Finally somewhat of an answer to when amiodarone fails

Hi and I am sorry it has taken me this long to let those of you who asked about my husband know what is going on. Just to refresh everyone he is on amiodarone and it was failing to keep his arrythmia's in check. After my last post he became very sick, couldn't eat and couldn't get out of bed..I was expecting the worse. After many doctor's visits and even firing one of his doctors, it was discovered that amiodarone and some of his other meds were effecting his liver, his enzymes were over 300. So taking the road that would most benefit him, his EP stopped the lipitor, mexiletine and imdur...keeping him on the amiodarone, no shocks since Jan 9th. His enzymes are now under 100, he is eating, I might add non-stop and has gained 3 pounds, all good since he is a skinny guy. They did a stress echo and his EF is back up to 40 from a low of 15, they are considering a VT ablation...lots of mapping and work to do before the decision is made. How long he can continue on the amiodarone is unknown ...but he is 100% better. Thanks for all your comments and prayers....

4 Comments

when amiodarone fails

by cmgdavid - 2009-02-13 05:02:29

Taking him off the statin (Lipitor) is puzzling. Although doctors do not know the exact mechanism of action with statins they do have evidence of a benefit with arrhythmia patients. How long he stays on amiodarone depends to some degree on his age. I have been on since I was 49 (now 51) I will have to be taken off as the side effects are inevitable. If I was starting at 75 I would stay on for life.

Dave

amiodarone stuff

by mrag - 2009-02-13 06:02:27

I was on Amio three years ago and just went back on when three recent ICD firings suggested Sotalol was not working. I'm now taking 400mg Amio per day with 50 mg lopressor (Toprol) and Lipitor. Just had a blood panel done so am not sure of my numeric side effects although I know I feel enormous pressure in my ears with Amio and get winded very easily.

Supposedly with a proper dose, one can stay on Amio indefinitely (I can't). I am also looking into a possible VT ablation. Two points I've learned so far: Get a VERY EXPERIENCED EP and VT ablations do NOT necessarily work forever.

On a more positive note (said completely with tongue in cheek), Amio typically can cause hypothyroidism as the iodine messes up the thyroid. This should help your husband to gain weight.

Amiodarone

by cissie - 2009-02-13 10:02:26

Bob has been on amiodarone on and off since 2003. It is the only arrythmia drug that actually works for him. He takes 400 mg a day, plus coreg 25mg morning and night and toprol 25 mg at noon, plus digoxin and altace. The reason his EP took him off the lipitor was because lipitor, as well as amio, can affect your liver, and since at this point Bob needs the amio more then he needs the lipitor...one of them had to go. So far his thyroid and lungs have not shown any side effects from the amio. Bottom line he is much better, that alone makes us happy right now....WE also know that amio cannot be used forever, Bob was in clinical trials for dronedarone but for him it ended up being amiodarone lite, might work for A-fib but not VT.

Good to be off Lipator for any reason

by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-14 12:02:18

Most of the reported benefits of statins has from drub company research. It can have a lot more men side effects that get reported.

Now that the statin patents have run out and then are available as generics I expect to see some more honest data come out. The drug companies probably have something new in the pipeline.

frank

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