Any Idea?

[carlapv]

Hi,
Does anyone know how long it takes for Amiodarone to leave your system? I went to the card yesterday because of dizziness and he has taken me off Amiodarone. He hopes this will not lead to A-fib again but we will deal with that if it happens. My big concern is that I went and had my coumadin checked this morning and it was 1.2 I just cannot seem to regulate my coumadin dosage. It goes from high to low everyweek. I was 5 last week and we cut my dose from 5mg daily to 2.5 for three days and 5mg the rest. Today she told me to take 10mg today and 5mg for the rest of the week. I will test again next week.

I am so thrilled to get off Amiodarone. I have been on it for over 2 years and had the daosge doubled after my surgery in January. Keep your fingers crossed I can stay off it

Carla

 

[Ross]

About 6 months to leave your system.

http://www.warfarinfo.com/amiodarone.htm

Something isn't right with your INR numbers. I wish I could watch you for a week and see what I see. Just something isn't being done properly whether it's something your doing or eating or if it's their testing, but something is out of whack.

 

[JimL]

Amiodarone doubles the effectiveness of the coumadin. Therefore, since you are discontinuing amiodarone, you should need to increase your coumadin dosage. I recommend that you have your INR checked at least weekly for a while to see what your post-amio dosage turns out to be.

 

[carlapv]

Thanks for the replies. I agree, something really is whacky ! Before my surgery my coumadin level was as steady as it comes for over 2 years. Never a problem. I started having problems with the levels immediately following surgery and it has not let up since. When I was in the hospital I was on 7.5 per day, and lately 5 mg daily is too much. I know that when I go back next week my levels will be up again.

You know, the worst thing about this whole illness and surgery we go through is having to constantly deal with one doctor or another. I am really tired of doctors. I am forever grateful for what they have done for me, but I need a break!

Really though, my recovery has been going really well. I shouldn't complain....the alternative sucks!

Carla

 

[Ross]

Carla I say the same things myself everyday. I'm very tired of them myself, but as you pointed out, it's better then the alternative even if they are a pain.

 

[Harpoon]

Carla, I did the same thing last fall. It was the only time my INR shot off the charts sicne coming home from the hospital and it took about a week to get it normalized.


6 months is about right. It depends some on how much you were taking and how often, but generally it takes that much time for the last traces of amiodarone to be completely gone.


It didn't take that long though for my INR to get back on track. Keep an eye on it and try to keep other factors such as your diet or exercise as regular as possible for a while.


I gather going off any medication (or starting a new one) can have an effect on INR...

 

[bvdr]

Oh Carla, you are so right. Sometimes I need a break from anything even remotely medical. It feels like my life is almost swallowed up by appointments and waiting for more tests, or the results. I just had a cardiologist appointment and he suggested another in 3 months for another echo. I have already had 3 since surgery and I know I looked disappointed because he said, "would 6 months be better?" So 6 months it is.

Your INR scares me! Mine varies but I keep it high enough that I have some room to play. Do the people monitoring it seem like they are taking it seriously enough? You have come through so much to have something go wrong now. You can't eliminate the risk but you can reduce it. Are you taking aspirin too? I wonder if you would do better by having the same dosage everyday. I try to do that and it seems to work better for me.

I hope you never see atrial fib again in your entire life!

 

[carlapv]

Betty,
Thanks! I can't figure out the coumadin either. I went back and logged everything I ate and drank for the last week and there was nothing that should have caused such a drop. I am keeping a daily log of everything I eat and the exercise I get so that maybe we can atleast narrow down the possibilities. I do not take aspirin because I am allergic to it.

I know that I am anxious about the INR and the A-fib returning but last Saturday I got a taste of what it feels like to really feel good ( after 9 years) and I am determined that whatever it takes I want to feel like that all the time.

Thanks again. I will be going back for my INR check on Friday AM.. will let you know the results. I am on 5 mg daily this week.

Carla