it did not fix the problem.

Thanks Ian your reply ,as always is appreciated.

[hydrangea in reply to AgeingHIppy]

Hi

I had a CV at the end of July. I was taking Bisoprolol and Warfarin before, but when discharged meds were changed to Amiodarone, Bisoprolol and Rivaroxiban. 3 months later and I am still taking it. In Sept. the cardio said stay on it - he has me on a waiting list for an ablation. I would love to hear the Amiodarone was not needed. I am losing my hair and am not sure whether to blame the Amiodarone or the Rivaroxiban, but I think the former.

[Annekw in reply to hydrangea]

Yes Amiodarone is causing hair loss,I also take Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis,a double whammy!

I found Biotin on an RA website helps,I get it from Amazon,10,000 units is the dose,it does help with hair loss and thinning hair!

[Annekw in reply to AgeingHIppy]

Been on Amiodarone since March,I'm hoping to come off it later this month,but it stays in your system for quite a long time,I was told 6weeks!

I survived in Spain in September,by covering up and useing high factor Sun-protectors,swimming was fine,just not Sun-bathing!

[Hidden in reply to Beancounter]

In the past I have been prescribed both Amiodarone and Dronedarone following cardioversions to keep me in NSR

If it is Amiodarone then you will already be aware of the precautions needed to be taken in the sun.

Sandra

[Susiebelle in reply to Beancounter]

Hi,

My consultant attempted to cardiovert me 3 times ytmy heartfelt pinging back into fibrillation - he the performed a catheter ablation only atrial flutter.

The following day he took me off bisoporal and put me onsotalol which I know was recommended not be used inthe 2014 NICE guidelines. When I questioned this with the cardio nurse she said that it is within guided dose range.

I willbe contacting her tomorrow.

What are your thoughts on this please ?

Many thanks,

Susie

[Kodaska in reply to Susiebelle]

Learn everything you possibly can about the drugs in question. Don't just consult websites like drugs.com or WebMD. Do an in-depth search on all the ways the drugs are used and all the effects they may have. If I'd done that, I'd have learned that flecainide suppresses the brain's immune system - and I might not have the autoimmune disorder that arose from taking it.

Drugs are prescribed willy-nilly on the basis of statistics and the doc's experience. You are not a statistic and the doc doesn't know you. Do your own research and make your own decisions.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Sometimes you may be placed on an anti-arrhythmic drug just to help your heart stay in rhythm after the cardioversion. Cardioversions last varying amounts of time, and there could be a plan for medication afterward. If you have concerns I would suggest calling or emailing your EP to find out so that you are not worrying all month. Good luck and happy travels.

[Kodaska in reply to SRMGrandma]

This is what I'm talking about in my response to Susiebelle just above. My cardio doc/EP insisted on flecainide because "people don't like breakthrough arrhythmias following ablation." He dismissed the fact that they don't bother me. Silly me, I took the poison anyway.

[ILowe in reply to SRMGrandma]

Right, they keep you on Amiodarone after the cardioversion to keep pressure on the heart to stay converted.

But 1: A key topic often missed out is that when you have AF they should check out your heart etc to see if there is an underlying pathology ie something really wrong, and if they find something, then it is this problem that should be addressed.

But 2: The highest chances of long term success are for those who have no underlying physical cause, who have it within 3-4 months of onset, and who make relevant lifestyle changes eg destressing, exercise etc.

But 3: Doctors do not want to be blamed. If they stop your meds then you go backwards, they get blamed. If you choose to stop, then you take the responsibility. That is what in the end triggered my own decision to come off Amiodarone before the total input got above 30g (roughly when more serious side effects are likely, including thyroid problems and the usually banal skin problems.)

For me, taking that decision to stop became a no brainer, but it was frightening to take it alone.

amiodaronetoxicity.com/amio...

Has a good list of quality information.

[AgeingHIppy]

Thanks for this advice I will put in a call this week and check.

Thank you

Dave

[Susiebelle]

Check with your consultant & pharmacist