Shannon, You are a marvel! Address: I am very grateful . .. .by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, George and Shannon! Really appreciate the thoughtful and helpful responses. I had independently focused on Wendy Tzou! I searched every EP in the Denver/Boulder and guessed that her San Francisco time included brushes with Natale, and that was endorsement enough for me. Is that where their paths crossed? I hope I can self-refer, as I'd like to visit with her in the coming wby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
George, Back in the old days, you were among those from whom I learned good stuff. I recall that you were an endurance athlete and continued doing stuff, albeit at lower intensity. I too take lots of magnesium - 1.8 grams daily - and tolerate fairly well. but I'm intrigued by the Jigsaw slow release, which advertises better absorption and less digestive mischief. Do you have any expby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I take 1.6-1.8 grams of Doctors Best every day. I'm intrigued by the reference to malate magnesium. Is this a better option for absorbing with less intestinal turmoil?by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dear Friends, I got invaluable help from this site when my atrial fibrillation progressed rapidly in 2007. I subsequently had an ablation at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, with a follow-up a year later. For the past 10 years I have had off and on episodes, always triggered by swallowing solid foods. The phenomenon is rare, by my research, with only about 50 reported cases. It has bby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
No, the aura seem seems oblivious to seasonal changes. Yes, I've spent scores of hours over the years investigating vagus nerve implications, but no real connections that are clear and unambiguous.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Jackie. Your comprehensive knowledge and clear communication is part of why I've had such success for 7 years now. I will try adding transdermal mg to my oral intake, as I frequently bump up against bowel intolerance at 1,200 - 1,600 mg daily. I am very mindful of potassium. In addition to its role in the magnesium/potassium relationship, I've found that potassium is theby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've notice a subtle possibility in my magnesium experience. I order several months of Doctor's Best at a time. There is a mild association with reaching the end of the supply and experiencing more heart sensitivity. It may be coincidence. Can magnesium lose potency with that short a shelf life? Same question about Taurine. Then, I've read plenty about topical/transdermalby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good Folks, I was a regular until several years ago. This site was a major factor in my current fine state of heart rhythm health. Jackie and others were immensely helpful as I navigated the complexities of a-fib. I won't reiterate my entire story, but my magnesium experience may be helpful to someone. After two ablations, I began an odd journey. While my burden was lessened, I sby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
While recognizing individuals, I offer my own experience. A year post-ablation I had odd, swallowing-instigated a-fib. Magnesium supplementation eliminated that. I won't bother with the whole story, but the cause/effect relationship even convinced my very traditional EP. I can now sense an "aura" if my magnesium levels are posing a threat to NSR. I then increase magnesium forby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I haven't contributed for a while, but thought this story might be helpful to those who are using or considering supplementation. Bear with me. It's longish. I was conditioned to be skeptical about non-traditional approaches to any health matters. I no longer feel that way, courtesy of this wonderful forum. I also don't consider a supplementation routine to be non-traditioby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
If only! My first ablation, from anesthesia to wake up, was nearly 9 hours. My second was nearly as long, although he did a flutter ablation on the way out. And I also was in good health etc, etc. Of course, my EP is rather fastidious and thorough, qualities I appreciate and perhaps related to my now successful (cross fingers) outcome (three years and counting).by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
For what it's worth, my very short drama with B, T & Q was resolved by consistent potassium supplementation (I use Knudsen low sodium veggie juice, because it's a whole lot tastier than V-8). 20 ounces a day and B,T&Q disappeared.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Being in AF for three weeks is, as you hopefully know, creates a very high stroke risk. If you're not anti-coagulating, that's a problem. Also, the longer you're out of rhythm, more atrial enlargement is likely and more electrical remodeling will occur. Generally, not universally, the old saying, "AF begets AF and NSR beget NSR is true." That means that longer episodby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I like "afibby feeling!" I'll use that from now on.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great thread! As one (lucky one) who is living a-fib free without any limits on exercise, diet or other potential triggers, I'm grateful, not complacent. My EP, having been quite convinced of my success with magnesium supplementation, asked me if I was willing to stop the magnesium and see what happens. I'm not taking that chance. Having stabilized at my present level of dailyby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I take Cq10 daily too, but haven't noticed any particular impact either way. For months I didn't take it (ran out) and nothing changed. Taurine also seems irrelevant, although I take 1000mg daily because it can't hurt. The obvious key to all of it is magnesium. Until those levels are appropriate, potassium, taurine and other things will be insufficient.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I should add, not to be alarmist, but PVC's or PAC's immediately following exercise can be - not are but can be - related to restricted blood flow from partial blockages. It merits looking into, as the sudden inhalation of frigid air might also be related. It's worth asking your cardiologist/EP. I'm not a medical expert, but this small bit of information may be useful.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gus, My story is longer than I should post here, but a brief summary follows. Email if you'd like more information. steve.nelson@calhoun.org I've been a competitive runner/cyclist/triathlete for 35 years. About 16 years ago my occasional bouts of irregular rhythmby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
My experience is somewhat rare, I suspect. After an ablation and touch-up I had 18 months of nearly daily a-fib - short bouts all of which were associated with eating. What I ate was irrelevant. The act of swallowing triggered the arrhythmia. Unambiguous. I could feel the moment every time. Medical exams revealed nothing. An endoscopy was negative. Confusing to my EP, GP, gastro guy etcby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
I and many others use Doctor's Best, available via this site by clicking Vitamin Shop. It has been my life changer for several years.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
You'll probably get various responses. I chose ablation earlier than later, for reasons similar to yours. Was haunted by an inability to compete or even train without triggering ever increasing episodes. That was among the best decisions I've ever made. Literally got my life back. First ablation worked for 6 months, then needed a "touch-up." Touch up did nothing, but theby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
After ablation and stabilizing magnesium and potassium, alcohol and exercise are now just fine. For the past two years I've gone back to 10-12 glasses of wine per week, a martini now and then, and 7-8 hours of weekly training, some at a fairly intense level, although short of those long ago competitive days. None of this shakes my heart at all. Haven't had any a-fib and only occasby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
There is near inevitability of some post trauma jumpies (ablation is traumatic!) Aside from this, nearly everyone has some ectopy even if they've never seen a doctor. The difference is that most folks usually don't notice. One of the many curses accompanying AF is a heightened awareness of every small twitch. My suggestion, because I live in NY, is fuggehdaboutit. Your descriptioby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Among all the other complex variables, you may be shortchanging the magnesium. 400 mg is simply not enough to sustain appropriate levels for many of us. I've been stable with 800 mg for several years. You might try adding 100 mg, wait a few days, add 100 more etc, until you reach bowel tolerance.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
What??? No expense???? Your wife lets that happen for free??? I'm having a little chat with Wendy when I get home from work.by steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
You should read the "strategy," as mentioned above. However, some simple, immediate things to consider: As Jackie and others point out, potassium is useful only after magnesium levels are adequate. For me (and many others) that required 600-800 mg per day of chelated form. I use Doctor's Best, available on the IHerb site. Before reaching magnesium stability, potassium suppleby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Belinda, Jackie and Erling are very well informed, so I can't quibble with their good advice. However, reading your short description indicates that your a-fib burden is quite high and you have made some significant effort to manage it non-invasively. I turned to ablation without having done some of what you've already tried. I have no regrets. To the contrary, I am grateful forby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM
It is important to note what type of arthritis one is talking about. Osteoarthritis is "wear and tear" of the joints (loss of cartilage), and is not associated with systemic inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is quite a different matter, associated with high levels of inflammation. Others (PMR, lupus, etc, etc,) are also inflammatory. It is unlikely that osteoarthritis has any relatiby steve n. - AFIBBERS FORUM