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Amarodium

Posted , 4 users are following.

kathleen63747
kathleen63747

i have been on this drug for One month prior to going for a Cardioversion in 2 days, my blood was taken on Monday.I have just had a phone from my doctor,to say my renal function has reduced quite a bit, I have to go to the surgery to get some blood for most checks.i have never had kidney problems before, but this Amarodium has had terrible effects. They may cancel my Cardioversion on Friday, I'm gutted,, I've been so unwell but determined to follow the course, and now this! Dos anybody had kidney problems with this awful drug?....

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • jay7196
    jay7196 kathleen63747

    Posted

     I have been on Amiodarone since December, I have water retention, put on weight. Apart from that is suits me and I have had no problems. Not had any tests , not seen a doctor since January.  
    • derek76
      derek76 jay7196

      Posted

      You should have had thyroid and liver tests by now. Presumably your GP could prescribe a diuretic for your water retention. 
  • Startreknewf
    Startreknewf kathleen63747

    Posted

    My latest report on  my use of amioderone  is now extremely confusing. I have been taking it since January 2015 , 400 mg a day . As I explained in earlier posts it has definitely impacted on my thyroid so I was diagnosed as hypothyroid and am taking thyroxin in increasing doses. Because I have psoriasis which has got much worse in the last 12 months my dermatologist wanted to put me on methotrexate but was worried about using it with amioderone. So she contacted my cardiologist . I also have a marked decline in kidney function so the kidney specialist also contacted the cardiologist . As a result the cardiologist wrote to my GP telling me to stop the amioderone and go back to diltiazem 180 mg daily (the drug I was on originally but ona lower dose). In the meantime I went on holiday to the Caribbean which is very hot and humid . I had a slight cold and cough when I flew out but within a week it had become pneumonia which necessitated 4 hours a day in the ship's medical bay having X-rays, IVF antibiotics ,frusemide and nebulisers .The doctors were concerned about whether heart failure was an issue . If the ship's doctors had their way I would have been hospitalised in Miami when the ship docked. But I was worried about dog sitters at home, and the expense of hospital bills in the U.S. so we flew straight back to the U.K. When I got back my GP gave me another course of antibiotics since she said I still had a lung crackle and an appalling cough.  Along with more frusemide to try to clear excessive water retention . Then she told me to stop the amioderone and start the diltiazem , along with the digoxin and valsartan that Ialready take. Plus warfarin. I have also been for another chest X ray but no results yet. I am due to have a heart echodoppler in January and see the cardiologist in February. The worst part is the breathlessness which has been worse since the pneumonia which my GP says is not caused by AF since my BP and pulse rate are much improved . I really don't know whether I am coming or going these days. It just seems that all the drugs are damaging my kidneys and thyroid , but how do I assess how they are interacting? In the end my dermatologist and kidney specialist decided against methotrexate due to my kidney function readings , which everyone is convinced is due to all the medication I have taken in the last few months. Anyone got any good ideas ? 

     

    • kathleen63747
      kathleen63747 Startreknewf

      Posted

      Hello, I am still struggling coping with my Renal funcion,very low, I've been on steriods high doses for 6 weeks, also I have lupus, I take medication to boost my immune system, which is very low. I have never Drank alcohol in my life also never smoked, now look at me, I seem to be stalled, I thought the Renal would have improved by now. But that's the nature of Amarodion , it's a horrible drug, the dr didn't elk my bloods before giving the high doses, by that time my kidneys were too late.i also have to get glasses every 6 months, I now have problems in my corneas.....
  • Startreknewf
    Startreknewf kathleen63747

    Posted

    Hi Kathleen, has your doctor said anything about kidney recovery now you are off the amiodarone? Mine thinks there will be improvement in my renal function now I have stopped taking it though I am taking other drugs instead. I am also wondering whether there is a link between the 

    pneumonia and the amioderone ? Apparently it can cause lung problems.

    • kathleen63747
      kathleen63747 Startreknewf

      Posted

      First thing they did was check my lungs, thank goodness, not ever having smoking had helped, no problems there, but everywhere else!!! I am hoping and praying my kidneys recover, I hate taking Steriods and fighting  my low immune system. I feel like a Hamster keeping food in my cheeks for the winter.......
    • kathleen63747
      kathleen63747

      Posted

      I had a. Consulted call today, reduced Sterio by 2 a day, then further by another 2 weeks,dos happy about that.the only problem, he has stepped up my anti rejecting renal.hope this is short time,I am having terrible trouble with lesions in my mouth. The only food I can eat, is clear soup,porridge and custard. The skin is coming off in steeps .that is 10 weeks since stopped this terrible,drug, so hope my body starts to recover........
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