Amiodarone anyone?

[Alfieros]

I’m in the hospital since yesterday, after I had an ablation on Wednesday. I went into severe afib and breathlessness. I could barely walk a few feet to the rest room. After several medications failed to bring my heart back, they started me on a medication called Amiodarone. Worked great. I came to the ER at 8 am with afib and bpm ranging from 140 to 180 which lasted 14 hours. Nothing worked until they gave me this. Inside 20 minutes, my rate went to the low 100’s. I fell asleep and was told this morning that at 3 am, I converted back to NSR. The issue for me is that this drug seems to have very serious side effects, even more so than usual. The Dr. had already told me that there can be serious side effects but that they were rare. I’m just wondering if anyone else has ever taken this medication and your opinion of it.

I told my regular cardiologist of my concerns he did consult with my EP about it. They both agreed it would be the way to go. He said “if we read the flyers on all medications, we wouldn’t want to take any of them” if my ablation is successful they will eventually be taking me off of this medication but who knows if and when that will happen.

As a sidebar: Funny though (not really) I eat mostly organic foods and frequent the gym and now I feel like I’ll be poisoning my system

Thank you in advance for any input

[greencrop]

My experience with Amiodarone is I was started on it in October 2015 prior to open heart surgery to replace the aortic valve on Nov. 3, 2015. It was supposed to help prevent atrial fibrillation. So I probably took it for about three months. One of the side effects for me was very shaky hands, such that it was easy to spill tea from my cup of tea and difficult to get the computer mouse to let me place the cursor where I wanted it to be. My hairstylist did tell me that my hair was falling out, probably towards the end of the time I was taking it. The heart surgeon's nurse practitioner wanted my cardiologist to take me off the Amiodarone but I can't remember the reason. I hope someone is able to give you more information. I hope it works for you and that you're able to stay free of any serious side effects.

[Alfieros in reply to greencrop]

Thank you for your input. Glad you eventually got off of it. Did you have to be hospitalized to be switched off? All the best.

[jeanjeannie50]

Amiodarone is frequently talked about on this forum. If you type Amiodarone in the search Health Unlocked box at the top right of this page if will show you all the posts.

I took this drug for about a year and it damaged my thyroid and I now have to take medication to right that for the rest of my life. I believe it can be taken for very short periods with no effects. Hate this drug and can't understand why it's still allowed to be given!

Jean

[Alfieros in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I will look up the medicine in this search engine.

[PhyllisK in reply to Alfieros]

I had the same results that Jean describes re:Thyroid damage. Please ask GP to do regular blood tests until another medication option is available. Good luck. Phyl

[Alfieros in reply to PhyllisK]

Thank you Phyllis. I have an appointment this coming Monday and I’m going to beg him to take me off of it and possibly change to something else.

[Alfieros in reply to PhyllisK]

Thank you Phyllis. I have an appointment this coming Monday and I’m going to beg him to take me off of it and possibly change to something else.

[jedimasterlincoln]

I have had a similar experience to you with this drug. For a couple of years I was on dronedrone, which was hailed as a less potent stripped back and "better" version of amiodrone. Championed as "amiodrone without the side effects" though I did still need regular blood tests for liver function.

About 18 months ago I was admitted to ED with yet another fast AF episode with a HR pushing 200 and very irregular. Contrary to what usually happens (a DC cardioversion in resus) the A&E registrar decided to try chemical cardioversion (despite this only working once in 5 attempts over the years) of flecanide but natrually after a couple of hours it was clear this wasn't going to work.

I was admitted to the cardiology ward and commenced on Amiodrone IV. This infusion is slow (as too fast can stop your heart(!) over 23 hours through a pump. It eventually, like you, brought it down to the low 100s but I was still in AF. I was allowed home but allowed to swap to tablets at a high loading dose over a week and then dropped down to a "maintenence dose" for a few months afterwards. I was only on it for a short period before I had another ablation - it was decided that I had atrial flutter not AF and the flecanide had probably made it worse.

[Alfieros in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

I’m so sorry you went through that. I hope you’re feeling wonderful by now.

[BobD Volunteer]

I had to have Amiodarone IV the day after my first ablation for similar reasons. It is a very effective drug but not ideal for long term use. It can take three to six months for the heart to recover from ablation and form all the scar tissue which stops the rogue impulses so I hope the doctors do not want you to remain on amiodarone all this time. A few weeks should be OK.

[Alfieros in reply to BobD]

Thank you for that. I am going to insist that they don’t keep me on that

[Hidden]

Never again, I was so ill taking this drug, it also damaged my thyroid. Luckily my thyroid function came back to normal 12 months after stopping it.

I don't doube that it kept me in NSR for the 6 months or so that i was taking it following a cardioversion, but for me it wasn't worth it

[Alfieros in reply to Hidden]

I’m so happy that your thyroid came back

[Hidden in reply to Alfieros]

Thanks, me too

[PhyllisK in reply to Hidden]

I am also happy that your Thyroid reverted back to normal. I have just been diagnosed with an Amiodarone compromised Thyroid, hopefully it is early stages and not too much damage done. 😔

[bennie06]

Glad that your in normal rhythm and long may it continue. Are you now on a maintenance dose and if so what is your dosage.

[Alfieros in reply to bennie06]

Thank you. I’ll be on 200 2x a day. I’m also taking Metropolol 50 2x a day. I am going to see him in his office in 2 weeks and he will reduce me, I believe to 100 - 2x a day.

correction: after two weeks the doctor will switch me to 200 mg one time a day. He was just in here to see me since I am being released from the hospital today

[bennie06 in reply to Alfieros]

The side effects of Amio are well documented. It has been confirmed by a recent trial that a "low" maintenance dose(regarded as 200mg daily) significantly reduces side effect risk. Check out kjim.org/m/journal/view.php... which gives a balanced view. Also remember blood test every 4 months. Amio remains the most effective antiarrhythmic med available, confrmed by a number of trials and does what it says on the tin.

If the link doesnt work just Gooogle

kjim low dose amiodarone.

Good luck.

[Alfieros in reply to bennie06]

Thank you I will check it out bennie. Well in two weeks I’ll be on that dose 200 mg daily so that makes me feel little bit better. But I would still like to be off all together. We shall see!! Stay well. 😀

[grandmadogs]

I was put on amiodarone after a failed cardioversion and before having a second attempt (which also failed). My EP said he did not want me on it for more than 6 months. I had an ablation in September which was successful and I am having my follow up in December and expect to be taken off it then. I have had relevant tests re thyroid etc to make sure I am not being affected by it and so far so good and only a bit over a month to go! I do have very shaky hands and whenever I feel tired or anything else I blame the amiodarone! For me if it helped me to be back in NSR then the few months I am on it has been worth it although I think I have my EP who worked very hard and meticulously to ensure the ablation worked, taking over 5 hours and as he put it "having to do a lot of extra ones".

Good luck.

[Alfieros in reply to grandmadogs]

Thank you so much for your encouraging reply. I have only been on a 24 hour drip and two doses PO and I’m already getting shaky hands.

[grandmadogs in reply to Alfieros]

I found the first few weeks were the worst and either things settled down as my body got used to it or I got used to the side effects! Now whatever bad feelings I have I blame on amiodarone even though they might be due to other things entirely. Amiodarone is my scapegoat for the time being.

[Alfieros in reply to grandmadogs]

The same holds true for me. After a few days my symptoms dissipated and now I feel nothing unusual. I will be asking him to send me for a thyroid test though to be sure everything is OK since I didn’t have one at the start.

[grandmadogs in reply to Alfieros]

I have had thyroid, liver and kidney tests and kidney test due to repeated soon as well. Good to get everything checked out. My blood pressure is high and since I started amiodarone my dose of ramipril has been quadrupled but like everything else I put it down to the horrible drug and hope it will all be back to normal when I come off it. Luckily my GP is keeping a close check on me.

[Maagaa]

Took amiodarone heavy dose with heavy dose magnesium to prepare me for my second conversion as my first didn’t work. Second worked been in steady sinus rhythm for 19 months and praying. My EP kept me on 100 mg a day until I asked to be removed. I developed hypothyroidism, numb feet hair thinning. It’s supposed to be a miracle drug for AFIB but the side effects are horrible for some people. If you are taking it short term it might not give you all the side effects. Good Luck

[Alfieros in reply to Maagaa]

Glad you’re off of it and doing well rhythm-wise. I am starting out with 200 2x a day. In 2 weeks going down to 200 1x a day then we will take it from there. After only two days of 24 hours of intravenous amiodarone, I have the shakes which is not normal for me. I hope my ablation worked

[Maagaa in reply to Alfieros]

I hope it worked too Alfieros I will pray for you God its an awful feeling Tell the kids you're not old yet and will feel like a million bucks once your heart gets in sync. Think positive girl!

[Alfieros in reply to Maagaa]

Thank you Maagaa ❤️💕

[Alfieros]

Thank you so much for your encouraging reply. I have only been on a 24 hour drip and two doses PO and I’m already getting very shaky hands.

[grandmadogs]

I started 200 twice a day then dropped to once a day so not a particularly high dose. I hate having shaky hands but assume it will stop when we stop taking it.

[Alfieros in reply to grandmadogs]

That’s exactly the dosing plan my cardiologist is doing for me and in two weeks, lowering it to the 200 once a day. Yeah shaky hands are not very comfortable. My kids always tease me that I’m getting old so I guess this is going to bring on more teasing LOL

[Alfieros]

That’s exactly the dose is doing for me and into weeks lowering it to the 200 once a day. Yeah shaky hands are not very comfortable. My kids always tease me that I’m getting old so I guess this is going to bring on more teasing LOL

[grandmadogs in reply to Alfieros]

My children do too!

[Thompson123]

Hi Alfieos,

Sorry to hear your unwell , hope you feel better soon . You wondered what ablation did you have ?

[Alfieros in reply to Thompson123]

Thank you Thompson. I believe it’s called Af ablation. I’m not really too familiar with the types of ablation but I can tell you I had afib and they went in and burned the areas in the atrium. I’m sorry if I might sound uninformed 😫

[Thompson123 in reply to Alfieros]

That’s what I’m having done in December. So worried about it . I’m 36 with 3 children I’m hoping to recover quickly with no problems.

How are you feeling now ? Xx

[Alfieros in reply to Thompson123]

I’m feeling very good now. I consider my recent a fib after my ablation to be nothing more than a hiccup. I have paradoxical afib so I’m used to being in sinus rhythm most of the time. You have age on your side. I’m 64f and I got through it. You will too!!

[Alfieros]

Thank you Phyllis. I have an appointment this coming Monday and I’m going to beg him to take me off of it and possibly change to something else.

[Alfieros]

The same holds true for me. After a few days my symptoms dissipated and now I feel nothing unusual. I will be asking him to send me for a thyroid test though to be sure everything is OK since I didn’t have one at the start.

[bennie06 in reply to Alfieros]

Not certain but i would have thought you would have base line checks before your procedure, worth checking though. My 4 monthly checks all good so have the vital signs of a 25 year old, still waiting for Amazon to deliver a body to match. How i hate using Amazon! Trust that you are progressing nicely.

[Alfieros in reply to bennie06]

I had a lot of testing before my ablation but nothing to do with my thyroid. I don’t have any other medical issues and I am healthy and very fit for 64 years old. LOL re: about Amazon delivering your new body. I am an Amazon junkie!

[PhyllisK]

Good luck for the future.

[Alfieros]

I had a lot of testing before my ablation but nothing to do with my thyroid. I don’t have any other medical issues and I am healthy and very fit for 64 years old. LOL re: about Amazon delivering your new body. I am an Amazon junkie!