Amiodarone

[Pollyfuffles]

I was admitted to hospital last week with extreme AF (between 28 and 270 bpm) After a couple of days of unsuccessful drug therapy, I was given a cardioversion (my second) and went back into NSR immediately. I've been given a new to me drug called Amiodarone, which seems to have a lot of potential side effects. I'm also on Bisoprazole, which I've taken for a long time. As I also suffer from ME, with poor mobility, I wondered if anyone could tell me about their experiences with Amiodarone. Thank you all.

[mjames1]

Amiodarone is a strong anti-rhythmic drug that is often given short or long term after electro-cardioversion to help it last longer. Yes it has a lot of potential side effects, especially with long term use, and that's why your doctor should put you on a monitoring program. Many are helped by the drug and hopefully you will be too.

Jim

[Rainfern]

Amiodorone didn’t stop my AF (persistent) but maybe helped the heart beat a little stronger and kept the rate down. I was less out of breath. Much the same effect on me as Digoxin. I was only on it a couple of months prior to a CV , not enough time to accumulate any serious side effects. Certainly no fatigue or brain fog. I don’t see it would be a problem with ME, though many meds do interact badly, so hope it works for you ok. Worth bearing in mind that amiodorone stays in the system months after you stop taking it. Hope you find a good healing path.

[mav7 in reply to Rainfern]

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Previous threads on the subject which can be confusing. Keep in mind each person is different and your doctor has determined Amiodarone will be the chosen therapy at this time.

That said, someone posted awhile back sage advice. Be aggressive in your treatment, research options and discuss with your doctor.

[BeeBee79]

I was put on Amiodarone for 3 months last year after my 4th ablation . It’s works well at keeping me in NSR but after 3 months then 2 months slow reducing, it came back during the 3 month period we were waiting for it to get out of my system. I’m back on it again until I have cardiac surgery for my AF which is worrying bc of my relative young age (44). I’m having regular blood tests to check liver function etc and so far, it’s affected my thyroid - I’ve gained weight and can’t seem to lose it with even drastic adjustments. I get easily burnt on the sun too which has never happened before and is annoying. For my quality of life being AF free, it’s works for 90% of the time which I can only hope is a good thing

[Ducky2003]

I've been on and off it a few times in past 8 years, current stint about 26 months and following a cardioversion nearly 2 years ago, have remained in NSR since. I have corneal deposits now but have been told they are likely to go when I come off the Amiodarone. They don't affect my vision so hopefully, it stays that way.

I'm waiting for a valve repair so, hopefully, will be able to come off it after as they will do a Cox IV Maze at the same time.

[Jajarunner]

I love amiodarone. It gave me my life back after three years of urgent cardioversions (11) and ablations (3 all failed). It has affected my vision with a rainbow halo around bright lights at night but that has lessened since I halved the dose. Other than that no problems after 13 months in it , touch wood.

[Scottfitness in reply to Jajarunner]

Hi Jajarunner, do you workout? So nervous to take this drug. Constantly in AFIB low Ef. But have no side effects, still run and lift daily. On CV stayed out of afib for a month.

[Jajarunner in reply to Scottfitness]

Yep. Run three times a week, cycle once, rowing machine and stairclimber. Weight training and walking 😁. My afib is triggered by sleeping not exercise so I've been ok in that respect but extremely symptomatic, off the A&E every time tobe shocked back into rhythm.Amiodarone gave me my life back. My cardiologist and afib nurses say it is a great drug with bad side effects for some. Most of the side effects were in the olden dayes high dosage regimes. I take 100 percent day which is a lowdose. Side effects for me are a rather pretty halo around bright lights at night (but vision is fine) and my thyroid is a bit wacky, but then it was under active anyway.

Papworth Hospital EP doesn't want me to stay on amiodarone too long so I'm due for a fourth ablation later in the year. Not optimistic aftertheothers failed so abysmally (average five months than back in A&E).

[Scottfitness in reply to Jajarunner]

Hi Jaja, thank you so much for the reply back. This is all new to me. Was the healthiest person in the room for 58 years. Fitness instructor,. etc blah blah...then this...completely devasted. Doc in Canada says could be hereditary and nothing i could do to prevent this. Good to hear still at training. 👟

[Jajarunner in reply to Scottfitness]

I think you might be my long lost younger brother 🤣🤣🤣🤣. I was really fit too, fitness instructor too!! I was 51 when I got my first bout. Nothing for four years, then three years with 10 cardioversions and the three ablations!! Very depressing. Like you, no reason but an uncle has it so I'll blame the genes!!

I actually wrote a very detailed (ie boring) account of all this in a blog. You can search "hht and afib athlete" if you want more details 😱😱😱

[Scottfitness in reply to Jajarunner]

You write very well!! Need to print it out and digest it more. Only one cardioversion so far, second in 8 weeks once i have been on the amiodarone for a bit. Still a chicken to take it. Barely took an aspirin my whole life to now a pill box full. This aging is crap! lol. I guess better than the alternative. By the way not bellyaching, others have it way worse. I am never out of Afib, but never know i am in it. Long lost younger brother, love it.

[Jajarunner in reply to Scottfitness]

Nothing wrong with bellyaching, we all deserve to now and again

[Ppiman]

I was about to be given it, but an ablation came my way so it never happened. I cannot take other anti-arrhythmic medicines for some reason.

In low does, it is said to be a very effective and safe drug. If you search for "low dose amiodarone safety" you will find the study easily. It will reassure you fully. You do need to have frequent checks, nonetheless, and your GP will quiz you on any side effects, especially, eyes and lungs, I think. Overall, though, it seems to be a safe and effective drug when used in the modern way, with monitoring and medical supervision.

Steve

[BrotherThomas]

I was on it for about 2 1/2 years and suffered no side effects. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me either as regards my AF. The important thing is that you need to be monitored for thyroid activity, a simple blood test, and your GP should arrange this for you.

[Prettywoman15]

I immediately got auras to a migraine. I was only on it 4 days and sr changed me to Valsartin

[Prettywoman15 in reply to Prettywoman15]

Dr

[ozziebob in reply to Prettywoman15]

PS. Just trying to be helpful. You can correct any Reply you have already posted by selecting "Edit" from the drop-down "More" ⬇️ Menu. Remember to select "Edit" again at the end to ensure your correction is sent.

[Prettywoman15 in reply to ozziebob]

TY

[Desanthony]

I had no problems but was only on for about 12 weeks before and after my second ablation had no side effects except that my thyroid count rose slightly but after drug stopped that went back to normal within a month or so. There are some people who have been on it long term and also have no problems. that's the thing with side effects some people get the whole lot really badly and some get a few bad ones and some get a few mild ones and some seem to have no problem. When on them you should have regular blood tests one at the beginning and then I had one every 6 weeks but I think if prescribed long term it may be every 3 months to check things and they would be likely to stop or change dosage if any problems. You will not know how you personally are affected until you are on the medication. It may be best to talk it over again with your prescribing physician and try it whilst being monitored. Hopefully it will help you.

[Pollyfuffles]

Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to reply. The answers went to my spam folder for some reason. My main cause for concern is that my heart rate has dropped to between 45 and 48 since coming home from hospital and this seems too low.