1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Need advice on Amioderone

Posted by thecrawf3 @thecrawf3, Jun 1, 2020

I was switched from Multaq to Amiodarone for my AFIB, I'm getting daily headaches, which I never suffered from, along with some other side effects. I've been on 200 Amiodarone for almost 2 months now, thinking of asking my doctor to switch me back. Does anyone have anything to share about their experience with Amiodarone? Especially getting off it? Thanks!

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bobstokes11 | @bobstokes11 | Jul 5, 2023
In reply to @jenrev "I have about one episode of a-fib every week that lasts a couple of hours usually...." + (show)
@jenrev

I have about one episode of a-fib every week that lasts a couple of hours usually. Because of the rate-dampening effects of the amiodarone, my heart rate rarely goes above 115. When I am not having a-fib I'm coping with lots of erratic beats/ectopics - mostly premature atrial complexes. I gather that PACs and A-fib are good friends who like to hang out together - not my friends (!) The TT Maze procedure is basically an ablation that takes place on the outside surface of your heart rather than inside the chambers. More invasive and also more effective. This will happen in the fall. Cheers and patience to all of us coping with these arrhythmias - it takes a lot of mental stamina!

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Yes… the mental worry can be exhausting. I get AFib once every 2 weeks, lasts about 6 hours.
It is hard to plan activities and functions when you never know when the AFib will occur.

Now I am thinking that I need a pill to ease the worry!

REPLY
jenrev | @jenrev | Jul 5, 2023

Hi Bobstokes11. I think you just plan to do everything you want to do, but allow yourself the grace to cancel or opt out of something if you are in a-fib and don't feel great. Of course, some things we have to do (work, travel); but I think many things can be set aside until we feel better and are back in NSR. Sometimes it helps me to just get out in the world and do my stuff anyway, even with a crazy heartbeat. Best to you and to us all who are coping with this.
Jen

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1 reply
ev1 | @ev1 | Jul 5, 2023
In reply to @kravmaga "Hi Jenrev You are SO right it does take a lot of mental stamina to cope..." + (show)
@kravmaga

Hi Jenrev
You are SO right it does take a lot of mental stamina to cope with A-Fib.
It is so unpredictable and that to me is the worst part.
There is no rhyme or reason to it.
Being a very disciplined person ( boxing and do MMA) I always attack something with a strategy or game plan.
With A-Fib there is NO strategy that works.
The A-fib does what it does when it wants.
Like a little man living in my chest that has its own mind.
It is so frustrating.
And as you touched on, the mental part is the worst.
I find no one seems to understand.
Its really messed up my life.
Best of luck to you I hope everything works out well for you.

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I agree. The anxiety that goes with A Fib is the worst. I am a little cautious about planning holidays etc. Always at the back of my mind WHAT IF my afib acts up. I really do have to learn how to relax myself enough to have the confidence to go away on holidays etc.

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1 reply
Krav Maga | @kravmaga | Jul 5, 2023
In reply to @ev1 "I agree. The anxiety that goes with A Fib is the worst. I am a little..." + (show)
@ev1

I agree. The anxiety that goes with A Fib is the worst. I am a little cautious about planning holidays etc. Always at the back of my mind WHAT IF my afib acts up. I really do have to learn how to relax myself enough to have the confidence to go away on holidays etc.

Jump to this post

Yes I feel the same exact way.
Like to stay close to the nest.
No one seems to understand.
You can be relaxed and get it.
You can be stressed and wound up and not.
Thus my frustration is you cant game plan it.

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bobstokes11 | @bobstokes11 | Jul 6, 2023
In reply to @jenrev "Hi Bobstokes11. I think you just plan to do everything you want to do, but allow..." + (show)
@jenrev

Hi Bobstokes11. I think you just plan to do everything you want to do, but allow yourself the grace to cancel or opt out of something if you are in a-fib and don't feel great. Of course, some things we have to do (work, travel); but I think many things can be set aside until we feel better and are back in NSR. Sometimes it helps me to just get out in the world and do my stuff anyway, even with a crazy heartbeat. Best to you and to us all who are coping with this.
Jen

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Hi Jenrev. Thanks for the encouragement.
Yes, I do plan my activities and 99% of the time, everything is fine.
It is just the fact that the AFib worry is always there. Frustration!

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anniegk | @anniegk | Jul 6, 2023

If you are going to take Amiodarone, you must work close with your Doctor. There is some very serious side effects that can occur with the lungs. Talk to your Doctor about it.

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