Colchicine

[Hms03049]

I wonder how many were given Colchicine after their ablation and for how long? Were you able to stay on it or did side effects cause you to discontinue it?

Reading medical journals it appears to reduce early AFib reoccurrences by up to 40% in some trials. In other trials up to 50% discontinued it due to gastro sides effects. Some took it only untill discharge, others for 30 days, and in the trials with the best results for 3 months. Diarrhea is a known side effect of Colchicine.

Trials are interesting but I would like to hear from patients.

For me it has been 30 days, if it is the cause of my "gastro grief" I do not think I can go another 2 months. I'm taking a few days off to see if my symptoms are reduced. It is not necessary to taper on or off.

Hms

[BobD Volunteer]

Here in UK amd Europe that is a drug given for gout and not heard of it being used for AF at all.

[KMRobbo]

I did not know that colchicine was used for AFib. I took colchicine for several months, years ago but not for afib. I had very little trouble with it. Is there a possibility that a smaller dose would alleviate the undesirable symptoms whilst still being effective?

One of the many things I have learned from having afib and being on this forum is that the sensitivity of people to different drugs varies enormously.

[Cat04]

Im in the UK & I took it for 2 months after my ablation 3 years ago as I had pericarditis & can't take other anti inflammatories. GPS are slowly coming round to the fact it is not just usable for gout but I had a bit of a job convincing mine (took 2 appointments before I was prescribed it). Occasional diarrhoea was the only side effect but with all the other constipating pain killers I was taking, balanced it out for most of the time.

[Jajarunner]

Medscape has an article about it being used in Afib. How fascinating.... Thanks for sharing this.

[WallMatt]

It was used after my ablation only when I had intense pain with pericarditis and it was effective - only needed for a week or two. Now have it for gout flares...

[Bennera513]

I was given Colchicine after my PVI Cryo-Ablation last week. EP has me on 0.6mg once a day. Given as anti-inflammatory specifically for pericarditis, in my case to prevent it. I read, too, that it's an off-label use as it's intended for Gout. I'm to take it for one month. I've had a bit of bloating and gastro distress but it is easily attributable to all the other post ablation fun! Despite it all, had a 6 hour Afib episode yesterday (5 days post ablation). Interestingly it occurred 2 hours after taking 50mg. Flecainide for PAC's.

[johnMiosh]

It is used to treat pericarditis. I was given it for two weeks after my hybrid ablation. I got terrible diarrhoea on days five and six, but I was expecting it and it subsided quickly. After another couple of weeks, my GP informed me that I should have been told to stop the colchicine if I developed diarrhoea.

[Hms03049 in reply to johnMiosh]

Hello JohnI want to thank you and everyone that responded.

When I complained of gastro issues the EP had me stop taking Prilosec and never mention Colchicine. I did have pericarditis and it helped but I suspect I could have stopped taking Colchicine long before 30 days. I did lose 8 pounds.🙂

After just 2 days without Colchicine my GI system is much better. I just sent them a note asking for guidance.

I would like to hear about the Hybrid. Did you have a regular PVI before, if so how did it compare. I assume you has persistent AF.

[johnMiosh]

My hybrid was a clinical trial; search my posts, there is a full history. I had undiagnosed paroxysmal AF for over a year. After diagnosis I was offered the trial option; it was different to the normal hybrid in that the Endo-cardial would be done three to six months before the RF catheter ablation. So the PVI was done through the chest wall. The advantage of the two-stage approach was that the catheter ablation could mop up any reconnections and also facilitate the treatment of any flutter that had developed.

I am now 4 1/2 years free of symptoms and 4 years free of all meds. I understand that Sheffield hospital is still doing hybrid ablations, as my experience was similar to all the other hybrid candidates, whereas the twin catheter control group had much less success. The research report was delayed by the switch to Covid research last year, but hope to receive a copy when it is finally published.