I agree that the antiarrythmics are Serious meds (with a capital S). I avoided taking any until 2 months ago. I was put on flecainide and have not had an episode of fib since, and no side effects.
I know someone who was in a fib all the time and after taking amiodorone she converted back to sinus rhythm on her own. She has had some nausea with it, but they have decreased her dose now and that has resolved. And she is still in rhythm.
I have to disagree when you say you don't have a fib bad. When you don't realize you have a fib and it's constant it can cause more serious problems than those of us who have periodic episodes. Your atrium are enlarged, you have fatigue and dizziness...that's not good. Everyone worries about stroke with a fib, but it can also lead to congestive heart failure. I think it is reasonable to take the amiodorone for a few weeks and try another cardioversion. You might also consider getting another opinion. Another EP might offer other options.

As far as surgeries with coumadin....it should not prevent you from having surgery. You wil have to go off the coumadin for 4 or 5 days before, and sometimes they will have you take injections of lovenox (a type of heparin) that can be used before surgery and until your INR gets back up afterwards.

These are very difficult decisions...I'm sure whatever you decide will be right for you. Best wishes

When I said I didn't have a-fib bad...I merely meant i don't feel my heart racing, and I'm symptomatic in that way. You are very right though...because I didn't know I had it both of my atrium are enlarged, and had it been caught sooner I would have more options. The EP thinks that ablation wouldn't work at this point, and cardioversion didn't, and probably won't again. The problem is I take a large dose of statins and amiodarone and statins just don't gel together. I also have cataracts and I'm very afraid of making them worse. I've stood at the sink and I can't make myself take it. It's a gut feeling I have to follow, but I will call on Tues. and talk to them again. Thanks for your input.

Yeah, I know the feeling. I was afraid I might drop dead when I swallowed that first flecainide pill. I actually took it when I was at work...I'm a nurse so I figured if something bad happened that was the best place to be. I have to say that I am not sure I would take amiodorone either ( I think it is more toxic). It doesn't sound like you have many options, but I'm glad you are not terribly symptomatic. I think you should follow your gut...good rate control may be your best option. Take care.

tomorrows, I can't blame you for your concerns. I had a terrible reaction to the amiodarone. I would suggest you call your doctor and express your concerns. There are other meds out there, that do not pose as much nasty side affects. I think I have tried them all. Some of the drugs for the heart are worse then the A-fib. Right now I'm on diltiazem and digoxin, and I am still having some a-fib with those, but it is better then last year. I have had an ablation done and it worked for awhile but now I am back having a-fib epidsodes. Like you, I also have an enlarged heart, I don't know if that would make any difference in having an ablation done. Its usually not your doctor, but the insurance companies that dictate most of this stuff. There is a lot of good information on A-fib. Check: stopafib.com

I live by myself, and I'm very dizzy. It's a side-effect of the A-fib I know, as is the fatigue, so in being asymptomatic with the rapidly beating heart, I do have other problems that are interfering with my daily life. I don't want to drive with the dizziness and put others at risk, yet I want to live a life where I can care for myself. Some of the meds you have mentioned sound good to try, but they are very spendy even under my insurance plan. I really would like to give ablation a try or even two, and I wish someone here was doing the hybrid ablation because there is great success with that. I can't and won't take the amiodarone. Not only am I older, but I'm alone...and from what I've read about it it's downright scary.

Thank you all for your help. I'm going to call the Dr. on Tues. I'm also allergic to shellfish and I read that amiodarone is loaded with iodine...that could prove dangerous. I wonder why they asked for med allergies and not food. Anyway, I retired as a medical transcriptionist and I know an older EP I think I want to see and get a second opinion.

tommorrows, Do you know your neighbors,have family close by or support group from your church or spiritual center? I too am older in my 70's so take heart, I understand the symptons all too well. I too am going to ask for another ablation, in the mean while, I am taking drugs to relief some of the effects. Also I am watching my diet and stress level very carefully. I also consulted with a naturopatheic physician. I think she is really helpful with nutritional supplements which my doctor has approved. I seen to get a lot of my worse symptons at night,and most of the day I feel exhausted. I want you to know that you are not completely alone, there are many of us out there, and that is why this support group is so wonderful.

Hi tomorrows...I agree that Amiodarone is a very serious drug to take. When I was in the hospital, My EP wanted me to take it right after my ablation in March 2011. So, i took it reluctantly. When I got home, I was back in A/fib again and ended up in the ER. I took the drug for a week with no results other than getting a floater in my eye. This drug causes all kinds of visual problems so I called the EP and told him I am not taking it anymore. The problem with Amiodarone is that it stays in your system for 7 months or so. I converted to sinus rhythm on my own 24 days after the ablation. Even if it lasts for 6 months or so, I am happy to get relief from 9 years of having a/fib. I am not out of breath like I was before the procedure. I am reluctant to even think of having another one and try not to think about it. When I get the PAC's I always think I am going into A/fib as that is how it used to happen. Get a second opinion and another drug to take. Best of luck.

My cardio put me on this 1 month prior to my valve replacement. He said it was toxic and hopefully I wouldn't be on it long. I took it for two weeks and right away had side effects. I felt awful but he wanted me to stay on it. The week before the surgery I woke up in a purple rash from my neck down to my thighs. I had to call him on a Sunday and was panicked the surgery would be put off, my nerves were on edge anyway. I stopped it that day and wouldn't take that again even it were the only antiarrythmic out there. That said everyone reacts differently and it may work for you. It is certainly one of the less expensive dugs for arrythmia. Unfortunately the only drug that has worked for me in Multaq which is extremely expensive for me.

Thank you so much for all your replies...Yes Clara I feel alone. There is just me and my little dog. I have a daughter in Idaho who is a nurse, but I rarely see them...our family has many problems. My youngest in Tennessee is the one I'm closest with but I'm not willing to move there yet. I'm going to see my cardiologist tomorrow and ask both about medical conversion and ablation. Even if I only get a few mo. from ablation it will be worth not feeling as horrible as I do. The depression of not feeling well is beginning to get to me. I didn't and won't take the amiodarone...not for any amount of money, and tomorrow I'm going to insist on an second opinion from an EP that isn't still wet behind the ears and some more answers. Thank you all...without you I think I would give up.

Sounds like a good plan....don't give up on feeling better than you do now. You are not alone in your feelings and your frustrations. We all understand. I have found it very difficult to ask family or friends for help when not feeling well. I am used to giving care not taking (isn't that sooo true of women). Check with your cardiologist...there may an actual in-person support group in your area. Do you have 1 trusted friend you can share things with? Maybe even ask a friend to go with you to appointments because the information can be overwhelming. I'm not sure where you live but in my area there are lots of supportive services for seniors, from exercise classes, meals, card games, transportation to medical appointments, etc. There may be support of that type in your area.
Please let us know how your appointment goes...best wishes

Hi MariKay, I do have friends...I have a good friend who actually drives the bus for Sr. Citizens to get to Dr. appt's...groceries, etc., but I still drive...60's is still young to me:) I go in Monday morning for a 3 day stay to try sotalol and hope it works. I retired from the hospital I'm going to, so I know a lot of people there....I'm hoping the meds work...if not it's just following what the insurance wants, and then we can consider ablation if we have to. I thank God every day that I have both Medicare and an AARP medi-gap policy that covers everything. I'm insurance broke:)

Oh, that's good...if you worked at the hospital they will take extra good care of you :) I hope the sotalol works for you. You are not alone here either....I have gotten alot of strength and support from this group. I will be praying all goes well for you Monday.

I have had afib for 10 yrs.The only drug that
helped was amiodarone.Then is stopped working.
I have had 2 ablations.I am on Multaq 2x day.I
also take atenolol and warfin.Any questions
about amiod. and ablation.email gaby61@aol.com
at this time I have had 3 good months since I
started atenolol.