Back in AF

I have paf .had lung cancer diagnosed last year and upper r lobe removed in December . In 2018 had various pacemakers removed due to hospital born infections . Now have a Medtronic implant sitting on my ventrical which paces my heart at 60 beats minimum . I have had 2 episodes of AF in the last 2 weeks which feels different because of the implant .heart rate reaching 150 . Phoned pacemaker clinic was advised to come down for ECG consultant wants me to go on amiodarone . District nurse came to house yesterday to take bloods thyroid liver kidney and full blood count . Not really wanting to go down that route as I've got a low kidney function .I have Emphysema and 2 spots on my left lung that are being monitored with CT scans . I have hot sweats day and night fatigued . Any advice on this drug would be appreciated.

[Hidden]

No personal experience Moses but it needs to be taken with care. Obviously make sure everyone concerned is fully aware of you medical history and try to keep the period of taking it as short as possible. Also avoid direct sunlight. Hope they manage to get it quickly under control, best wishes......

[Desanthony]

As FlapJack says take this with care and watch for side effects. I took it for 12 weeks last year before and after my cardioversion. I had no problems going out in the sun - though talked with some at the CV clinic who did. It is better to avoid the sun as burning can be a big problem so use total sunblock. At the end of the time my thyroid count was wrong - another side effect so even if I was not due to come out off I would have been taken off then. Within 3 months of coming off my thyroid count was back to normal. HOpe it works for you and you don't get bad side effects. Just take care.

[krmartin616]

Although it may work for certain illness BE VERY CAUTIOUS with amiodarone. If you take it do not take longer than 6 months. It causes serious lung scarring and is very toxic. My boyfriend had heart failure and took it longer than that and it took me researching and asking questions a lot. Only to find they HE SHOUKD have never been taking that long. He started coughing really bad and got very ILL directly from the amiodaone abd I demanded they take him off if it So they did and now he takes solitoL. If you have lung issues I woukd strongly not recommend taking this medication at least long term

[Maagaa]

Well Moses sounds like you've been through the mill. Went into AFIB during a huge 4 hour emergency surgery. My cardiologist did a conversion that lasted 5 days. Went to Electrophysiologist he put me on heavy dose Amiodarone plus Magnesium and after three weeks another conversion which worked I have been in Normal rhythm 2 yrs. Had major thyroid and neuropathy problems which never went away. It's a toxic drug that took 18 months to leave my system it stays in the tissues for a long time. I have one kidney so had to be very carefully monitored. That's about all I can tell you. Research as much as possible and get a second opinion. Much Luck Good Lord you could use it

[Nyhyttan]

Hi Moses

Have a relatively chronic lung condition called bronchiectasis with bronchial infections which means I have to take antibiotics 4 to five times a year. With every infection I experience PAF. My first PAF occured in 2003 and I then had a ten year free perod. Thought I was cured.

Since then I have had a progressive course and now have PAF approx. once a month. My presnt medication is Apixiban and Dronedarone. Dronedarone is a variation of Amiodarone but very much less toxic and possibly slightly less effective. With this medication when having a PAF I take 2,5mg Bsoprolol and the attack is aborted within 4-5hours. I have been to see an EP who has put me on a waiting list for an ablation (probably next year because of the Corona). I have very few side effects and wonder if you have discussed Dronedarone as an alternative treatment?

I am now 79 years of age and feel reasonably fit despite my ailments.Good Luck!

[Hidden]

Hi Nyhyttan. My daughter who is a physio suggested I ask about that instead of amiodarone.. I am. 73 and I just feel after all I've been through in the last 18 months .I couldn't face another hurdle to jump over . I am also my husband's full time carer , and feel we have both been through enough . Thank you anyway . Be safe 🌈🌈

[Ian39]

I'm 78, have been taking Amiodarone daily for more than a year and it's doing its job of setting my pulse at 40-43 bpm with no AF - to the extent that I have an ongoing prescription for this drug for life (along with ibrutinib for lymphoma). No side-effects after months of getting used to these & various other drugs. Moderate amounts of sunlight produce no ill effects. I give thanks for being fully-functioning in all depts & able to walk for 1 to 3 miles a day

Was put on Amiodarone after two cardioversions failed to fix the AF.

I hope it works for you equally well.

[Hidden in reply to Ian39]

Thank you Ian .I am going to give my GP a call and discuss it fully with him .