RE: Don't know what to take don't know what to do..

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/2004 8:37:33 AM Central Daylight Time,

apollodorian@... writes:

If ablation is the

choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

Thanks and many blessings..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dr. Natale at the Cleveland Clinic probably has the best reputation. If you

search through our web site you will find other good Dr's. I think atrial

flutter ablation is an easier procedure and more reliable that afib ablation.

Guy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/2004 8:37:33 AM Central Daylight Time,

apollodorian@... writes:

If ablation is the

choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

Thanks and many blessings..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dr. Natale at the Cleveland Clinic probably has the best reputation. If you

search through our web site you will find other good Dr's. I think atrial

flutter ablation is an easier procedure and more reliable that afib ablation.

Guy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/2004 8:37:33 AM Central Daylight Time,

apollodorian@... writes:

If ablation is the

choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

Thanks and many blessings..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dr. Natale at the Cleveland Clinic probably has the best reputation. If you

search through our web site you will find other good Dr's. I think atrial

flutter ablation is an easier procedure and more reliable that afib ablation.

Guy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/2004 12:26:56 PM Central Daylight Time,

JPindorski@... writes:

If anyone is on Amiodorone and has positive results with it would

sure be nice to hear from you.

P <MI>

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I would say that I am having positive results with amiodarone. I too would

like an alternative but since I still have breakthroughs about every 2 weeks I

doubt any other drugs would work. I have blood work done every 6 mo's and

breathing tests every year. So far so good although last Oct my liver enzymes

were

slightly elevated but were back down 2 mo's later.

I have since dropped my dose from 200mg to 150mg per day. I think that is why

I have episodes on 2 week intervals. At 200 mg I was having episodes about

every mo. but since my attacks are pretty mild and I have been able to get back

to NSR by exercising I am going to try and stay at 150.

Guy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/2004 12:26:56 PM Central Daylight Time,

JPindorski@... writes:

If anyone is on Amiodorone and has positive results with it would

sure be nice to hear from you.

P <MI>

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I would say that I am having positive results with amiodarone. I too would

like an alternative but since I still have breakthroughs about every 2 weeks I

doubt any other drugs would work. I have blood work done every 6 mo's and

breathing tests every year. So far so good although last Oct my liver enzymes

were

slightly elevated but were back down 2 mo's later.

I have since dropped my dose from 200mg to 150mg per day. I think that is why

I have episodes on 2 week intervals. At 200 mg I was having episodes about

every mo. but since my attacks are pretty mild and I have been able to get back

to NSR by exercising I am going to try and stay at 150.

Guy

[Guest guest]

Hi :

The Kansas City Star just ran an article about amiodarone. Here is part

of what it said:

======== Kansas City Star ===============

Amiodarone can be highly toxic to patients and causes a wide range of

serious and life-threatening side effects. As many as 17 percent of

patients in some studies have experienced lung damage - with 10 percent

dying from it. Others have suffered thyroid, liver and eye problems,

including blindness.

Because of the drug's significant side effects, the FDA approved it only

as a treatment for life-threatening heart conditions called ventricular

tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and only as a treatment of

last resort after other drugs have failed.

Yet in the past year doctors wrote nearly 2.3 million prescriptions for

amiodarone to treat atrial fibrillation and other unapproved conditions

- accounting for 82 percent of all amiodarone prescriptions, according

to an exclusive Knight Ridder analysis of drug industry data published

last fall.

===========================================

The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a function

of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this drug,

but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half life

of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side effects

develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

efficacy either.

A different molecule, dronedarone, has completed phase 3 studies and the

results suggest that it has side effects " similar " to placebo. What that

exactly means is open to interpretation, but amiodarone is so

problematic that it should not be hard to beat side-effect wise.

Both amiodarone and dronedarone have similar (and multiple) mechanisms

of action.

Stedicor is also on the horizon, and has completed phase 3 trials. It

does not seem to stop AF entirely, but the average duration between

episodes was 3 months versus two weeks for placebo. It is said to be

much much milder in side effects than any of the other AF drugs. Its

mechanism of action is to inhibit two potassium channels in the heart's

electrical system which is similar to one of the mechanisms in

amiodarone and dronedarone. Most AF drugs that inhibit potassium inhibit

just one channel.

Drugs that interfere with a potassium channel extend the QT interval,

which has the potential to cause torsade de pointes. Torsade is a

variant of Ventricular Tachycardia and can be lethal. Torsade patients

admitted to the hospital are typically treated in the ICU.

If you are looking into disability as an alternative, by all means I

would suggest that you look into ablation too. It is difficult to get a

firm idea of the risks involved because the " procedure " is not

standardized (different docs do it differently and each version is

evolving rather rapidly) and appears to be very dependent upon " operator

skill " . People have died from the procedure, and others have been

seriously injured, with injuries ranging from narrowed pulmonary veins

to destroyed mitral valves. Many in this group are waiting for it to

evolve further, hopefully into the reliable cure for AF that it appears

to be. In the meantime, many others have had it done and are immensely

pleased with the results. The risks appear to be lowest when the EP

doing the procedure has done 200 or more of them.

- OU alum in Kazoo

[Guest guest]

Hi :

The Kansas City Star just ran an article about amiodarone. Here is part

of what it said:

======== Kansas City Star ===============

Amiodarone can be highly toxic to patients and causes a wide range of

serious and life-threatening side effects. As many as 17 percent of

patients in some studies have experienced lung damage - with 10 percent

dying from it. Others have suffered thyroid, liver and eye problems,

including blindness.

Because of the drug's significant side effects, the FDA approved it only

as a treatment for life-threatening heart conditions called ventricular

tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and only as a treatment of

last resort after other drugs have failed.

Yet in the past year doctors wrote nearly 2.3 million prescriptions for

amiodarone to treat atrial fibrillation and other unapproved conditions

- accounting for 82 percent of all amiodarone prescriptions, according

to an exclusive Knight Ridder analysis of drug industry data published

last fall.

===========================================

The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a function

of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this drug,

but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half life

of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side effects

develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

efficacy either.

A different molecule, dronedarone, has completed phase 3 studies and the

results suggest that it has side effects " similar " to placebo. What that

exactly means is open to interpretation, but amiodarone is so

problematic that it should not be hard to beat side-effect wise.

Both amiodarone and dronedarone have similar (and multiple) mechanisms

of action.

Stedicor is also on the horizon, and has completed phase 3 trials. It

does not seem to stop AF entirely, but the average duration between

episodes was 3 months versus two weeks for placebo. It is said to be

much much milder in side effects than any of the other AF drugs. Its

mechanism of action is to inhibit two potassium channels in the heart's

electrical system which is similar to one of the mechanisms in

amiodarone and dronedarone. Most AF drugs that inhibit potassium inhibit

just one channel.

Drugs that interfere with a potassium channel extend the QT interval,

which has the potential to cause torsade de pointes. Torsade is a

variant of Ventricular Tachycardia and can be lethal. Torsade patients

admitted to the hospital are typically treated in the ICU.

If you are looking into disability as an alternative, by all means I

would suggest that you look into ablation too. It is difficult to get a

firm idea of the risks involved because the " procedure " is not

standardized (different docs do it differently and each version is

evolving rather rapidly) and appears to be very dependent upon " operator

skill " . People have died from the procedure, and others have been

seriously injured, with injuries ranging from narrowed pulmonary veins

to destroyed mitral valves. Many in this group are waiting for it to

evolve further, hopefully into the reliable cure for AF that it appears

to be. In the meantime, many others have had it done and are immensely

pleased with the results. The risks appear to be lowest when the EP

doing the procedure has done 200 or more of them.

- OU alum in Kazoo

[Guest guest]

Hi :

The Kansas City Star just ran an article about amiodarone. Here is part

of what it said:

======== Kansas City Star ===============

Amiodarone can be highly toxic to patients and causes a wide range of

serious and life-threatening side effects. As many as 17 percent of

patients in some studies have experienced lung damage - with 10 percent

dying from it. Others have suffered thyroid, liver and eye problems,

including blindness.

Because of the drug's significant side effects, the FDA approved it only

as a treatment for life-threatening heart conditions called ventricular

tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and only as a treatment of

last resort after other drugs have failed.

Yet in the past year doctors wrote nearly 2.3 million prescriptions for

amiodarone to treat atrial fibrillation and other unapproved conditions

- accounting for 82 percent of all amiodarone prescriptions, according

to an exclusive Knight Ridder analysis of drug industry data published

last fall.

===========================================

The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a function

of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this drug,

but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half life

of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side effects

develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

efficacy either.

A different molecule, dronedarone, has completed phase 3 studies and the

results suggest that it has side effects " similar " to placebo. What that

exactly means is open to interpretation, but amiodarone is so

problematic that it should not be hard to beat side-effect wise.

Both amiodarone and dronedarone have similar (and multiple) mechanisms

of action.

Stedicor is also on the horizon, and has completed phase 3 trials. It

does not seem to stop AF entirely, but the average duration between

episodes was 3 months versus two weeks for placebo. It is said to be

much much milder in side effects than any of the other AF drugs. Its

mechanism of action is to inhibit two potassium channels in the heart's

electrical system which is similar to one of the mechanisms in

amiodarone and dronedarone. Most AF drugs that inhibit potassium inhibit

just one channel.

Drugs that interfere with a potassium channel extend the QT interval,

which has the potential to cause torsade de pointes. Torsade is a

variant of Ventricular Tachycardia and can be lethal. Torsade patients

admitted to the hospital are typically treated in the ICU.

If you are looking into disability as an alternative, by all means I

would suggest that you look into ablation too. It is difficult to get a

firm idea of the risks involved because the " procedure " is not

standardized (different docs do it differently and each version is

evolving rather rapidly) and appears to be very dependent upon " operator

skill " . People have died from the procedure, and others have been

seriously injured, with injuries ranging from narrowed pulmonary veins

to destroyed mitral valves. Many in this group are waiting for it to

evolve further, hopefully into the reliable cure for AF that it appears

to be. In the meantime, many others have had it done and are immensely

pleased with the results. The risks appear to be lowest when the EP

doing the procedure has done 200 or more of them.

- OU alum in Kazoo

[Guest guest]

10 mg of propranolol is almost like taking nothing. Either increase the

dose (there is also a 80 mg slow release capsule), or go to medications

that are considered more effective (like tombacor, rythmol or sotalol).

But you sould appreciate that these medicines have different effect on

different people, and furthermore that the more effective the medicine,

the more serious side effects you may have to endure. Stay away from

amiodarone until (a) you have exhausted all other options and ( you

clearly understand the its side effects. Amiodarone is a really SOAB

medicine. Down the road there is of course ablation, But you might

consider first the suggestions above.

Joe Y.

Don't know what to take don't know what to do..

HI Everyone...Thanks to everyone who writes to this bulletin board.

These personal experiences give many including myself the strength

to carry on with this crazy and unpredictable condition. Write your

heart out.

I have Aphib/Aflutter. I am a professional trumpet player in NYC.

It is beginning to have an impact on my career. In fact I am

thinking about looking into my insurance's dissability program next

week. Blowing screeming high notes and aphib aren't compatible. My

episodes are about two weeks apart, 8-12 hours and I only take

medications when I am in aphib/flutter...10mg propranolol and an

aspirin. If it doesn't convert in 6 hours I take another

propranolol. It seems that my arrythmia is not just one pattern.

In fact it races very quickly and steadily (148 wrist pulse) then

shuffles off into a irregular washing machine feeling.

My electrocardiogist said to ablate the flutter (there is a

possibility that it starts as flutter and then degenerates to Aphib)

and see what happens or go on amioderone or tambocor. My research

has showed that ablating the flutter will probably not fix my

problems. So my questions for all you aphib pros out are: What

Drugs should I try or do I go for an ablation? If ablation is the

choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

Thanks and many blessings..

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com <http://www.afibsupport.com>

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or

should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

You are not on much medication.

I think someone else posted that playing a trumpet was a trigger for

him. Since it is your livelihood, you probably can't just avoid it.

Amiodarone has a bad reputation in here - side effects inlude

irreversible eye, lung, and thyroid damage.

A number of people here have had good luck with dofetilide, including

being able to engage in very strenuous activity. My own doc has been

talking about flecainide for me, and he says it is safer than

dofetilide, however he is a new doc for me and I don't know how good

he is.

The best U.S. doc for afib ablations seems to be Dr. Natale at

Cleveland Clinic, who also works out of Marin, CA once a month.

However, since you aren't taking much med now, I would consider sking

about increasing the beta blocker first and seeing if that was

sufficient.

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

You are not on much medication.

I think someone else posted that playing a trumpet was a trigger for

him. Since it is your livelihood, you probably can't just avoid it.

Amiodarone has a bad reputation in here - side effects inlude

irreversible eye, lung, and thyroid damage.

A number of people here have had good luck with dofetilide, including

being able to engage in very strenuous activity. My own doc has been

talking about flecainide for me, and he says it is safer than

dofetilide, however he is a new doc for me and I don't know how good

he is.

The best U.S. doc for afib ablations seems to be Dr. Natale at

Cleveland Clinic, who also works out of Marin, CA once a month.

However, since you aren't taking much med now, I would consider sking

about increasing the beta blocker first and seeing if that was

sufficient.

[Guest guest]

The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a function

of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this drug,

but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half life

of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side effects

develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

efficacy either.

----------------------------

Amiodarone is indeed nasty stuff. I've taken it for about three years. It has

only one redeeming factor. It works for me, and the quality of life that comes

without rhythm control is even less acceptable than the dice roll on the side

effects.

At this point, I'm using it as a bridge to my ablation. I wouldn't want to be

on it for another 20 years. For what I can see, that would almost insure that

some of the side effects would kick in. But as a short term symptom

suppressant, it seems like a reasonable bet. But I'm looking forward to being

shut of it.

Bill Manson

" When [] put on a uniform, something happened to him. He turned

into Manson's cousin, Manson. " -- Ken Kaiser

[Guest guest]

The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a function

of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this drug,

but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half life

of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side effects

develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

efficacy either.

----------------------------

Amiodarone is indeed nasty stuff. I've taken it for about three years. It has

only one redeeming factor. It works for me, and the quality of life that comes

without rhythm control is even less acceptable than the dice roll on the side

effects.

At this point, I'm using it as a bridge to my ablation. I wouldn't want to be

on it for another 20 years. For what I can see, that would almost insure that

some of the side effects would kick in. But as a short term symptom

suppressant, it seems like a reasonable bet. But I'm looking forward to being

shut of it.

Bill Manson

" When [] put on a uniform, something happened to him. He turned

into Manson's cousin, Manson. " -- Ken Kaiser

[Guest guest]

Here's one near you that appears to have a good rep. Their webpage is one of

the two or three best that I've run across.

http://www.med.nyu.edu/heartrhythm/patients/ablation.html

Bill Manson

" When [] put on a uniform, something happened to him. He turned

into Manson's cousin, Manson. " -- Ken Kaiser

[Guest guest]

Here's one near you that appears to have a good rep. Their webpage is one of

the two or three best that I've run across.

http://www.med.nyu.edu/heartrhythm/patients/ablation.html

Bill Manson

" When [] put on a uniform, something happened to him. He turned

into Manson's cousin, Manson. " -- Ken Kaiser

[Guest guest]

Here's one near you that appears to have a good rep. Their webpage is one of

the two or three best that I've run across.

http://www.med.nyu.edu/heartrhythm/patients/ablation.html

Bill Manson

" When [] put on a uniform, something happened to him. He turned

into Manson's cousin, Manson. " -- Ken Kaiser

[Guest guest]

> Hi :

>

> The Kansas City Star just ran an article about amiodarone. Here is

part

> of what it said:

>

> ======== Kansas City Star ===============

, do you have the url for the entire article, or could you post

the whole thing? Thank you.

[Guest guest]

> Hi :

>

> The Kansas City Star just ran an article about amiodarone. Here is

part

> of what it said:

>

> ======== Kansas City Star ===============

, do you have the url for the entire article, or could you post

the whole thing? Thank you.

[Guest guest]

What research did you do that would demonstrate the an ablation for

the flutter won't help you?

I have been led to believe that abalation has been very very

successful with flutter. In fact, my Dad had it a few years back and

it (nor aFib which he also had before the flutter) has returned. No

pacemaker. No nothing.

Larry

> HI Everyone...Thanks to everyone who writes to this bulletin

board.

> These personal experiences give many including myself the strength

> to carry on with this crazy and unpredictable condition. Write

your

> heart out.

>

> I have Aphib/Aflutter. I am a professional trumpet player in NYC.

> It is beginning to have an impact on my career. In fact I am

> thinking about looking into my insurance's dissability program next

> week. Blowing screeming high notes and aphib aren't compatible.

My

> episodes are about two weeks apart, 8-12 hours and I only take

> medications when I am in aphib/flutter...10mg propranolol and an

> aspirin. If it doesn't convert in 6 hours I take another

> propranolol. It seems that my arrythmia is not just one pattern.

> In fact it races very quickly and steadily (148 wrist pulse) then

> shuffles off into a irregular washing machine feeling.

>

> My electrocardiogist said to ablate the flutter (there is a

> possibility that it starts as flutter and then degenerates to

Aphib)

> and see what happens or go on amioderone or tambocor. My research

> has showed that ablating the flutter will probably not fix my

> problems. So my questions for all you aphib pros out are: What

> Drugs should I try or do I go for an ablation? If ablation is the

> choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

> Thanks and many blessings..

[Guest guest]

What research did you do that would demonstrate the an ablation for

the flutter won't help you?

I have been led to believe that abalation has been very very

successful with flutter. In fact, my Dad had it a few years back and

it (nor aFib which he also had before the flutter) has returned. No

pacemaker. No nothing.

Larry

> HI Everyone...Thanks to everyone who writes to this bulletin

board.

> These personal experiences give many including myself the strength

> to carry on with this crazy and unpredictable condition. Write

your

> heart out.

>

> I have Aphib/Aflutter. I am a professional trumpet player in NYC.

> It is beginning to have an impact on my career. In fact I am

> thinking about looking into my insurance's dissability program next

> week. Blowing screeming high notes and aphib aren't compatible.

My

> episodes are about two weeks apart, 8-12 hours and I only take

> medications when I am in aphib/flutter...10mg propranolol and an

> aspirin. If it doesn't convert in 6 hours I take another

> propranolol. It seems that my arrythmia is not just one pattern.

> In fact it races very quickly and steadily (148 wrist pulse) then

> shuffles off into a irregular washing machine feeling.

>

> My electrocardiogist said to ablate the flutter (there is a

> possibility that it starts as flutter and then degenerates to

Aphib)

> and see what happens or go on amioderone or tambocor. My research

> has showed that ablating the flutter will probably not fix my

> problems. So my questions for all you aphib pros out are: What

> Drugs should I try or do I go for an ablation? If ablation is the

> choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

> Thanks and many blessings..

[Guest guest]

What research did you do that would demonstrate the an ablation for

the flutter won't help you?

I have been led to believe that abalation has been very very

successful with flutter. In fact, my Dad had it a few years back and

it (nor aFib which he also had before the flutter) has returned. No

pacemaker. No nothing.

Larry

> HI Everyone...Thanks to everyone who writes to this bulletin

board.

> These personal experiences give many including myself the strength

> to carry on with this crazy and unpredictable condition. Write

your

> heart out.

>

> I have Aphib/Aflutter. I am a professional trumpet player in NYC.

> It is beginning to have an impact on my career. In fact I am

> thinking about looking into my insurance's dissability program next

> week. Blowing screeming high notes and aphib aren't compatible.

My

> episodes are about two weeks apart, 8-12 hours and I only take

> medications when I am in aphib/flutter...10mg propranolol and an

> aspirin. If it doesn't convert in 6 hours I take another

> propranolol. It seems that my arrythmia is not just one pattern.

> In fact it races very quickly and steadily (148 wrist pulse) then

> shuffles off into a irregular washing machine feeling.

>

> My electrocardiogist said to ablate the flutter (there is a

> possibility that it starts as flutter and then degenerates to

Aphib)

> and see what happens or go on amioderone or tambocor. My research

> has showed that ablating the flutter will probably not fix my

> problems. So my questions for all you aphib pros out are: What

> Drugs should I try or do I go for an ablation? If ablation is the

> choice who is definitely the best choice of Doctor in the USA.

> Thanks and many blessings..

[Guest guest]

> ======== Kansas City Star ===============

> Amiodarone can be highly toxic to patients and causes a wide range

of

> serious and life-threatening side effects.

.....................................................

Can Amiodorone be dangerous? Sure.

Can that danger be reduced to an acceptable level? I think so.

With the proper monitoring I have no qualms about taking it. Although

I will admit that the more negative things I read about it the more I

think about it.

I was on Ami 400mg's a day after my afib was first discovered. I was

loaded and cardioverted and stayed in NSR for two years. The dose was

eventually reduced to 200mg's a day. Then my thyroid became over

active and the doctors reduced the dosage to 100mg's a day which

fixed the thyroid but wasn't enough to keep me in NRS for any length

of time. I was switched to Sotalol which did not work very well at

all and made me feel terrible. Now, at my own request, I am now back

on the Ami since December and my recent blood draws and chest xray

have shown that everything is fine. My EP told me as long as I'm

aware of the side effects and agree to close monitoring he had no

problem with putting me back on it. I know I will be needing a PVI

but hopefully I will be able to hold off long enough so that the

rapidly advancing technology will be available and FDA approved. And

if, and that's a big " IF " it can buy me some time before an ablation

so that these things can happen then it will have done it's job.

P <MI>

[Guest guest]

> ======== Kansas City Star ===============

> Amiodarone can be highly toxic to patients and causes a wide range

of

> serious and life-threatening side effects.

.....................................................

Can Amiodorone be dangerous? Sure.

Can that danger be reduced to an acceptable level? I think so.

With the proper monitoring I have no qualms about taking it. Although

I will admit that the more negative things I read about it the more I

think about it.

I was on Ami 400mg's a day after my afib was first discovered. I was

loaded and cardioverted and stayed in NSR for two years. The dose was

eventually reduced to 200mg's a day. Then my thyroid became over

active and the doctors reduced the dosage to 100mg's a day which

fixed the thyroid but wasn't enough to keep me in NRS for any length

of time. I was switched to Sotalol which did not work very well at

all and made me feel terrible. Now, at my own request, I am now back

on the Ami since December and my recent blood draws and chest xray

have shown that everything is fine. My EP told me as long as I'm

aware of the side effects and agree to close monitoring he had no

problem with putting me back on it. I know I will be needing a PVI

but hopefully I will be able to hold off long enough so that the

rapidly advancing technology will be available and FDA approved. And

if, and that's a big " IF " it can buy me some time before an ablation

so that these things can happen then it will have done it's job.

P <MI>

[Guest guest]

>

> The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a

function

> of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

> imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

> commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this

drug,

> but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half

life

> of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side

effects

> develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

> other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

> efficacy either.

>

> A different molecule, dronedarone, has completed phase 3 studies

and the

> results suggest that it has side effects " similar " to placebo. What

that

> exactly means is open to interpretation, but amiodarone is so

> problematic that it should not be hard to beat side-effect wise.

>

> Both amiodarone and dronedarone have similar (and multiple)

mechanisms

> of action.

>

- OU alum in Kazoo

.......................................................

, as you know I take Amiodorone. If I had a choice, I wouldn't.

And I certainly wouldn't have it as the first drug I'd try to control

the afib. But it's the only alternative I have right now besides

being in constant afib or having a PVI which I will have if the Ami

stops working or starts having deleterious effects on my body.

Hopefully the Dronedarone will be available soon and I can get off

the Ami. With the EP/PVI field expanding so rapidly (magnetic

navigation to mention just one thing)

I know that holding off as long as possible for the PVI is to my

advantage.

I just got back from a wild turkey hunt. I awoke very early, humped

through the woods all day long, drove home (200 miles) the same day

and was totally exhausted. I was very worried that I would go into

afib. I stayed in NSR. I equate that to the fact that I'm on Ami.

When I did that same routine last November, when I was currently on

Sotalol, I went into afib. I'll be giving the Ami another test run

this week and hopefully get lucky and have a turkey for the kettle.

So the Ami is letting me get on with my life and hopefully it won't

harm my body. If it does start to effect me I'm sure the doctors

will pick up on it because of the close monitoring and testing

schedule they have me on.

If anyone is on Amiodorone and has positive results with it would

sure be nice to hear from you.

P <MI>

[Guest guest]

>

> The toxicity of amiodarone is thought to be, in large part, a

function

> of the iodine that is contained in its molecular structure. I can't

> imagine anyone talking me into taking it for AF. My internist has

> commented that cardiologists are comfortable with prescribing this

drug,

> but he cannot imagine himself becoming comfortable. It has a half

life

> of several months, so simply discontinuing the drug when side

effects

> develop does not have an immediate effect on resolving them. On the

> other hand, skipping a dose accidentally does not affect the drug's

> efficacy either.

>

> A different molecule, dronedarone, has completed phase 3 studies

and the

> results suggest that it has side effects " similar " to placebo. What

that

> exactly means is open to interpretation, but amiodarone is so

> problematic that it should not be hard to beat side-effect wise.

>

> Both amiodarone and dronedarone have similar (and multiple)

mechanisms

> of action.

>

- OU alum in Kazoo

.......................................................

, as you know I take Amiodorone. If I had a choice, I wouldn't.

And I certainly wouldn't have it as the first drug I'd try to control

the afib. But it's the only alternative I have right now besides

being in constant afib or having a PVI which I will have if the Ami

stops working or starts having deleterious effects on my body.

Hopefully the Dronedarone will be available soon and I can get off

the Ami. With the EP/PVI field expanding so rapidly (magnetic

navigation to mention just one thing)

I know that holding off as long as possible for the PVI is to my

advantage.

I just got back from a wild turkey hunt. I awoke very early, humped

through the woods all day long, drove home (200 miles) the same day

and was totally exhausted. I was very worried that I would go into

afib. I stayed in NSR. I equate that to the fact that I'm on Ami.

When I did that same routine last November, when I was currently on

Sotalol, I went into afib. I'll be giving the Ami another test run

this week and hopefully get lucky and have a turkey for the kettle.

So the Ami is letting me get on with my life and hopefully it won't

harm my body. If it does start to effect me I'm sure the doctors

will pick up on it because of the close monitoring and testing

schedule they have me on.

If anyone is on Amiodorone and has positive results with it would

sure be nice to hear from you.

P <MI>