Amiradone induced thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism

[Godsgirl777]

Has anyone experienced neuropathy in the legs and feet during and after stopping Amiradone, methimazole and prednisone? My Husband is 16 months off of Amiradone.... and 4 months off the others, he still has neuropathy really bad at night, severe depression and severe fatigue... Do you ever get back to normal after treatment? Does the neuropathy ever go away?His thyroid numbers are all normal, and his iodine levels are finally normal after 18 months .... any advice would be helpful... It seems this nightmare will never end... He also has had afib for 20 years, had an ablation and the dr put him on Amiradone and never warned us our bothered to check his thyroid before he prescribed the and Amiradone jacked up his thyroid and the rest of his life.... Help!!! thank you

[fcmdl]

Yes, I have been on amiodarone for 6 months and have seen a huge jump in my TSH levels, which is a hypothyroidism (underactive) rather than hyperthyroidism (overactive). Thought I would mention this as many think a high TSH level is hyper rather than an underactive thyroid (hypo). I too have experienced severe night peripheral neuropathy in my feet (Gabapentin can help a lot with this). It can also cause weight gain, hair loss/thinning, fatigue and depression. (Prednisone, which I was also on for many years due to severe asthma, can also have a dramatic effect on weight gain as well as mood/mental health related issues). So at least 2 of these medications can create the issues you describe, with amiodarone being responsible for the painful feet at night. I understand once the amiodarone is discontinued, it can take many months to leave the system, whereas prednisone toxicity depends on how much you take and for how long. I certainly feel for him (and you with the fatigue/depression issues). I have a rare double specialist (cardio/pharmacology) at the "Complex" A-fib Clinic in a hospital, rather than a single a-fib cardio specialist, and he has been a wonderful resource for me, especially in managing meds, monitoring bloodwork and weekly ECG's. So yes, it is going to take awhile for the meds to leave his system but, as noted above, the gabapentin certainly helps me with the painful foot neuropathy, which allows me to sleep, which in turn reduces pain, swelling, fatigue and depression. Good luck and hello from the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada.