Anyone’s thoughts on Amiodarine please,in conjunction with a cardioversion.Thank you.

[Statusqu]

Cardioversion.

[Desanthony]

I was put on this for a few weeks before and a few weeks after my second successful cardioversion - I think it is standard practice to see if the cardioversion will last longer. Amiodorone can also be used to give chemical cardioversion but not had it used in that way. I had no problems with it for the short time I was on it - about 3 months in all. At the 3 month mark when I was due to come off it anway a blood test showed that I had a slight change in thyroid test so was taken off. Within 3 months that was almost back to normal and within 6 months was back to normal - I didn't have any symptoms from that and no reaction or other side effects from the drug. Just make sure you read the pamphlet as you can burn badly if out in the sunshine so wear total block sunscreen and stay out of the mid day sun. I was on it in June July and August so it was difficult but I found even when I forgot the sunscreen and went out to work in the garden it was no problem for me but for some it is.

[Statusqu in reply to Desanthony]

Thank you for that very useful information-feel a lot happier now that it’s been explained in that way.

[Ducky2003]

Hi. I have been put on Amiodarone prior to cardioversions and have successfully maintained NSR afterwards (my first cardioversion lasted 4 days without it). I had my first ablation last week and have to stay on the Amiodarone for 6 more months.

[Statusqu in reply to Ducky2003]

Thank you.

[RaySyl]

A friend, who is a doctor and was taking it for his own AFib, referred to this stuff as "toxic shit which works". It certainly worked for me until blood tests showed that it was messing up my thyroid function. I am now on Levothyroxine for the 'duration' - however long that is! Looking back I guess I was on it for longer than I should have been.

[Statusqu in reply to RaySyl]

Thank you

[Bolander]

I was put on a high dose of Amiodarone in an attempted chemical cardioversion. When this didn't work I had a DC Cardioversion and continued to take Amiodarone for nearly six months afterwards. By this time side effects (tremor, deposits on the cornea and a persistent cough) were apparent and I was changed to Sotalol.After some five years I am still in normal sinus rhythm, but still have the persistent cough.

[Statusqu in reply to Bolander]

Thank you.Whilst I definitely need an ablation I have been offered a cardioversion with amiodarone in the short term but am concerned ablations the side effects.

[andyk0001]

My partner 72 had a cardioversion after going into persistent AF.It lasted a week in sinus rhythm before going back into AF. She took Amiodarone for two days and then went back into sinus rhythm and has stayed in SR for over 5 weeks so far taking 200mg Amiodarone every day. No side effects.

[Statusqu in reply to andyk0001]

Thank you for that-Reassuring.

[Alphakiwi]

I was first put on a heavy dose of Amioderine as a chemical cardioversion. Each day I felt more and more sick like heavy sea sickness and increased palpitations an instability. I put up with it thinking i just had to man up and all would be well. On the 10th evening i woke at 11.30 pm feeling so bad i thoughtv i was dying. I said to my wife i was going out to take my BP. It was something like 185/ 120. Normally at that time about 130/80. Wow never seen it that high and feeling so rotten. I said I will take again in 10 mins and if no better will call ambulance. The ambulance arrived 20 mins later. I walked out to it and was attatched to all sorts of tethers when I said somethings wrong and next thing the lights went out. I flat lined in that Ambulance and was gone for about 2 mins. 2hrs later the ambulance officer came over and told me I thumped hell out of you to get you back Colin. I have never touched amioderine since. I n fact I am intolerant to all they have tried. I am getting by on a small 30mg dose of Diltiazem as a pill in the pocket when I get a severe attack ,thats at least 3 times every night Ihave severely enlarged left Atrium thats why im on waiting list for pace and ablate. However if you see my earlier post you will see I have had some sort of remission from all of this suddenly. 8 days now. Time will tell but I am told that once you have an arrythmia its pretty well a permanent thing.

[Statusqu in reply to Alphakiwi]

That’s not very encouraging but thank you for your input anyway.Hope you’re feeling OK now for the time being.

[Alphakiwi in reply to Statusqu]

Well I guess it wasnt ecouraging for me but it was meant as a warning about the need to take drugs. No one warned me but I am much wiser as i learnt to always do my own research as well as the doc.