My husband had f/up appt. with Arrhythmia Nurse this week - 5 weeks after cardioversion - and thankfully still in sinus rhythm. Has now been referred for f/up heart scan to see if any improvement in function (approx. Dec 18) and then to see Cardiologist ( approx. Feb 19) Amiodorone to continue until Consultant appt. at which time it will be stopped.
Would be grateful to hear of any others recent experiences of post cardioversion, particularly what medication subsequently offered?
On a similar journey, converted early April following Amio course of 6 weeks.
Had echocardiogram early July and all good. "This is very reassuring" cardiologist quote. Meds now Amio 200mg daily and Bisoporol 7.5mg daily. plus Apixaban. Having an ECG at end if month and if ok the Amio will be stopped. (This is being directed by my GP after my recent MOT. Will check with my cardiologist as i don't want to trample on any flower borders!!) NO significant side effects so my AF is cured and the sword of Damocles has vanished. If it returns i will cross that bridge appropriately. Looks though we are on the same time lines and i trust that your husband is progressing well. Can take a while to fire on all 6, but positiveness and persistence does help. Goid luck.
Thank you for your reply bennie06, it is reassuring that you are making good progress. My husband also takes 200mg Amiodorone daily and Warfarin along with Candesartan for raised blood pressure (only required since AF developed!)
He's certainly not firing on all cylinders yet but is able to walk on the flat unhampered and is building up to longer uphill distances, which is helpful as we live in the South Wales Valleys (ha ha)
He has found taking Amio quite stressful but regular blood tests show nothing of concern to date. He was advised that the Cardiologist will likely reduce the dose to 100mg first, prior to stopping altogether - will that apply to you also?
Go well and best wishes for the future.
As far as i know I'll be going "cold turkey". Your good news is that your husband has missed out on Bisoporol so fingers crossed his recovery will be easier. I am also a walker and now back to normal although the weather has curtailed my Dartmoor hikes! 200mg of Amio is supposedly a low maintenance dose and 100mg a "very low" dose though he will still be monitored every 4 months. If you use Dr. Google you will find various trials regarding side effects and efficacy which gives some reassurance. Keep walking ( set your goals, try "step counting" and soon your walk will revert back to being a pleasure).
Keep smiling.
I’m starting Amiodorone today in preparation for a 2nd CV on 15th December. Been in persistent AF for a couple of years apart from 4 days of NSR after first CV. Not looking forward to taking Amiodorone after what I’ve read! If I stay in NSR long enough they want to do an MRI to check ejection fraction and possible left ventricle dilation. You never know though, as I’m stopping Bisoprolol today, the Amiodorone maybe better as I’ve often wondered if the Bisoprolol is responsible for making me feel tired and breathless walking uphill. So it looks like I am also on a similar journey to your husband so I wish him the very best of luck and look forward to hearing about a positive outcome for him.
Ian
Initially I think it's focusing on what is needed to be achieved in the run up to your cardioversion and immediately after and Amiodorone has worked in that respect for my husband. There's no denying he will be glad to stop taking it but as bennie06 says above the power of positivity and persistence is helpful to get you through. Best wishes for your journey and keep in touch also.
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