Many thanks!
Amiodarone: Many thanks! - Atrial Fibrillati...
Amiodarone
Written by
Loafinabout
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26 Replies
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Well, first of all, you're not in permanent afib, you're technically in persistent afib, and not even long-term persistent.
I mentioned this not to be pedantic, but to ease your mind with the fact that being in afib for less than a year means you can be potentially be treated as successfully as shorter term (paroxysmal) afib with a catheter ablation.
If an ablation has not been offered, this may be an alternate path to the one you are on right now.
If you're not already seeing an electrophysiologist (ep), they would be the ones to talk to.
Jim
Many thanks Jim. Both cardioversions did work for a time. Both times I reverted to AFib were after group walks when the pace was faster than I was used to. I’ve always been active but decided I had to leave the group and now I borrow a friend’s dog and walk at my own pace.
Given your pattern, the Amiodarone will probably hold normal rhythm longer, but the problem is you might have to remain on it to stay in rhythm. That's why I suggested an ablation that might get you off most of these drugs. No rush really to make decisions, but in general probably better sooner than later so remodeling doesn't take place which apparently it hasn't yet.
Jim
Remodeling? I think he did say something to the effect that I might have to consider an ablation at the end of the day but didn’t go into that.
Given your history it does not appear remodeling has taken place, but overtime it can with atrial fibrillation. And if it does take place, future interventions, like ablation will become more difficult to succeed. So, all things being equal, you definitely want to have the ablation before that takes place not after.
Jim
I agree and will push for an Ablation if indicated.
electrophysiologist ? I will have to look that up and see if there's one within reach - I’m in N Lincolnshire so specialisms sparse on the ground !
Yes, that is a cardiologist with extra training and arrhythmias, and they are the ones that evaluate for and do ablations.
Jim
Fantastic thankyou! I had no idea they existed.
The Amiodarone loading will raise the chances of the cardioversion working and if you have started then I would imagine your cardioversion is in the pipeline as you would normally be advised to take it for about 4 weeks prior to cardioversion & for a few weeks afterwards.
Having said that, I wouldn’t want to take Amiodarone if I already had hypothyroidism and was taking thyroxine (?).
James gives good advice re treatment. Did the 2 previous cardioversions restore NSR - even for a short while?
Thanks CDreamer. The cardiologist did say he would put me in his list for a Cardioversion. Re my thyroid I wasn’t aware of the adverse effects of Amiodarone but have just seen a post referring to it which is why I mentioned it. I will have a word with the Cardiologist. I see him privately but he also works for the local NHS and I assume? he’s looked at my records and medications.
From personal experience I have learned to never assume that one specialist reads the notes of another. I had to make a big fuss to have a red alert put on my medical file that I never be given beta blockers because they are contraindicated for another condition. If I were you - I would ask your cardiologist to check with the doctor who monitors your thyroid AND you talk or write to them both separately.
How often are your thyroid panels monitored?
Maybe also post on the thyroid forum? They are very informed bunch!
Thankyou for the good advice . I am a member of the thyroid forum but I’ve never seen any post re the link to beta blocker meds. I’m like many on that Forum who share their frustration at their doctor’s lack of knowledge of the thyroid function and NHS addiction to just testing TSH
my husband felt as though he was dying when the doctor gave him amiodarone. We worked out that his blood pressure had dropped too low and he stopped taking it.
Thankyou for your feedback - I will check my BP now!
I was put on Amiodarone after 4th ablation last Feb for 3 months then 2 months reducing down to every other day. Felt great when they kicked in and I had a much easier summer aside from feeling sensitive to the sun. After it came out of my system, my AF returned with atypical Flutter so I’m back on Amiodarone whilst we figure out our next steps.
My thyroid blood tests have been flagged up twice now so I need to wait and see what they say. They should be testing your blood work whilst on a high risk drug. Due to my age (44), they’re wary about keeping me on it for too long given the side effects.
Hopefully you can have an ablation and end all of the drugs altogether 🙏
Thankyou for your good wishes. I’m not sure I would want to go through 4 Ablations though.
you need an ablation. Check the drug inserts, I refused Amiodarone got given Dronedarone that ‘slightly’ better but still lot of effects. Dronedarone shouldn’t be given to this in permanent AF
it is my opinion that if one organ is out of sync the others may be too. My consultant cardiologist is ALWAYS telling me to make sure the GP takes bloods for thyroid
My cardiologist hasn’t discussed any other health problems although he has access to my records. I was unaware there was a contra indication so didn’t discuss with him. My doctor struggles with correctly interpreting thyroid tests when I do get one - which is rare. - and doesn’t understand how the hormones work with each other. We seem to have only trained medical students in diabetes !
Not unusual for medics to only look at their speciality😳 I’ve noticed when I’m in A Fib my glucose numbers are slightly higher.
Are you in permanent atrial fibrillation?
I am on Dronedarone and should not take it if I become permanent. I’m not happy taking it because I needed to have regular blood tests to check the liver and just not happy about it. Maybe you should seek a 2nd opinion, we are entitled to.
Thanks for replying and I agree a second opinion would be useful
Will NEVER take Amiodarone again!After 4 months waiting for a cardioversion the last time, I've now cardioverted myself twice,using Flecainide & beta blocker,been a game changer for me but so as fasting,had 2 afib episodes in 5 years,which I sorted myself 👍
That’s amazing I hope you remain AFib free😊
The amiodarone is a low dose of a very effective drug. My guess is that it will be given only for a relatively short time to see if the heart will revert to normal rhythm. It has been shown to be safe at a low daily dose even in the longer term, but you will need to be monitored as some side effects are severe even if rare in low dose.
Steve
Thanks Steve, I’m nearly through the first 6 days at 600mg per day then will go onto 100mg daily. I’m hoping I might get some easing of symptoms
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