Has Amiodarone worked for anyone?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/5/2006 11:55:11 P.M. Central Standard Time,

creativecopy@... writes:

My doctor has prescribed Amiodarone for my a-fib. After picking up the

medication I read the potential list of toxic side effects and to say

the least they cause me some concern. I've been in constant a-fib for

over one year now and I'm willing to try Amiodarone if it has the

potential of getting me back into normal rhythm without killing me with

the side effects. I would greatly appricate it if others would share

their experiences with Amiodarone. Did it work for you. Did it cause

any toxic side effects?

I have been on amiodarone for 5 years and so far it has worked pretty well.

I get tested for side effects at least once a year. They check for thyroid,

liver and lung problems. I take 150mg per day. When I first discussed

amiodarone with an EP from the Cleveland Clinic he was not very enthusiastic

about me

taking it and said he would not want a patient to take it for over 10 years.

I am 70 years old and am hoping for continued improvements in surgical

treatment and hope to have some good options before I get to old to qualify for

them.

I think the relatively low dose has helped stave off the side effects. As I

recall someone on this board reported being on amiodarone for 15 years with no

problems.

I don't intend for this to be an endorsement of amiodarone but this has been

my experience.

Guy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/6/2006 12:08:18 A.M. Central Standard Time,

mandyofca@... writes:

Also stay out of the sun, or keep covered, especially face and hands ,that

you never think about covering. Amiodarone can effect the skin color if it

gets too much sun exposure.

Thanks for reminding me Mandy, I failed to report on my sun sensitivity.

After a few minutes in the sun my skin will burn, not turn red like a sun burn

but my skin stings and is very uncomfortable. I ride bicycles and wear long

sleeve jerseys and gloves that cover my thumb and index finger. I also use SPF

50 sun block on all other exposed areas, one needs a sun block with zinc

oxide because your skin is sensitive to the entire spectrum, not just UV. I

have

found that my legs are OK with just the sun block unless I am on the bike all

day then my calves will start to sting.

Guy

[Guest guest]

My doctor has prescribed Amiodarone for my a-fib. After picking up the

medication I read the potential list of toxic side effects and to say

the least they cause me some concern. I've been in constant a-fib for

over one year now and I'm willing to try Amiodarone if it has the

potential of getting me back into normal rhythm without killing me with

the side effects. I would greatly appricate it if others would share

their experiences with Amiodarone. Did it work for you. Did it cause

any toxic side effects?

[Guest guest]

,

I was just put on amiodarone this past week, in fact tomorrow is one week in

NSR. I also am concerned about taking it, because of the side effects, but I

will be carefully monitored. It is important to have thyroid and liver tests

periodically and also a pulmonary lung test. I am having that done tomorrow,

just as a base line to compare in the future. I hope to only be on it while I

take a trip overseas, and then switch to something else, but we shall see how I

do on amio.

Also stay out of the sun, or keep covered, especially face and hands ,that you

never think about covering. Amiodarone can effect the skin color if it gets too

much sun exposure.

I'm with you, I am only taking it because we are going on vacation, and I

could not deal with AF every few days. My friend is a pharmacist and she says

many people are taking it, so hopefully there are some good results.

ManfyofCA

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

Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

,

I think a lot depends on the dosage. I have been on amiodarone since Jan 03,

daily 200 mg, and my doc says at this dosage side effects are very unlikely. So

far he was proven right, hope it keeps that way

Willy

guygooch@... wrote:

In a message dated 4/5/2006 11:55:11 P.M. Central Standard Time,

creativecopy@... writes:

My doctor has prescribed Amiodarone for my a-fib. After picking up the

medication I read the potential list of toxic side effects and to say

the least they cause me some concern. I've been in constant a-fib for

over one year now and I'm willing to try Amiodarone if it has the

potential of getting me back into normal rhythm without killing me with

the side effects. I would greatly appricate it if others would share

their experiences with Amiodarone. Did it work for you. Did it cause

any toxic side effects?

I have been on amiodarone for 5 years and so far it has worked pretty well.

I get tested for side effects at least once a year. They check for thyroid,

liver and lung problems. I take 150mg per day. When I first discussed

amiodarone with an EP from the Cleveland Clinic he was not very enthusiastic

about me

taking it and said he would not want a patient to take it for over 10 years.

I am 70 years old and am hoping for continued improvements in surgical

treatment and hope to have some good options before I get to old to qualify for

them.

I think the relatively low dose has helped stave off the side effects. As I

recall someone on this board reported being on amiodarone for 15 years with no

problems.

I don't intend for this to be an endorsement of amiodarone but this has been

my experience.

Guy

[Guest guest]

Just to alleviate a bit the sun exposure concern, I live in Israel and as you

may know no shortage of sunny days over here...lol, I am usually not in the sun

but do go a few times a year to the beach just with regualr sun lotion, never

cover my face or hands or anything like that.

As already mentioned here the main concern are liver and thyroid functions to

be checked every 3-4 months and the lungs. I am not being monitored for the

lungs, my EP says just to make sure to go see my doctor if any unsusual cough

develops .

Sun exposure was not mentioned as a likely side effect.

Willy

mandy tennesen mandyofca@...> wrote:

,

I was just put on amiodarone this past week, in fact tomorrow is one week in

NSR. I also am concerned about taking it, because of the side effects, but I

will be carefully monitored. It is important to have thyroid and liver tests

periodically and also a pulmonary lung test. I am having that done tomorrow,

just as a base line to compare in the future. I hope to only be on it while I

take a trip overseas, and then switch to something else, but we shall see how I

do on amio.

Also stay out of the sun, or keep covered, especially face and hands ,that you

never think about covering. Amiodarone can effect the skin color if it gets too

much sun exposure.

I'm with you, I am only taking it because we are going on vacation, and I

could not deal with AF every few days. My friend is a pharmacist and she says

many people are taking it, so hopefully there are some good results.

ManfyofCA

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

Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

and Willy,

I wrote earlier and forgot to include the dose. It was 100mg twice daily for six

weeks...then stopped...and then 4 months later, for eight months. In that time

it cause my lung capacity to be reduced by 10 percent.

Gerald

Re: Has Amiodarone worked for anyone?

,

I think a lot depends on the dosage. I have been on amiodarone since Jan 03,

daily 200 mg, and my doc says at this dosage side effects are very unlikely. So

far he was proven right, hope it keeps that way

Willy

guygooch@... wrote:

In a message dated 4/5/2006 11:55:11 P.M. Central Standard Time,

creativecopy@... writes:

My doctor has prescribed Amiodarone for my a-fib. After picking up the

medication I read the potential list of toxic side effects and to say

the least they cause me some concern. I've been in constant a-fib for

over one year now and I'm willing to try Amiodarone if it has the

potential of getting me back into normal rhythm without killing me with

the side effects. I would greatly appricate it if others would share

their experiences with Amiodarone. Did it work for you. Did it cause

any toxic side effects?

I have been on amiodarone for 5 years and so far it has worked pretty well.

I get tested for side effects at least once a year. They check for thyroid,

liver and lung problems. I take 150mg per day. When I first discussed

amiodarone with an EP from the Cleveland Clinic he was not very enthusiastic

about me

taking it and said he would not want a patient to take it for over 10 years.

I am 70 years old and am hoping for continued improvements in surgical

treatment and hope to have some good options before I get to old to qualify

for

them.

I think the relatively low dose has helped stave off the side effects. As I

recall someone on this board reported being on amiodarone for 15 years with no

problems.

I don't intend for this to be an endorsement of amiodarone but this has been

my experience.

Guy

[Guest guest]

, it's the " only thing " that has worked for me. I well aware of

the side effects and have to admit I sometimes worry about them quite a

bit.

I been on 200mg's for about 3 years now and have had several

breakthroughs but was always converted into NSR by electrical

cardioversion. I won't say how many months it's been since my last

breakthrough because I don't want to jinx myself but it's been several

months and counting. I get tested regularly for and side effects and

so far so good.

P

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

>

> My doctor has prescribed Amiodarone for my a-fib. After picking up

the

> medication I read the potential list of toxic side effects and to say

> the least they cause me some concern. I've been in constant a-fib for

> over one year now and I'm willing to try Amiodarone if it has the

> potential of getting me back into normal rhythm without killing me

with

> the side effects. I would greatly appricate it if others would share

> their experiences with Amiodarone. Did it work for you. Did it cause

> any toxic side effects?

>

>

>