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Avatar universal

Amiodarone

Dear Docs,
I have had episodes of super fast (uo to 200bpm) heart rate since I was 16. I am now 26. It has never bothered me. I suspect I have chronic candidiasis/leaky gut (after doing some recent research) as I also have migraine/recurrent thrush infections of the mouth and vagina, poor vision and dizziness. When I voiced these concerns to my GP, she said to go have the heart checked just incase there was an underlying problem. I attended the hospital on 12/12/07 and happened to have an episode there and then so they would not let me leave. I was given several drugs which slowed the heart very quickly but it did not return to sinus rhythm and went straight back up. They kept me in overnight and gave me a 12-hour dose of amiodarone which returned the rate to normal almost immediately. However when I asked about side effects they told me there were almost none and that I may get another arrhythmia, but this would be unlikely. The next morning I was discharged with a prescription of verapamil. Having read up on amiodarone I am seriously concerned that I was prescribed this dangerous sounding drug for a long standing and non life threatening heart rhythm disturbance. Because I feel like I was cheated by the hospital docs (who I feel failed to warn me of most of the very serious side effects) I have decided not to take the verapamil. My basic question is how likely am I to get any side effects after a 12-hour dose and can candida be causing these heartbeat irregularities? I am so scared about what has happened to me so any help would be gratefully received.
I have no previous health concerns, other than those that appear to be related to candida.
Thanks,
Emily
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Avatar universal
I doubt you will have any side effects from the one dose of Amiodarone.  It has a very very long half life, and for those who take it long term, they are the ones who may develop side effects.  It sounds like you suffer from SVT which is supraventricular tach, and which is, like you said, not life threatening.  Verapamil is commonly used for this, in fact, I was also on it for 5 years for SVT and had no episodes at all during that time period.  It is well tolerated, although you may have some minor side effects like fatigue that will go away with time.  Some get a tendency towards constipation  too.  I am not a doctor but I doubt that the candida is related to the arrhythmia.  Hope this helps!
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Avatar universal
Oh thanks very much! Am a newbie so wasn't sure...think I'm probably better off finding an actual doc to speak to on the phone, it would probably be faster!
Thanks v much!
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Avatar universal
Emily,

You posted on the regular forum ... not one of the doctor forums.  The doctor forums only allow a couple of questions a day so don't be surprised if you don't get in right away.  There is a heart rhythm forum that takes more questions a day but charges a fee.
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