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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
AFIB medication
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
AFIB medication
by ReelEscape, Apr 22, 2007 12:00AM
Last winter and spring (2006) I went from occassional AFIB to being in AFIB over 40% of the time. I take coumadin, toprolXL, digoxin, amiodarone, and MicardisHCT for BP. In July, following my 6 mos. screen for amiodarone effects, I had a very low TSH and was place on Tapazole by my EP and referred to an endocrinologist for evaluation. Almost immediately after starting the Tapazole my AFIB stopped, my tremors subsided, and my equilibrium was restored. I did not see the endo for almost 5 months, and by that time my TSH was off the charts high, after discussion he cut the dose of Tapazole in half (from 10 to 5 mil). I returned to see him 2 months later, TSH still way to high, and dose cut in half again. Saw him again last week, TSH still way high, so he stopped the Tapazole. He believes that the Tapazole and its effects are responsible for my vast improvement but says that the long term effects are not worth the improvements. My feelings are the opposite - I will do anything to stay out of AFIB having suffered for over 20 years. I have had 9 months free of any afib, with few PAC/PVC's, no tremors, and enjoying restored equilibrium.
Have you ever heard of such a thing? Can you explain what happened once I started the Tapazole? Am I looking at a return to the dismal situation prior to starting the Tapazole? Is it likely that the amiodarone is responsible for the flip/flop of the thyroid symptoms (from hyper to hypo)?
I am confused about this whole sequence of events, but am delighted at the cessation of AFIB and other symptoms. Any advice?
Have you ever heard of such a thing? Can you explain what happened once I started the Tapazole? Am I looking at a return to the dismal situation prior to starting the Tapazole? Is it likely that the amiodarone is responsible for the flip/flop of the thyroid symptoms (from hyper to hypo)?
I am confused about this whole sequence of events, but am delighted at the cessation of AFIB and other symptoms. Any advice?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-MJM, Apr 22, 2007 12:00AM
Hello,
Have you ever heard of such a thing?
I have not.
Can you explain what happened once I started the Tapazole?
If your TSH was low, you were probably hyperthyroid at that time. It sounds like it has resolved.
Am I looking at a return to the dismal situation prior to starting the Tapazole?
Only time will tell. I hope not.
Is it likely that the amiodarone is responsible for the flip/flop of the thyroid symptoms (from hyper to hypo)?
Amio is known to have both effects. It is possible.
Any advice?
I would try a different medication than amiodarone. If you have structurally normal heart and no coronary artery disease, I would use propafenone or flecainide. If you have failed the mentioned agents or have CAD/structurally abnormal heart, dofetilide and sotalol are options. If you are failing medications and you have symptomatic atrial fibrillation, consider an ablation by an experienced electrophysiologist.
Thanks for posting.
Have you ever heard of such a thing?
I have not.
Can you explain what happened once I started the Tapazole?
If your TSH was low, you were probably hyperthyroid at that time. It sounds like it has resolved.
Am I looking at a return to the dismal situation prior to starting the Tapazole?
Only time will tell. I hope not.
Is it likely that the amiodarone is responsible for the flip/flop of the thyroid symptoms (from hyper to hypo)?
Amio is known to have both effects. It is possible.
Any advice?
I would try a different medication than amiodarone. If you have structurally normal heart and no coronary artery disease, I would use propafenone or flecainide. If you have failed the mentioned agents or have CAD/structurally abnormal heart, dofetilide and sotalol are options. If you are failing medications and you have symptomatic atrial fibrillation, consider an ablation by an experienced electrophysiologist.
Thanks for posting.
Member Comments (2)
by n0uh, Apr 27, 2007 12:00AM
There is a definate correlation between your thyroad problem and AFIB. I am being treated for both. I am hypo thyroid and they were continuing by mistake to cut my Synthroid another Thyroid Med and my AFIb post 1st Ablation has continued to get worse. One Dr stated that Thyroid hormone can affect the AFIB and need to get it under control.
