Amiodarone questions

[cdaus]

For myself I wouldn't take it long term. I would be looking for alternatives, such as cardioversion. This drug is the typical double-edged sword.

Originally Posted by Lindsay:-)

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies, I have relaxed a little bit about it now, I am most paronoid about my eyes but I haven't had any problems other than a bit of blurry vision which seems to be worse on some days than others but I am short sighted as well and have astigmatism so I put it down to that and being tired, I have no problems with peripheral vision but I think I will got for an eye test every 6 months just to put my mind at rest.
I have managed to find a dose that gets rid of the side effects but just keeps the arrhythmias under control, I have cut it down from 200mg to just over 100mg. I also know someone who has been on it 20 years and he has had no major problems with it so that was reassuring.
The only thing I have really noticed is that my skin is alot more sensitive and my hand got sunburnt the other day on a really bright but freezing cold day, and my eyes are a bit more sensitive to light but that is about it.
I am hoping to have a pacemaker fairly soon so I will be able to come off it
There is a 6 month waiting list but the doc said he is hoping to get it done in a couple of months, even if it takes 6 months I know I can come off it soon so that makes me feel a bit better. I still hate taking it though.
I think I am more scared of what it might do than what is actually is doing, I too looked it up on the internet - BIG MISTAKE, I have found articles that say there is no significant evidence linking amiodarone to blindness and that you do get other symptoms before anything major happens to your eyes so if the medication is discontinued as soon as anything changes then you should be ok.

Lindasy

[Kathy C]

Cardioversion is a short term answer. Providing it even works. Drugs or ablation and possibly a pacemaker are long term solutions.

[Lindsay:-)]

Hi All,

Thanks for replying, Cdaus - I have only been on it since November and am going to have an ICD pacemaker put in, hopefully soon, I certainly don't intend to be on it for another 6 months. I know what you mean about a double edged sword though.
I have been reducing it and when I don't take enough for a few days I get my palpitations and arrhythmias back as well as chest pain, I can't seem to win but to be fair to it, it does stop the VT's.
I have to stop it for a month before I have the pacemaker so who knows what I'll feel like when I don't take it.

Lindsay

[cdaus]

My husband had cardioversion in 2003. He continued amiodarone for a few weeks after that as a back up and then was taken off of it. As of today he is still in rhythm and doing fine and is only taking his Altace for BP. I think you will be doing fine!

Originally Posted by Lindsay:-)

Hi All,

Thanks for replying, Cdaus - I have only been on it since November and am going to have an ICD pacemaker put in, hopefully soon, I certainly don't intend to be on it for another 6 months. I know what you mean about a double edged sword though.
I have been reducing it and when I don't take enough for a few days I get my palpitations and arrhythmias back as well as chest pain, I can't seem to win but to be fair to it, it does stop the VT's.
I have to stop it for a month before I have the pacemaker so who knows what I'll feel like when I don't take it.

Lindsay

[Lindsay:-)]

Hi,

I spoke to the lady at the hospital yesterday, she does the waiting lists for pacemakers and procedures and she said I am at the top of the list and should have it done on April so I should be able to come off the amiodarone soon as well. Finally something might be going right!

Lindsay