Still in the Dark

I knew I had hypo-glycemia yrs. ago,
Occas. problems w. sleep apnea,
Hypothyroid, and
GERD

Are all of these contributing factors? What am I supposed to be doing about them? I cannot see 3 different specialists; I can barely deal with one cardiologist.

I read one shld take simethicone, but I wondered why not use enzymes instead? Seems like they worked for me until I changed brands...not sure if condition changed however, also.

I cannot seem to figure out what is the E. P. supposed to do besides an ablation. I still do not have a clue

what caused my afib, or is it one of the above listed? Or all? How to know?

I also do not know if I have atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation. How is it determined? Yes, I did an event monitor. I dont think the doc was as informative as the technician who at least told me some details like 190 heart beats in one instance. The doc said afib, but at this point I am not sure she knows the difference.

I feel a little like I am ranting; well, I am frustrated and impatient. I thought all of those things mentioned above were under control, more or less, but if they caused afib....they sure as heck arent. And since the afib started I confess I have gas all the time! What next?

Thank you, Anyone...

Jaydee - all of the symptoms/conditions you mention are known to be triggers for afib. You can begin to learn more by typing each name separately in the search feature here in the current and past BB sessions to see what other afibbers have found helpful.

The EP can help sort out which medication would be appropriate for your particular type of afib and can supervise periodic visits for evaluations. Then, eventually, if nothing seems to be working, he can advise you when it's time to consider ablation.

Jackie

All of what you mention are indeed associated with greater risk of AFib; I know as I have them all and I make the effort to deal with specialists for all of them.

Simethicone? I thought that was used to stop farting?

One other thing; it is very unusual to have 'occasional' problems with thyroid, GERD, sleep apnea. All need to be addressed individually. For instance;

Sleep apnea - very unusual for it to be intermittent unless you are perhaps losing and gaining HUGE amounts of weight. It needs to be addressed in BIG terms. Sleep apnea kills. "He/she died peacefully in their sleep".

Thyroid - my thyroid 'sputtered for months/years' before it finally quit on me. Just upped and quit. Now I take thyroxin and it is addressed.

GERD - didn't even know that I had it... the issue is not necessarily reflux but a bacterium that lives in your stomache called h. pyllori. It needs to be confirmed and eradicated (a series of antibiotics). I am recently diagnosed. Totally symptom free. Just waiting to see my pulmonologist who found it and get a referral to a gasto.

As we get older the machine seems to start to break down. It needs to be addressed. Especially the sleep apnea.

There are, of course, a myriad of other contributing causes or risk factors, but you have hit on some whoppers and, yes, they should be addressed regardless of AFib before you get yourself into some real trouble.

And... is simethicone not what they give you to reduce intestinal gas? Seriously.

Murray,

Frrom the March 2009 issue of The AFIB Report.

"Simethicone to the rescue!
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY. Many afibbers have reported that their episodes often start with a bout of abdominal gas build-up accompanied by belching. German researchers now report that simethicone (Gas-X) may be effective in terminating such episodes. Simethicone (polydimethylsiloxane) is a common anti-flatulent, which effectively reduces gas formation and helps prevent bloating and belching by breaking up large gas bubbles. The drug has no known adverse effects.

The German researchers report the case of a 26-year-old male patient who reported to the emergency room with atrial fibrillation accompanied by extensive belching. The ER physicians gave him 169 mg of Simethicone and shortly after he converted to normal sinus rhythm. Based on further tests, it was concluded that the patient suffered from paroxysmal lone AF. Over the next 12 years the patient experienced 40 more afib episodes, which were all terminated successfully with varying doses of Simethicone. The researchers conclude, “that gastric distension with abdominal flatulence may represent one more possible trigger to initiate AF in otherwise heart healthy patients”.

Litmathe, J and Litmathe, AM. Simethicone – another “pill in the packet” in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation? International Journal of Cardiology, December 11, 2008 [Epub ahead of print]

Editor’s comment: I have personally found that gas build-up in the stomach and accompanying burping is a potent initiator of ectopics. I have also found that relieving the gas pressure and breaking up large bubbles with the help of Simethicone brings almost immediate relief. The finding by the German researchers that Simethicone may also be effective in terminating episodes initiated by abdominal gas build-up is intriguing indeed and well worth further investigation by readers of The AFIB Report."

Hans

...but, the point was whether or not one couldnt eliminate the need for simethicone AND belching or gas by taking enzymes??

Re. your statement:

"You can begin to learn more by typing each name separately in the search feature here in the current and past BB sessions to see what other afibbers have found helpful."

I guess you mean "go fish". I was thinking that posting was a little like running an ad in a paper; people read it and if it resonates with them or stirs them at all, they come to you. LOL

jaydee

Hans, thank you for the information on simethicone and it is now added to my list as, honestly, I find myself producing more intestinal gas since my hospital stay for some reason - to the point that I will get out of bed in minor discomfort and leave the bedroom to relieve myself and spare my wife the billowing blankets.

I was thinking that perhaps it was a matter of the APAP pushing air through but am now wondering if it is my digestive system messed up (as diagnosed by my pulmonologist of all people during a dye enhanced CT scan; totall symptomless unless you call the intestinal gas a symptom). I am absolutely certain my very next referal is going to be to a gastro guy as the CT scan showed some internal herniation (cause unknown) and more to the point, erosions in my stomache, etc. It was a shocker as I truly have zero symptoms.

The simethicone then, which we do have in the house, is next on the list of intakes to see what happens.

Question is, what is a truly therapeutic dose versus what they put on the package. I should be seeing the gastro in a couple of weeks all going well.

AND I have got to stop eating those brussel sprouts at dinner. Jeez.

Try probiotics for tackling underlying gastro problems manifesting as gas. I've had gastro problems since I was 12; this works for me. I use the one sold by Dr. Sinatra, "Probiotic Solutions", to very good effect, although I take more than recommended dosage. I take 2 or sometimes 3 a day, rather than just 1. It is lactobacillus plantarum 299v. I've also eliminated dairy and gluten, which makes a big difference too.
Yes simethicone works, but I've rarely needed it any more.
This three-pronged approach might help you too.
I've definitely noticed - quieter gut = guieter heart

Good luck!
Judy



Judy

Careful with probiotics, some listed side affects are stomach gas and belching.

I ran into this with Align, plus it generated gastric reflux as well.

M,

You did not read the list as it was meant: So u wrote back,
"it is very unusual to have 'occasional' problems with thyroid, GERD, sleep apnea."

The meaning was that I have occasional sleep apnea, and yes that is what I meant. You see, for many the apnea occurs when sleeping in a certain position, like snoring, but if u change positions, voila, no apnea. Moreover apnea comes and goes with whatever causes it sometimes.

As for dealing with them all, of course...one must.

jd

Ken – the action of a good probiotic should take effect in the intestinal tract and should not cause any GERD problems because that’s reflux from the stomach. Th capsules are typically enteric coated for this reason.

The labeling of labeling of Align indicates it contains:
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (Bifantis) 4 mg† Contains 1 x 10^9 (one billion) live bacteria when manufactured, and provides an effective level of bacteria until at least the best by date. †Daily Value (DV) not established Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose (for even dispersal of cultures), hypromellose (vegetarian capsule shell), sugar, magnesium stearate (for even dispersal of cultures), milk protein*, titanium dioxide, sodium citrate dihydrate, propyl gallate (anti-oxidant stabilizer), FD&C blue #1, riboflavin(colorant). *This product does not contain lactose, soy or gluten.

Another label disclosure says one type of Align does contain soy and also caseinate protein. Your stomach distress could come from any of the ingredients that are not the probiotics, themselves.
For the cost, Align is very expensive since it only includes one form of probiotic.

An effective probiotic should contain multiple strains of flora and must include Lactobacillus acidiphilus and bifidus at the very least. Low content of strains are not typically effective; GI experts say it takes10 – 25 billion of EACH species. Part of the problem is that what’s labeled as included is the point of capsulization assay; after shipping and shelf time, the consumer may get only half the labeled amount so it’s smart to start with a high dose.

The Jarrow DDS product is a reasonably priced example of a fairly decent blend; it’s probably wise to take 2 a day instead of just one.
Shelf-Stable Probiotic Formula
8 Strains in 4 Genera, Including BB536
Enteric Coated = Stomach Acid Protection
5 Billion Organisms/Vegetarian Capsule

One of the best, tried and true probiotics is Healthy Trinity from Natren.
Expensive, but enjoys a great reputation for efficacy.
Ingredients:
Lactobacillus acidophilus 5 billion
Bifidobacterium bifidus 20 billion
Lactobacillus bulgarius 5 billion

Hans had great success with VSL#3
– 225 billion lactic acid bacteria
Another expensive product

When I initially embarked on my probiotic journey, my MD at the time recommended:
Probioplus DDS® from UAS Labs -a special strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS®-1 strain), Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis and FOS (Fructooligosaccharides). Probioplus DDS® is free of dairy products, corn, soy and preservatives. Each gram (2 capsules) contains 10 billion viable L. acidophilus (DDS®-1 strain), B. longum, B. bifidum, and B. lactis at the time of manufacturing. (Must be kept refrigerated)

I took 2 caps at night for years and then tried other brands once my ‘leaky gut syndrom’ and dysbiosis had healed; this worked for me because it ws free of dairy, soy and preservatives.

Virtually everyone needs a probiotic because gut health means total health… no exceptions.

Jackie