Would love to hear opinions

I was in persistent AFib and the ablation was recommended. Afterwards I was still in persistent AFib, not occasional PVCs. That's when they put me on amiodarone at 400 mg a day. Two days ago I went back to NSR so I'm very grateful. But they won't hear of me lowering the dishes at least until August 10 and that bothers me.

@koleke I would echo what the previous person has said. Amiodarone gets infused and distributed properly over time, hence the loading dose. But it also has a very long 'residual' effect that can literally take months to get completely out of your system. So, even after you stop taking it, it's going to linger in your tissues for some time.

However, for the short time you're likely to be on it, I would guess, but don't know, that you don't have to fret over it. If you know your prescribing authority said you'd have to be on it for a defined term, then you know it's not likely to harm you. Even so, you could always ask for testing to ensure your pulmonary veins and kidneys and eyes are not suffering unduly. That might help you to abide the prescription.

The ablation failed because persistent AF is highly intractable. It's a much more complex procedure and not al EPs are trained or skilled, or experienced, enough to do it right on all patients. Even so, you may find that, in time, your heart will kick itself out of AF and begin to behave much better. It might actually take the better part of a year, especially if the amiodarone is actually doing it a lot of 'help.'

I was on the drug myself, and questioned the decision because I had already self-educated about the various measures for controlling AF. The attending said it was the best choice for me in view of my heart's condition when I presented. I decided to go with it for a while, but like you, I was unhappy about it. Fortunately, it did a great job, and I soon got used to the regimen knowing it was time-limited. Seven weeks. In my case, about two months later I went into AF again and needed a touch-up ablation. In fact, he had left one tiny gap open around my third pulmonary vein. When he got to it and applied the energy to the tip after placing it in that gap (all more-or-less blind, remember), my heart reverted to NSR and has been there ever since....3 years plus.

I urge you to just go about your days and be happy. The drug is working, and you might profit from a second attempt, maybe from a different EP like Natale or Santangeli if you can travel. You'll eventually be off the drug and we'll all know in good time if your heart likes the new 'it'.

Thank you for sharing your experience..it helps me. I feel like it's going to be ok. I will definitely not use the same EP. He's well respected but it's a small town..I'll go to a university teaching hospital next time.

You need to go to a bigger hospital with a different cardiologist for a second opinion. There are a lot of side effects from anti-arrhythmics and the one they gave you is pretty heavy-duty. And why a cardioversion if you weren't in A-fib, or were you? I am not sure I get it. I looked up the cost of a cardioversion in the U.S. and it ranges from $1,200 to $ 1,875 depending on your location and insurance coverage. While that is a lot of money, it isn't a fortune. I'd love to hear what you paid. You need a second opinion; I had an ablation and while I felt some weakness for a few days afterward, I was pretty much back to normal by 8 weeks. And I am 80 years old.

I have been on Amiodarone for a year and half. I had 2 ablations and got a pacemaker because they didn’t work . That worked for 5 years and then the A-fib came roaring back. I was having it 50% of the time. My dr said if I was 50 he wouldn’t give it to me. Since I have been taking it the A-fib is less then 1 %.

@bradsnanny do you have any side effects? How much do you take each day?

@sjm46 I was in Afib because the ablation didn't really work and I was having too many symptoms to wait for the 90 day blanking period. They did two cardioversions which didn't work. The amiodarone is working though.
And I plan to go to a bigger hospital. Thanks for your input!

I'm on it now due to VT/VF incident that resulted in ICD shocks. My loading dose began as IV in the hospital then 800 mg for a week, 400 mg for a week, 200 mg for two weeks, and I take 100 mg a day. I've had a few blood tests and my respiratory baseline test so far.

@koleke I am sorry; it wasn't really clear if you were still having A-fib episodes or just general arrhythmias--like PACs which can be very disconcerting but not lethal. If the ablation didn't work (and you are right, they say wait three months before you determine it was not successful) then you would naturally have to try anti-arrhythmic medication. I totally understand your frustration and concern. I have read on this site about folks who have had ablations that do not work or do not last. It seems that I am pretty lucky so far since I have had very stable rhythm since my ablation in November 2025. I was adamant after my diagnosis that I wanted an ablation vs medication control, which I think might have worked but I did not like the list of side effects. My cardiologist also pointed out to me that not everyone feels like I did, in that many people are very adverse to any surgical procedure that involves invasion of the heart or requires general anesthesia. That is, of course, a personal choice. I sincerely hope you find the right answers for you. My brother also has A-fib (they say there is a genetic correlation) and he was on the same medication that you are on for over 10 years without any serious problems. Then a new cardiologist took over and told him he'd been on it too long, took him off and he had A-fib episodes again. He recently had an ablation and has been fine so far. It seems everyone is a unique case, and of course, getting older doesn't help; it seems they blame everything on age anymore! I wish you good luck but if you feel your doc is not really listening to your concerns, I would get a second opinion. If you do look for another cardiologist, do some online research to read reviews of their practice and patient feedback. Ask around to see who others would recommend. I think more patients should not be afraid to change doctors if they feel they are not being "heard" with their concerns. I always take a list of questions with me when I go to an appointment to make sure I don't forget to cover issues that concern me. If a doctor doesn't answer your questions or is flippant, then you do need a change. My husband's doctor responded to the questions that I encouraged him to ask by saying "the next time you come, why don't you just bring your wife!" like it was some sort of bother for him to explain things to my husband who is not medically oriented. That made him annoyed and of course, really ticked me off. We "horsed" him! 🙂 It's your health so don't be afraid to speak up for your needs! Good luck.

@sjm46 thanks for all that information! I'm an avid researcher and know you have to advocate for yourself. My first ablation in 2022 lasted four years. That's why I was so surprised when this one didn't work. It's a process I guess and you're right. We are all different. Thanks again for sharing.