Amiodarone

[Metalic]

Hi all,new to all this,my name is richard I have AFIB had it around three yrs now,had two failed cardio versions,just had a diaphragm plication op at glenfields,my question is,any one here had any experience with amiodrone,I’ve been on it over 7 months now and really don’t like it,going to see my consultant on the 20th(dr Stafford)I’ve a feeling it could be to discuss a third cardio version,or an ablation......

[CDreamer]

Others with experience of Amiodarone may well chip in later.

I have refused it because of the very toxic nature of this drug and my understanding is that it is a drug of last resort and to be taken short term and most often used just before or just after cardioversion to assist the efficacy. It can be very effective for some people in helping people get back into NSR and staying there.

If it isn’t stopping the AF my question to your doctor would be why are you taking it?

Are you being monitored whilst on it? You need regular testing for thyroid function, liver and kidney.

Very best wishes.

[Metalic]

Hi thanks for the reply,not being monitored at all,I’ve heard all sorts of nightmare stories about this drug,I’ve put on quite a bit of weight whilst on it to......I’ll have a chat to my consultant next Tuesday.......are you in permanent af??

[CDreamer in reply to Metalic]

No PAF but episodes can last quite a long time and it tends to be progressive.

It’s usually up to your GP to do the monitoring but certainly my consultants both want copies of my blood results.

[PaulaEKing in reply to Metalic]

yes for now. As it stays in your body for months, allow some time for it to leave, then see if your A fib comes back. I've only been off for about 6 weeks, so I do not know for sure if my A Fib will return. My cardiologist says, "maybe it won't, and if it does, then we'll discuss other medications. I am now only on Entresto and metoprolol (plus of course levothyroxine for my damaged thyroid).

[Hidden]

I have posted many times about my time on this horrible drug.

However, even though it did not convert me to NSR, it did keep in me in NSR for several months following a cardio version, which then allowed me to have an ablation

[Metalic in reply to Hidden]

Hi mikee I was in NSR for a round a week......how did you go with the ablation??

[Hidden]

Had ablation for flutter and fib on the 14th April last year. Still in NSR but I think flutter has come back.

Waiting for a 24 hour monitor.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Dr Stafford at Glenfield?

Congratulations if he is your EP, Top bloke

[Jollies]

I took amiodarone for over a year. Only managed to stay in nsr with it for 2 weeks. Asked my ep what he would do if I was his wife or daughter he was treating and he took me off it! I am convinced that it was the amiodarone that did not help my breathing ( but I could be totally wrong!)

[MRockwell in reply to Jollies]

I think you are totally right my husband nearly died on this drug could not sleep breathing problems, pneumonia, Dr would not admit it was Amiodarone (changed Doctor) but is going along fine since he came off it. Had a ICD/pacemaker implanted 8 years ago has been on Sotalol for a few months now after Ventricular Tachycardia episode (few months ago) changed his medication seems to be working.

[Hidden]

Half the problem is, we are on all these drugs for a reason, we have AF. So often it is too easy to miss the side effects because we blame the condition

[Metalic in reply to Hidden]

Very true👍👍

[Becksagogo]

I too have spoken many times about this drug which I found very toxic and as a result of being on it for 7 months I have liver, thyroid and kidney problems. However in its defence it does what it says on the tin and has helped many people through their surgery.

I personally would never take it again.

[Ianc2]

Type in amiodarone in the search box top right and wait for the onslaught.

[Amcech]

I've been taking amiodarone for 6 months. I have not experienced any major side effects except weight gain, about 12 lbs,. I'm due to see my EP in April and plan to ask him if I can stop it. It's helped with my afib but not completely, still have episodes lasting from a few hours to a couple of days but without any symptoms. It's a dangerous drug and I'm hoping when my blood work is done it will be OK. Would I take it again? No.

[MRockwell]

Amiodarone is the drug of last resort see "Amiodarone Toxicity" nearly killed my husband see "Stop Amiodarone" ask why you are on this drug you have to be monitored very careful when you come off it. Take care be informed.

[PaulaEKing]

Hi! I've got a whole book on amiodarone and what it's done to me in the year I've taken it. I'm sure you find more information but my personal experience says, stop taking it if you can, it has completely destroyed my thyroid, and can do tons of other damage even though it does work great on A Fib. Please read up on it - and make your cardiologist or GP aware of the dangers and perform some bloodwork. Trust me - these people I've met on Health Unlocked probably saved my life with their advice.