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DiscussionLiving with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Nov 7 12:26pm | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Thanks so much for all this information. I guess I have Persistent AFib since it is..."
I had Afib while sleeping when I was in the hospital after a 20' fall, cracked my head open and unknown until later, had bleeding ulcers resulting in a loss of 1/2 of my hemoglobin. With only one Afib event the cardiologist gave me 400 mg of Amiodarone and 250 mg. of Dilitazem. If you are prescribed Amiodarone talk to you doctor at length. The side effects are pretty bad and after 11 months the drug was discontinued since my levels of thyroid, liver and heart were more and more elevated after every blood test. After 11 months the drugs were discontinued, my liver and heart levels were down but my thyroid was damaged. In January 2024 I was prescribed levothyroxine since my thyroid would not recover. A side effect of the Amiodarone caused hypothyroidism which is one of the many side effects. So, just advice from my own experience. Every drug your doctor prescribes make him discuss every detail with you so you have the information. I did not until recently, when I saw my blood tests through a portal that was sent to me by the diagnostic company. It shocked me to read the results as my organ levels climbed and although, it was too late, I learned now that doctors overprescribe, don't follow-up in a timely fashion, do not discuss the issues you may be experiencing and dismiss your concerns. I had advocates for me during this time frame, but one thing we all did that went found was totally wrong. We accepted the doctors decisions and not one of us questioned the mediations. I mean, why would we? We thought he would do "no harm" and trusted him as we do all the doctors that he knows what he's doing so to question the toxicity and side effects of the mediations prescribed never entered our minds.