Amiodorone ??

[Ladydoberman]

Got a question.
I heard that Amiodorone has something to do with Iodine. I am allergic to Iodine to the point I cant eat seafood or take the contrast tests. My EP knows this. In fact, I was in the hospital when he started me on it and they wanted to do a ct w/contrast and I had to be premedicated with the steroids and benadyl. I don't want him to think I don't trust him, but he is only human. I am wondering if that is the reason I feel so crappy. I am very congested w/cough, nauseated, swelled feeling in my neck and head, a itchy rash has come on my face, constant headache, and I still feel like I'm not nsr. Not really sure it's even fib. Just doesn't feel right. I refuse to go to the ER. I told my husband I better be on my last leg before he calls! Oh itchy eyes too. I am allergic to lidocaine too but was able to take the Flecanide so wondering if it's the same principle. I've read papers on it. Just doesn't give me my answer. Hope someone can help.
Thanks!

Debbie

[Glen Beamish]

Debbie, I am just learning about Amiodarone, Iodine and the Thyroid.
See my post on Amiodarone from last week.
Amiodarone has Iodine in it and the Thyroid produces iodine so together they could produce a Hyper/Hypo Thyroid.
I have Hyperthyroidism.
One of your symptoms, itchy or scratchy eyes is a sign of that or Graves Disease which is also related to the thyroid.
Have you had your thyroid levels checked?
It's a simple blood test.
Glen

[shirleymahoney]

Debbie

At any rate that doesn't sound right and i would call your doc and let them know, My husband took that years ago and it never caused anything like that with him

Shirley

[Sarah]

Regardless of whether or not your iodine allergy is causing it, you are probably having a reaction to the amiodarone...

from medline plus.com:

Amiodarone may cause lung disease that can be serious or life-threatening.Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of lung disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, coughing up blood, and any other breathing problems. Amiodarone also may cause liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. If your experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: upset stomach, vomiting, dark colored urine, excessive tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, or pain in the upper right part of the stomach.Amiodarone may cause your irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) to worsen or may cause you to develop new arrhythmias.

Please call your doctor NOW. Itching is bad. Swelling is bad. Please don't wait any longer.

Sarah

[Ladydoberman]

I had my thyroid tested (yet again) and it is normal. Sarah, never thought of it that way. Will be calling asap. I am just the type that I hate to feel like I'm bothering them. :oops:
And I am sorry if I am obssesed with this. This is the first medicine I have ever taken that has scared me.

[Sarah]

Dear Debbie,

Please, please, please work on the "hate to bother them" feeling you have about calling your medical staff. Guess what? They are waiting to hear from you! It is their job, their joy (sometimes), and they get up every day and choose to go to a place where people are going to call them and ask for medical advice. They are all free to go somewhere else when they get tired of being medical professionals.

Amiodarone is a very scary drug and you should have a healthy respect for it. Also, anytime you ever have systemic (all over) or large/new itching/rashes from a medication, it should not be ignored. Itching means allergy and allergy means breathing could be impaired and there only two things we can't live without: breathing and a heart beat. If you keep those going, everything else is gravy (more or less).

Let us know how it goes and don't take no for an answer if they can't fit you in today!

Sarah