Amiodarone and a fib/ ectopics

[Visigoth]

Hello, I’m new to posting here having been diagnosed with paroxysmal a fib about a month ago. I’ve been put on amiodarone because I have a heart rate that goes quite low and the cardiologist felt beta blockers were out of the question. It’s not just the a fib I was suffering with - I was having almost constant ectopics which sometimes escalated into a fib. I have to say that the amiodarone has been very effective up to now at controlling my rhythm and I’ve only had odd ectopic beats here and there. This evening, though, I had a run of palpitations for a couple of minutes or so that made me feel quite faint. I know it doesn’t sound long but it really, really scared me. Has anyone else found that they still get these episodes even on amiodarone? If not, I guess I should be contacting the cardiologist.

[Hidden]

Lown-Ganong-Levine? EPS 10 years ago? Amiodarone. Way above my pay grade dude.

[cuore]

Some people do very well on Amiodarone; others, like myself, felt that It may have caused some palpitations. When I went from Amiodarone to Flecainide, I stayed on normal sinus rhythm for awhile. Also check your thyroid, and it cannot be stayed on for long due to the side effects. It is a powerful drug. However one episode is not enough to draw a definite conclusion about its effect on you. If you get more, certainly discuss it with your cardiologist.

[Stockton_Boy]

A fib should be controlled with BETA blockers before using Amiodarone. Prolonged use of this drug and exposure to sunlight can cause your skin to get a blue tinge like a smurf.

I would go back and discuss options

[Smileyian in reply to Stockton_Boy]

Haha..... in rare circumstances but in 15 years it has never happened to me and I live in Singapore (20 years) . The vast maj of folk with long term Afib are on Amiodarone.