Had enough!

[supergranny]

I have decided to stop taking Amiodorone, was put on this by the Arrythmia Clinic in Cardiff and it has made my breathing much worse, coughing and wheezing, I wont now have my cardioversion until some time in the New Year and value my health too much to keep taking this dangerous drug. Hope I am doing the right thing!

[Mickey16]

Hi Supergranny - You have to do what's right for you. I had to make a similar decision because Amiodarone was doing me more harm than good. I know how hard it is to know what to do. I too had severe breathing and coughing issues, amongst other symptoms derived from Amiodarone. For me too, there was no sense in taking something that was making me so unwell.

There are other less harmful drugs than Amiodarone and maybe when you have recovered from the affects of this drug something more suitable to your system, will be a better solution.

I eventually had an ablation and other than taking a NOAC am not taking any meds for my heart, and am feeling a whole lot better.

I am sure other members here will be giving similar encouragements and advice Supergranny.

Hope you get to see an EP soon and that you start to feel better very soon.

Mickey

[Hidden]

I would have done the same as you. If the drug is making you worse why continue to take it.

I had a not dissimilar situation with Ditiazem and Flecainide a few years back .

Do hope your cardioversion is successful next year

Best wishes

Sandra

[jennydog]

I am still shocked that I was given Amiodarone so early on. I didn't know any different and thyroid problems were never mentioned. It didn't affect my AF at all. I was appalled when I heard it described as " Cardiac Domestos."

[Hidden]

Amiodarone takes some time before it's no longer in the body so it's effects may persist. If you have a continuing non-productive cough particularly if you hear crackles when you breathe out, see your GP to have your SpO2 (blood oxygen) checked and your breath sounds checked with a stethoscope. If there are crackles and / or your SpO2 is low your GP should refer you for a chest x-ray to check for consolidation.

Although it's rare, Amiodarone and Dronedarone can cause cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP) sometimes known as pulmonary toxicity. Clinicians usually think it's community aquired pnuemonia (an infection) whereas COP is inflammation and antibiotics will have no effect. If you have COP only prednisolone will reverse the inflammation.

I was prescribed Dronedarone in 2014 and admitted to hospital twice with the diagnosis of community aquired pneumonia and, on the second admission I was given Amiodarone by IV. It wasn't until my third admission with consolidation in both lungs that COP was diagnosed and I had to argue not to be taken to Intensive Care, sedated and put on a ventilator. This year the consultant told me that on my third admission I had "...been close to death...".

If there is some doubt about your diagnosis, the clinicians can check with the North Bristol Lung Department at Southmead Hospital, Bristol who dealt with my case.