I’m looking to come if amiodrone after 8yrs as I have severe fibrosis. After a recent CT scan.Seeing lung dr soon also.im now waiting too see cardio dr but all he has offered in the past was an ablation.which I refused as I don’t want a 50/50 chance of it working or end up having multiples.ive had 3 spinal surgery’s so I really don’t want an ablation.I am only 53 so not sure why I was put on a last resort drug and at such a young age.i was put on amiodrone after 2nd cardioversion.I know how toxic amiodrone is now but I had no idea for about 5 yrs until I found out on this site.Im scared to come off ideally I would like to swap for another alternative with no horrible toxic side effects.I also had copd at the time of being put on amiodrone so why would a cardiologist give me a lung toxicmed when I already have a lung issue.Anyway I need to stop it somehow without ablation.has anyone else any experience of this situation as I feel like I’ve been handed the death card atm and I know it affects thyroid,eye sight,Liver,pancreas etc etc.Very worried TIA.
Dan
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Danny44
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I’ve been on amiodarone for three years and have been lucky so far, thank goodness. I don’t think you need be too scared about coming off it because it stays in your body for a heck of a long time, so even if you stop taking it immediately it will be like a gradual withdrawal. I can’t imagine that the cardiologist will want you to stay on it now, but before you see him/her you could consult your GP about coming off it. What dosage are you taking?
Thanks for your reply Visigoth.it stats in your system for about 2 months I did try and stop a while ago and after 1.5-2 months felt like rubbish with big AF attacks.yes will speak to my GP also I take 200mg once a day.such a horrible drug I just want to come of it now 🤙
Thanks sheep breeder my dad is on dronedarone he has been told to stop by NICE as it still very toxic and causes fibrosis and gives you heart failure 😡
As Visigoth says, it does have a long half-life in the body so coming off it is usually problem free. Nevertheless, after taking it for a couple of years, my cardiologist told me to take half a dose for a couple of weeks before stopping. I actually took a half dose for a month then a quarter dose for another month before stopping. I had no problems during this time.
The reason for stopping is that it simply wasn't working for me.
Please do search for and read a recent study on the internet entitled " Low dose Amiodarone Safety". It offers a well balanced view of the drug in modern usage.
Amiodarone can certainly be toxic, but so can all anti-arrhythmic drugs, which is why beta blockers are the first choice. Some of the stories I have read here about it paint a bleak picture and yet the treatment of troublesome and sometimes frightening arrhythmias isn't easy (as I am finding).
Hi Danny, I've been on amiodarone for 4 years now and other than a lung fibrosis scare I had a few months ago due to an x ray at ER showing minimal lung fibrosis, I got with my EP and said I wanted to stop taking it and I wanted a c/t scan as well. I asked what would happen if I stopped taking amiodarone and he said I would be in permanent afib. I decided to cut dosage in half to 100 mg until my c/t scan in a couple of weeks. Almost immediately after taking a half dose I went into permanent afib like he said and I stayed in it until I had my c/t scan which showed no fibrosis whatsoever (Thank GOD) and immediately began my usual full dose of 200 mg and within a week I went back into NSR. Have you asked for a c/t scan as it gives far more detail than an x ray? Fibrosis is one of the listed side effects of amiodarone, important thing with taking it is to be tested regularly for any negative side effects. I saw my EP about a month ago and he told me he'd see me in a year. Hope this helps you in some way and praying you will be OK, just don't give up as I am 78 years old and have afib for close to 35 years. Have a Blessed Day.
Hi there thanks so much for your reply yes that’s my worry I don’t want to be in permanent AF not sure whether it can be replaced with Solatil ir anotherAF drug.yes I have had a ct scan and it showed severe fibrosis out of the blue so I’m pretty concerned seeing cardio dr soon and king dr yippee not.
Wherever things may end up regarding an ablation, it's not a very difficult experience at all (this is a separate topic from how long it may last). If you've had 3 spinal surgeries, an ablation would be a walk in the park. (I've had four over time, as the techniques improved.) Good luck!
Ok well thank you for your reply.its good to know that’s it’s not to evasive.but i just dont want anymore surgery’s and the fact that you have had 4 over time proves they either don’t work or dont last.anyway thanks for your reply it all helps 🤙
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