Re: Amioderone

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Posted by Carl Plaskett on November 12, 2003 at 07:07:43:

In Reply to: Amioderone posted by Rob on November 12, 2003 at 06:24:46:

Rob: I think the choice of anti-arrhythmic drugs post maze seems to be up to the patient's attending physician, AND their experience with post-Maze patients. I took amiodarone until 2-1/2 months prior to my Maze, (200mg x 2/day), but the side effects finally got to me, so I went for the Maze. Post Maze I was given Rythomol by the attending cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, which I had never taken pre-Maze. When I saw my regular Electrophysiologist at home, 2 weeks post Maze, he cut the dosage by half, and the PACs and other various "blips" were immediately reduced. It seems that one of the "side effects" of most of the anti-arrhythmic drugs is "irregular, or changing heart rythmn", which seems funny since that is why they are prescribed. Perhaps a different drug might work for you, or even a small amount of a beta blocker like amiodarone would lower your rate and make you more comfortable.
When my local Electrophysiologist (who had probably dealt with at least 25-30 post-Maze patients) stopped the small dose of Rythmol at 30 days post Maze, my resting HR slowed down, and I felt even better, right away, which had been the experience of several posters here who had been "Mazed" before me.
I don't know if you were ever on amiodarone prior to your Maze, but if you were not, I hope your doctor did the standard baseline function tests (pulmonary, vision, liver, & thyroid) and plans to follow these functions with tests at least every 6 months, should you remain on this drug that long. Some people react negatively to amiodarone (or any drug) more than others, so paying attention to your body is important. I found that my hair thinned a lot shortly after starting it, followed by "halos" around bright lights, within a few months. It took over a year for my pulmonary function to really drop. Other people have reported severe problems with vision, thyroid, lungs, much earlier, so pay attention to what is happening to your body, and report anything unusual to your doctor.
Finally, be as patient as you can re: your continued afib, or whatever you are experiencing. Many of us had these "problems" for a few months. If true afib continues past 6 months, you MAY need a "touch-up".

Keep us updated on your progress. I hope you soon suddenly find that most of these things subside, like Ed and others have described their experiences.

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