Remember, this all relates to inflamed or irritated heart cells and a connection to afib. Don and Mike F. Heres more info on inflammation, elevated CRP levels and suggestions for lowering. In addition to the natural supplements known to reduce inflammation such as ginger, bromelain and tumeric (curcurmin), also keep in mind that Omega 3 essential fatty acids are excellent controllerby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Fred - I was prescribed Betapace with my first nasty afib event that was so severe I went to the ER. I was on it for two years. It did not control my arrhythmia very well. Even with it, I had one or two events/month which escalated until I changed to a different cardiologist who placed me on Toprol only..which didn't work any better than the Betapace. I am not totally sure, but I thinkby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Chris, for the link. I'm pretty upset about the early signs of the macular degeneration, but I'd also be upset with a heart attack. Aspirin - what angers me is very recently, aspirin daily was still emphasized to me. Maybe they think it is the lesser of two evils, but I also think it is because they don't understand other natural products that can keep the blood thin asby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Newman - Carol - I've already typed it to Michelle in my list of many pre-ablation questions. I'll pass along the response when I receive it. I'm curious myself. I seem to recall that the 3 months was for the spiral CAT scan and then there was another visit 3 months after that - but beyond that I don't remember anything being stated. I've asked if they have a systeby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Here are a few articles - go to these web sites - for basic info on CRP.... I'll be back with some important excerpts from newsletters and books. Jackie - On CRPby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Newman - My interpretation is based on the last two paragraphs.... This observation is consistent with the concept that calcium overload may be an important factor in the initiation of AF. The reduction in functional I(Ca) density in myocytes from the atria of chronic AF patients may thus be an adaptive response to the arrhythmia-induced calcium overload. ...which I take to mean what we haby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike - I'm scurring around collecting some great information on this topic... my time is so limited now with ablation looming large here...but this is important stuff... ....inflammation is inflammation, regardles of the source. One book says the majority comes from faulty digestive processes (intestinal) leading to leaky gut syndrome and food allergies...main culprits are the typical daby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Newman - well said. The report to which I referred Bill a few posts prior, says exactly what you've summarized here. PVI is the way to go and the ICE is the latest in monitoring technology. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carol - good questions. I know the CCF follows up at t3 and 6 months. I'm not sure after that. Presurg - they sent a questionnaire regarding quality of life with afib...I presume another will follow at a later date to detrmine post surg how we are doing. I agree that there should be some data base available to consumers to evaluate the efficacy of drugs, surgical procedures, etc... witby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Don - Well, I'm not a doctor (obviously) just a medical researcher and retired registered dental hygienist with afib and a penchant for finding the cause of afib. It's true that infections can raise the CRP level. It could even be something like arthritis. Give me a day or so to go back into my research notes for the Red Flags article - I'll try to give you some reference maby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Because Ive subscribed to a variety of alternative medicine newsletters, Im on the list for all the advertising of new letters forthcoming. Recently, I received one that caught my eye. The heading was The Blinding Truth About an Aspirin a Day! This grabbed my attention immediately for two reasons 1) Ive taken aspirin for years for a variety of conditions including migraine headachby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bill - I just typed a lengthy report to you and I could have just gone online - I found the entire article at this address: Lots of current and informative stuff here. Happy researching. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Scott - That's very good advice. I have instructions to take an extra 100 mg. of flecanide should I experience breakthrough afib. This would be over and above the 100 am and pm. I tried using smaller doses and then taking the larger when needed, but it wasn't enough to stabilize and I was taking the extra hits far too often. Your observation that each person requires a slightlyby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John - I agree that taking chemicals is not a good thing. I definitely think that taking naturally occuring minerals or vitamins that the body needs to function - and which are shown to be deficient - only makes good sense... like adding a quart of oil to your car when the level is down. If you don't put in oil, but use another subsitute like alcohol, the engine doesn't function asby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bill B - I have a copy (courtesy of Lorraine) of a July 2003 Special Issue of the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine - with the feature being "Managing Atrial Fibrillation: Focus on Nonpharmacologic Strategies" Here is what it says about Amiodorone: Actions: Amiodarone (A) was developed as an antianginal drug but was later found to have antiarrhythmic properties and was introducby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hey Jim - that's cute... is that classified under the "voodoo" medicine recently mentioned on another thread? or is it just human nature when dealing with the unexplained? Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Newman - Thanks for the heads up. I'm sorry that this happened but think it is probably just what we all can expect...so better be prepared and accept it rather than be discouraged or disappointed. It's apparently common althought I thought, as you did, you were going to skate through unscathed. It's encouraging to me to learn your events were short-lived. Nothing dramatic.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Atrial L-type Ca2+ currents and human atrial fibrillation. Van Wagoner DR, Pond AL, Lamorgese M, Rossie SS, McCarthy PM, Nerbonne JM. Department of Cardiology and Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. vanwagd@ccf.org Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized byby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carol - that's an interesting theory and one to which I can relate. I always thought I had a normal childhood until not so long ago when I really began assessing how long I had been stressed. I think I must have been born stressed....and it continues even now. I'm sure much of it is rooted in repressed memories and emotional traumas from childhood on. I can relate well to "emotiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Oh, Char - thanks so much for your good wishes - but I the good wishes belong to you! I'm so pleased to learn you are going back... You've been on my mind a lot knowing that you were having a hard time. This time will be the "charm" for you - I just feel it. I'll be thinking of you, too. Thanks for responding. Please let us all know as soon as possible how you arby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all Im cleaning up some research I had begun a while ago, and now that Im getting ready for ablation, Im clearing the computer slate bit by bit. I have often mused over the possible connection between inflammation as measured by C-reactive Protein (CRP) and afib; I have often wondered which came first inflammation or afib. The measurement of CRP (serum levels) should be as close to zby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ablation at CCF to Jim W. and others A couple of things came to mind when I was reviewing your reports. You mentioned during the procedure, you heard Dr. Natale talking about bubbling. I remember the attending MD telling me ( when I was in CCF this spring on one of my emergency visits) that the ICE monitoring device allows them to see when the tissue is overheating by the appearance of microby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gillian - thanks for weighing in. I'm really pleased that you are satisfied with your CCF treatment. That gives me great support. Thanks. I am comfortable with what I know of the CCF, Dr. Natale and the procedure. I've been very impressed so far with the EP nurses. Perhaps because I'm a resident of the area, and have been seeing doctors at the CCF for years, it isn'by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - Don't become alarmed as you delve into this enlightenment. There is alot of information out there and it can become overwhelming. Make your changes slowly and systematically....so you don't feel deprived. A diet without cereal and baked goods is a healthyful diet. Grains just aren't healthy. Baking usually requires sugar - eliminating sugar is a must. These are lifesby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John - thanks.. we all need to become knowledgeable regarding the drugs we may be offered for afib. Hans has covered them very well in his book. I imagine one can do a Google search and find all of the side effects. However, if the pharmaceuticals do not disclose ALL of the potential side effects, we are at their mercy. One thing we all know, or should know, is that all drugs have side effeby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
JP - Hans posted an explanation a while back on why Coumadin vs. aspirin... perhaps he will re-post it. Coumadin works on one clotting mechanism; aspirin - another. Hans? Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Stan - I used to have those type symptoms and a sense of my heart quivering but I was in NSR. Since taking the extra magnesium, I have experienced none of this. Have you decided to try the magnesium? Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike - yes, yes. I've experience very disturbing dreams from which I've had to force myself to wake up. My heart was always racing and a number of times it went right into afib. This is that cortisol issue - high in the early morning hours when it should be lowering. The fright issue kicks in adrenaline and that in turn brings on the higher heart rate. Why the dreams? I havby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Carol - I see a D. C. - Chiropractic Physician. He also does energy work and kinesiology testing. However, the physical manipulation of the diaphragm is strictly chiropractic. It amounts to having him or his assistant press into the diaphragm area in three places... right, left and middle of where one could visualize the upper border of the diaphragm... like just below the rib cage. Heby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dean - in past forum discussions, much has been mentioned about testing for minerals such as magnesium, calcium etc. Serum levels of these minerals are worthless to check since the majority of the minerals are intracellular - inside the cells. Push for that type of testing or the other will be a waste and inconclusive. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM