Dronedarone

[7164]

Hi all

Thanks for all the replies

Is anyone taking Dronedarone?

Could do with do with info about it?

For those of us taking bisoprol does the amount you have to take slowly increase over time.

Thanks

Rod

[BobD Volunteer]

Dronedarone (Multaq) was hoped to be the answer to many prayers when it was released but seems to have dropped from popularity. It is similar to Amiodarone but without the iodine so less toxic. From memory liver function tests are needed regularly.

[7164 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob

Always rely on you

I live in the Highlands and the EP is from Aberdeen. Why would we talk about this if it is a medication that is not widely used?

With my 18 month paf ( 4/5) 4 hr episodes which are always nasty symptomatic , only on 2.5 mg Bisop

Would you be thinking about this additional med or the ablation possibility? I know you are not s doctor but your experience means a lot to my decision making process

Rod

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 7164]

Things go into and out of fasion I guess. All and any treatment is only ever for quality of life (QOL) so one must balance risk against reward regarding ablation. Only you know your AF burden so only you can decide what you want. A wise man once said that when the pupil is ready the teacher will come so you should know when ablation is what you want. Just remember that AF begets AF so the longer you have it the worse it gets.

[7164 in reply to BobD]

Bob

Thank you

[countrygirl1 in reply to 7164]

Hello,

I am in the Islands and my EP is in Aberdeen, and I was on Dronedarone for 18 months before I had catheter ablation.

Dronedarone didn't work for me, and I was on Bisoprolol 2.5 which had a weakening effect particularly on my legs. My EP said I was a good candidate for ablation but I was hesitant and scared so that's why I tried the drugs first. My AF was lasting 12-14 hours and was occurring fortnightly but started to be weekly and so I agreed to ablation. I haven't had a single episode since September 2017 when I had it done!

I wouldn't hesitate if I needed treatment again to go to Dr B. My GP has said "you have a very caring consultant" and I feel very fortunate to have been referred to such a centre of excellence.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

[7164 in reply to countrygirl1]

Country girl

I love this site.

I am in Inverness and a I saw a different EP from you. He was very caring and suggested the pragmatic approach of stay on the 2.5 bishop and then add Dron. I was happy to go with that as I too am wary of the ablation. However, the bisop gives me a very tight chest especially on exercise and makes me tired. To be honest my qol has taken a bit hit with the anxiety.

Could you tell me a little more please. I am very symptomatic and have to lie down and wait for the discomfort to pass. Were the same? How was the op? Have you got your qol back?

I do appreciate this

Rod

[countrygirl1 in reply to 7164]

Hi Rod,

I had my first AF episode on coming round after surgery (not cardiac surgery), my surgeon thought it might be a one off episode but when I had a repeat episode a few days later I was put on 2.5 Bisoprolol and not really given any further advice. Bisoprolol didn't stop my episodes which were getting more frequent and longer so my GP upped the Bisop to 5 and I started to suffer severe tiredness in the legs, I was unable to get up stairs and couldn't keep up with family members although I had previously been a fast walker.

After referral to EP I was offered cryo ablation or Dronedarone so I opted for the drug first even though I was told I was a good candidate for ablation ( I had been having AF very symptomatically for 6 months by then). Dronedarone didn't do much for me at all. The Bisoprolol was gradually tailed off slowly which was excellent as I was still weak on only 1.25. I was put on Apixaban anticoagulant. One thing I felt did help to start with was a magnesium supplement but the AF kept coming back.

My AF episodes always started at night and the shortest was 6 hours, longest was 14 hours. It would start suddenly and I just had to ride it out, always lying down and feeling terrible. I learned calming breathing techniques but the anxiety was a major thing. The episodes would end on their own without any medical intervention.

My quality of life was poor, and I was anxious before bedtime every night. I agreed to go for ablation and had a wait of about 5 months during which time AF became more frequent.

I had the cryo ablation done after 2 years and 3 months of suffering AF. It was done under sedation so I was conscious (more or less!) and I went in as a day patient and I didn't need to stay in for a night although I could have done if I'd needed to. I have never had an episode of AF since the one that the EP created during the procedure in order to treat. I took it very very easy afterwards, and I did suffer some migraine type visual disturbances during the next couple of weeks but nothing else not even a bruise! I do suffer from that type of migraine anyway so that might just have been me.

The worst aspect of the ablation was my fear beforehand, and I did find the trans osophogeal echocardiogram a bit daunting but I was given very good support and sedation throughout. I am so happy that I had it done, and my quality of life is excellent, I feel as though I've never had AF. I do realise that sometimes the condition can come back but I wouldn't hesitate to go for ablation again. I continue on Apixaban because of being female and over 65, and I feel happy to be protected by it and don't have any side effects.

I read everything I could find about the cryo ablation and so nothing surprised me. As you say this site is very good!

Sorry it's such a long read, if you have anything else to ask - go ahead.

Good luck, Jane

[7164 in reply to countrygirl1]

Jane

Thank you so much. Really helpful. The EP i saw was Dr Allfonter who seemed very positive. I am going back to see my GP and cardiologist as I would rather take the risk than carry on like this.

Rod

[Tudee]

I was on Dronederone for 3 months, all blood tests during that time were normal, I felt no side effects but I went from p.a.f. to persistent and now of course permanent a.f. which is somewhat a relief as I am symptom free.

[7164 in reply to Tudee]

Tudee

Thank you

Symptom free? No leaping fish and speeding heart and tight chest ? Really?

No more constant anxiety?

Rod

[Tudee in reply to 7164]

No Rod, I wrote a post here’s while back “peace at last”and that luckily is my experience,

Im well controlled on Bisoprol 250mg alternating with 375mg. also Apixaban bd and that’s it. I walk twice a day, exercise and lead a full life and at 75 yrs I feel good, ......so it’s bye bye loop de loop, ...cartwheels, ..thorax full of fluttering birds, ..panic, hand hovering over the 999 button...I wish you very good health and happiness in 2020 and onwards.Dee

[7164 in reply to Tudee]

See

Thank you

The bisop makes me very tired and tight chested. It had not fully stopped the AF and I get a lot of ectopic beats. I am leaning toward ablation.

Did you have to lose weight? I have stopped alcohol and caffeine etc

All the best for 2020

Rod

[Tudee in reply to 7164]

Hi Rod, Bisoprolol doesn’t stop or control AF, as far as I know it’s to control hypertension, but Im sure others will clarify for you. Dee

[Hidden]

My gp advised I try Dronedarone but Cardiologist said she wouldn’t advise. She felt it never lived up to its promise and to persevere with Flecainide.

[tcpace]

My wife had a nasty experience with Dronedarone. She was prescribed it, rather than Amiodarone, because she has a thyroid problem. All went well for about 4 weeks. She then developed a serious rash, literally all over her body. It turned out photosensitivity is a side effect for some. The EP instructed her to come off it immediately. It took weeks for the rash to clear after treatment with corticosteroid cream. I'm not saying don't take it, just be aware that it can cause skin problems in some cases.