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Awful!

Posted , 3 users are following.

poisoned
poisoned

I was put on a daily dosage of 200mg of Amiodarone in July after Sotolol no longer worked for me. I had a double ablation on 12/12 and was told by my arrhythmia doctor that I had to stay on the Amiodarone for another one to three months following the procedure.  Honestly, I don't know why the FDA hasn't banned this drug in view of all the terrible side effects.  These side effects are much worse than the A-Fib!  I have dizziness, nausea, severe fatigue, tiredness, insomnia, shaking of my hands, balance problems, weakness and a continuous fever-like feeling.  Most of the time, I feel like I have a severe case of the flu and want to spend the day in bed.  There are way too many negatives to justify ever taking this medicine.  

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • jay7196
    jay7196 poisoned

    Posted

    So sorry for your experiences. I have been taking 200 amiodarone for 5 years now and just a few small side effects but this drug has given me peace of mind from the horror of watching my whole chest rattle with a heartbeat of 220. I just hope I can take it for the rest of my life.
    • poisoned
      poisoned jay7196

      Posted

      Jay, Thanks for your reply.  It is amazing the way this drug agrees with some patients and not others.  Have you ever had an ablation in an attempt to rid yourself of the A-Fib?  The cure rate on a first ablation is advertised to be 85% but I have known plenty of sufferers who have had two or three and it didn't alleviated the problem.  You do make a good point.  When I went to the pulmonary clinic to get my lungs checked, the tech told me he had patients who had been on amiodarone for ten years and had only very limited side effects.  I hope my ablation works but I won't know for awhile.  I doubt if I will every submit to another one nor will I ever go back on amiodarone.  I am glad it works for you though.  Best regards, sign me Poisoned Phil.

  • poisoned
    poisoned

    Posted

    By last Sunday, I got so sick from the Amiodarone I could not get out of bed.  I placed an emergency call to my A-Fib doctor (the one who did the ablatiions) and he advised me to immediately stop taking it.  In one week, I feel much improved but not yet back to normal.  Apparently, it takes two months for the drug to totally leave the body but 50% is out during the first ten days.  The A-Fib doctor told me that about 20% of his patients can't tolerate Amiodarone and obviously I fell into that category.   

  • larry126
    larry126 poisoned

    Posted

    I've been on Amiodarone now for ten days and I have most of the side effects you described. From what I'm reading, the side effects can last an extended period of time. I can not imagine that happening to me.  My quality of life is a mess right now.

    No energy, instability, fatigue, and nausea. And, yes, it feels like the flu.

    What choices do we have?

    L126

     

    • poisoned
      poisoned larry126

      Posted

      Larry, I feel your pain!  The sad truth for me was the side effects only got worse the longer I was on Amiodarone.  I was trying to avoid getting the double ablation I needed to rid myself of A-Fib and Heart Flutter.  Sotolol no longer worked for me so I was put on 240 mg of Amiodarone, which did work but the cure was worse then the affliction.  I finally gave up and consented to the ablations. So far, so good as the A-Fib and Heart Flutter have not returned.  I doubt your side effects will diminish while you are on the drug and it will take two months to leave your system once you cease taking it.  I hope this is not the case for you, but for me that side effects grew more intense the longer I was on the drug.  It got to the point where I could not get out of bed in the morning.  When my feet starting going numb, I stopped taking it.  I hope this helps.  Phil
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