Amiodarone + AFIB

[Dippy22]

Hi. Just wondered if anyone had experienced any adverse effects of taking Amiodarone?

I’ve just completed week 1 of the “loading dose” (200mg x 3 times a day). Whilst it has reduced the AFib heart rate dramatically (from approx 160 to approx 110), it hasn’t stopped the AFib, which has become MORE frequent than usual. My iWatch ECG shows HR flapping around like crazy - fluctuating HR and occasional larger spaces between beats.

Before starting the Amio I was getting an average of four blissful days clear of AFib episodes (averaging 2-4 days), but this one has started after just two days clear. 😢

I’m feeling quite rough with it today. An ECG at 4am showed AFib with HR of just 84. But now I’m up and about my heart is thumping away inside my rib cage. I think I prefer the old pre-Amiodarone AFib to this!

I’ve put in a call to the Arythmia nurse and waiting for her to call me back.

I’m due for my first ablation on 15th June.

[jeanjeannie50]

Taking Amiodarone did nothing towards helping my heart rate and damaged my thyroid, for which I'll now have to take pills for life to rectify. I make no secret of detesting that drug.

I knew someone who took it for something like 8 years and he was fine. He didn't read the instruction leaflet, so didn't stay out of the sun. He also went those 8 years without any checks whatsoever from his GP.

Jean

[CDreamer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

That is rather scary! But then maybe ignorance is sometimes bliss Jean?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to CDreamer]

It was for him as it did no damage. I'd always chat to him and his wife about AF at the U3A meetings I used to go to. I was the only other person that they knew who had AF . He actually died of pneumonia a few years ago.

[Dippy22 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

No checks!! Wow, that’s criminal.

I’m horrified that it can “cause raised liver enzymes”, but my discharge paperwork asks the GP to test IN SIX MONTHS!! No way Jose! 😡

Not sure how long I’ll have to be on it after the ablation, but the cardiologist wants me off it ASAP and also said when you do stop taking it, it can three months to clear it from the body. 😟

PS the AFib stopped at lunchtime, so that’s just a 20-hour episode, which is a short one for me.

[Shemac52]

A month after stopping taking Amiodarone I had a stroke caused by an Overactive Thyroid which the doctors had never seen so high. I had had a blood tests regularly for the two years I had taken it.

It could two years of high dose steroids and thyroid medication to get the thyroid back to normal.

[Dippy22 in reply to Shemac52]

Wow! That’s rough. I feel for you - and fear for myself on this drug!

I’m wondering if they tested your thyroid or just your liver and kidney function, as those two are the standard tests.

[blmbmj]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your circumstances.

I only have paroxsmal Afib, so my episodes were only 2-3 times/year for 15-20 minutes.

I took Amiodarone for six months at which point I was switched to Flecainide.

My cardiologists faithfully monitored me every 4 weeks with EKGs and Labs and all was fine. I am also taking Metoprolol Tartrate, Hydrochlorthiazide, Xarelto and Lipitor. I took Isosorbide for six months until they removed it at the same time they removed Amodiarone.

I have not had a single episode since taking the meds 8 months ago. Cardiac Cath was clear. I still think long COVID is to blame for my breathing issues.

Oh yeah, supposedly I have OSA after having a sleep study, BUT, my Oura Ring shows that my Oxygen never goes below 95 at night, so, who to believe? I have resisted the CPAP so far.

[Rainfern]

Hi Dippy, I do think amiodarone is a high-risk drug, but one I’m prepared to go on taking in the short term. So far, the only side-effect has been reduced sleep but it’s early days. Wishing you good luck with your ablation in June.

[Dippy22 in reply to Rainfern]

I’m sleeping ok, but the dreadful dry eyes are disturbing me. Woke up again around 2am and didn’t think I could actually open my left eye it was stuck so badly. I’m using drops, but the effects wear off very quickly. Oh, and don’t get me started on the gut “shut down”.

But! It IS suppressing my heart rate and I haven’t had any AFib since last Friday/Saturday which is extraordinary for me. And I did an eight mile coast path walk yesterday, uphill and down dale, without too much problem. Long may it last!

Ablation now put back to the 22nd because of the doctors strike. 🫤