Amiodarone for a-fib

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R

ruth

Just got back from the cardiologist, still in a-fib. She put me on Amiodarone, 2 tablets twice a day for this week, down to 1 tablet once a day next week. She's hoping this will turn about the a-fib or otherwise will do cardioversion. I go back in 6 days.

Anyone else take Amiodarone?

Ruth
 
I took 800 mg (4 tablets) after having a cardioversion to keep things under control until I had my operation. Then for a month after my operation, I took 200 mg (1 tablet) to make sure the A-Fib didn't come back. I was glad to stop taking it.
 
I was taking it in the hospital just post surgery and somehow the a-fib stopped before I left. It hasn't returned yet....knock on wood. I do have these pesky PVC's and PAC's, though and they really whalloped me about 4 weeks out. The trauma of the surgery is such an adjustment for our poor hearts to make. Be sympathetic to your heart and try to relax about the unknown. The specialists are very well versed in how to coax these things away. I know it is frustrating, but hang in there. It just may be a new dance step you heart is trying out and will soon give it up and calm down.

Best wishes!!

Marguerite
 
Hi Ruth, I started on Amiodrone in August 05 and by Dec 05 I took myself off it...It was great for the irr heart beat but the side effects were too much to bear. I have since read up on it and it is considered a very powerful anti arrhythmic drug. I would only take it as a last resort...personally. Another thing to remember is that it takes quite a while for it to leave your body. Sorry that I havent a good comment on this drug Ruth, can only say how it was for me. Best Wishes.
 
I took it after using a multitude of afib meds. Bad side effects. It is listed as the last resort med for rhythm and stays in your system for a long time and can cause lung issues. Sorry I can't say I would ever take it again.
 
we have had many, many discussions over the years. If you click on search(above), type in amiodarone and then click 'go', a bunch of pages will show up where it's discussed. You might want to read some of them to see the general thoughts about amiodarone - in
VR.
 
I was put on it for a few months immediately after surgery as I had a-fib. I was also put on digoxin. The digoxin caused complete heart block, the amiodarone had no unwanted effects that I was aware of although I now have an underactive thyroid which might or might not be a result of the drug.

I was told to stay out of direct sunlight whilst on the drug. As soon as the a-fib settled down I was taken off it, probably about three months or so.
 
Kathleen said:
I took it after using a multitude of afib meds. Bad side effects. It is listed as the last resort med for rhythm and stays in your system for a long time and can cause lung issues. Sorry I can't say I would ever take it again.
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I'll never understand why these Doctors use it as first line of defense when even the product insert clearly states not to use it unless all other treatments have not responded. This drug is DANGEROUS!!!
 
Kathleen said:
It is listed as the last resort med for rhythm and stays in your system for a long time and can cause lung issues.
Click to expand...

My mother's cardio TRIED to prescribe Amiodarone for my mother's a-fib. I asked him about it being a last resort med and he agreed, and immediately changed his mind and prescribed Sotalol (sp?); she has done fine on that. I intervened because she already has COPD and doesn't need any more lung issues.

Ruth, if you remain on Amiodarone, I hope you do well and the a-fib is soon gone.
 
I didn't want to say anything, but that was my question too - why is it so often the first drug tried when it is so hard on the body?
 
Hi Ruth,

My husband had a bout of A-fib the 2nd day after surgery (mitral valve repair May 06). They gave him potassium and magnesium injections and Sotalol. The A-fib lasted on and off for about 20 hrs. Then it was gone and never returned.
He was taken off Sotalol 2 weeks post-op. I had to bring him to the ER for really low BP and he had passed out. He was on 40 mg Sotalol twice daily. The Head Cardiologoist took him actually off cold turkey (because the dose was so low) and it has not been a problem. He has been in sinus rhythm ever since. The Sotalol worked, my husband just couldn't tolerate if for long and thankfully it wasn't needed.
Hopefully your A-Fib is resolved soon!

astrid
 
Thanks for all the info. I know it isn't a very nice drug but the a-fib I have isn't very nice either. I'm sick as a dog, every minute of every day. This a-fib started maybe 3 weeks ago, undiagnosed because I thought it was normal for people recovering from heart surgery to feel crummy. I wish it had started in the hospital where it could have been caught and treated right away. Alas, it was later.

I barely remember what it's like not to be winded after walking halfway across a room or to climb a flight of stairs without stopping 3 times to catch my breath. Yeah, this drug might have a bunch of side effects but the intent isn't to leave me on it forever. I think the goal is 2 weeks and then cardioversion if it won't work. I don't really want to be zapped by the paddles either. I'm going to choose to be optimistic that this drug will work for me and that I can then get off it and on with my life.

Right now I feel like a last resort is a good thing, anything if it'll help.

Ruth
 
I spent 5 years feeling horrible due to arrhythmia prior to my VR, so I know where you're coming from. Just remember that any anti-arrhythmic drug can be pro-arrhythmic - cause more arrhythmia rather than lessen it. If you find yourself feeling worse - contact your doctor right away. Best wishes!
 
Ruth
I was in afib 24/7 for over 10 years taking many different meds. I never remember stopping many times on the steps or having difficulty walking across a room. Did they check for fluid around the heart? That did make me stop on the steps and not cross the room. THe fluid can also cause extreme rhythm issues.
The amnio will take awhile to be in your system possibly the two weeks you are talking about. Once in there it will be with you for 6 months. The cardioversion takes about 15 minutes and you would be asleep for it. Since you are having such a difficult time it seems like a more humane way to go right now. I am sorry to hear you are feeling so bad and really understand that you just want to feel better and that is not to much to ask.
 
Kathleen -

I had a chest XRay and they didn't see fluid around the heart. They did see that my diaphram on the right side is way up covering a good portion of the lung. That may be causing some of the breathing issues.

Ruth
 
Did your Cardiologist try any other drugs first?

I use SOTALOL (generic form of BetaPace) to keep my arrhythmias under control. Works well, but it does take some time to become effective.

Amiodarone is the SLEDGE HAMMER of antiarrhythmics and is recommended as a LAST RESORT medication after everything else has failed because it can cause damage to your Lungs or Eyes or ??? and has an extremely LONG Half Life (6 months maybe?).

Did you read the INFORMATION SHEET that you should have received from the pharmacy? If not, please do so, or check amiodarone out on one of the on-line drug information sites. Also ask your Pharmacist to tell you about the drug and it's use. Hopefully short term use won't have the nasty side effects, but it will still take MONTHS to leave your system after you discontinue use.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Hi Ruth

What you are on is a loading dose which then decreases - when I was in AF after my op I was on IV Amiodorone for 48 hours, then onto oral. 2 x 200mg three times a day for one week, gradually decreasing over the month that I was on it.
While I agree with what others in this thread have said about it not being a very nice drug to be on (what drug ever is :mad: ??) I think that you have to just go with your cardio's recommendation and put up with it for the short time you will be on it. Every doctor I have discussed it with has said that they believe that it is well documented that it is probably the most effective drug available to convert AF back to sinus rhythm.
I myself have been on Amiodarone for short periods in the past, then back to Sotalol once back in sinus.....the doctors over here never leave people on it for prolonged periods because of the potential side effects (remember also that not everyone has the side effects).
Some doctors over here actually prefer Flecainide - anyone have any thoughts on that drug?
Also Ruth, direct current cardioversion is not as bad as it sounds - I was rapt to be back in sinus, and was asleep throughout the procedure anyway - woke up feeling like a new woman:)
Those are just a few thoughts of mine - you will get through this hiccup for sure. All the best.

B
 
Ruth - if the stuff you read on this forum doesn't scare you off this dangerous drug, do a google search on "amiodarone and lawyer" - you'll get 47,600 hits.
The ambulance chasers have this drug well and truly in their sights.
 
Ruth
I am sorry to hear that the diaphragm is way up. When you said that things are clearer in the symptoms you are describing. When I had my third surgery for a pericardectomy the phrenic nerve was damaged and my left side hemi diaphragm was paralzed. There is a phrenic nerve that runs down each side and it is responsible to move the diaphragm up and down. It is the size of a piece of hair. The nerve after surgery can become pinched, irritated or severed. I was not getting better after surgery and got to the point where I had trouble eating without feeling like I was choking since the lung by then had collapsed with the diaphragm pushing it up. The doctors called in the pulmonologist and the tests began. It was paralyzed and the one test I remember is the sniff test. They said sniff and then said yup. One side of my nostril would move in and out the other nothing. Pretty easy test. Most phrenic nerves after surgery just need some time to right themselves from the trauma of surgery. The bad part is they give you a one year window for that to happen. I really hope this is not the case for you but once you mentioned your xray it makes sense. I had a tough down time with far to many doctors and a long road ahead. Very depressing. Unfortunately mine did not ever come back and after a year the diaphragm was almost under my armpit and the other organs followed its lead and all moved up too. I did have to undergo a very painful lung surgery to place the organs back in their spots and to this day the sniff test remains the same but my stomach does not growl in my boob anymore. I would definately have a pulmonologist look at the xray and perhaps go a little further in lung capacity testing. While the lung was collapsed I had constant pneumonia in the lung. That had to be the longest year of my life waiting for it to regenerate. Sorry if this is to much information but a diaphram "way up" is to be addressed quickly.


ruth said:
Kathleen -

I had a chest XRay and they didn't see fluid around the heart. They did see that my diaphram on the right side is way up covering a good portion of the lung. That may be causing some of the breathing issues.

Ruth
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