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susan.d
It was an abdominal ct. I’m patiently waiting to hear back on what tests will be done next. An endoscopy for sure for my gerd and in addition a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy to peek to see why I had a GI bleed last year and check on the polyp they saw-something about a tag by the polyp.

I will be bringing printed links you supplied. Thanks again Marco.

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susan.d
Thanks marco. I’ll print your studies to show the chief at the GI department where I go. I got the CatScan CD but am waiting for the results.

The CT prep was horrible yesterday, I’m allergic to iodine contrast and this country’s protocol is 50mg prednisone 13 hours beforehand, 50mg 7 hours beforehand and then a third 50mg one hour before with a generic Benadryl. Having 150mg prednisone in my system within 13 hours wasn’t fun. I don’t remember any strength in the states that strong for pre medication for an iodine allergy but I just looked it up and the dosage is correct

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susan.d
Thanks marco. I’ll print your studies to show the chief at the GI department where I go. I got the CatScan CD but am waiting for the results.

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susan.d
Part of my problem was laziness with using my cpap on vacations. I was on flecainide successfully for 15 years and went overseas for 5 weeks and I didn’t pack my cpap equipment due to lack of carry on and check in space and weight restrictions. My afib came back. So since then I have used it religiously except for this week because it was 105 degrees and I was carrying too much on the super hot bus and train to take my cpap with (needed 3 hands) to a hotel while on vacation —so I left it home like before. I felt the difference during my vacation this week. I was symptomatic. Tonight I’m back home and will be on routine using it.

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susan.d
Thanks Marco!
Check out the GERD/CPAP link I just shared in the general forum.

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susan.d
Marco- looking forward to reading the study

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GeorgeN

Conclusions
In conclusion, we observed a different microbiome composition in prevalent and incident AF compared to non-affected individuals with a number of genera and species which differed in abundance. /quote]

Some years ago (5?), my wife & I were consulting with our "longevity" doc. Independently, we'd gotten a stool sample test of our fecal microbiome. He told us not to bother spending our money on this. He'd been at a conference and a paper presented showed huge differences in results depending on where on the stool the sample was taken. Like from the outside of the stool, the core and other combinations. He said the whole methodology wasn't there yet to get meaningful info.

Also, we really don't know about anaerobic bugs as they don't live outside the gut. My understanding is that most of the bugs in the small intestine are anaerobic.

So not saying they aren't important, they likely are very important. We just don't know how to figure it out yet.

As an aside, I tend to run low white blood cell count. While it can mean many things, I'm totally asymptomatic and he said it was a good (and cheap) indicator of "leaky gut." Likely LPS (lipopolysaccharide) in my serum.

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Marco
Conclusions
In conclusion, we observed a different microbiome composition in prevalent and incident AF compared to non-affected individuals with a number of genera and species which differed in abundance. /quote]

Some years ago (5?), my wife & I were consulting with our "longevity" doc. Independently, we'd gotten a stool sample test of our fecal microbiome. He told us not to bother spending our money on this. He'd been at a conference and a paper presented showed huge differences in results depending on where on the stool the sample was taken. Like from the outside of the stool, the core and other combinations. He said the whole methodology wasn't there yet to get meaningful info.

Also, we really don't know about anaerobic bugs as they don't live outside the gut. My understanding is that most of the bugs in the small intestine are anaerobic.

So not saying they aren't important, they likely are very important. We just don't know how to figure it out yet.

As an aside, I tend to run low white blood cell count. While it can mean many things, I'm totally asymptomatic and he said it was a good (and cheap) indicator of "leaky gut." Likely LPS (lipopolysaccharide) in my serum.

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susan.d
I’m getting tested in less than two weeks to see if I have it. The horse already left the gate (since I’m av nuked) but it will give me closure on why I couldn’t get “fixed”. They are starting with a CT with contrast and then a endoscopy.

I will say Multaq aggravated my GERD because one of its listed side effects is acid reflux. I am no longer on multaq or any arrhythmia drug but I still vomit acid if I eat all foods that are dry like chicken, bagels etc. After starting multaq was when my frequent afib and flutter occurred after eating and getting acid buildup..or laying in bed. Two bed wooden posts (they sell them) at the front of the bed’s two legs helped in the states but I didn’t pack them unfortunately to where I now live.

I don’t like Prilosec but my new GI wants me on two a day to see if it lowers my AFib burden. I am not concerned about afib, just the symptoms of being out of breath and a pounding >300hr atrium even though my ventricles are paced to beat at 60. I take a PIP (EP instructions) of Cardizem to lower my hr. It usually, with PM burst therapy, puts me back to temporary nsr and I get a break for awhile.

Thank you Marco!!

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Marco
I just want to make a note for someone who may read this.

GERD and gastrointestinal mobility issues may point out to a suboptimal thyroid and adrenal function.

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susan.d
My gosh Marco, thanks! I’ve been complaining for decades about my Afib and GERD being so bad I still get acid vomiting plus beish ng anemic (getting iron iv), pain in my chest and bowel obstruction. Nobody connected the possibility of a hiatal hernia. All my complaints went to deaf ears. Multag made it worst and I would just get Afib after vomiting acid. My GP, GI and cardiologist suggested GERD and “stable angina” diagnosis and handed out nitro and Prilosec.

It’s a tragedy now after my AV nuke ablation but “what if” someone made the connection?