Hello All.... Question -- I am in (long term 7yrs) persistent AF and getting ready to try another cardioversion. My (new) cardio doctor wants me to go on Amiodarone (an an antiarrythmic med) 4 weeks before and about 6 weeks after the cardioversion. I read about a number of TERRIFYING potential side effects associated with this drug. Has anyone had any experience(s) with it, particularly when used short term before/after a cardioversion? It's an effort to have the cardioversion be successful. Any alternatives to it that have fewer side effects, and better tolerated for short term use as I described? Honestly, I was shocked when I got home from my appointment and read about it. Would really appreciate your feedback and personal experiences.
TERRIFIED AMIODARONE: Hello All... - Atrial Fibrillati...
TERRIFIED AMIODARONE
This is a very common strategy if erally a last ditch attenot to obtain NSR, Yes Amiodarone is not a nice drug but it works. It has also often been said that it does not have side effects. It has effects . So long as you remain aware, stay out of sunlight etc it may well be worth trying, else you better accept permanent AF. You may yet have to but surely worth a try.
There is another option for persistent afib which is much more common in other countries (US, Japan, Netherlands) and that’s a surgical ablation carried out by keyhole. Success rates of NSR after a year are c85%. I have been in persistent afib for 5 years plus and have surgery in 2 weeks time. There is a lot of information available on the wolfminimaze website and the Swiss ablation website. There is a surgeon here in the UK who I am using and will be happy to share the results in a few months time, his procedure is the same as Swiss ablation, if you are lucky enough to be in Sheffield you can access him on the NHS
Please do let us know how you get on I'm very interested in the Wolf mini maze. I don't live near Sheffield, but have friends and family that do. What is the name of the surgeon! Private message me it, if you would prefer.
Jean
Sorry jeanjeannie50 i have just noticed this, here are his private practice details, He also practices NHS if you are able to get a referral to Sheffield thekeyholeheartclinic.com/a...
Very interesting, thank you.
Yes I've been prescribed Amiodarone pre and post cardioversion such as you describe and no problems. I've also used it longer term...about 20 months.
It is the most powerful anti arrhythmic drug and as such is used with caution. Short term use would not normally present any problems.
You have a right to refuse the drug if that is your wish . There is a similar newer drug called Dronedarone which does not have the Iodine atoms that Amiodarone has . You may wish to ask your cardiologist about that. I've also been prescribed that drug .
I agree that the accompanying literature with these drugs can be pretty alarming to read but so does that which accompanies good old Paracetamol!
Jalia wrote
"It is the most powerful anti arrhythmic drug and as such is used with caution. Short term use would not normally present any problems"
and
"I agree that the accompanying literature with these drugs can be pretty alarming to read but so does that which accompanies good old Paracetamol"
It's your call KTF but don't be scared. If it was me I would get stuck in if your cardio has suggested it. The drug companies have to cover themselves legally and can paint a very bad picture of what could happen - most of time it doesn't. My take is go for it and don't panic. It's unlikely to be half as bad as you think.
Good luck with your CV.
Paul
Edit - I just want to point out I'm not a medic and my post is only based on my personal thoughts. Your cardio or doctor are the people to talk to if you have doubts.
Amiodorone can be very effective, but many doctors don't fully consider the side effect profile of the drugs they prescribe. As mentioned there's Dronedarone and also Flecainide. You will most probably have fewer side effects with eithe,r but both require a structurally sound heart to qualify. Talk to your doctor and ask.
Jim
Hi, Amiodarone was the only drug via an infusion to stop a prolonged AF episode and I was kept on it for 7 months waiting for a third ablation; when I was ready for the ablation the consultant didn't wish to proceed as he said my heart had settled following my second ablation indicating the Amiodarone had played a part. During the time I was on it I was checked for liver function and that was fine it did however cause crystal droplets in my eyes. I was then put on Dronedarone 12 months ago and the bloods have been fine since.
Yes it’s toxic and last ditch attempt to obtain NSR - and it’s the most affective drug for assisting you to obtain and sustain NSR, with or without other treatments.
Yes it’s terrifying when you read the affects but not everyone has affects, my husband has been taking a maintenance dose for about 18 months now, after taking it for 2 years. He has been fortunate as it worked and he tolerates the drug well.
I've been taking amiodarone for about 12 months now at 200mg daily. I was scheduled to come off it around now following a successful CV last October, however, an ECG last month showed that I'm back in AFib so I'm still on the drug. I guess that I'm one of the lucky ones in that I don't normally have any symptoms when I'm in AFib and my ECG doesn't seem to pick it up all the time either. Anyway, to answer your question, so far, I've had no adverse effects from the amiodarone despite the length of time that I've been taking it. Hope that helps to reassure you.
My mum who is 91years young was on Amiodarone for a very short time and she suffered hair loss quite badly even taking to wear a hat to cover her loss of hair. Her thyroid glands were the cause because of the Amiodarone. Now off that medication and is taking Levothyroxine - it is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) caused by Amiodarone. So get regular blood tests and watch out for hair loss. Just to add my mums hair at 91yrs young is growing back and is showing a nice thickness of hair all over. She is chuffed to bits being able to go to the hairdressers😍
I took amiodorone for a similar length of time before my second successful cardioversion and had no side effects other than when I came off it my thyroid levels were only slightly raised and within 3 months they had gone back down to normal. I was on amiodorone throughout July, August and September and had no problem with sunburn either - which was lucky because I was working outside and we had gorgeous weather - for a change.
You have to remember we are all different and some like me have few or no side effects and only light ones other will get one really badly others may have all but only lightly etc. Take precautions if you are out in the sun by wearing total sunblock and covering up - I did to start with but then increasingly forgot to do so but I would not advise this. There are some people who have been taking amiodorone long term and have few side effects but normally it is only used short term ie 6 months or less around the time you have your second cardioversion and will hopefully ensure the cardioversion lasts longer.
Good Luck
My mother, who is 96, has been on 100 mg amiodarone daily for 22 years! No side effects in all that time, and she has never had another episode of PAF. She gets regular blood tests and eye exams, no issues of any sort. I’d rather she come off it but her dr doesn’t want to upset the apple cart, and it has certainly worked for her, after she suffered months of irregular episodes 22 yrs ago and failed trials of 2 other heart meds while in hospital. I am keeping it in mind as a drug of last resort for my own PAF.
I was on it pre and post a cardioversion and first ablation. The arrythmia nurses tell me it a brilliant drug with Side effects for some. It's probably going to be my next drug to control my Afib after three failed ablations in less than two years....
Thank you to ALL who have provided comments. It's much appreciated! I'm so happy to have discovered this group/forum. I've really struggled to find consistent info on AF over the years. You never know the "good" from the "bad" (or very outdated) information available on internet searches and Google (ugh...). Real life experiences and discussions from the people going through or living with AF is invaluable, and at times, very touching as we find a forum of caring people from multiple countries that are comfortable sharing their experiences. Thank you. 💖
I took Amiodarone prior to a cardioversion and for some six months after. The good news is that several years later I am still in NSR but the bad news that I developed a tremor and deposits in one eye because the cardiologist refused to accept that there were side effects. Limiting use to as short term, and regular blood tests should reduce the chance of serious side effects.
I was exactly the same about 4 weeks ago, I took it for a few days an reacted badly which happens with a few medications I’ve taken but I was terrified before taking it.I’ve had a CV yesterday and trying Flecainide to maintain the NSR hopefully for some time to come. Apparently there are other drugs also but I personally didn’t want to take that one no matter what but everyone has to make their own informed decisions
Good luck on route
I personally would avoid Amiodarone and ask to trial Flecainide instead. My EP described Amiodarone has the devils drug due to the horrendous side effects including damage to the thyroid if taken long term. Have you not been offered an ablation ?
I took Amiodarone for 6 months pre an ablation and a few months afterwards. It still did not control my AF and damaged my thyroid. I will now have to take drugs for life to rectify that.
Hi Ive been in permanent AF for 17 years but refused Amiodarone as my GP confirmed it caused Thyroid damage and that is pretty nasty too. My cardiologist specialist agreed and put me on Fleccanide which I took for 6 years and no problems. I am now off the Fleccanide and I have a PM to assist my beats. I take Apixaban and digoxin and Bisoprolol which give me no side effects. My AF is no worry to me but I do get breathless if I bend or climb, however at 76 I expect to be slowing down slightly. I am a very active person and my AF doesn’t stop my enthusiasm to do strenuous jobs. Amiodarone is toxic but for the doctors it works for their short term plan. But I’d never take it, it’s a risk, I’ve had friends who have had emergency hospital admittance because of it.
Everything has side effects, just read and be aware and consider the benefits of the risk.
Good luck
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