Hi Everyone, I was a regular reader of the forum from 2009 to 2014. Had my ablation at Southlake in Dec. 2012 with Dr. Yaariv Khaykin. I appreciated so much the helpful advice from the people on this forum - especially Jackie, Hans and Shannon. After my ablation I was afib-free until June 2021. The episode was very minor with my heart rate going from about 80 to 100 and back- not like whaby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I first took metoprolol, my heart rate went down to 30 and stayed there. I was at work, felt funny, and checked my pulse. Not sure what my BP was, but it was probably down too, since I've always had low blood pressure. My doc told me to get off it at once. If I were you, I would not be taking the higher dose. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my first ablation in Dec. 2012 and am still in NSR. And I do keep lurking back here from time to time. Like Gil, I want to keep up and be prepared. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Kirk, If you had on a Holter monitor, I would say that episode was afib. But the other flutterings you were feeling afterward may have been ectopics. I order my magnesium from iHerb. Delivery is very fast - sometimes even the next day but definitely within the week. If you prefer to buy it locally, maybe someone else can weigh in on what would be a good one. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Kirk, From the Mayo Clinic: Ectopics - Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a flip-flop or skipped beat in your chest. Premature ventricular contractions are very common — they occur in most peoplby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Kirk, Welcome to the Forum, and I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I'm surprised at your doctor and the MoT, because I live in Ontario and at no time when I had afib did any of my doctors - GP, cardio, or EP, suggest that I shouldn't drive. While you're deciding about ablation, if your afib is controlled either by your supplements or by meds, I can't seeby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Does anyone know a good EP in Athens or on Crete? And if not, how does a person get an appointment to see someone in Bordeaux? Do you have to be referred? Thanks, Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Anti-Fib and Shannon.by Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Oh thanks for that clarification. I thought the idea was that by waiting 7 to 10 days there was more chance of any clot disappearing. I've not heard of taking a CCB along with a BB. Don't they both do the same thing? Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Shannon. My title was a bit confusing, I'm afraid, and I wasn't quite sure what she had been telling me when I first wrote this. She was taking a CCB with previous episodes (she has had very few, the last one two years ago) to convert and they did help (as you say, maybe the conversion would have happened anyway.) This time, because it was past the 48 hour mark he gave her Mby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Jackie. This helps explain things. Yes, she is now on Eliquis and Metroprolol. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for your reply, George. For some reason I had always thought that it was just electrical cardioversion that was too dangerous, not drug conversion. I somehow missed this important piece of info. It makes me wonder what happens if we self-convert after 48 hours. Is it also possible we can throw a clot? What are the statistics on that, I wonder? Do they do things to keep you in afib while tby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
My sister, who lives in Greece, has been in afib for four days. She saw the cardiologist yesterday. He told her that she would have to take blood thinners and beta-blockers for a month and then he would cardiovert her. In the past she has used calcium channel blockers to convert but he told her it was too late - you can't use them after 48 hours, it's too dangerous. Has anyone heard ofby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks to you and Shannon for doing all the work! I have not found the Search feature very helpful since the site was updated several years ago. I do hope the new site will have a better Search function. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Daniel, Welcome to this page. Just a note about beta blockers. I was also prescribed them by the hospital cardio after my first afib episode. No one suggested that I should keep an eye on my pulse, but one day I was feeling particularly weird, so I checked it. It had gone down to 30 bpm. My GP took me off the beta blockers. My pulse rate was low at normal times, so taking them then was notby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Congratulations, Murray. I'm glad to hear everything went well and your heart is calm. Take good care of yourself. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, Thank you very much for this information. It makes a great deal of sense. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alex, I could have been imagining it, but I felt better on the Jarrow one than on the Healthy Origins one. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well done, Murray! You're in good hands with Dr. Verma. Best wishes. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Bill. I checked again and I see that it is just the large size that I used to order that has been discontinued. Thanks for alerting me. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Now that Jarrow D-Ribose is no longer available, can anyone suggest a good brand? Thanks.by Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm so glad to hear you are finally getting to have your ablation, Murray. Southlake looks after you really well. Sorry to hear about your spine. Hope it heals quickly and without too much suffering. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada have found celiac disease is related to the bacteria in our guts. It seems to me that Peggy discovered this a few years ago! Margby Marg - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Montos, Have you investigated the possibilities of travelling to Ontario and having it done at Southlake? There is a waiting list with Drs. Verma and Khaykin but they are well worth the wait. It is worth investigating before going to the expense of the trip to Bordeaux. I wish you all the best as you decide. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
I thought there might have been something wrong with my order so I cancelled it (never been able to do that before once it was placed!) (I had placed it Monday and Thursday I cancelled it) and placed it again on Thursday. On Friday it was still listed as Ready to PIck. So I contacted them through their chat and was told my new order was "Ready to Pick." Received it Monday. Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Is anything wrong with iHerb? I made an order and three days later it hadn't been shipped. Its status is listed as "Ready to Pick." I'm not sure what that means. Has something changed? Thanks.by Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Murray, I'm really sorry you are having such trouble. But do remember that it is because you have opted for the best that you have such a long wait time. When I was waiting for my turn at Southlake, my cardio told me he could get me in for an ablation at Toronto General in one to two months, as opposed to the year I waited. I turned it down, as I am sure you would too, because I wanted Drby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Elizabeth, This is similar to what happened to me. I would be in afib and take propafenone and finally would go out of afib but my rate would be fast and regular. It was flutter. Coming out of the flutter was sudden for me and I always felt faint right when it converted. It happened three times when I converted on my own and the fourth time, I had to be cardioverted. My EP said it was causedby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
Murray, this is wonderful news! I had mine done at Southlake by Dr. Khaykin in December 2012 and have had no sign of afib since. Yes, I have had other ectopics, but, as you say, keeping up the levels of magnesium and potassium, which I am religious about, helps to keep that at bay. Also behaving myself as to what I eat and drink. Rest assured, they look after you well. All the best, Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM
That's great news, Shannon. I'm so happy to hear it! All the best to you and Magdalena! Margby Marg - AFIBBERS FORUM