Just some thoughts and observations. I have very clear triggers that can knock me into afib - but only when I'm in a susceptible state/cycle. What causes the susceptible state/cycle? - I can honestly say that at this time I have no idea (that is after intense detective work and trying everything I can think of to eliminate afib and pvc's). When I'm in a susceptible state, the trby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
No doubt for me that GI issues contributes to afib, and good for you Ron that you are looking for alternative means to work with it. Not so sure about Bernard Jensen thoughby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
FYI, George Carlin disavowed writing that. I google searched it because I couldn't believe he would write that we pray too seldom. Hans, you may to move this thread afterall.by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Found a new trigger for my vagal afib. Drove into the mountains on Sunday night - 6,000 feet up, and then down 2,000. Towards the end of the journey I noticed that subtle but intense feeling in my solar plexus which means afib is likely. Sure enough, there I was in Yosemite Valley with a very intense episode at midnight. The last big flareup I had in June was right after a flight back and forby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
I saw Dr. Natale last month so that I am now set up to schedule an ablation if need be. I'm not on meds, and have been experimenting with alternative treatments for 2 years now (supplements, electrolyte awareness, meditation and stress reduction, calming the stomach, etc.). My afib was almost daily for about 4 straight months 2 years ago, then it went to once every 2 or 3 weeks for the nby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - one thing I'm not clear about in re-reading your post. You say "if the vagus nerve branch that serves the sympathetic element is itself over-stimulated..." What do you mean by that - what is the "sympathetic element" being served by the vagus nerve?by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Tom. That is a better explanation than I've gotten thus far, and your theory makes sense to me. Liz, 2 comments on your comment - laying down is a particular type of pressure on the vagus nerve, as is the fact that the vagus nerve is more "active" in the middle of the night - heart rate is generally at its lowest (increased vagal tone). For me, turning over is the mainby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Colin, they don't ablate the vagus nerve. The ablate the pulmonary vein entry areas of the atrium. I also have vagally induced afib, and am trying to understand the mechanism for how it translates to misfirings inside the pulmonary veins (right at the place they join the atrium) and potentially other areas of the atrium. But it isn't what you described. Can anyone shed light on thby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Colin. I ordered it. My experience with ginger has been mostly positive but I haven't had the success you apparently have had. I'll try your regimine and let you know. I have been seeing an Osteopath lately who has been helping and I'll write more about that soonby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Colin, I'm not following your reginine. You say Now Brand 500mg (Hans thinks your taking the 250mg), and you reference the Lifestream with gingerolis. You indicate the capsule you take has the gingerols - is that the Now brand or the Lifestream? Would you mind indicating exactly what capsules you are taking? Thanks, Ralphby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
I bought/received an Alivecor Heart monitor for my iphone 5 a few days ago. It is built like a phone case, but has sensors on the back where you place your fingers to do an ECG reading. (look it up at alivecor.com) Amazing to be able to see ECG's whenever I want - have recorded 2 afib episodes, one of which went in and out of flutter, and lots of PVC's which happen in different posby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
In my body, it is easy to tell the difference between Flutter and Afib. 1) Flutter is "rhythmic" - no variance of length between beats. 2) It tends to be faster (150ish/ minute instead of about 120 for afib) and because of that feels more intense. Ralphby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
I see that Murray is a big advocate of Tikosyn. How is it different from Flecanide? Any good or bad experiences with it?by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Don't know if it is true, but my Cardiologist, who is a very smart guy, told me PVC's were likely the ones that felt more intenseby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
No Ralph, unfortunately, it is a-flutter. Not only recorded a full episode of it in the ER, but I can tell you that the feeling of A-flutter is very different than the feeling of afib. Aflutter is entirely in rhythm. It is very clear when I'm in it.by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barb, I think the problem for me is that I often get a-flutter. If it weren't for that, I'd be trying it.by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Okay, I've ruled out the Flec route (thanks to the feedback from some of you which confirmed the risks for someone with A-flutter) and made an appt with Natale which isn't until September - the earliest ablation would be November. I'm hoping things don't get worse in the interim, but want some feedback on cardioversion in case they do. I had a 10 hour episode today. I oby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks George. I'm not picking up the Flec prescription :0by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Went to my Cardio Monday to get a prescription for Flec (also have a call into Natale's office). I sometimes get A-flutter. He told me about how Flec can make a 1-1 atrial-ventricle conversion possible during a flutter when the flutter rate drops to around 250 or below, which would lead to a black-out heart rate - and worse, that that can infrequently lead to ventricular arhythmia which caby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
I hate to question the prescription - it may be exactly what you need. But, here is my experience. When my afib started intensely 2 years ago, it was clearly triggered by stomach and positioning. I went on Nexium to try to control the stomach, thinking it was acid reflux that was causing the problem (I was burping alot, but didn't have burning). After about 1 month, I didn't noticeby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Diane - good to hear that Flec has worked so well for you. I'm still hoping to avoid it, but we'll see. Are you having any side effects? What dosage are you using? Ralphby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Jackie. Carlson's chelated magnesium from Han's store connection. Potassium levels have always been 4.5 or slightly higher, and high end on the exatest. I had bloodwork on Friday and it came back 4.5 again (3.5 -5.2 average). I have a big garden and eat lots of fresh organic vegetables and fruit daily, and I eat meat. My sodium intake is regulated - I don't eat much if anyby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
My afib has taken a turn for the worse over the couple of weeks - even more so in the last week. I've been a vagal afibber - until Wednesday when I had a 3 hour event in the early evening and then today a 4 hour event starting at noon. 1 night time event in between. Something has changed in a big way and I don't know what it is. The only significant change in my life was increasingby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks George. I have cut way back on calcium via dairy and take no calcium supplements, but I could and will cut back even more. I've been convinced that is part of the reason my afib has been better. I recently increased my mag dose, but I'm no where near what you are taking - how did you arrive at that level of supplementation (is taking 2 grams not enough for you for instance)?by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for your post George. It is clear to me that my triggers (GI sloshing/turbulance at night, sleeping on left side) only matter when I am in a particular part of a cycle. I just had an episode 8 nights ago after a 6 week hiatus - it was building up for a few days - I had to sleep on my right side and fight off the afib tendancy for the last several days leading up to it). After the episodby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dean, I think you are proposing that there are cycles of Sodium retention, and that the build up part of the cycle may be the instigator in an afib episode. Are you drawing any more specific information from that study about the extent of the cycle and how that might actually be playing a part here? I'm looking foward to Jackie's post analyzing cyclical posts from the past.by Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, I'm a believer in the role of Cortisol production and stress (you can see in my earlier posts my identification of the role of stress for me). My question concerns "build up" as opposed to "cortisol production at inappropriate times". It seems to me that there is a cycle at play, and I don't understand how Cortisol, or Aldosterone "build up". Evby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hoping for a brainstorm on the cyclical nature of afib episodes. Mine happen about every 3 weeks and last about 3 hours each time. Not a whole lot of variation on either frequency or duration (was daily 2 years ago, then every 10 days, now every 3 weeks - so going in a good direction). I've read Hans' article on Aldosterone and Cortisol - Villain of the Peace? - the Hormonal connectiby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Jackie. I just read that post for the 2nd time - it is confusing to me in its attempt to offer certainty on the topics covered, and it doesn't answer my question. With regard to stomach acid, it says, in effect, that "anytime you put anything in the stomach the stomach ph lowers to 2 - so it doesn't matter that you put alkaline water in there". If it were true that mby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've read alot about the benefits of Waller Water and alkaline waters in general. I've also read about (and experienced) the benefits of HCL supplementation for better stomach digestion. The two seem contradictory to me. Am I missing something? (doesn't drinking something with high PH raise your stomach PH, thereby reducing stomach acid and resulting in compromised stomach digeby Ralph - AFIBBERS FORUM