Amiodarone withdrawal

[Charl70]

Hi I was on amiodarone from leaving hospital 8 weeks ago after heart bypass ,I was weened down from 600mg a day to 200 mg I stopped taking them 2 weeks ago and since yesterday I got migrane with very bad anxiety also today my legs also fill weak when I stand has anyone else had any withdrawal side effects from amiodarone ,also I've upped my exercise to bhf level 1 standing exercise

Thanks

[Chappychap]

Lots of people are prescribed Amiodarone following open heart surgery. The reason is that our hearts stop beating for the duration of the surgery, and when they're restarted we can experience a temporary period of AF, Amiodarone helps prevent or control AF.

For most of us this is a very brief period, just a few weeks and all traces of AF have passed so we come off Amiodarone. Good job too, it's a very powerful drug with serious side effects. For example I believe about 10% of people will have thyroid issues with Amiodarone, and one of the possible thyroid effects is anxiety. This is a drug where the benefits need to be carefully weighed up against the negatives.

If I were you I'd be delighted that my doctors had decided I no longer need Amiodarone, now that your AF risk has passed you're far better off without it.

Congratulations on upping your exercise. The science is crystal clear, basic changes in your life style can significantly lower your risks of future heart attacks and strokes.

Good luck!

[DaveTR]

Good to hear you no longer need the Amiodarone.

A slightly different story to yours but may have some relevance......

I was on a low dose of Amiodarone for 2 years to control AF.

2 months after stopping Amiodarone I experienced rapid weight loss (10 Kg) and anxiety.

The cause of this was an over active thyroid (Hyperthyroidism).

I'm now taking Carbimazole for the this and feeling alot better. The plan is to reduce the dose until i can cease all together. So far, so good.

Certainly speak to your GP / Consultant about your symptoms.

[Charl70 in reply to DaveTR]

Thanks Dave I have a appointment to see gp today and will certainly mention it

Cheers