Amiodarone for 20 years.

[Ceeaitchjay]

Had a rapid heart beat in work 20 years ago and was rushed to emergency hospital. My heart was racing at 220 bpm. I was "zapped" and my heart stabilized. The consultant prescribed 100mg daily of Amiodarone and 2.5mg of Bisoprolol. He warned me the Amiodarone would render me impotent but said it was a small price to pay for saving my life. I was 56 at the time and was the last time my wife and I made love. About 18 months later I had lost 3 stone and was severely fatigued. I visited my GP who arranged a blood test. My thyroid test came back at 111, the highest the practice have ever recorded. Was told this was a side effect of taking Amiodarone. I was prescribed Levothyroxine and within 3 weeks I started gaining weight and felt normal again. That's it. I continue with the drugs prescribed and hope the doctors have got it right. Nothing I can do about the impotency I'm afraid. Too late now.

[Kaz747]

I’m currently on Amiodarone but my EP said he’ll only keep me on it for a couple of months because of the long term side effects.

[higgy52 in reply to Kaz747]

Told me to take Amiodarone short term, was kept on it for two and a half years, it done me in thyroid trouble head aches, eyes and many more things and was still in A F,

[Kaz747 in reply to higgy52]

I will be reminding my EP what he said if he tries to keep me on it for too long 😉

[Norm]

Please, PLEASE. Anyone on Amiodarone enter Amiodarone in the search box top right and read all previous articles and postings. I think it may help you.

[jennydog]

Ceeaitchjay. Thank you for such an honest and courageous post.

I was given Amiodarone very early in my AF journey. It did nothing for me and Soltalol was then tried.

I know now that I should not have been given it but we can only try what we are given.

[Hidden]

Are you stlll under review by the cardiologist? And having periodic blood tests and eye examinations? Is your AF still a problem?

Do you prefer to stay on the Amiodarone permanently for peace of mind, because many would be asking if it could safely be withdrawn.

[Ceeaitchjay in reply to Hidden]

I see a Cardiologist annually. I've never had AF for 20 years but the experts say that may be the Amiodarone working as it should, preventing a further attack. So that's why they are reluctant to change the drug.

[cuore in reply to Ceeaitchjay]

Yours is such a drastic story. Twenty years ago gets us to 1998, the beginnings of the ablation technique. Was this consultant a cardiologist, and is it now the same one telling you to remain on Amiodarone for twenty years? This advice appears to be outdated, as twenty years is a whole generation and a lot of advancement in arrhythmia research has happened in that time.

You say, "the experts say that may be the Amiodarone working as it should." By the fact that they use the word "may," they are not guaranteeing you that they are right to keep you on Amiodarone, especially since you had only one attach twenty years ago. Are these "experts" old, in age, using outdated information? Have you thought of consulting an electrophysiologist recently graduated with more current data?

I have a friend, who, like you h,ad to go to the emergency for a cardioversion, twice. The last cardioversion was three years ago. He was not put on any drugs and he is totally fine with no arrhythmia. He is 78 years old.

You are the expert of your own body as you live with it 24/7. Being the expert of your own body, you might want to consult an expert electrophysiologist, not at the same hospital, region or area to determine whether remaining on Amiodarone until you die is really the best course for you.

[dmac4646]

There are alternatives that may be suitable you need to see a Cardio.

[Mike11]

I am sure you and your wife still love one another and that is far more important than physical love-making. Hope everything is well on the health front from now on

[bennie06]

Interesting post. What medication are you currently taking? (if you don't mind sharing).

[pip_pip]

I never had a problem with Amioderone, and was prescribed it three times two years each time over 10+ years. It helped me no end. Fortunately mt ablations x 3 dealt a blow to the AF, 5 years ago, and now I just take low bisoprolol 1.25mg (my option) per day. I have nothing but 'fond' memories. However people here might note that Amioderone is being planned to stop being precribed. see:

theguardian.com/society/201...

Phil