Amiodarone

[BeeBee79]

After replying to another member about not experiencing side effects on Amiodarone, I now have a tingling and pin prick sensation on the back of my hands. Has anybody else experienced this?

TIA

[Territorial]

I have been on Amiodarone for 6 months or so and have experienced none of that though i do have neuropathy in both hands i get similar sensations to what you describe..

Amiodarone certainly has a lot of side effects and you really should talk to your doctor before some thing else may pop up..

[Rainfern]

Hi Bee, I know pins and needles is a possible side effect, but not one I’ve had yet. I’ve been on the “godfather” drug just 5 days and closely monitoring!

[Ppiman]

Low dose amiodarone has been shown to be especially safe but there are always risks from side effects, however slight. I would phone your doctor and ask about this. I have something called peripheral neuropathy that affects my feet mostly but has flared up once to be felt in ways you describe.

Steve

[RichMert]

I have experienced this with a particular Beta Blocker, best to speak to your Doctor especially if you start to get some chest twinges or pains with that. I spent 6 months on Amiodarone as a last resort drug before Ablation and as well as being highly toxic, I too experienced some side effects which lasted close to 6 months after cessation of the drug. I was 48 years old at the time and not something you want to be on for long at that age, hence the ablations.

[BeeBee79 in reply to RichMert]

Can I ask which beta blocker gave you these symptoms as I’ve recently switched from Bisoprolol to Nebivolol to reduce fatigue.

I’m 43 and had my 4th ablation in Feb. I’m only supposed to be on Amiodarone for 3 months so next weeks meeting, I’m hoping he takes me off it. Did you ablations work in the end?

[RichMert in reply to BeeBee79]

As far as the Ablations which, is most important then, yes, I am 85% fixed. I get a 6 second blast of either Atrial Flutter (Tachycardia) once in a blue moon but more so lately, persistent Ectopic Beats which although they are not worried about, are a pain in the neck. They tried to treat the Ectopic Beats with Nebivolol which was ok until I started getting chest pains and pins & needles in my left hand which, is when they stopped the Nebivolol. I have tried Propanolol since which is the only Beta Blocker that suits me but not particularly good for Ectopic Beats so, they are about to try me on a small dose of Bisoprolol again. That immediate switch to Nebivolol saved you from climbing the walls as a result of coming straight off of the Bisoprolol. Bisoprolol has to be reduced gradually over weeks otherwise you find that you cannot sleep and are hyper. They took me off of the Amiodarone following second ablation and I went onto Bisoprolol for about 3 months I think until next check up. Hope 4th Ablation is sucessful, it is not about the number of ablations as I think 'Bob' beat you there.

[BeeBee79 in reply to RichMert]

Thanks RichMert - much appreciated

[Tilly1957 in reply to BeeBee79]

hi Bee, I switched from bisoprolol (which made me so exhausted) to nebivolol some time a ago and I felt a lot less side effects. I still feel fatigued but nowhere as bad. I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia now, which makes me feel exhausted, but I will say the side effects from bisoprolol were making me feel a lot worse.

[BeeBee79 in reply to Tilly1957]

I can’t believe the difference in the change of beta blockers. I was on 10mg in the morning and couldn’t get up the stairs and now I’m back exercising again within a month of changing. Sorry to hear about your fibromyalgia 😔

[Tilly1957 in reply to BeeBee79]

the two beta blockers work on different receptors, I think. One inside the heart, the other outside. I do still get very cold feet and hands, though. Never used to before beta blockers . Thank you

[BeeBee79 in reply to Tilly1957]

Me too! I wear slippers now 😆

[kocoach]

Hi BeeBee, I've been on 200mg amiodarone once daily for six years now and just went through a series of tests, (ct scan complete blood panel) and everything was normal, in fact going to see the EP in just a little while today for EKG as I haven't seen him in over two years and I am going to tell him how the fingertips of my right hand are getting numb, been about a year now it's been this way, other than that no problems with amiodarone, Thank GOD. Hope this help's a little.

[BeeBee79 in reply to kocoach]

it certainly does help to know this. Do you still have to stud out of the sun etc?

[kocoach in reply to BeeBee79]

Yes, definitely, in fact with my visit yesterday with EP I was asked when my last eye exam was since I had been on amiodarone for six years and I told him never. He immediately advised me to get an eye exam as amiodarone can have adverse effects on eyesight, I never knew that, in fact he said when I make the appointment for eye exam to tell them I am on amiodarone as there is a specific test for that. Everything else was fine yesterday at visit and I hadn't seen him for two years which he was a little upset about. I was also told by two EP's yesterday and as one member of the forum posted was that amiodarone taken in 200mg or lower was a very safe and effective drug. I just have to remember to get seen at least once a year as required. Hope this puts your mind at ease a little bit. Have a Blessed Day.

[BeeBee79 in reply to kocoach]

it’s certainly does put my mind at rest - thank you and I hope you do too 😀

[WorkingLass]

Hi BeeBee 79,

I’ve been on Amiodarone 200mg since February when other beta blockers weren’t effective in controlling my AF. I have noticed some side effects, mainly rashes on my hands and feet as a result of forgetting to put high factor sun cream on before I went out (doh!) and I have noticed an increase in one of my legs of positional pins and needles in the last few days. To be fair, I don’t know whether it is attributed to the Amiodarone but hopefully I will be taken off it on Monday when I have my first ablation (I’m really hoping it will be successful first time! 🤞🏼) As others have said, speak to your doctor or cardiology nurse for further advice 😊

[BeeBee79 in reply to WorkingLass]

Thanks for replying. It’s interesting how it affects different people. Wishing you the best of luck with your ablation - they’re not too bad at all. I’d rather have an ablation then go to the dentist

[Tplongy in reply to WorkingLass]

Hi WorkingLass,

Just picking up on this thread following my post on Amiodarone. How did your ablation go last month and are you still on Amiodarone? Are you supposed to wear high factor sun cream ALL the time when you go out, or just if it's sunny? My Cardiologist also said to wear a hat if on it!

[WorkingLass in reply to Tplongy]

Hi Tplongy, thank you for your enquiry, my ablation so far seems okay, I am still on the amiodarone but that is only for two months. I’ve been wearing high factor suncream when I go out, earlier on in the year when it was nice weather, I forgot to put the suncream on and ended up with an irritating rash on my feet and arms where I had been exposed, last week, I made sure as I was out and about a lot that I wore suncream, however I don’t wear hats so totally forgot about my head and that did become itchy where my parting is. I hope this helps you ☺️

[Tplongy in reply to WorkingLass]

Thanks for the helpful feedback, much appreciated. I am glad that your ablation has been successful thus far, fingers crossed it continues....