Feeling very down tonight. Had my first cardioversion today and it failed completely even though they tried three times. Have now had my medication changed to what they call the chemical route. Amiodarone 200 mg and Rivaroxaban 20 mg whilst still continuing with Diltiazem. 180 mg and Nebivolol. 5 mg. Booked in again in six weeks to try again. Has anybody had success second time again with the chemical route. Feeling like I am right back at the beginning tonight. Need to do research tomorrow when I feel more positive. Any advice or information would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
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Poppy128
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Hi Mike, thanks for the information. I’ve read the side effects leaflet and they sound pretty grim. What do 8 really need to look out for? I know we are all different but just knowing in layman’s terms what to look for would be really helpful. Thanks
Make sure you have a care plan agreed between your hospital and your GP. You will need to have 6 monthly blood tests to pick up any thyroid or other problems before they get going. It is also a good idea to have regular eye tests.
Your other option is to have a good, hard look at your lifestyle, lose weight if you need to, banish sugar from your life, and ease right back on the booze, and try and eat a lot more green stuff and less processed carbs.
While you are at it try and increase the amount of time you spend on steady, gentle, regular exercise - a mile day takes about 20 minutes, more if you can manage it, to improve your general level of fitness.
Having said all of the above I was on amiodarone, I did get some of the side effects, especially the sensitive skin and the vortex in the eyes but I had an ablation which was successful for a good while until I took a powerful anti allergy drug which knocked me back into an irregular rythmn - but not as bad as before.
It is a powerful drug but it is only prescribed on a short term basis. I agree with Aufgeblassen's opinion that it may be worthwhile to push for an ablation. Have you asked to see an EP?
Hang in Poppy my first one failed went to a wonderful Electrophysiologist who put me on heavy dose amiodarone and Magnesium hit me again and bingo in steady rhythm for almost 2 yrs. he took the amiodarone away a month after my conversion was a success but still taking 400 magnesium. Beware amiodarone has terrible side effects. Have hyperthyroidism and neuropathy so I guess you have to trade on for another.
Thanks. Nice to here some positive news. Worried about possible side effects of Amiodarone but it seems to be worth a try with it if it helps with the next cardioversion attempt. Here’s hoping!!
I was directed down a similar path. My first conversion worked but only for a week so, like yourself was started on a cocktail of meds including "Amio" 200mg. After six weeks (it takes this time for Amio to be effective) had a successful conversion and to help maintain normal rhythm stayed on Amio for nearly twelve months. (Do a little research on success rates for conversions. The first month is key to a long term success). I am still on Bisoprolol but 18 months down the line still in NSR so am a happy bunny and from my perspective my AF is cured.
Side effects with Amio are dose dependent and 200mg daily is regarded as a reasonably low dose. Check out Google for a number of clinical trials that give evidence based statistics. As a starter, doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2014.2...
One trial i came across reported no side effects when on 100mg, although the data set was too small to be truly representative. Personally i can report of no significant side effects and hopefully neither will you,
The "Ablationists versus "Chemicalists" debate continues. Check out the "Cabana" trial (on a wet Sunday afternoon) which concluded that Ablations were not significantly more effective than a meds regime and that Ablations could be considered in certain circumstances as a first line treatment plan.
Stay strong, stay positive, enjoy your weekend and Good Luck.
Thanks Bennie for all the information. It is great to hear it worked for you. Keeping my fingers crossed I have the same success and hopefully no side effects from Amio.
Don’t be too discouraged, my 1st ever DC cardioversion also failed, (2007) I was then prescribed Amiodrone for 4 months and my next CV worked and I remained in NSR for over 6 years.
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What has been more successful for you? Chemical Cardioversion, DC Cardioversion or Spontaneous Cardioversion?
Cardioversion 
Failed cardioversion
Failed Cardioversion -what next?
Cardioversion failed
