Here's another commentary about melatonin dosing... just FYI.... I've backed off on taking the .05 mg. melatonin nightly since my sleep improved. The nightly, bedtime dose of magnesium I take is in the threonate form. Throughout the day, I take magnesium bisglycinate. To that, if I feel 'unsettled' at bedtime, I use a chewable tablet of PharmaGaba (Natural Factorby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
bettylou - About 9 mos. ago, and after reading about the many benefits of the threonate form of magnesium, I decided to try it at bedtime. My typical trio was magnesium bisglycinate, half a 1 mg. tablet of melatonin and PharmaGaba - half a tablet. I had read about the brain benefits of magnesium threonate and decided to substitute the threonate form for the bisglycinate. The results wereby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Geocappy - Great that you have a date. I can understand your being nervous but I agree with Susan’s comment that Dr. Natale’s skill put her at ease. When I had my first Natale ablation in 2003, I had to wait six months. It was definitely worth the wait and nothing has changed about that, for sure. In 2014, I developed A-flutter and Dr. Natale ablated that in Texas along with a touch upby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
There are numerous posts archived here about the impact of stress, anxiety and related issues such as insomnia while dealing with Afib. Recently, I was helping a non-afibber and suggested research on calming, natural remedies such as L-theanine and GABA… and offered the link to the post (here) for afibbers…. Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia…Sympathetic Dominance and more… Additionally, for many yby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie I typically fell asleep with the help of PharmaGaba to help relax, but didn't always remain asleep throughout the night. I like PharmaGaba or L-theanine for 'taking the edge off' when a high stress situation is anticipated...but for me, those didn't help to produce uninterupted sleep. Amazing results with just the half dose. Now I sleep at least 6 hrs veby bettylou4488 - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, George, for sharing your info and experience with melatonin. In a previous post, you had discussed that and I decided to try it to see if it improved my sleep patterns where I typically fell asleep with the help of PharmaGaba to help relax, but didn't always remain asleep throughout the night. I like PharmaGaba or L-theanine for 'taking the edge off' when a high stressby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Bettylou... I'm very sorry you are having sleep issues. I know what that's like. Fortunately, a number of years ago, I was introduced to PharmaGaba product of Natural Factors and it has been extremely useful. I just typed the name into our search feature here so you can read the many responses I've offered on sleep issues. Here's the link: Now, to clarify.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I use the PharmaGABA supplement. It works. Not suggesting anyone do this, but mixing it with a couple of beers equates to a tranquilizer dart. It does double duty in terms of putting me to sleep and also keeping me asleep. It’s an “off switch” for the brain.by wolfpack - AFIBBERS FORUM
Both my wife, a non-afibber, and myself, an ablated former afibber, have tried CBD in various forms; oil, suppositories, consumables,vaping, for insomnia and pain without noticing any effect so we gave it up a year or so ago. Neither of us has tolerance for THC even though we live in San Francisco much of the time. My understanding is that CBD takes some THC, perhaps a ratio of 1/18, to enablby ggheld - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello and sorry for your misery. Couple of questions: …. Your age? And - is the arrhythmia new as a result of your breakup or have you had it for a while and now it’s increased? If the latter, how long? A lot of things 'get out of whack' in your body during periods of high stress. I have experience with that and after treating for adrenal fatigue or adrenal burnout, I was abby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Along with the calcium channel blocker, you could consider taking either PharmaGaba or L-theanine to help lower the anxiety/stress signals you are generating from the adrenaline surge. It would be good if you could have your adrenal function tested to see if you need adrenal support and something to help manage the excess cortisol. I know about this from my own personal experiences with job sby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Ben - Have you tried PharmaGaba by Natural Factors or L-theanine at night about 20 minutes before bed? Also... keep your heavy exercise routine for daytime and not later than 6 pm so your body has a chance to "calm down" before you settle in for sleep. Also, if you haven't yet read the Conference Room session on Right vs Left Side Sleeping, you may find something thereby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Alice - I am so sorry that your recurrent afib is debilitating. Everyone has his/her own way of coping and some do better than others. I'm glad you have come to this forum since getting support from 'kindred spirits' is a good way to get started in learning how to deal with the beast. My focus was learning all I could about what I might be able to do to either lesseby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Carole - thanks for sharing with us your very positive experience about the magnesium citrate. Most doctors aren't aware of the importance of magnesium and how many patients are deficient in this essential mineral, unfortunately. There are several other supportive nutrients that definitely can help as well. Check the various reports in the link above titled Afib Resources As fby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Murray - I was so pleased to see your other posts and to learn you are happy with your outcome. There are numerous reports about the similarities of natural GABA and the Rx drug Gabapentin. Here are two of many others you can find with an online search - this one by Naturopathic Physician, Michael T. Murray, explains the functions and benefits in less technical language. As Iby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Is this the same as gabapentin? They have changed my fractured spine meds and added gabapentin here. Works like a placebo for me.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
A few GABA studies and reports Biofactors. 2006;26(3):201-8. Neuroscience. 2002;111(2):231-9. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 Sep;157(3):299-304. . J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64 Suppl 3:21-7. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2010 Nov;16(11):1145-52. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2011 Sep 20;108(38):16050-5. WebMD September 11, 2003by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gordon...you? Dopey? Not likely! Glad you have found natural remedies that work. I also like the breathing techniques. Spent some time years ago learning the Buteyko eucapnic breathing technique which is tremendously helpful and relaxing. I think I do it so automatically that I don't remember to comment about it. Just to show the variations in biochemical individuality, Melaby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dr. Murray has written about PharmaGaba before and I have used it on and off for a couple of years. I use it to get back to sleep perhaps twice weekly after waking from about 4 hours of sleep. I notice no hangover or dependency from using it. Chewing the tablets does get them in my system faster and it seems I get groggy after about a half hour. Dr. Weil has long recommended an old Indian sby ggheld - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Lou... As I mentioned, I only use PharmaGABA occasionally, but I am also taking Eliquis/apixaban as well... initially the full dose of 5 mg twice daily and now, the reduced half dose twice a day. I've not noted any interference problems from that or the L-theanine. Yes... you can use it only when needed.... or on a PRN basis. Sometimes, at bedtime, I may not think I'mby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yeah pharmaGABA works like a champ, especially along with 200mg of L-Theanine as Jackie noted above. By the way, Jackie has penned a nice review in our latest issue of the newsletter on L-Theanine that is almost ready to publish, hopefully around July 4th,or take a day or two. I like to chew two of the PharmaGABA flavored wafers and take one 200mg L-Theanine tablet or capsule about half an houby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, I am just wondering if this product is safe to use while taking apixaban? And can you use it only when required or should it be used daily? Thanks Louby Lou Toews - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peggy - Yes - iHerb has it. Glad the other suggestions have been of benefit. Typically, I don't need help getting to sleep but lately, I've had a lot of stress and I've been happy to have the PharmaGABA on hand and it never fails for me. I also use L-theanine during the day for stress and often take that at night as well. I've used the GABA and theanine together, toby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, thank you for this information. I will find this stuff and try it. Have had great luck with your suggestions so far, hope this one works as well. Have had some trouble getting to sleep, time to change up on the medication again i think. Try something different. PeggyMby peggyM - AFIBBERS FORUM
It’s not uncommon these days to be restless at bedtime and, often, falling asleep quickly and easily can be difficult which brings about more stress. In previous posts on this topic, I’ve commented about using Natural Factor’s PharmaGABA product to help promote relaxation and sleep. I use PharmaGABA occasionally and I’m always impressed with the efficacy and the fact I don’t feel sluggish the foby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Heather - be sure you are optimizing your magnesium intake. When you have a solid base of intracellular magnesium, you are far less likely to have PACs.... providing that you also have the proper ratio of potassium to sodium. (Refer to CF 72). An ablation doesn't remove the body's requirements for the essential minerals/electrolytes that work to keep the heart rhythm steady. Foby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have used the Pharmagaba with very good results. No flutters or afib, and some very good sleep. Deeby Dee - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alangford: Dr. Murray has bees suggesting a super absorbable form of GABA called Pharmagaba. It comes as chewable tablets to dissolve int the mouth and be better absorbed faster. I interchange with Theanine, (also chewable), ibuprofen or Tylenol and time release melatonin as I find my body gets used to any one of those after a few consecutive nights and it doesn't work so well. For meby ggheld - AFIBBERS FORUM
A well-known and reliable source for natural products is Naturopathic physician, Michael Murray with Natural Factors. He talks about the function and benefits of GABA and gives dosing recommendations at this link and his bio here is worth noting to confirm his knowledge: Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM