Taking A low dose of Amiodarone and wanted to find out if anyone self converted to normal sinus rhythm from taking the medication. 200mg per

[dleedga]

I was prescribed Amiodarone

Low dose (200mg) 1 per day .doctor is going to try cardioversion. Has anyone self convert from taking amiodarone or had bed experiences with this medication!

[BobD Volunteer]

Amiodarone is not a nice drug and has many affects but should be safe enough short term9 2 to 3 months) in the run up to a cardioversion to assist in it working. It is possible that you may revert to NSR before the DCCV.(cardioversion).

[Paulbounce]

I can't answer your question about Amiodarone.

Here's a quick copy and paste from Google

...Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent a number of types of irregular heartbeats. This includes ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and wide complex tachycardia, as well as atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia...

In this respect my personal experience might apply. I am also on a antiatthythmic drug called Flecianide. Before my 3rd CV I started on a lower dose and then moved up. I didn't go back in to sinus until my CV - I'm still in normal rhythm (must be 16 months ish now). 100% of this is down to the flec (IMO).

As Bob has said maybe you'll revert to sinus before your CV. Maybe you won't - luck of the draw I think. However these med's can help you stay in NR after your CV. I'm pretty covinced without flec I would be back in afib.

In my personal experience they start you off on a low dose then 'up' it assuming you don't have side effects.

I still struggle to understand why people are given the first CV without some medication - it's often the case. I'm in the UK and it seems to be the way here. Saying that none of us want to take med's unless we have to.

You'll likely get 3 or 4 months in sinus with just a CV. It might be a few days or a few hours - again it's luck of the draw. If you convert though that's great news - it shows treatments can work for you.

With some med's (flec) it can last much longer - years for some forum members on here. Flec ticks all the boxes for me (at the moment but I know it won't last forever).

Knowing my luck after posting this I'll be back in afib !

Hope your CV goes well

Paul

[Rubymurray25]

I was in hospital recently after an AF episode which after my 300mg Flecainide PIP changed me from a varied 45/190 bpm AF to 130bpm of Flutter but although consistent wouldn't stop. I was given IV Metoprol 5mg ( which worked once before ) and then a further 5mg, the consultant said I had a very stubborn heart indeed and said I needed a DC Cardioversion but as I had been given a sandwich they wouldn't do it so put me on an IV of 300mg Amiodarone as a starting point before a 24 hour Amiodarone drip . Just as I was making preparations to have my disabled wife looked after for the night my heart rate went suddenly from 135 bpm to 54 bpm ( my little prayer seemed to have been answered ). I was observed for an hour saw a different consultant and was allowed home, I was so happy it was such a brilliant feeling. I have been having a few issues in the past 3 months and was down for a third ablation anyway, so they put me on Amiodarone 600mg a day for one week, 400mg for the second week and now on 200mg a day. I also take 1.25mg Bisoprolol although I have to monitor daily as my heart rate is touching the very early 40's , my normal rate is 48/49.

Whilst as I always say we are all so very different, I guess it shows anything can happen. The consultant asked if the previous day I had been stressed and the truthful answer was a yes , I think that is my worst trigger, as I don't drink and do eat sensibly!!! Good luck.

[Hidden]

Hi, I took Amiodarone for about 9 months, some people to convert to NSR taking it, but I didn't unfortunately.

My EP had prescribed it ahead of a cardioversion in the hope that it would keep me in NRS which it did for about 6 months following my first DCCV.

However, I did experience horrible side effects, I would get sunburn even through double glazed windows wearing factor 50+ in the winter, this alone made my life pretty miserable and pretty much housebound and living like a vampire. I also had a brain fog and finally it was discovered that it damaged my thyroid so I was stopped immediately.

I know that for some people this dirty drug does not seem to trouble them, but in my opinion it should not be available for anything other than life or death situations

[Ducky2003]

I had my first cardioversion with only Diltiazem and it failed after 4 days. I was then put on Amiodarone for 3 months prior to number 2 and stayed in NSR, still taking the Amiodarone for 2.5 years( I had been taken off the ablation list by accident, but that's a different story). Cardiologist wanted me off it (my eyes had started to be affected and skin sensitive at times) as I am young to have all this but we agreed to have a go without meds rather than jump at ablation, and I lasted 8 months med free in NSR before it kicked off again. I re-started Amiodarone in June and had cardioversion number 3 yesterday which will hopefully keep me in NSR until an ablation can be done. Think the plan is for me to stay on Amiodarone until ablation. It's not a great drug but I'm so symptomatic with AF, it's a means to an end at the moment as I dont tolerate Flecanide or Bisoprolol at all. Being able to walk upstairs this morning without it feeling like climbing the North face of the Eiger was wonderful. Good luck.

[Silvasava]

I was given Amiodarone prior to cardioversion, I took the first doses and had a blood test, I had just started the lower dose and had another blood test and was told to stop it immediately as it was affecting my liver. Another blood test and liver scan and all o k now. As Mikee69 says it's a 'dirty' drug & can have nasty side effects ( I don't have a thyroid) so regular checks are paramount.

[johnMiosh]

Amiodarone is effective, but usually needs a high level in your bloodstream to work. it is also very difficult for your body to process, it can only get rid of 2% of the amiodarone in your system per day. After you stop, you will still have half of it in your body after two months and still 1/8 after six months.

It affects the skin, making it sensitive to sunlight, so you will need factor 50 and clothing (for some people, even in winter).

It can have bad effects on the eyes, so make an appointment at an optician that will use a high resolution camera. My company uses Boots as their DSE specs provider and use this as part of their standard eye test. I had been loyal to my family-run optician for years, but they did not have this facility so I changed to Boots for this reason. I understand Specsavers also have this.

Finally, it can destroy the liver and thyroid, so make sure your GP is aware of the need for regular tests.

Having said all this, I am now three years without AF after ablation and amiodarone for three months , so it was definitely good for me.

[harrigate1]

I'm on 200mg 1/day Amiodarone. I had my 1st CV last year 11 July 2019 and was back to normal till 2 December when I woke up back in AF. I had a CV 14 Jan 2020 and my Cardio persuaded me to take Amiodarone, I didn't fancy taking it after reading about possible side effects.. I'm 7 months after and still in SR. I'm a little photo sensitive and have a lovely tanned face, lol. I wear a broad brimmed Tilley and a bit of sun slap and I'm OK. I also experienced a bit of constipation, wife said I was full of it before Amiodarone. I eat 2 or 3 soft prunes and that keeps everything moving gently. I'm 74, lots of energy, green keeping every morning at my local bowls club.

[not2worry]

Amiodarone was given to my husband right after he had his 2nd Cardioversion (the 1st Cardioversion only lasted 5 days).

After the 2nd CV + Amiodarone he stayed out of AF but after 60 days the blood test showed the Amio was affecting his liver.

The end solution was going to a PM. And that was the best solution. Has had PM for 2 years and only a few short bouts of AF. By short only a couple of AF events in 2 years with the longest lasting 2 hours.

[MRockwell]

Had very bad side effects from Amiodarone I had pre-existing hyperthyroid, because Amiodarone contains iodine should never have been put on this drug check interaction with medication you are on pharmist should alert you to interaction as doctors do not...beta-blockers, Warfrin and statins. Also affected my liver after just 1 month you should be moinitored carefully.

[Ashburton51]

I converted to NSR when I took it. My EP was brilliant and only kept me on it for about 5-6 months because of the side effects. But it certainly worked.

[cardshark]

I have been on Amiodarone 100mgm. daily almost three years now and have been free of atrial fibrillation which is indeed a blessing! Never had an ablation or cardioversion. Had cardiac cath. with very good results so the cardiologist felt I was a good candidate for Amiodarone. Healthy 80 yr. old when I first experienced afib three years ago.

[Mollykin]

Hi just seen your post and was wondering how you got on with Amiodarone? I started it 4 days ago 200 mg but have been itchy all over, feeling sick, woozy and very tired n spaced out. Cardiac nurse told me to stop but now I’m scared as no other drugs suitable and my heart not pumping properly x

[dleedga in reply to Mollykin]

I had the same issues and they stopped mine!! I feel for ya because it feels like you have n control of your body and helpless ! Just keep taking your meds and if you would like to call me and chat.

(813)3317-7126 I have a hard time communicating by text message .