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Possible Amiodarone side effects

Posted by heart2024 @heart2024, Jun 24, 2024

I have a long history of heart rhythm problems originally thought to be SVT. I have had adenosen administered 6 times. In addition I am on a pacemaker/defibrillator. I have a stent and a TAVR. I started Amiodarone on May 1, 2024 after being hospitalized with a diagnosis of V-Tach and am now on the maintenance dose. Since May 1, I have noticed a weakness in my left side and in the last 10 days I have noticed that my hands are twitchy to the point of affecting my computer mouse control. Has anyone else had those symptoms? If so, what did you do? This is very disturbing. I am ready to discuss with my doctor stopping the drug.

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chickenfarmer | @chickenfarmer | Mar 25 11:32am

Yes that is my observation as well especially since pulsed field ablation reportedly has fewer risks than previos RF technology. The big recent news for me is that studies are now supporting what my EP already believed that DOACs are not needed after successful ablation. This should affect those who've had a successful ablation but are considering WAtchman or similar to avoid taking DOACs.

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bettyz | @bettyz | Mar 25 12:17pm
In reply to @gloaming "I was on it only for eight weeks (extended by two weeks due to a little..." + (show)
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I was on it only for eight weeks (extended by two weeks due to a little setback with AF, but then got weaned off successfully). It worked over night, but with 800 mg per day for the first week for a loading dose. I didn't want to take it, having researched it months earlier looking for options for my increasingly active AF. But, the ER doctor did consult with my electrophysiologist and they agreed to put me on Amiodarone for a term to get my post-ablation heart to calm down.
To the point, I had no discernible side effects. I knew to avoid sun exposure, and to watch for blue skin and lips, but what I wanted most to avoid were pulmonary hypertension and liver toxicity. When I took my last dose eight weeks later, I was still showing no unwelcome signs. I never was asked to submit a blood sample for them to monitor my system, but maybe in only eight weeks it was not a problem.

The specialist you deal with may feel that what you are experiencing is not unheard of, so at least you can take small comfort in knowing that it can happen, and that Amiodarone is what is causing the new symptoms. However, this may be a new 'nuther development quite unrelated to Amiodarone...so the upshot is you gotta let your experts know what you have going on.

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@gloaming
Ami can also cause problems with your thyroid. I'm glad you're getting off it!

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gloaming | @gloaming | Mar 25 3:23pm
In reply to @bettyz "@gloaming Ami can also cause problems with your thyroid. I'm glad you're getting off it!" + (show)
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@gloaming
Ami can also cause problems with your thyroid. I'm glad you're getting off it!

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@bettyz I was already aware of the potential problems with amiodarone when, unhappily, an internist said I had to start a limited regimen of that drug. I said to him, 'Wow, that's a pretty big hammer.' He looked up and thought, and then said, 'It's the right hammer...for now.' So, I went on it, with much trepidation, but eight weeks later I was off it and my heart was behaving much better. No side effects. I have heard of people, though, who had dangerous side effects within a couple of weeks on amiodarone.

Thanks for you good wishes, Betty!

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