amiodarone and lung cancer

[lauralynn10]

My mother recently suffered an episode of a-fib ( second one in 3 years) that was bad enough to send her to the emergency room.  She has stage 4 lung cancer but is in pretty good health (still able to work full time even though she is 79 years old.) The doctor in the emergency room prescribed amioradone .  It seem to me that this is overkill since she doesn't regulary have heart rhythm problems .  She has been taking the drug for about 3 weeks and is so tired she can barely get out of bed in the mornings after sleeping 10-11 hours.  He never mentioned anything about thyroid testing or anything else for that matter.  Just told her to come back in 1 month for a recheck.  Thankfully the appointment is this Thursday.  Should she be tested for thyroid or should we trust the doctors to take care of her and what should we make of the pulmanary risks?

[donna80]

Awe bless, my father inlaw also has lung cancer, he is taking warfin.  

She needs to consult with a cardio, which should also be talking with her consultant for her lunc cancer.  

[itdood]

Her cardilogist/pcp should be making these decisions, not an ER doc.  

[Jerry_NJ]

From what I understand I think the doctor should be told of the severe side-effects of the current medication and ask if a "softer" medication can be taken.  I would also ask about an anticoagulant.  You didn't mention Coumidan/Warfarin.  I think at age 79 use of a simple aspirin as an anticoagulant would not be sufficient.  Those are some suggestions on questions/facts to bring to the next doctor visit.