I'm actually from the UK and whilst I believe I am reasonably modest in my alchohol intake I think once one develops a sensitivity to it then even small amounts can upset the apple cart. I don't drink much coffee but I do enjoy a few cups of tea every day which may sometimes be a trigger. I tend to go herbal late afternoon. My hypothesis is that over indulgence when we were youngerby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm guessing yesterday was Tuesday. I'm in Australia and assume you are in the states. I find (not pointing the bone) that my ticker is much more 'restless' in a holiday heart kind of way on the first two working days of the week. That's no coincidence. Alchohol inflames heart tissue or at least the bi product does. Even small amounts of alchohol can do it in someby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
I fixed my AF by quickly going the ablation route which allowed me to continue enjoying a few glasses of red on the weekend. My business partner fixed his AF by quitting alcohol 2 years ago and hasn't had another episode. If I had more control I probably could take his lead and eradicate my ectopic beats and short tachy runs. I expect a lot of the AF community would benefit hugely fby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steady pulse but in AFIB. I've read somewhere a prominent EP questioning if ablation really is a cure or does it merely reduce or control symptoms. I had my 2nd touch up 4 years ago and generally I'm fine. But every now and again (most weeks) I have days of numerous ectopics and that feeling that something isn't right including a tight chest but my pulse is steady. Regular cheby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Ozbob, my EP in Sydney recommends John Calman. I don't know how many procedures he has done, you would need to get some info on that. Good Luckby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
That's interesting Shannon. Even more food for thought if I need to have another touch up in future. She will be on my list even though I am a Brit now living overseas. MikeJby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sally, sorry for the delay. Yes the person I know who was treated by Prof Schilling was a persistent afibber so was more difficult to fix I expect. My other Doctor pal treated by Dr Ernst said she insisted on a follow up MRI to check that the lesion set was contiguous. Whilst the proof is in the pudding ie you are either clear of arrhythmia or you are not, it struck me that her 'belt andby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Silentsal, I believe Prof Schilling has a very good reputation and despite that I know one of his patients who needed three goes at it and still has issues but is generally OK now. The other EP in London I understand is equally or more experienced is Sabine Ernst. A doctor friend of mine was cured of the beast by her in one go. I am keen to hear about the results of a new vest technologyby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon and Jackie, it seems there is no 'cure' yet but ablation is a big step in the right direction and has scientific measured results backing up claims it makes a difference. I'm one of the lucky ones with access to a highly regarded EP who has kept me free of the beast more or less for the past five years and allowed me continue playing soccer. I don't feel totallyby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Jackie, I know you are a huge supporter of supplements. Wouldn't it be great to have scientific proof that Mg to bowel tolerance plus K or whatever the protocol is actually makes a difference for most affibers. I can imagine that for some the very idea that taking Mg will resolve their arrythmia could help reduce anxiety which in turn could reduce ectopy. I have no doubt that forby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, has there been any official trials of the benefit of K and Mg supplementation on a group of otherwise healthy people ie normal bloods, no heart disease and the reduction of ectopy such as the trial on fish oil high dosing proposes? Holster monitor results of a statistical sample could prove this approach generally even if some don't respond to it. Cheers Mikeby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, I have been reluctant to supplement with potassium to date and probably have dismissed it having previously not experienced any benefit by adding magnesium. I have tried various electrolyte powders with K in them with no +ve result. It's been interesting to note over the past 4 years much more acceptance on this board in the advancements made with PVI ablation as a first lineby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Heather, you are in excellent shape if only experiencing that many ectopics. Long may it continue. After two touch up ablations I get thousands some days but no AFIB. I haven't had any luck with Mg but will try a bit more fish oil or maybe I should try snake oil. Cheers Mikeby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
This 'alleged' research suggests we should all be knocking back more fish oil on a daily basis ARKVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. In common terms, atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia). Ectopic beats (heartbeats initiated at a location other than the sinoatrial node) originating in the pulmonary veins (PVs) are a prime factor in the initiation anby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, bummer. Could be and hopefully is just an isolated event. Did your dental treatment involve removal or replacement of amalgam (mercury) fillings? Here's hoping to a swift conversion. MikeJby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike, I don't know about the cost aspects, I'll defer to Gill on that. Also not sure how real the risk is at some centres of the EP you see not doing the procedure. I would have thought that could be cleared up at the consultation ie seek a commitment from the EP. My two friends treated by Schilling and Ernst had their ops paid for by insurance. Sabine Ernst offers a great local opby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Janet, I look forward to your feedback from the Nov conference. Cheers Mike Jby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Janet, two years and no AFIB is a result. Were you paroxymal or persistent prior to PVI? A good friend of mine also had his ablation with Sabine. He is a GP and had access to reliable referrals so if he picked her she must be one of the best. He has had no issues in the 12months post. I had my first ablation 4.5 years ago and two 'minor' touch ups in the past year to plug a gapby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, good luck with the recovery. Your post exercise arrhythmias sound similar to my current experiences six months out from my second redo in March this year. I am back playing soccer and off drugs but since playing on the weekend my chest feels irritated and tense with some on and off buzzing sensations on the the right of my sternum interspersed with a few bouts of ectopics in short runby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Phil, I have a very well respected EP Professor here in Australia. Sabine is a little too far away ha ha. If I had to have another ablation though I'd give that some serious thought and extend my annual trip back to Blighty. I hope though there will be no more ablations needed for me and I can just enjoy catching up with family and friends when I am over there. I had a follow up checkby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes AFH, would be great if the 6 month mark spells the end of runs of ectopics for us both. If I'm being cynical I can cast my mind back over the past 5 years since this new chapter in my life began and remember periods of lulls in ectopic activity only for them to return a couple of days later. My first PVI lasted for 3 years off drugs without any disabling symptoms but I had daily perioby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Phil, a Doctor pal of mine had the PVI done by Sabine Ernst in London in Oct 2011 and he hasn't missed a beat since apparently. He advised me that she has done over 3,000 procedures and has only a 15% repeat rate. I know someone else who had his done by Prof Schilling but it took him three goes at it to fix him. He had been persistent for sometime though whereas the other person was Paroxyby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Ron, it varies person to person. The puncture sites can take a few days to settle down. On my first ablation I was very bruised and tender for a week which made walking a challenge for a few days after. The second ablation was much better but I found that walking more than an hour during first 4 or 5 days caused a severe ache. Following the third ablation 5 weeks ago I was walking about withinby Mikej - AFIBBERS FORUM