Anyone have experience with amiodorone as an arrhythmia treatment?

Thanks for your comments and your story. That was my first episode of AFib. I saw my cardiologist (At that time I had never heard the term "electrophysiologist"). I just accepted what he said about needing a blood thinner to prevent a stroke and the Amiodarone for the AFib. At that time I did very little research - thought AFib was like diabetes - something you had and treated (like taking insulin). Then I started researching and found that most people are started on Amiodarone in the hospital to make certain they tolerated it and not just given 400 mg twice a day! In the years since, I have become much smarter! I research everything, won't take a new medication, unless I have learned everything I can, and generally get the opinion of other doctors. My next 3 episodes of AFib I approached very differently and saw an electrophysiologist, not a cardiologist. My EP wants to do an ablation; today I saw another EP for a second opinion. My amiodarone experience has made me very cautious. I have permanent scarring in my lungs; the four months of steroids reversed some of the damage - but not all. Like you, I have had many wonderful doctors, but enough negative experiences to convince it is essential to do my own research and question EVERYTHING!

Hi-glad you’re researching everything now. I didn’t in the beginning but I quickly learned. Also, it’s good that you get second and third opinions; a good dr will never be offended by that. Do consider ablation; it might just solve the problem.
My experience has been that they will always keep you a day or two in the hospital while titrating any antiarrhythmic. Also, amiodarone is supposedly a drug of last resort.
Sorry again about the lung scarring and glad some of it could be reversed.
Let us know how the ablation goes if you decide to do it.

Thanks for your message, Phoenix. I appreciate the validation. After my second opinion (which confirmed what my other doctor said) I now have decided to arrange an ablation. I am hoping to have a cardioversion soon "to buy me time" before I can get the ablation because my heart rate is consistently very high and my left atrium is severely dilated due to AFib. Yes, I am glad some of my lung issues could be reversed. However, I think my pickle ball days are behind me with the scarring I have! Thanks again!

You’re welcome!
Don’t give up on the pickle ball; just start slow and see how it goes. The body is really very resilient.
Good luck and keep us informed how the ablation goes.

Just saw my cardiologist today as a follow-up to my ablation. My EKG was finally normal, but the doctor said I should stay on Amiodarone for a month or two longer to let my heart heal. I was hoping he would take me off it due to believed side effects, He indicated that my extreme fatigue might come from the med., but it may be that it takes a while to get over the fatigue even after a successful ablation. He indicated that he would like me to push myself a little and start walking again as long as it is not too hot out. With my HR being normal, he feels that I should not worry about feeling fatigued when I walk as long as I can get some rest during the walk.

I am a bit late in addressing your question about Amiodarone. I took it early in my diagnosis of A-Fib before my first ablation (which gave me almost 9 years with no A-Fib; my second ablation has lasted 4 years and still going; hope this one lasts even longer). My doctor stopped the Amiodarone after less than a month because it caused my hair to fall out. Fortunately I had lots of hair but I have less now. I know it can cause hair loss as a side effect.