Atrial Fib concern and medication

Are there medications other than Amiodorone to control A-Fib? After 5 yrs of Ami, I had a cardiac arrest and the thought was that the med might have had something to do with it...I went from a PM to an ICD and have done well since 2006 until about 1 week ago when I started up with A-Fib again...Would like to know how other's are being controlled with medications other than what I was on. Has it helped you? I'm having an EKG this afternoon at the Cardiologist office...I know what it feels like so I'm pretty certain that is what they will see on the strip.
Have a great day!
Thank you all!
Nevada Silver

5 Comments

sotalol

by Tracey_E - 2010-06-02 02:06:24

My mom is on sotalol for her afib.

Amio

by barbwil - 2010-06-02 03:06:28

There is a newer drug, Multaq, which is like amiodarone without the iodine and the AWFUL side effects of amiodarone. Amio should be a last resort drug but many docs are using it as a first line of Rx. Fibrosis of the lung can result and unfortunately it is irreversible. It can also affect your thyroid, etc. I nagged my doc until she took me off of it and it takes 6 mo to a year for it to leave your body as it is absorbed in all the tissues. Some people are able to take small doses for a longer period. I hope you get some help at this afternoon's check-up. (I did try sotalol but broke out in a rash.)

TraceyE and Barbwil

by Nevada Silver - 2010-06-02 04:06:48

Thanks so much for your responses! I recall about 4 yrs in on Amiodorone a Cardiologist that was subbing for mine who was away told me "Amiodorone is a very dangerous drug"...So, to anyone that's reading this, ASK QUESTIONS..just don't accept a medication without knowing about poss. deadly side effects...I know, even Tylenol has side effects. Since my cardiac arrest, recovery was 2 mos...weeks in the hospital and then in a rehab facility...a terrible place by the way...OMG...nothing more than a skilled nursing facility...the worst care possible...my family had no idea...they were all so worried about me, and that was the only "rehab" that had a bed in Sparks Nevada. Ok...enough...I could go on all day with situations that occured...a nightmare...Everyone with these cardiac issues should have a talk with the family...what to do and what not to do..in case something happens...
I'll let you know what happens today...
Hugs...
Nevada Silver

A Fib concern

by riodog - 2010-06-02 10:06:49

I was put on amio after my implant and was on it until this past March. I felt horrible the whole year, fatigue, SOB, nausea, balance problems--you name it I had it. I thought they should be able to adjust the PM better but that didn't happen so I started researching all my meds. Amio fit everyone of my symptoms and I finally got my Cardo.. to cut the dosage in half. I still had problems and whined enough until he just told me quit taking it. It was not replaced with another med. Within a week I felt so much better I could not believe it. I think I do have damage to my lungs from it but I'm managing. For me, it was a completely toxic medication. What pointed me to amio was the comment by my GP that he would like me off of it as it was dangerous. He was NOT kidding.

gretchen

Atrial fibrillation

by Selwyn - 2010-06-03 09:06:37

The British National Formulary, the bible of treatment in the UK ( http://bnf.org/bnf/index.htm), lists the drugs you can use.

Personally, I take Flecainide for paroxymal AF ( this needs some monitoring of the electrocardiogram), having had an unhappy experience of Sotolol (unable to exercise). Sotolol fixed the heart rate in a flat response to exercise.

Digoxin is generally no longer used. Amiodarone, 'Is used in the treatment of arrhythmias, particularly when other drugs are ineffective or contraindicated ( BNF page90, March 210 edition). There are other drugs listed for specialist use should the above failure to control rate and rhythm, such as Disopyramide and Propafenone, though they are not popular.

Hope this helps

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