Amiodarone & Emphysema, Warfarin

[zstudio]

I am a post menopausal woman with serious atrial fibrillation. I have never been on antiarrythmic drugs. I was not able to tolerate beta blockers (difficulty breathing) so I have been on a calcium channel blocker for about 1 1/2 years (Cardizem).
I had an ablation procedure in mid-December (pulmonary vein radio frequency) and since then my a-fib is worse than before. This is presumably because the scar tissue is yet to fully develop and the area was irritated by the procedure. I am now in a-fib about 90% of the time instead of 60-70% of the time and I am still very symptomatic when in a-fib, as before; breathless, very weak, not currently working.
Amiodarone is being suggested for a few months to help the modeling of the heart (a drug that metabolizes in the kidney is contraindicated for me). I do take Warfarin so I am concerned about interactions with Amiodarone, but also, I have mild emphysema (I quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago).
1. Am I more susceptible to lung toxicity with Amiodarone than a person with healthier lungs?
2. Is it important to use an antiarrythmic drug at this point, rather than wait for the heart to reconfigure itself?

[Jan1130]

I too am really working on Gratitude, Willingness and Faith that everything will healing effectively.  I do know the impatience I feel will only perpetuate my anxiety over it... but it is so hard sometimes!!!  Thanks for your words of encouragement.  

[zstudio]

Thank you!
I've had some base line tests done in case i do choose the Amiodarone, and my Doc. gave instructions for quitting Cardizem...did not know about dropping the Warfarin dose. Yes, i'm  asking my physicians and other physicians as well.
I wish you the very best. I had been the only person i've heard of with worse a-fib after the ablation. It is scary. I'm working on focusing on Gratitude, speaking calm things to my heart and trying to be patient.

[Jan1130]

I was on amiodarone for about 1.5 years prior to my PVI ablation less than a week ago.  Your questions very much need to be addressed by your physician, because you do need to drop your warfarin dose and have testing done prior to starting the drug, i.e... pulmonary function tests, liver functions, thyroid studies.  Amiodarone did knock out my thyroid - they say that is reversible, but it then can contribute to more arrhythmias.  As I said, I had the ablation on 1/11/08 and I am experiencing much worse a-fib than ever, but I know its only be less than a week and I'm trying to be patient... but, I am so symptomatic, its scary.  

[maggiemag]

I would follow the physician's lead in this case.  My Warfarin dose was cut in half when I went on Amiodarone.  You will just need to get tested a little more when you first go on it.  If you have so many symptoms while in AF, I would go for it, but I am not a doctor.  Maybe you should have recent pulmonary function tests done before you go on it.  Then I think every 6 months is recommended as follow up.