Amiodarone And Asthma

Updated

I was given Amiodarone as a precaution June of last year after open heart surgery. Even after two personal visits each (the heart surgeon and the attending pulmonary doctor). I made it very clear to each of them not to give me any medication that could affect my asthma.

I started having serious breathing issues within three days of my surgery that became progressively worse. I complained daily and begged for Prednisone which they refused to give me. I had stopped this poisonous drug after five weeks, but the damage was done. Amiodarone can stay in the cells of your body for several months continuously doing damage to your lungs and more. It ruined my life!

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Hello, Ken! How are you doing? I am very sorry about what you've been through, that's terrible.

Unfortunately, when prescribing a necessary medication, no doctor can possibly guess what side effects it may, or may not cause for any given person. There is always some possible risks associated with medications, but many people take them without experiencing any problems. The prescribing doctor has to weigh the possible risks, and benefits, and if the possible benefits outweigh the risks, they will usually go ahead, and prescribe the medication.

According to FDA reports, Amiodarone has been known to cause some side effects associated with lungs, and breathing, including pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, bronchospasm, apnea, and other severe respiratory complications.

Ref: Amiodarone Information

Are you on any other medications? Do you have inhalers for your asthma?

You had a very serious surgery, and it is natural for your doctor to want to prescribe medication(s) that will help ensure the best possible outcome. Additionally, there can be cardiac risks associated with steroids, such as Prednisone, so they may have felt it was too risky to prescribe that for you. The FDA does warn that Prednisone may cause elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and it can also lower your immune response causing you to be more susceptible to infections, which is very risky after open heart surgery.

Ref: Prednisone Information

How are you doing, now? Has there been any change?

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Re: VerFree (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

I’m now on prednisone for about one year thanks to Amiodarone.
I’ve since read the literature on Amiodarone and it CLEARLY STATES to use caution when giving to patients with pre-existing breathing issues like me . It also CLEARLY STATES to cease immediately and give prednisone if patient develops breathing difficulties.
Please keep in mind that I wasn’t having AFIB at all after CABG
My life as a worker has been destroyed.

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