A Personal Story

May 14, 2008

A Personal Story

You think you’re healthy, eat well, take good care of yourself (well, maybe you could get more exercise). Life is good. You don’t feel like you’re under stress. But every now and then your heart does flip-flops. You can feel it pounding, you can feel it throbbing in your neck. Then, in the middle of the night, it’s racing. You feel anxious. You check your pulse—140 beats per minute, maybe more. You go to the emergency room. It’s 190 beats per minute now. They tell you, “You have atrial fibrillation.” Atrial fibwhat? They hook you up to an IV, give you some drugs and soon, gradually, you begin to feel almost normal again. But now your mind starts racing: What is atrial fibrillation? What causes atrial fibrillation? Is there a cure for atrial fibrillation? What drugs were in that drip (and what are the side effects)? Just how serious is atrial fibrillation?

A Little History

I went to the emergency room with atrial fibrillation on February 15, 2008. I’d had a few mild episodes of rapid, erratic heartbeat several years before, sometime in 2002. I would feel my heart begin to race, feel anxious and weak, and have to lie down. Within an hour or so, I usually felt a bit better and went about my business. I did ask my doctor about it and he hooked me up to an ECG (electrocardiograph) machine, pored over the paper as the graphs sputtered out, and said everything looked normal. Probably stress, he said. If it really bothered me I could go to the emergency room when it was happening and they should be able to tell me more. I had a few more mild episodes after I saw him, but nothing that would make me want to go to the emergency room, and sometime later, without my really doing anything, the episodes went away.

Last fall, the episodes began again. They always started at night, either sometime before I went to bed (usually around 10:00 or 10:30 PM) or in the middle of the night. My heart would start to race, I would feel anxious and weak, maybe a little lightheaded. I would lie down and feel a bit better after a while, but I would toss and turn all night or be aware, even in my dreams, that my heart was leaping. Usually, after I got up in the morning, sometimes after breakfast, I would begin to feel normal again and wonder, What the heck was that all about?

I also noticed around that time that I had a chronic pain in my chest, a kind of dull ache. I had taken up archery in the fall and thought I must have pulled a muscle or strained something. It never seemed very serious—some days I would barely notice it—so I didn’t pay much attention to it.

The episodes began to come every month or so, then every few weeks. I wondered if it was something I’d eaten. I thought I was a pretty healthy eater—no sodas, no candy (well, a little chocolate and some Chunky Monkey ice cream), limited red meat—and I took a handful of miscellaneous supplements (whatever was touted in the latest Men’s Health magazine). But I began to wonder if I was low in calcium, or wasn’t eating enough salt, or maybe I was allergic to something? In other words, I didn’t have a clue. But I recognized, after the episodes continued to become more disconcerting, that I needed to see a doctor, something I am always reluctant to do.

It took me a long time to see a doctor. My old doctor had switched to a concierge plan, limiting his practice to those patients who would pay a yearly fee to be under his care, with an emphasis on prevention. A good idea, but I always thought of myself as too young (51) and too healthy. I had to do an intake interview with the nurse practitioner to be a new patient with my new doctor and because of various scheduling issues it took me a couple of months to get in. I finally saw the nurse and told him about my symptoms. He took copious notes and said he’d fix me up with a treadmill test, whatever that was, to rule out cardiovascular disease. I had little idea what he was talking about, but at least I was finally taking some steps to solve the mystery.

Emergency

I never made it to the treadmill test. At least, not to the test the nurse practitioner scheduled for me.

The evening after my appointment, I begin feeling anxious. My heart starts racing and I feel weak. It’s almost bedtime, so I think I’ll just go to bed and sleep it off as I have so many times in the past. But this night is different. I feel slightly better for a few minutes—and then it gets worse again.

My wife, Meg, hovers over me, checking in. Should she take me to the hospital? No, let’s wait a few minutes. I already have an appointment to have things checked out. It’s always passed before.

But it continues to get worse. Finally, I relent. We get dressed and get in the car. The hospital is only about five minutes away; no need for an ambulance. I’m ushered into the emergency room immediately. They hook me up to the ECG. They take a chest x-ray. They take a blood sample.

My heart rate is about 190. The doctor comes around—a slender, gentle woman with a soothing voice—and explains patiently (no pun intended) that I have atrial fibrillation. She gives me a simple explanation, very similar to the description on my Discharge Instructions:

“Atrial Fibrillation” is a condition where the heart beats in an irregular pattern. It is due to a disturbance in the electrical pathways of the heart. It is a sign of heart disease or other health problem affecting the heart.

The most common symptom is “palpitations”. This is the feeling that your heart is fluttering or beating fast or hard or irregular. When the heart beats too fast it does not pump blood very well. This can cause other symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or fainting.

Atrial Fibrillation may come and go, lasting from a few hours to a couple of days. Or, it may become chronic, lasting for months at a time or longer.

I’m given a drip of Cardizem and “convert” (my heart returns to normal) a short time after. They keep me awhile to make sure I’m okay, then send me home with a prescription for Diltiazem (Cardizem) and the number of a cardiologist. I’m scolded for having Meg drive me to the hospital. I’m instructed to take one 120 mg tablet “if rapid palpitations recur”, wait and hour, then take another one. “IF LIGHTHEADEDNESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, CHEST PAIN, NAUSEA, SWEATINESS, THEN CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.”

But I think I’ll be good for another month. A few weeks, at least.

911

The next night, I wake up in the middle of the night to pee. When I crawl back into bed again, the race horse breaks out of the stable. I give Meg a little nudge and tell her my heart is at it again. Should we call 911? No, I’ll just pop one of these tablets.

A few minutes later, my heart is still galloping and I begin shivering. Should we call 911? No, let’s give it a few minutes to work.

Minutes later, I’m shaking. I can’t lie still. I feel nauseous and lightheaded. My chest hurts. What did they tell me in the hospital? “IF LIGHTHEADEDNESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, CHEST PAIN, NAUSEA, SWEATINESS, THEN CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.”

Meg calls 911. Within a few minutes, the doorbell rings and five athletic guys walk in with a stretcher. I’m not sure why it takes five guys, but they’re young and buff and Meg isn’t complaining, and they hook me up the ECG and begin quizzing me about my symptoms. I don’t feel any worse, but I can’t stop shivering. I’m rattling the bed. They can’t get a read because the electric blanket is on, but they give me some nitro and cart me out to the ambulance. I half expect the neighbors to be out, standing on their lawns in their pajamas and bathrobes, but it’s probably about two in the morning and the cul de sac is quiet. In the ambulance, they give me some more nitro for the chest pain. I’m still shaking, they don’t know why, but I’m beginning to relax.

At the hospital, my heart rate is only around 120. Why was I lightheaded and nauseous? Oh, that’s probably just a side effect of the medication. But since I’ve had episodes two nights in a row they decide to keep me for the day and overnight the next night. They have to move me from the emergency room, though, and most of the hospital is booked. I get an upgrade to a private room in Intensive Care. I think I may have the IC Unit to myself. They hook me up to the ECG and the blood pressure cuff and tuck me in.

Do I Hear an Echocardiogram?

It’s now Sunday afternoon. As I’m undergoing an echocardiogram, the cardiologist arrives. They have trouble getting a clear picture of my heart from every angle—something about my rib cage getting in the way—but one thing is clear: I have pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. Oh, and pericardial effusion, fluid in the pericardium. This in itself, I discover later, can cause arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation.

On Monday morning, the cardiologist stops by again. He wants me to wear a Holter monitor, a device about the size of a beeper that records the heart’s rhythms, for 30 days. In the meantime, I should also have a treadmill test. When that’s out of the way, I should see him in his office for a follow up appointment.

He prescribes Cardizem CD 180 mg once a day, plus an aspirin (81 mg once a day). I’m given my discharge papers.

DISCHARGE DIAGNOSES:

Atrial fibrillation in sinus rhythm.

Hypokalemia [low blood potassium], resolved.

Normal lipid status, except low HDL.

Borderline elevated blood sugar of 109.

Mitral valve prolapse [a heart valve defect], anterior mitral leaflet mild.

Small pericardiac effusion, probably due to pericarditis.

This post will be updated. There’s more to the story.

118 Comments, Comment or Ping

Lynn

Hi,
I wanted to respond to your story by telling you that my mom is in permanent AF and it is getting worse. She is 74 years old and I am very worried about her. She condition worsens at night or maybe just more noticable. It keeps her from sleeping night after night. The bounding is loud and frightening. She also has a mechanical valve that she hears clicking. She is on a beta blocker that doesn’t help much. I am very concerned. I would like to recommend a natural approach with herbs but I am not sure if she should stop taking the meds she is on. It is a very serious condition and I want to help her, not make things worse. I would appreciate your feedback. Thank you

May 27th, 2008
Robert Ellis

Thanks for your comment, Lynn.

I’m sorry to hear about your mother. I know how upsetting it can be to have episodes of AF, so I can only imagine how traumatic it must be to be in permanent AF.

I’d like to be helpful, but I’m hesitant to offer any specific advice. I don’t know anything about your mother’s general health and, at 74 years old, I think you need to be very cautious. I don’t know how having a mechanical valve might impact her condition, or if she is on other medications.

Do not stop the beta-blocker without getting your doctor’s approval. Abruptly stopping these kinds of drugs can be dangerous.

You might ask the doctor if it is safe for her to take magnesium. If so, I would begin taking Natural Vitality Natural Calm three times a day, with a larger dose an hour or so before bedtime (or she might try taking an epsom salt bath before bed). You might also try Hawthorne Herb Extract, but again, it’s very important to ask the doctor first as it may interact with the medication she is taking.

Unless she has blood sugar problems, I would also recommend that she eat her evening meal no later than 7 PM (sometimes eating too soon before bedtime, or eating too much food, can make AF worse at night). Relaxation and slow breathing can help. See my other general recommendations.

If you are interested in herbs, you might also consider taking her to an acupuncturist, or other practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. It might be helpful to make adjustments in her diet, as well, but the more I learn about nutrition, the more convinced I am that dietary choices must be matched to the individual. An acupuncturist should be able to help identify herbs and foods that match your mother’s constitution and condition.

I wish I could be more helpful. Please let us know if you find anything that does help.

I wish your mom the best.

May 27th, 2008
DW

Thanks for posting such a great site. It is comforting to know that I am not the first person to have to experience this.

Jul 7th, 2008
Sue White

I found the story above very interesting and look forward to hearing the rest of it.

I had AF, had an ablation last year and 17 months on looks like it has kind of worked. I do get palpitations still – missed beats, ectopic beats, sometimes really numerous in number. My arrythmia seems to be related to the amount of thyroxine I take.

I had a full blood test recently and the only thing that came back ‘abnormal’ was my magnesium levels – my doctor didn’t offer any info on it, as they are concentrating on thyroxine. How might your product help me please?

Kind regards..

Sep 3rd, 2008
Robert Ellis

Thanks for your comment, Sue.

If your magnesium level was low, I definitely think supplementing magnesium will help. Always check with your doctor first, but if he doesn’t object, I would recommend trying Natural Vitality Natural Calm. Because it’s a powder, it’s easy for you to experiment to find the right dose. Take two or three small doses daily, then increase until you have loose stools. When you start feeling better you can lower the dose.

Sep 3rd, 2008
Debbie

Hi,
I am glad I found your story because I just had my first episode in November. My blood pressure was high (165/99) in July when my family doctor wanted to put me on BP medication. I HATE being medicated so I tried the Atkin’s Diet and successfully brought down my blood pressure. But I lead a stressful life and I slowly neglected my diet and before long my BP was up again. Finally on November 6th I reluctantly called my doctor and told him to call in a prescription for me. He prescribed Bisoprolol/HCTZ. A week later (Nov. 13th) I rechecked my BP and it was STILL high so I called him back and he told me to double the dosage. A week after that (Nov. 20th) I was in the emergency room with atrial fibrillation where my BP medication was changed to cardizem (diltiazem) 60 mg 2x day and lowered my levoythyroxine from 150 mcg to 125 mcg and was told to take aspirin 320mg everyday for the rest of my life. A week and a half after that (Dec. 2nd) I was back in the emergency room with palpitations. Wore a holter monitor for 2 days (Dec. 2nd and 3rd) and then back in the emergency room on Dec. 5th with palpitations and a racing heartbeat/pulse. I called my family doctor and complained to him of my symptoms and he doubled my cardizem to 120 mg 2x day. Everyday thereafter, I suffered with daily palpitations and waking up around 1, 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning with a racing pulse. Finally I could not stand it any longer so I took myself off of all medication. I KNEW it was the cardiazem causing my palpitations. Before I went on BP medication I never had palpitations. Never had a problem with racing heartbeats at nighttime. My family doctor told me that the diurectic in the BP med and the high level of thyroid med in my system was a perfect storm for Afib. The diurectic zapped my body of potassium. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of communication between doctors who are treating you and so they just keep prescribing medicines without getting the whole picture. I am scheduled to see a cardiologist on Jan. 28th, 2009 to discuss the findings on my holter monitor. The receptionist called me to let me know what was found (atrial fibrillation, fluttering and a leaky valve) because I kept bugging them for that information. I could not wait until the end of Jan. My doctor told me the leaky valve was so minor I don’t need to worry about it that everyone has minor leakage and that I have no heart disease. I am 43 by the way. I feel so much better off of the meds. No more waking up to a racing heartbeat but I STILL have the palpitations even though they are way less than what they were before. I changed my diet to include tons more fresh fruit and veggies, started to exercise an hour a day on the treadmill and lost 10 pounds. I still have weight to lose but I feel I am on the right track. I supplement my diet with fish oil, flaxseed oil, vitamin D, Hawthorn berry for the heart and vitamin E. Still doing research about CoenzymeQ10 and an array of other heart heathy herbs and vitamins for the heart.
This has been a very scary ordeal for me and I have since been reading posts on various websites about people who have gone through the same thing and who have reacted poorly to medication. I have developed a little anxiety from this all and was put on Xanax and buspirone. I have taken myself off of those too. I still have them “just in case” but I really do not want to use them if I don’t have to. I am sorry you had to go through your episodes of a fib but it did help me to read about your story. The doc in the emergency room told me people with a fib can get a blood clot and die. I was a nervous wreck for a while there. I did not know that some people have been living with it for years and are still OK. So, thanks for posting. My only concern is why do I still have palpitations. I get my thyroid checked in less than 2 weeks to rule that out. By the way, my doctor knows I took myself off the meds. My BP has been fine. I bought a home monitor and check it at various times during the day.
Anyway, sorry this was so long but it was therapuetic for me and I hope it gives others peace knowing that going natural can be a great remedy to better health. But I do agree to do so while listening to your doctor. I knew my body was telling me that the meds were making me sicker. But I have become VERY aware of my body during this whole ordeal. Thanks for sharing your story! Sincerely, Debbie

Dec 24th, 2008
Robert Ellis

Hi Debbie,

Thanks very much for your comment. Interesting story. I’m glad to hear you are off your meds. Many people are too casual about taking medications and they often cause of host of unintended problems.

You’re taking some good supplements that should help, but I didn’t see anything in your comment about taking potassium and magnesium. Magnesium in particular seems to have helped me.

Also, I would strongly urge you to see an acupuncturist, if you can find a good one. I haven’t had time to write about my experiences here, but I have been so helped by acupuncture and Chinese herbs that I was inspired to become an acupuncturist. An acupuncturist will look at all of your symptoms and will treat you as a whole, unique person. You won’t have to worry about doctors who “keep prescribing medicines without getting the whole picture.” The combination of acupuncture and the right herbs can be very effective.

Keep paying attention to your body and best wishes for your continued health!

Dec 24th, 2008
Tennyson Lee

My father was diagnosed with afib about 7 years ago and received an SJM pacemaker that has their afib suppression algorithm.

http://www.sjmprofessional.com/EN-US/ProductLibrary/Documents/AFSuppressionFeatureFocus.pdf

He is anticoagulated with warfarin as a precaution, but his pacemaker (no AV node ablation done) keeps his heart in normal sinus rhythm about 95% of the time without any drugs.

Apr 27th, 2009
Sue White

Thank you for your advice and giving me a link to the magnesium.

I am just awaiting results of yet another blood test, when I mentioned to my Dr about the abnormal magnesium results last year, he couldn’t find them on his screen :( so hence why I asked for another blood test.

Just reading about how to use the magnesium supplement, until your bowels are loose – well that would be welcome as despite a huge amount of exercise and very healthy diet, full of fruit and vegetables and am pretty good at drinking lots of water, I am forever constipated.

Anyway, will await this test result (this Thursday) and will check out the link you gave me and let you know how I get on if I decide to take the magnesium (if still needed).

Thank you so much for your help.
Kind regards,
Sue White

Apr 28th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Thanks for the comment, Sue. Keep us posted.

Apr 28th, 2009
Moyra Obermeyer

Thanks for your story, I was diagnozed with AFib 2 years ago.What a shock. Usually have 1 or 2 episodes every month, but 3 weeks ago I experienced a really bad one. bp 169/117, and pulse 144. very anxious. Drove myself to hospital nearby, (spouse was watching a game.)Kept in overnight and medication, Diltiazem was upped to 480 mg. daily. Have been fine every since. Dr. also told me about immersing my face in cold water and pressing hard on the carotid artery(excuse spelling), whenever an episode occurs again to do before coming to Emerg., if it does not improve in 30 mins. then go to Emerg.Good health to everyone with this condition. My family and acquaintaces seem to feel this is of no consequence.

Jul 4th, 2009
Marie Mason

I have A Fib and just went through a bout last night that had me thinking I was going to die. It was different from all the other ones I have had. I have diagnosed Parox lone A Fib. I have it every night when sleeping, but last night it woke me up with everything rattling all over the place. Pulse high, then low, could not stop it. Finally with the vagal (yoga breathing) maneuver it slowed down. It feels like a lawn mower in my chest or like your car carburetor is gone… I was ready to call 911 but I kept holding off. Finally it kicked into normal sinus rhythm and I went back to bed. It lasted about 30 minutes. I slept about 1 hour more and it started again. I don’t know what I did to trigger such a violent attack? Also, it was the second worse one I have ever had. Was diagnosed in 2004. I have tried inderol, topral, ateneol, and stopped all of them. They wanted to put me on rythumol but I know what a dangerous drug that is. With the other drugs, I could not function and they did not seem to help. I cannot take blood thinners of any sort as I have a platelet problem. What to do??? I have been through all the tests and have diagnosed A Fib. I have been looking into ablation but am resistant to that as well due to my bleeding problem. I keep hoping they will come up with a new solution in the ablation field. It is difficult to know if it is a heart attack when it is so violent in nature as last night. I know some people have silent a fib, I do not… How do most of you feel when having an attack with the heart arrhythmia’s? Could you describe them to me??? I hope I am not alone with this type of violent response that wakes me up in the middle of the night?

I wanted to say, I would love to take the magnesium but it causes severe diah. for me…any suggestions about that? I have tried all kinds, including the magnesium Malate which is supposed to be the best for not giving you Diahreah, but it does the same. Any suggestions? I believe in the magnesium theory.

Thankyou all so much, your posts were so helpful this AM in reassuring me. Right now I am exhausted but in regular rhythm but I dread tonight….

Jul 4th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Moyra, don’t let anyone minimize your experience. Afib can be serious, but you can manage it if you’re willing to take responsibility for your own health. I was taking Diltiazem, too, but couldn’t handle the side effects. Check with your doctor before making any changes, but my recommendations may help you manage your afib without drugs.

Marie, my episodes also always came in the middle of the night, but usually lasted for several hours, often until the next morning.

I’ve never had a problem with magnesium, but you might try a chelated version or magnesium oil, which is absorbed through the skin and shouldn’t cause diarrhea. Be sure to get enough potassium, too. I recommend organic blackstrap molasses or coconut water, both very high in potassium. I take a spoonful or two of molasses daily. And see my recommendations for other helpful supplements.

If you can, see an acupuncturist and get some herbs. In addition to the dietary changes I made and the supplements I take, I think the herbs I took for several months had perhaps the biggest positive effect on my afib, but you need a formula specific to you.

Yoga exercises are also helpful, as you know. Don’t wait until you have an episode. Practice yoga, breathing exercises, and relaxation before you go to bed.

Jul 4th, 2009
Moyra Obermeyer

Marie, I have the same anxiety usually while I am trying to go to sleep. Afraid that I will die if I do sleep.Does’nt make for restful time.Try the cold water method, immersing your face in cold water and my emerg. doctor told me to press REALLY hard on the carotid artery for about 10 seconds. Robert I will try magnesium and eat more potassiom foods. I do watch diet. It is so heartwarming to know that others have the same predicament and know how you are feeling…………I thought I was alone………..good health to all…………Moyra

Jul 4th, 2009
Marie

Moyra, I don’t feel anxiety until it happens while I am deeply asleep. I am not sure hoe to do the carotid artery tecnique? Thankyou for your suggestions.

Robert, just woke up from a hour nap and it started again when I rolled over to my back….I am exhausted not understanding what I did to trigger it last night…..Actually my whole body is quivering like I used to get when I was hyper thyroid. The heart is doing more than quivering, it is shaking viiolently at times. My caridiologist sent me an email this morning to go to the ER if it happens again…I see him on Tuesday. However, I know the drill….drugs, drugs, drugs….I am resistant but don’t want to get a stroke or heart attack with this. As I said, I have a version of this every morning that wakes me up and I do the breathing vagal response and it will kick me into sinus rythum again. This time it took a long time to get back in.

Can anyone tell me how theirs feels in symptoms? I feel like a lawnmower is in my chest, and you can see the heart beating irregularly by just looking down. However, it is how it feels that takes your breath away…..and is scarey…

Where can I find Magnesium oil??? And by the way I read everything you have on this site and found it very helpful before I posted….thankyou all so much….looking into postassiom rich foods today…

Marie

Jul 4th, 2009
Moyra Obermeyer

Marie, just under your chin on the side of your neck you can feel your pulse, press on that with your index and middle finger really hard for 10 seconds, my doctor showed me how to do it. I’m in Afib all the time but manage it except for a couple of bad episodes from time to time.

Jul 5th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marie, when my afib was in full swing I would feel my heat leaping, flopping and hesitating in my chest. I would feel lightheaded and had trouble taking a deep breath. If you feel your radial pulse ( on your forearm near the base of your thumb), it will be very irregular, skipping beats or coming with several beats right after each other. I sometimes found it helpful to just hold my pulse, breathe, and try to get it to settle down.

I found it helpful to sleep on my right side. Sometimes turning over on my left side could trigger an episode.

I haven’t tried magnesium oil, so I don’t have a recommendation. But if you Google it, you’ll find lots of sources. If you try it, let us know if it worked for you.

A couple other things to consider: I take turmeric instead of aspirin. It has other benefits without the side effects of long term aspirin use. When I was having episodes, I would take Nattokinase. Also, whether or not you are technically anemic, it can be helpful to build your blood. Make sure you’re getting enough B vitamins, especially B12, and folic acid, as well as iron. Iron supplementation may or may not be right for you (you don’t want to get too much iron), but you can eat foods that build blood (raisins, prunes, wheat grass, kidney beans, apricots, etc.).

Jul 5th, 2009
Marie

Thank you so much for the response. I am better today, just had a slight attach this AM. It is so hard to be optimistic when it dictates my life so much. I am also worn out from sleep disruption every day… I will try the tumeric and look for the magnesium oil….. It also helps to read how people feel their A Fib…It is different in some people, so it helps me to know what there’s feels like…

Jul 5th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marie, be sure to ask your doctor about the turmeric. You don’t want to take both aspirin and turmeric.

Jul 5th, 2009
Kaj

I had two episodes of A fib. They were all due to drinking alcohol. The meds I’m taking are 50mg Simvastatin, 50mg Monoprolol 160mg Diovan 1000mg Niacin 50mg Serchaline for Anxiety. I can’t drink any Alcohol with my medicines or it triggers A fib. But after those two episodes, I can still feel a dull pain in my chest with a fullness feeling to it. It comes and goes. It’s more noticeable after I eat. I don’t take any vitamins except for the niacin. I do walk 3 miles three times a week now, but have stopped because it’s been getting hot out.

I just want to say I feel so sorry for the people here that have A fib every day. My God! I don’t know how you can deal with that. The first one scared the living out of me. The second one was just as bad but not as strong and both put me in the ER and an overnight stay. I don’t drink alcohol anymore because it scared the crap out of me even though the doctor told me one or two beers are ok… I drink non alcoholic beer. I like beer.
Oh I’m 46 years old and the Dr said I’m too young to be having these episodes. People don’t start getting A fib until they are over 60. The Cardiologist called my episodes “Holiday Heart” Funny, how I never had a problem until AFTER starting these meds.
.

Jul 9th, 2009
Marie

Hi KAJ
First of all your Doctors wrong in this sense about A Fib….I know of three people aged 27 yrs old, 47 years old, and 60 that have A B=Fib. True the stats show that it usually occurs in people over 65 they say, and in more women than men I believe, but there is a wide range in there.
I agree with Robert above about defeciences with magneisium and since I cannot tollerate the pills, I am sending for the manesium oil soon and will give it a shot. Forget calcium as it is really not good for the heart to take a supplement….I have read it time and again, and have experienced it as well.
I am starting an event monitor today for a month or so. That means when I get these in the middle of the night I press a button and it records an EKG. I asked for it the other day at the Doctors and he said yes. That will tell me exactlly how many a fib attacks I am getting and if they might be other arrythmias as well. I am very proactive and resisiting ablation. Bit it is soooooooooooo hard to go through this on a daily basis. I am exhausted in the AM. Mine is lone paroxsimal A FIB. What that means it is not constant. But it has gone on so long I had to call 911 and go to the ER…There is something about feeling this that is so difficult daily as you feel your going to die from it eventually….have to keep optimisitc, however it is hard when it is daily.
Yes, there are triggers for me….I don’t drink but anything caffenated like coffee, tea, diet sodas and choclate do me in and by moring I am off and running. I passed out last Friday night by the Air Conditioner. I came to right away, but as I was rattling along, I lost my breath and down I went…so dizzy…that scared me.

(Cardiologist called my episodes “Holiday Heart” Funny, how I never had a problem until AFTER starting these meds.)

What do you mean by the above statement? Does that mean that you never had A Fib before your

(50mg Simvastatin, 50mg Monoprolol 160mg Diovan 1000mg Niacin 50mg Serchaline for Anxiety.)

Not clear about that statement???

My A Fib came from hyperactive thyroid for years….

Feel better
Marie

Jul 9th, 2009
Marie

PS Did not check typos, please excuse everyone I was typing to fast!!!!

Jul 9th, 2009
Kaj

Cardiologist called my episodes “Holiday Heart” Funny, how I never had a problem until AFTER starting these meds.)

(What do you mean by the above statement? Does that mean that you never had A Fib before your .)

Yes Holiday Heart is a term used for Alcohol induced Afib. The Cardiologist explained to me that they get a huge flow of young people especially spring break people coming into the ER the next morning after a huge binge.

And yes I’ve never had Afib before. I’ve have it twice and both were induced by alcohol and the medicines I’m taking. If I was not taking the BP meds and cholesterol meds I would’ve never had Afib.

Jul 9th, 2009
Marie

Hmmmmmm. never read or heard of that! Thanks for the information, I will have to look that up…

Feel well and welcome….I just came on myself and these people are wonderful. We are here to share it all, it gives one the support they need and valuable information. Are you still on the meds???? Just minus the alcohol? How many events have you had in what period of time…was it just two events total??? I know alcohol is a trigger, but what about the HBP meds???

Jul 9th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Kaj, if you don’t like your medications, you might consider controlling your high cholesterol and high blood pressure with diet, herbs and supplements. This is actually fairly easy to do and a Google search will turn up a lot of helpful information. Work with your doctor to adjust your medication as you make some changes and see the results. Aside from the health benefits, you’ll avoid a plethora of undesirable side effects. This list is just for the first drug you mention, Simvastatin:

abdominal pain
constipation
URI symptoms
flatulence
diarrhea
asthenia
myalgia
elevated CK
elevated liver transaminases
myopathy
rhabdomyolysis
renal failure, acute
hepatotoxicity
pancreatitis
hypersensitivity rxns
anaphylaxis
angioedema
lupus erythematosus
polymyalgia rheumatica
dermatomyositis
vasculitis
thrombocytopenia
leukopenia
hemolytic anemia
photosensitivity
toxic epidermal necrolysis
erythema multiforme
Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Jul 10th, 2009
Moyra Obermeyer

I was supposed to have a colonoscopy 3 days ago but it was postponed to July 27th. Yesterday I was at clinic for my B12 shot and I told the nurse practioner that I was concerned about having to stop warfarin(coumadin) for the Afib for 7 days prior to the procedure(I take 4mg.daily).She said that I should not stop taking warfarin suddenly that I would have to have a couple of ’shots’ before, so I am going in next week to get them.My concern is that my doctor knew I was having a colonoscopy done and when I saw him 3 weeks ago, he did not say I had to have these ’shots’. Has anyone had to stop their warfarin suddenly, and what happened?

Jul 18th, 2009
Marie

This seems to be my favorite A Fib site Robert, thank you for it. I am here because for the last two days I have had severe attacks again of A Fib the last three days. I am wearing the event monitor so I press the button when it starts…It always starts about 4 AM about 3 hours into sleep. It was the violent shaking like a carburator missing in my chest. It rattles, I lose my breath, pressure in the chest, and this morning it came and went 9 times. I have only slept about 4 hours total in the last two days. Completely unable to function at all. My brain is fried from lack of sleep. Afraid to drive with that one. I have not received the Magnesium oil yet, but have tried to find it. No one has it, so I have sent for it on the net.
I asked my Docter about the Tumeric and he didn’t have any information on it. I wonder if I should get it or not??? By the way, I finally took a beta blocker (Inderol) this AM and all it did was slow the heart, but I still had that flip flopping and irregular beats in slow motion. I again recorded that, and I was still in and out of A Fib.
This disease is effecting my life dramatically and it is hard to sleep and funciton properly. I guess some people can sleep through it as their intensity of symptoms varies with everyone. Mine are violent shakings…..I am also getting tremors in the AM when it hits….and I feel tremors inside. I just called one of my Docs to get a lab slip to do my thyroid panel again. It may be the medication is making it more violent as I might be hyper….
I thank all of you for your input and hope I can help others as well, as this is quite frightening to go through all the time. The last two day have been particularly bad. Glad I have on the monitor.
Robert I cannot take the omegas or any oil base vitamin now…they go right through me.

Jul 18th, 2009
Marie

PS I have had A Fib since 2004 and it gets better for awhile and then comes back with a vengance….has anyone here considered ablation??? Also, do you know what triggers yours, or does it just come?? By the way, it is my understanding from the monitor company that A Fib hits all ages….

Hugs to all of you

Jul 18th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marie, try getting more foods with magnesium in your diet (see this link). Also, make sure you’re getting potassium. Get some organic blackstrap molasses and take a tablespoon morning and night. Drink coconut water, which is very high in potassium. You can buy this at your health food store (if you can find fresh young coconuts, even better). Try taking valerian (also at your health food store). Avoid ALL spicy, hot, or warming foods. Try to eat more cooling and blood building foods—grapes, beets, cucumbers, etc. Avoid all junk food, sugar, sodium, processed foods. Eat more greens. Drink lots of good quality water (not tap water, especially if it has fluoride in your city).

You might try soaking your feet in hot water and epsom salts, especially before bed (epsom salts have magnesium sulfate).

My strongest recommendation would be to find an acupuncturist who is also a good herbalist and nutritionist. Your case is more advanced and the pharmaceuticals you’re taking complicate your case. And you seem to have some other issues, such as your digestion, which may be related. A good acupuncturist can develop a treatment plan for your unique situation. Also, try to get some exercise, even if it’s only walking for 15 or 20 minutes every day.

As always, check with your doctor about any changes you make. You might ask your doctor to test for potassium and iron. You may be deficient. Ask him about the other supplements I recommend. He may not be familiar with them, but he should know (or be able to look up) if any of them are contraindicated for you. DO NOT take the turmeric if you are on any blood thinners.

I don’t know much about ablation. Personally, it doesn’t interest me. One of my doctors told me the odds of getting afib go up 1% a year after age 50, but I know lots of people in their 20’s who have afib or palpitations. I think the biggest factors are an unhealthy diet and lifestyle (lack of exercise, too much alcohol, etc.).

Let me know if any of this helps. Good luck!

Jul 18th, 2009
Marie

Would you happen to know a good acupuncturist in the Los Angeles area?? Or how would I find one that is really good. I had acupuncture in my 20’s and it did not do what it was supposed to do. I hate to just pick at random…..
And yes, I am trying to eat as much of the above as you suggested before. However, I have some food limitations… I havn’t gotten the black strap molasses yet, but will try again. I am just worn out and very depressed to have to go through this all the time. I guess most people here don’t have it as severe as I do on a daily basis? It is not occasional it is every day…some worse than the other. It is almost always at rest, and leaves me weak and struggling to have a normal life. The early morning after only 2 or so hours is the begining of hell….
Robert, did you start this site yourself???

thankyou for everything really…do you have it daily in the early morning like I do?? Just wondering….

Jul 18th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marie, I don’t know any acupuncturists in L.A., but you might start by calling one of the schools down there. You could contact Yo San University; they have a good reputation. You might even try their community clinic. Anyone you see there will be supervised by an experienced acupuncturist and it will also be less expensive.

Yes, I started the site myself. After finding a few simple things (like magnesium) that helped my afib tremendously, I thought it was important to make the information a bit easier to find.

With only two exceptions, all of my episodes came later in the evening, after about 7 PM or, most commonly, in the middle of the night (usually about 2 AM). I found that if I ate too late or too heavy at dinner, or slept on my left side, I was more likely to have an episode. I usually converted to normal sinus rhythm by morning. Before I knew what it was, I had episodes every month or so, then went to the emergency room two nights in a row. I had frequent episodes after that until I discovered magnesium and the other supplements I recommend, along with acupuncture and herbs. It took several months before I felt I could trust my heart again. I get occasional palpitations or ectopic (irregular) beats, but I haven’t had an episode now in about six months.

Jul 18th, 2009
Marie

Robert, how do they feel when you get into a fib attack??? Does it shake violently and feel like a lawn mower is in your chest? I ask because you said you could go back to sleep with it and it would be gone in the AM? How could you sleep with all that disruption??? I thankyou so much for the sugestions above, and most important I will get on that oil. My local health store called me tonight and she is going to start carrying it. She is going to ask the rep if they have any good stories about it reallly working through the skin…. I will do anything….tonight is another night…if I could just get through one without these violent outbursts. They are lasting longer and going in and out now. They never used to do that….

Marie

Jul 18th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Maria, when I’m having an episode, I sleep very fitfully. See this comment.

I have heard good things, but not tried the magnesium oil, so let me know how it works for you.

Jul 19th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

I suffer from lone atrial fibrillation which is triggered by preservatives, usually. My episodes are not frequent but nevertheless are still worrying when they occur. I have had success using the emotional freedom tapping technique (emofree on the web for details) and this lowers the anxiety. I focus on the heart’s electrical system and can usually regain a regular heartbeat after a few hours. This technique works for so many difficulties particularly those associated with stress. It is very useful at night when getting out of bed is not desirable. I combine this with slow breathing. My school students now use it to reduce exam stress and it really works. It is like tapping on the acupuncture points on your body. It also makes sense to me that being dehydrated and lacking magnesium and potassium would be a trigger as well. If drugs are inevitable then the tapping is a great support. Try it, especially those of you who suffer from a-fib permanently. Good luck.

Jul 23rd, 2009
Mike Levenston

Hi Robert,

Have you tried any of these herbal remedies advertised as pills that really work? e.g. Rillical, Flemeton, Atnofax or Fibratax. This site re commends the four.

http://www.atrialfibrillationproducts.com

When you go to the product page and look at the ingredients, they make no sense and also they talk about studies but don’t show any. No one’s name is every attached to the site and no other references to the products can be found using Google. Are these snake oil sellers or do the people who buy these products get the relief that is advertised?

Many thanks, Mike

Jul 24th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Mike, thanks for bringing these products to my attention. I have often thought about formulating a natural remedy for atrial fibrillation. I think it’s possible, but I’m skeptical about the products I’ve seen advertised on the internet. First, I’m skeptical about companies that claim their products have been tested in clinical trials, but provide no details about the testing.

When I have more time, I’ll look at the formulas. I took a quick look at the ingredients for Rillical (Ashwagandha, Liliaceae, Gum Benjamin, Ammonium Chloride and Myrobalan) and I have a hard time seeing how they would be a cure for afib. I have a hard time seeing how Gum Benjamin (tincture of benzoin), which is used for damaged skin and as an inhalant, would be of much benefit. Ammonium chloride is often used as an expectorant. Myrobalan is known as He Zi in Chinese medicine and is used mainly for the lungs and to stop diarrhea. It’s not the first herb I would think of for a heart formula.

Ashwagandha is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine and may actually have some benefit for afib. In fact, I would guess that most, if not all of the relevant benefit in Rillical would be due to the Ashwagandha, which is fairly inexpensive to buy by itself. Rillical sells for $80 for 100 pills. You can probably buy as much Ashwagandha for $10 or $15.

I can’t say for certain that these formulas have no benefit, but personally I would stay away from them.

Jul 24th, 2009
Marie

I am waiting for the magnesium oil I ordered. I will write a detailed report for those than cannot take it orally, like me. I imagine it will take awhile to know if it works or not. I have had A Fib every night several times during the night as of late. The kind I have just jolts me awake and it is hard to have on a daily basis. I know Robert has that angry type as well, but I know many people that hardly feel it. How I wish!!! I am anxious to try the magnesium….I get my event monitor off in two weeks. So far it has shown A Fib, Atrial Runs, and PAC. I only wear it at night as I do not feel anything in the daytime…..I wanted to comment about herbs, as my mother owned one of the first health stores in Los Angeles when I was growing up. Most people do not realize that herbs are DRUGS, so therefore they can innereact with medications you are already on. They are strong and you really need someone that is a herbalist to help you to choose the right ones. That is my opinion…as an example some of them are stimulants and that is the last thing you would want with heart arrythmias. I cannot drink green tea, regular ice tea, coffee, and the list goes on or I will have more attacks than I have….it is a real adjustment to foods and drink when you have a fib….

Jul 24th, 2009
Debbie

Hi again Everyone!
I found this site when I experienced my very first episode of A Fib back in November of 2008. You can read about my ordeal….I was the 6th comment from the top. Anyway, I just wanted to update you all on my status but first I want to say that my heart truly goes out to every single one of you. As a matter of fact, I have been keeping up with the new comments from Marie, Ann, Moyra and KAJ and I have cried as I read your stories because I KNOW how frightening it is firsthand! I KNOW how it completely disrupts your life. I KNOW what it is like to be utterly exhausted from lack of sleep and worry. And I KNOW the feeling of hopelessness! You guys are all in my prayers and I am glad we have been brought together to share our stories.
I have been feeling pretty good! I am STILL off of all medication except for my Levoythyroxine, which of course, I have to take. But this has been a long, long journey and through it all I have discovered many new things about my health. I still try to eat more fruits and veggies but my diet is not perfect. I still try to exercise but I no longer do it everyday. Thank you ROBERT for telling me about the magnesium….it truly was a life-saver. It helped me 95%. Back in December of 2008, I added the magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, Hawthorne tea, Valerian root (of which I cannot say enough of for relaxation), a multi, Coenzyme Q10, garlic, vitamin E, flaxseed oil, fish oil, calcium and a tea called BLOOD PRESSURE TEA from the health food store. At present, I do not take these things on a daily basis anymore but rather here and there when needed. I saw my cardiologist and he was very skeptical to believe my story about how the blood pressure meds caused all this to happen to me (again, refer to my original post at top). I was scheduled for a stress echo test in January but put it off until March because I was afraid he would find my heart still A Fibbing, fluttering and leaking like the holter monitor did back in December. If those things were found I KNEW he would want to medicate me. Finally, I got up the strength and went. My reading was perfect! No A Fib, no leaking, no fluttering…NOTHING! He was quite surprised and even admitted that it was very likely the BP meds that caused my heart arrythmias. However, I was so stressed out from getting up the guts to take this test that my BP reading was very high (white-coat hypertension). I told him it is pretty close to normal at home but he wasn’t so sure about that. I have been feeling good! Like I said, I lead a very stressful life and found that relaxation has been enormously helpful. I was meditating and deep-breathing for about 1/2 an hour every night. I no longer do that except for once in a while now. I still feel I should be doing that every night but it takes time and since I have been feeling better I have put it to the wayside. Typical, huh? But I will start again. I woke up yesterday morning (Monday), after a very restless sleep for the first time in a while. My heart was racing somewhat and my blood pressure was up a bit 157/90. Pulse was 90. I was sweating. It has been a little more than 6 months since I got my thyroid checked and since the last couple of years, it has been difficult to get it stabilized. My doc said it was because the levoythyroxine has a bad reputation for losing its potency faster than synthroid. Only problem is….is that I can’t tolerate the synthroid. So I try to go in every 6 months instead of every year. Knowing this prompted me to take my thyroid med and in as little as 15 minutes my symptoms were almost normal and I felt better. So, without a doubt in my mind, I know that my thyroid affects my blood pressure and heart beat. The weird thing is…is that I am hypothyroid and NOT hyperthyroid, so my heart beat is suppose to be sluggish but most of my symptoms are just the opposite of what I am suppose to have. For instance, I am suppose to be more on the cold side but I am ALWAYS hot. I sleep with a fan on 24/7 year round. Still looking into that! I found that sodas cause my palpitations as do certain foods. So I try to stay far away from those things. I do not have too much of a problem with palpitations like I used to. But when I do get the flutters every now and then…you can be sure they have my complete attention. They come and go really fast so I am not too frightened by them like I used to be. I try to drink calming herbal teas to relax myself because stress is a big trigger for me. My blood pressure has been pretty good for the most part. I monitor it a few times a week now. I was doing it everyday. I also wanted to mention that I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and THAT triggers palpitations.
Sorry for the long post again. I plan to keep up with you guys on this site and with Robert’s advice. I found the things he says to do are exactly the things I’ve read about in health books and such…..like plunging your feet in cold water and then hot and so forth. Thanks, Robert and to everyone for being so candid!

Jul 28th, 2009
Kaj

Thanks Robert for the research. And yes Marie I’m still on these meds.

It was partly my fault not taking care of my body and eating all the wrong foods. I went to the doctor because I was feeling light headed and had some sort of sinus infection so he took my blood pressure which was quite high. I think it was 190/112 and my cholesterol came back at 310. This is why I’m on these meds. My cholesterol is now 203 so that’s good and it’s taken me 2 years to get there. My blood pressure is now down to normal 120/75 unless of course I’m stressed. I haven’t had any episodes of A Fib except for the occasional quick flutter but that lasts only seconds. I think I’m doing ok now. I will look into the vitamins as well.

Oh and I’m drinking two beers once in awhile. Nothing more… Too scared to party.

Jul 29th, 2009
Marina

Dear Mr. Ellis,

I have some questions after reading some of the stories here.
(1) Where can I find Nattokinase?
(2) Are Breathing Vagal Response & Vagal (Yoga Breathing Maneuver) one & the same & how is done?
(3) If you can not tolerate anything sweet in your stomach should you take Blackstrap Molasses?

Marina ;)

Aug 2nd, 2009
Robert Ellis

Sorry for the delay… I’m taking finals in acupuncture school the next two weeks.

Marina, you should be able to find Nattokinase at your health food store.

As far as breathing goes, people may be referring to different things above, but any slow, rhythmic breathing will help. Count to four or five with each inhalation and each exhalation; it’s very calming.

Blackstrap molasses isn’t very sweet, but the only way to know if it’s a problem for you is to try a small amount. You can also try drinking coconut water, which is high in potassium and magnesium (be sure to get it without added sugar; it should be available from your health food store).

If you are having digestive problems, try juicing a white russet potato and mixing the juice with an equal amount of hot water. Drink it every morning on an empty stomach for a week or two, or until symptoms subside. Works wonders.

Aug 2nd, 2009
Marina

Good Morning! Mr. ellis, Thanks! For your reply. I’m going to try the russet potato juice. Yes! & ironically shortly after sending my ?’s I went to health food store (Vitamin Shoppe) & saw Nattokinase on the shelf. If I am Hypothyroid & can not have soy then would taking Nattokinase defeat the purpose? They say people with thyroid issues should be aware of soy products, etc. & not take them. I am going to check out the blackstrap molasses as well. I wanted to know what your thoughts were. I do the coconut water frequently but I buy the whole coconuts form the store. I don’t ever know which one’s will be sweeter but I do know they help. I have herpes so I have to be careful with sweet & sugar content. I keep at least 7 coconuts in my refrigerator regularly. I’m religious about reading labels so I stopped doing the container coconut juice s sometimes they have even without added sugar a lot of sugar as well. I wish they could make it without sugar like they make things without salt. A bit bland but I can get accustom to the taste if it means better health. Thank You! For your input & SUCCESS to you with your Acupuncture studies. ‘)

Aug 3rd, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marina, Nattokinase itself should contain very little soy, but check to make sure that any supplements you buy don’t contain added soy (see this). Turmeric is also good—I take it instead of baby aspirin—but don’t take both. As always, if you’re taking any medication for your thyroid problem, or any blood thinners, check with your doctor.

Whole coconuts are best (be sure to eat the meat inside after you drain the water), but you should be able to find coconut water without added sugar at your health food store. Or, you can order from Amazon:

Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water, 11.1-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12)

Aug 3rd, 2009
Eva

“I found it helpful to sleep on my right side. Sometimes turning over on my left side could trigger an episode.”

Wow: this was my first symtpom and it actually started about 5 years ago. I was complaining to my internist, who send me for a treadmill type test where the walking apparatus rises… the doc said I had the heart of a 20 yo.
All was normal in my last checkup April 2009. Then I visited my family for 3 months which is always crazy and chaotic and full of sadness who allow a nephew to suffer needlessly (I’ve been working on this for about 8 years, w/ a little success) …. Then in early July got involved in a clinical trial for vitamin D… the nurse said the heartbeat was off… My internest had 2 ekgs and yesterday started wayfarin and coumadine… Echocardiagram as soon as I can schedule it… Biggest risk factors she said is : age and the scarlet fever I had.

We’ll try to make sure the drugs are stable with blood tests, do the electrocardiogram, and then what next. My symptoms were not strong… or maybe I am not sensitive to my own body’s pains. I can still drink coffee.
I need to lose weight anyway, and I do feel scared… but obesity is not a factor my internist said.

Aug 5th, 2009
Tony Huang

I’m glad to have stumbled upon this website. I’ve been living with this atrial fibrillation thing for about 2 and a half years now. I’m 29 years old and one of the biggest problems I have is for doctors to take this seriously. Most doctors just shrug it off and say that I’m young so the chance of stroke is low. Honestly though, I would much rather have a more comprehensive answer.

I’ve been taking Diltiazem (or one of the other brands of that drug) for about one and a half years now. 240mg. It seems to work well in terms of reducing the impact of the fibrillation when AF is running through it’s full course. But I have also noticed that it slows down the heart rate during non-AF times. This gets to be a problem because it drops my resting heart rate from 60ish to nearly 50 at rest and I suspect lower when I’m right about to fall asleep. Your story of feeling anxious before going to bed definitely sounds familiar. I’m suspecting that low heart rate can potentially trigger AF. I feel like one of the reasons why the AF occurs for me is because my body lacks oxygen and so the brain sends signals to the heart to do something about it, but the heart is confused enough as it is.

Anyway, it’s been very frustrating dealing with this, and it’s a bit depressing that it seems to get progressively worse as the days go by. I’m about 137 pounds at 5ft 7in. Since this began I’ve stopped all caffeinated beverages. I’ve never drank alcohol, nor have I ever smoked so that was not a problem. But it really makes me wonder why.. and the doctors don’t really have an answer for me.

Aug 7th, 2009
Marie

Tony, I sympathize with your aprehension about the beta blockers and low heart rate. Of course, also the A Fib. I have had it since 2004. My story is posted somewhere here or at least part of it. I have taken beta blockers before and stopped them as my heart rate would go so low that it concerned me while asleep. Also, in the beginning I had rates over 100 when in A Fib. Mine is active at night, and jolts me out of sleep with this rolling and arrythmia while it is struggling to pump through the blood. I get clusters of them from about 4 AM on. I am exhausted….I have been to the ER a couple of times, but mostly ride them out.
I went back on the beta blocker recently and I still have them with a verrrrry low heart rate while asleep, which still wakes me up. The meds to not stop A Fib. Also, your Doctors lack of concern about stroke is somewhat valid due to your age and no caridovascular disease. They get more concerned when you are in A Fib for 24 to 48 hours, then they start some serious treatment. I am not a Doctor and am not giving advice, but I can only tell you that I would not go on coumadin, etc. or any other blood thinner at this time or even consider it!! I have no vascular disease at this moment so I am not at high risk they say.
I had mentioned that I was going to try the magnesium oil, but am going to have a cellular test first (sending in the kit monday) to see where the magnesium level is and then use the oil and redo the test in 6 weeks or so. Then I will know if I am absorbing it well.
I think all of the above suggestions by other posters, especially Robert are of terrific value. It sounds as though you have lone A Fib????
Hang in there….your input is important….
Marie

Aug 7th, 2009
Marie

PS To mention that magnesium is really supposed to help the arrythmias!!! I hope it does….

Aug 7th, 2009
Eva

Re: Would like response re Omega-3

I go to the Anticoagulation Clinic Monday. This is my second week of knowing I have AF. The first two days were very depressing; I grieved and waited to get blood tests.

My echocardiogram is scheduled in December. (Yes, Virginia, we need better health plans. A friend just returned from 2 years in France where he says the care is much better. )

I found a Mayo Clinic report that advises Omega-3… about 1 g a day. Will this interfere with wayfarin and betablocker.

Can anyone refer a good site explaining how beta blockers work?

Thanks,
Eva

Aug 7th, 2009
Marie

I found a Mayo Clinic report that advises Omega-3… about 1 g a day. Will this interfere with wayfarin and betablocker.

Can anyone refer a good site explaining how beta blockers work?

Hello Eva
I am linking you to a couple of sites that explain A Fib and the meds and how they work…..ignore the iformation on ablation that is on the site and look to the tabs on the left and read.

Also, it is most important not to take omega oil caps when you are on a blood thinner. They themselves cause your blood to thin…please check with your Doctor, but I know this to be a fact….I experienced it…you cannot mix them with warafin, or coumadin. However, I don’t think it will interfere with the beta blocker. I am on beta blockers on and off since 2004 for a fib….I take inderol or propanolol…i just take a small dose before I go to bed, as that is when my a fib hits so bad….and I just started it again recently…did not take them for years as they knocked me out. I am having more episodes frequently at the moment so I am back on them just once a day (night) until it quiets down…

I know how you feel, it is your heart, so therefore one gets sad and upset about it….we are here to support one another and share different modalities of treatments that have worked….

There is also another site that has a veritible fountain of information that I have belonged to for quite awhile. Please go there as well and educate yourself and realize it will not kill you, but there is the stroke danger for some with a high CHAD score. The choice of therapy depends on the risk stratification of the patient. The CHADS-2 scoring system is a commonly used method for risk stratification. In this system, C stands for congestive heart failure, H stands for hypertension, A stands for age of 75 years or older, D stands for diabetes mellitus, and S stands for stroke/TIA or systemic embolization. A prior history of stroke, TIA, or peripheral embolization is scored 2 points, and all others are scored 1 point. Both paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation carry a similar risk of thromboembolism, and the risk is also similar between antiarrhythmic drugs and rate-control drugs.

What are the indications and recommendations for anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation?

A patient with a CHADS-2 score of 0 (ie, absence of all of the above risk factors) can be safely treated with aspirin. Clopidogrel is an option in patients who are allergic to aspirin. A patient with a score of 3 or greater should undergo anticoagulation with warfarin (if it is not contraindicated). The decision in patients with CHADS-2 score of 1 or 2 is individualized and depends on the other risk factors and patient preference. In most studies, a prior history of stroke or TIA is the strongest independent predictive risk factor for embolization. A history of hypertension, as well as the severity of the hypertension, may also influence the risk of stroke. Female sex and coronary artery disease have been suggested as other factors associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation.11

There are many different types of A Fib…

I love this site, as Robert has some excellent things to suggest and is quite compassionate….

http://www.a-fib.com/

http://www.afibbers.org/toboards.htm

I hope this helps…if not just google beta blockers to get a complete explanation of how they work….

Feel better, I am going through the same but am not on blood thinners…that would be a last resort for me. I am a lone a fibber so it is different than a chronic a fibber and that means I have not been in it for 24 hours or more. However, I have it EVERY night and wake up with my heart all over the place. Some people feel it and some have silent a fib and don’t realize it until they have a physical…mine is not silent…

Don’t be afraid, this is something that has many different modalities of treatment….

-))

Aug 8th, 2009
Marie

HI AGAIN…sorry I have been so repitious of my story….Robert if you want to edit me go ahead. I just looked at the top of the page and have repeated my info many times about ME….just hope to share and help others…

Aug 9th, 2009
Tony Huang

Marie: I really appreciated your comments, so don’t feel like you’re not helping. :)

And yes, I do have lone AF. I’m hoping to keep it that way. It’s definitely getting worse though. The doctors did say that it rarely gets better, but rather, it’s more of stabilizing it. Mine started very very infrequently…once in February of 2007, another a month later, then another in January 2008, followed by 4 or so other times between that and May.. then nothing til January of 2009. Definitely, the months between January and May seem to be the worse months. I’m certain that this is due to heightened stress from work and more opportunities to get frustrated. (teaches 4th grade and that’s around when our state testing occurs in California)

The past 2 summers have gone by without me noticing the AF at all, which I was thankful for. However, this summer, I’m noticing the pre-AF feelings almost daily. I feel that annoying pressure around the chest area which sometimes causes dull pain. I’m pretty sure most of us with AF know what that feels like. It’s that feeling that you get when you know that if you are not careful, the AF could start. Sometimes there are skipped beats here and there and it’s very noticeable.

Lately, I’ve been getting more worried before going to sleep. My mind seems to be telling me that sleep is bad because I’m worried that the AF will start. I guess this is a self defeating mentality because AF is highly affected by our state of mind and if I keep worrying about it, it will most likely give it more chance to happen. I know I’ve had sleep apnea in the past, and that does not help the situation. I bet that when sleep apnea occurs, the heart starts beating faster to jolt my body to take in another breath. That definitely does not help with the AF situation.

A lot of this comes from my own experimentation. I believer the original author of this thread, (Robert, I believe?) mentioned somewhere that you kind of need to think of our bodies as our own personal lab. I fully agree with this. It’s a lot of trial and error to find out what works for our own bodies and what doesn’t.

Taking walks definitely helps. I’ve been doing it daily and sometimes more than that. I find that anything that makes my body have a constant, sustained rhythm is good. Sitting around too long is not good because it causes the heart to beat slowly. My suspicion is that the heart is having trouble remembering what a regular beat is. (Purely my own reasoning with no scientific proof.. but it gets me to get up and walk around a lot more when I’m home for the summers). Steady biking works too as long as I’m not doing anything that changes pace. I know that tennis did not work so well for me even though its the sport that I’ve always played in the past. There’s a lot of stop and go action and that creates more uneven heart beats. I guess I want my heart to remember what a regular, consistent pace is, so anything that forces the heart to have a constant and steady heart beats is good.

Another idea that I’ve been toying around with is taking some sort of breathing lesson. I feel like taking deep breaths and steady breaths help as well. Maybe I should try yoga and see if that helps. This is a recent idea so I haven’t tested it out that much yet. But thus far, it seems to have good results.

Aug 9th, 2009
Tony Huang

Ah! Sorry Marie, I just scrolled up and noticed that you did mention something about a yoga maneuver. :) So maybe it will be helpful to try it out.

Aug 9th, 2009
Amy

I just stumbled onto this wonderful Web site. I recently got a diagnosis and am trying to learn as much as possible. I’m taking a betablocker and coumadin, which we’re still trying to regulate. This can’t be too uncommon as our hospital has a “AntiCoag Clinic.”

.I wonder if vitamin D is a factor as Tony H. has AF worse in the darker months?

Also I know that premature babies are given dolls with regular heartbeats to help regulate the babies’ heartbeat. First, does anyone know of any such practice with AF? Since babies don’t have their mom’s regular beat, do persons with AF have less human contact? I know I have been alone for about 6 years and no longer sleep with that regular heartbeat next to me.

Thanks.

Aug 9th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

I notice that nobody has picked up on the ‘tapping” technique to rid ypurselves of your fear and anxiety over your A-fib. Half the problem is created by anxiety and stress and this is a sure fire way of eliminating it. You don’t even have to believe it for it to work! I have definitely brought my heartbeat back to normal usingthis method. Sometimes it takes an hour or two but it works. Check the labels on ALL the packaged food you buy. Remember that sulphites are a known trigger and they are in so many foods under different disguises. Any preservative numbered in the 200s is deadly for those with A-fib. Also, monosodium glutamate (and any of the 600s) is equally bad. Sometimes the preservative 200s are called flavour enhancers, so you need to be vigilant. I have found that cutting out wine helped. For those of you who enjoy wine, some companies produce lovely preservative free whites and reds. Hardy’s and Happs (Australian) are the best. Watch the dried fruits because they also have preservative 220 in them. Becoming dehydrated and over-heated can cause an episode so keep up the water. I developed A-fib about 10 years ago and by a process of elimination of some foods have managed to keep it under control. I do have occasional lapses when I miss a label but the things I have suggested have helped. Good luck everyone.

Aug 9th, 2009
Marie

I notice that nobody has picked up on the ‘tapping” technique to rid yourselves of your fear and anxiety over your A-fib. Half the problem is created by anxiety and stress and this is a sure fire way of eliminating it. You don’t even have to believe it for it to work! I have definitely brought my heartbeat back to normal uusing this method

Ann, why don’t you share with all of us what you mean by the tapping technique???? Are you talking about the vagal maneuvers, food, triggers, what???? A bit sarcastic to say that you notice no one has picked up on it!!! I have had A Fib for 9 years and there have been times I was free of it for a while. Only for it to come back as it can quiet down, but then come back with a vengeance. Yes, it is unnerving for people… I think everyone’s reactions are normal. You have lived with it for a while and know much more about it than those that are newly diagnosed. Everyone is trying to get more information, understanding, and find out what works for them. They are moving along at the pace they are able.

Thankyou for sharing your food information….to be concise to those that do not know there are definite triggers that effect the irregular beats. Most, are well known and I have found them to be so true….
1. Stress
2. Caffeine
3. Alcohol
4. Chocolate
4. Coffee and tea (including green tea, which is so full of antioxidants)
5. And believe it or not some people react negatively to exercise….

I was always athletic and also a professional dancer, and now as the years have gone by even a lot of walking kicks it in the day I do it….it hits in the middle of the night. That is a new one, just the last year or so. I also get out of breath easily when I wake up with early AM A Fib. So, we have to find out what OUR triggers are and hopefully reduce them. I am hoping the magnesium will help. If anyone is interested in testing their magnesium levels on a cellular level, and not the serum level (which is really not accurate) I would be happy to tell them more about it. Magnesium has helped many to reduce their A Fib. That is the first thing they give you when you have a heart attack is an IV of magnesium…Robert is right about it…..I have read so much. We all have a wee bit different symptoms and to me knowledge is power…to help ourselves and others….

Again, everyone keep coming back to this wonderful site that Robert created, to share his knowledge and to hear others as well.

Aug 9th, 2009
Marie

PS And yes, diet is really important…what we put in our mouths….appreciate your speaking about the preservatives, that is one I did not know…

Aug 9th, 2009
Amy

Well, I went to the anti-coagulation clinic today and discovered I have high cholesterol (201) and high sugar (110).

My INR is 1.2 so am to increase my coumadin to 7.5 (the yellow one).

I once lowered my cholesterol from 160 to 138 before surgery in 6 weeks by eating only seafood. I’m going to try eating tuna every day and give up the yolks of eggs which I love so much.

The coag specialist told me to start walking at least 5 blocks a day, and move it up another block every couple days.

He said exercise would probalby help me a lot.

A lot of changes… but all this makes me sad… and realize my mortality.

Aug 10th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

I had an episode of A-fib last night and in the morning I checked out something I had for dinner. Sure enough I missed the preservative 220 on the label of one of the ingredients. I am convinced that these preservatives, used also as flavour enhancers, especially in low fat and low salt products are the cause of many A-fib episodes. It is particularly evident in wine and just one sip can set it off.This means that I do not go out to dinner very often because I can’t trust the food or wine. However, I used the ‘tapping’ method I described in an earlier comment and managed to get the heart to beat normally. Is there anything worse than the horrible feeling when the irregular beat is happening? This method is great for weight loss, sugar cravings, headaches and any other problems that are caused by stress particularly. There are some demonstrations for the sugar cravings on youtube which you can do along with the practitioner and this is really helpful. Does anyone know if too much sugar is a trigger for A-fib? Good luck to you all in finding what works for you. I am going to try the magnesium because it makes sense that at my age (68) I would have a deficiency.

Aug 12th, 2009
Marina

Dear Miss Wyatt…Regarding sugar being a trigger for A-Fib, I can tell you from my personal experience yes. Too much of it can trigger an episode. You know how children bounce off the walls when they have too much sweets well adults with A-Fib can react perhaps not the same way as children but their heart will react so be aware. It will also trigger a Herpes breakout which will make an A-Fib episode even more violent at the onset of the breakout. Much Success to you with the Magnesium. ;)

Aug 14th, 2009
Marie

Robert, are you around??? Havn’t seen you here for awhile…miss your input….

Aug 14th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Yes, I’m around. Thanks for asking!

I just took my last exam for the trimester today. I’m now finished with my first year of acupuncture college. Only two more to go…

Aug 15th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Hi everyone. I have been taking magnesium orotate for a week now and I can’t believe the difference it has made! I wish I had found it long ago. I feel as though I have more energy and although this sounds strange, my heart feels stronger, as if it is supported. I don’t have heart disease but the threat of AF is always with me. I haven’t had a sign of AF. It is early days but I am confident that the magnesium is going to make a big difference. I am still going to avoid those horrendous sulphites which are in just about everything you buy these days. There is a great little book called The Chemical Maze which is Australian and available at health food shops here. It will give every additive and its number as well as the possible side effects and products which contain each one. It is amazing how many bring on heart palpitations. It’s a book worth buying and a great guide as to what to avoid.

Sep 8th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Ann, I’m glad the magnesium is working for you. The book you recommend sounds interesting. I think it is published in the U.S. as What’s In Your Food?: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Thanks for the tip!

Sep 8th, 2009
Clare

Hi everyone,
I just had my first official AFib. My heart was racing so hard that it scared me enough to call 911. Usually I just stick it out. I felt really badly, so I took my blood pressure, and my machine also has a heart rate reading which was 133. That was enough to convince me to call 911.

I encountered the usual allopathic medical community insanity in the ER. I knew absolutely nothing about the heart, but I knew enough about doctors to refuse everything they suggested (three vials of something intraveneously and a shot in the abdomen). I converted by myself, thank God. I stayed overnight because they wanted to run tests, but by 24 hours later they had only done an echocardiogram, so I checked myself out. I have made appointments with a cardiologist and also an endocrinologist.

Here’s my backstory. I have been feeling ill for about 3 months. Since I was diagnosed in 1993 with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CMV, EBV, HHV-6, candida and hypothyroidism with 5 separate diagnoses of Lyme), I thought I was in relapse. I have been eating nothing but organic food, no grains (I’m thinking maybe candida again…but have also been recently told that I’m gluten intolerant, but haven’t been tested yet for celiac), no dairy, tons of alkaline water daily, magnesium, Vit C, B’s, CoQ10, Turmeric, a probiotic, a prebiotic, EFA’s, Nattokinase and E for about two months or so. And THEN I have the A Fib!! I don’t get why.

I have been reading all I can so that I am fully armed, and am shocked at how many people have recurring AFib but don’t do much about it. I was told that the blood can now pool causing clots and therefore a stroke. My mom and her mom both died of strokes, so I don’t want that! I am 63 years old, by the way, and female.

Also in the backstory: I started having palpitations in 2000, wound up in an emergency room after three days of arrythmia, but they concluded “nothing wrong”. I shouldn’t have listened of course.

I am chronically dehydrated despite drinking about 70 oz of water a day. I think I have adrenal failure (I had a hormone test done myself which revealed low testosterone, cortisol, and estradiol. I told every doctor I went to and no one even responded!!) I am hypothyroid and can’t find a doctor to accurately monitor me. I keep getting TSH readings of 0.00.

I’m not sure it hasn’t been the stress of figuring out what’s wrong that contributed to the AFib. I have been taking magnesium (Calm) for two months and my blood pressure has plummeted 20-30 points, so I stopped taking my small dosage of Atacand (which I stalled taking for years). I think my blood pressure is now too low. I have also had diarrhea for months, maybe as much as 5 months. Had it before the magnesium.

I was confused enough to begin with, but now with heart issues I am very sad and scared and worried. I hate that I will never know how this all started! I am a firm believer in non-mainstream treatment. I totally resent that my insurance covers only pharmaceutical based tests and treatment.

Tomorrow I intend to buy some Hawthorne Berry. I’m a little reticent to try the molasses since I am intolerant of sugars (naturapath told me) and I have already been taking turmeric, although not consistently. I also hestitate on the coconut water because I am type 0, and coconut is an avoid on the Eat Right 4 Your Blood type diet. But that diet might have been what started this messy relapse in the first place. Oy!

That’s my story!
Clare

Sep 13th, 2009
Marie

Hi Claire and everyone
I have been off the site for awhile due to such an accute phase. I had the monitor on for 4 weeks and it said A Fib again, but only at night,,,
Robert, I did the cellular test and found that I was not so low on Magnesium just a point or so….but I started the magnesium oil…I could not take it for long as it made my skin break out….I tried mixing it with aloe oil and that did no good. My comment on the magnesium oil is you have to take so much to get the beeifits of it….it is to much to take. Also, it is very expensive, so I went through it very quickly. I don’t recoment it unfortunately they don’t have it down yet. I wish they did.
I bought the calm Robert, but have not started it yet due to my IBS….
My A Fib has slowed down a bit, and I can sleep pretty much. But I feel very slow, out of breath, and weak. I am looking forward to the Winter months, as I am more energized. The heat kills me as I have no thyroid, therefore no thermostat in my body. I went out of town due to the fires and it was very humid where I went. I could breath but got heat stroke due to the extreme humidity. That was the first time….
If anyone wants facts on thyroid I can help them with it…I know a lot about it and its effects on heart function. When taking thyroid tests don’t just settle for the TSH be sure they do FT4 and FT3 along with it. This shows how you are or not utilizing the thyroxin being put out….

Hello Robert….missed you!!!
Marie

Sep 13th, 2009
Marina

Hi! To Everyone on this site & Big Ups To Mr. Ellis for running & sharing his information & allowing others to share as well… Blessings! To each & everyone one of you.

Ok! I haven’t written in a while as I was out of the country for 3 weeks in mostly Eastern European countries doing what I Truly Love & that is playing music & entertaining. The reason why I’m telling you this is because I was in ER 3 times in 3 months for A Fib. Which you all now can be costly when you don’t have medical insurance & if the A Fib episodes don’t get you the hospital bills surely will. This is my livelihood & I was frantic I would not be able to do this 3 week tour & what would happen to my living & life situation. How will I survive, my daughter lives with me & she’s not working right now & I was going to be homeless & the panic continued & now I was suffering form high anxiety. Do you feel me? Can you relate? I WISH I had the answer, the cure all & cure forever so we don’t have to suffer with this difficult & challenging condition which seems to have even the most astute & rocket scientist doctors scratching their heads. There’s no Rhyme or reason with this condition. I can tell you for some especially athlete’s it seems they go into A Fib when exercising & for me when I get on stage & play my percussion (congas, bongos, etc.) if I’m in A FIb it stops oftentimes. Go figure. I thought perhaps it was because of the repetitive motion of hitting my drums with my hands that perhaps was causing the A Fib or was the culprit. That’s still a possibility because someone told me they knew a man who use to lay carpeting & the thought was he developed A Fib from the constant motion of hitting the tool that lays the carpet down. He is still alive & has been living with A Fib for 30 years or more. I have a friend who was an athlete back in his day. He discovered he had A Fib 20 something odd years ago & he’s been taking 200 mg of Verapamil everyday since & has had no episodes. A flutter every now & then & he drinks beer & some alcohol from time to time. Go figure. It’s different things for different people & there seems to be several kinds of A Fib. Vagal A Fib, Paroxsysmal A fib, people that stay in A Fib for life, etc., etc. I’m no authority by any stretch of the imagination but I can tell you we all seem to have a similar common denominator & that is we have a Heart that runs its own marathon. That’s the best way I can put it at least for myself it becomes less intense when I talk about my heart in front of it in a funny way. I treat it as though I’m dealing with a totally different being. I talk to him/her as a separate entity from myself. It’s like when you’re in a relationship & you’re having a problem with you’re significant other & you want desperately to work things out & you know the best way is communication. Sounds crazy & nutty to some but I know part of the reason I suffer with A Fib is emotional. I had a lot of loss in my life, dysfunctional issues growing up & a broken heart. So I talk to my heart along with being pro-active with the physical aspect of A Fib. I have as of late paid attention to the fact that after I eat the gases build up in my stomach & digestive tract & that seems to cause A Fib flutters & episodes. It’s all one body. Why wouldn’t the things we experience emotionally have an effect on the physical part of our bodies. Never have understood how some people don’t see that but I believe it & always have. The days are not as weary for me as is the night. For some reason when the darkness comes my heart is on time with going in to A Fib. So I’m working on my nights more that my days right now because nothing is etched in stone with A Fib. A Fib has a sense of humor & play tricks. My heart likes to come out & play at night. Fortunately I am a musician so I can cope a little better. For those of you who go to bed early at night & are really looking to get a good nights rest which by the way is imperative for ALL A Fibers it can be a real challenge & disheartening to the point of tears & depression. I’m with you on every aspect of A Fib & I pray that we can together figure out something on Western Medicine, Homeopathic, Alternative, Organic levels whichever works for the individual until we figure out the cause. For without the cause it’s most difficult to treat &/or come up with a cure. Im someone who does not like to take a pill for the rest of my life to survive. I want to do it naturally so I don’t have to live with it at all but until I along with a doctor who believes in that too I have to do what I have to do because I suffer with it everyday now & it’s annoying, disturbing & definitely takes away from my quality of life. It’s work. Hard work to maintain a balance when you find one for awhile. It would be nice to find balance for life. I’m hopeful & prayerful. I’ll be writing again as I have so much I want to express. I’m learning so much from everyone on here & I share their experiences. We’re not alone. We are a society unto ourselves. We are a group unlike many others who have hearts that beat to a different drummer. No I don’t take this lightly. Please! Don’t misunderstand. I just want to LIVE & not let it take over my life because that would be dangerous for me. I want to help any way I can. Sending Love to everybody.

Marina ;)

Sep 18th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Hi Marina. I was interested in your comment that you talk to your heart. I know it sounds a bit weird, but I did that last night when I felt a little interruption in my heart beat. Because the brain is responsible for sending the electrical impulses to the heart to regulate the heartbeat, I told it to correct the heart’s electrical system and return it to a regular, steady beat. I then began to tap on my chest, over my heart, in a steady rhythm while concentrating on almost hypnotising the brain into correcting the impulse. You try everything rather than have an episode. Call it odd, but who cares? Within a couple of minutes, my heart corrected itself and it was good again. I have no idea why this worked but it did. I remembered to thank my brain and my heart. No, I’m not taking any ‘funny’ medicine. Also, I am having great success with magnesium orotate, which is making me feel so much better in myself as well as making my heart feel stronger and supported. Good luck!

Ann

Sep 19th, 2009
Marina

Hi! Miss Wyatt,

No! I don’t think it’s weird at all but to others it may seem absurd. I believe anything is possible & inside this body is a spirit that keeps it running & alive as well. It’s nice to know someone else in this great big universe has the same thought. Two minds with one thought I always said. I tell close friends we were born in separate wombs together. ;) Seriously, I tap on my heart, my heart meridian which I discovered from someone on a site & bought a laser pointer with the red light & also shine it on my heart meridian which is on your pinky but you will have to Google it for preciseness if you should be inclined to try that sometime. I have discovered that nothing works all the time but I can do it & then do something else then go back to something. I rotate my options so to speak. I believe I read your posts about the Magnesium Orotate last week when I was out of the country. I’m going to but some tomorrow & start taking it. I will keep you posted with my success in using it as I feel certain it will help. Thank You! & Much Success to you as well.

Marina

Sep 19th, 2009
rosemary

This is a good day for me. :) After having a pesky afib session last night, it’s a comfort to find this website.

When an episode kicks in, I feel like such a nuisance – should I go to the ER, or should I not go, is this episode different, etc. It’s good to find others who can understand how miserable afib feels and how indecisive you can be about making that trip.

Thank you for the sharing of information and experiences.

rosemary

Sep 20th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Hi Marina.

Thank you for your courtesy but I would like you to call me Ann. I am Mrs, by the way, but having been a teacher for 47 years, a mum for 45 and a nana for 19 so far, I hardly get to see or hear my name. Everyone on this site is so friendly and it is great to find people who are like-minded. The site you are referring to for the tapping might be Emotional Freedom Technique. I find this technique wonderful for alleviating anxiety and stress which often make the episodes scarier.

Rosemary,
I really recommend the tapping site to you also because you appear to suffer anxiety around your episodes as well. Have you tried magnesium orotate? As you will have read previously, it has made a great deal of difference to me. Have you also checked out any preservatives which are in food you have eaten? Be wary of the additives, 200s and 600s. They are sometimes listed as flavour enhancers and are horrendous, especially if they are in wine. It can be difficult to find preservative free wine but if you enjoy an occasional glass then look for this one. Good luck.

Ann

Sep 20th, 2009
Di

Greetings all,

My name is Dianne, but a lot of people call me Di, and the little ones call me Di Di. I live in Southern Idaho, and am a pastor’s wife. My husband has been suffering with A-Fib and has a blot clot in his leg, and is under allopathic treatment with blood thinner, water pill, potassium, calcium channel blocker, etc. etc. You know the routine! Anyway this week, in three or four days he will have his heart shocked back into sinus rhythm. He’s overweight, sedentary because of his vocation, and not too athletic. He had bought a nice treadmill early this year and was faithfully using it, but was called away because of family illness and then a death in the family. He had to make quite a few trips, and drove straight through, 700 miles one way. Sorry guys, but I believe they are more “get n go” kind of guys, and I believe it caused his blood clot and atrial fribrillation from all the stress of the situation. His stepmother of 41 years died, after he spent a month there taking her for all her treatments, and his dad had two hip replacement surgeries and now he can barely walk because of what they call “dropped feet syndrome” caused by the surgery! Anyway, obviously there was a lot of stress involved.

Three years ago, my husband had the A-Fib and because at the time we had great insurance, but now since dropped by our denomination because of the horrendous costs, he was sent to a larger city to a heart institute where they saw him coming and did every conceivable test, and then at the end said no blockages, etc. etc. but ended up doing the same thing that he will have done in our ER here, which will be out of pocket but thankfully the doctor will try to skip all the unnecessary tests, etc.

I do have A-Fib once in a while myself, but I am a nervous person, also am hypo-thyroid and I attribute a lot of my issues with that. ANYWAY, to make a very long story even longer….sorry, I am very much into the alternative health, don’t believe in using drugs of any sort unless absolutely necessary and only for a short period of time. I take handfuls of supplements daily, research daily and get many email newsletters from doctors. The reason I am on here today is because one of the newsletters that I received yesterday was referring to a book that this doctor had just written on all heart issues, and there were a few teaser articles, (I almost paid for and downloaded the e-book, until I saw one such article referring to L-Taurine for A-Fib.) My middle name should be Google as it has become such a part of my daily life! So, I googled L-Taurine for A-Fib, and one of the sites that came up was THIS ONE! God’s timing is “perfect” and I am so thankful that this is a current one still going with opportunity to post in real time! Reading through some of your posts have been enlightening to put it lightly, and I actually am less stressed about the A-Fib knowing all the differently issues that you and others have struggled with.

Well, I will close for now, but wanted to say hi to everyone, and thanks for starting this site.

I will definitely get back and see how everyone is doing and what new ideas and therapies you have found. The EFT (tapping is something that I’ve read a lot about, and have downloaded an instruction manual on it, recieve periodic emails from Gary somebody or other who is a guru in it) AND if you google or just go to YouTube and type in tapping or EFT there are a lot of instructions on it there.

Blessings to all today.
Di

Sep 21st, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Hello Di.

Welcome to the site. I am glad you have found the EFT webpage. Gary Craig is indeed very knowledgeable and has the utmost integrity when sharing his technique. There are many practitioners now who are helping people all over the world and I encourage you to look for one near you. I am confident that he/she will be able to help you and your husband cope with all the stress you have suffered. We have a number of practitioners in Australia and the word is spreading. I am fortunate to have a teacher of EFT available nearby whenever I need a refresher course or an update.I use EFT all the time with my family and school students and have had wonderful results. One of my students in his final year was able to control his dyslexia using EFT because of the fact that he eliminated the stress surrounding his condition. He did very well and continues to use it at University. With your permission I will put you and your husband in my healing circle.

Ann

Sep 21st, 2009
Robert Ellis

I’m happy to see so many comments on the blog! I’ve been so busy lately, attending acupuncture college and a medical qigong program, that I’ve had no time for anything else.

It seems like there’s a small community of people forming around this site. I’d like to make it easier for you to support each other, so I’ve created a forum. It doesn’t look like much now, but when I find some time, I’ll fix it up to match the site. Please feel free to post comments, questions, recommendations, and personal stories in the Living With Atrial Fibrillation Community.

Thanks everyone for your comments and for being so supportive of each other!

Sep 21st, 2009
Di

Thanks for the note Ann, and good to hear from you Robert. Where are you taking your schooling? Do we have to re-register on the new forum? My husband goes in at noon on Thursday for his cardioversion or whatever they call it….shocking story! I’ll let you all know how it turned out. I hope the doc will get him off all the meds so he can go back to taking the good stuff. Am also going to add the L-Taurine and magnesium citrate in the powdered form. I’m glad I found this site. Have a good evening all.
Di

Sep 21st, 2009
Robert Ellis

Di, the forum is open to everyone, but you will need to register to post.

I’m attending Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College. I’ve just finished my first year. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be a licensed acupuncturist sometime in early 2012.

Good luck to your husband!

Sep 21st, 2009
Di

Thanks Robert. My niece and her family are living in Berkley. They moved from Santa Fe, NM where he owned and ran a Japanese restaurant. I certainly wish you well in your training. I wish we were closer to the bigger cities, but I guess that’s why I am so proactive with our health. Thanks for the good wishes for my husband. He is a little apprehensive, but I’m sure it will be a relief to be back in rhythm. When I get time I will certainly register and use the new forum. Thanks.
Di

Sep 21st, 2009
john callaghan

have had AF for 7 years.. Comes on at night. Tried most of above recommendations and agree, especially about potassium, but have found that naturally reducing blood pressure stops attacks. Use lecithin 3 times a day to keep BP around 125/70. Have only been doing this for 3 months and the last time I awoke with AF, half a sotalol tablet had my BP down to 110/70 and heart reverted to sinus rhythm in under an hour. Have had no AF since.
Current research says the relation between BP and AF is a J curve – too low is as bad as too high

Sep 22nd, 2009
PAM hALEY

I have had lone paroxmyl afib for 20 years…sometimes violent episodes. Started taking taurine and it’s made an incredible difference. Has given me my life back. Still have them but mild and infrequently.

Oct 1st, 2009
Marie

Hi everyone, havn’t been on for awhile and miss you all…Robert how is school??? I have been having frequent A Fib again the last month. I live in California..Los Angeles…and had to flee the horrible Station Fire….I could not breath. The ash was in my pool, my house, and I could not see anything but black sky….one Saturday, I was on my computer and breathing was difficult, I looked out the window and saw this huge explosion of fire and smoke. It look like an atominc bomb…had a huge mushroom cloud….within a half hour the sky was dark….I called a hotel down in San Diego, packed my bag and off I went for a week…when I came back, it was a little better and tolerable. My A Fib went crazy with that experience, but I am now down to every AM but not as bad…..Thank God for the vagal maneuver, it really helps me so much. I can get it usually under control with this breathing teccnique within 15 min or so….what a horrible thing to suffer from and it is kind of different for everyone. I find I am always worse in the summer with the heat…. So, this AM the fall was here and it was chilly. I did not wake up with any A Fib….I watch what I eat and do not under any circumstances use any caffeen or alcohol…..
Pam, thanks for the Turene suggestion….how much do you take a day??? I will also google it….

Warm wishes to all of you

Oct 2nd, 2009
Marie

Oh dear, forgot spell check…or to re read my post…EXCUSE!!!

Oct 2nd, 2009
gail crouse

I have started with the heart palpatations, and started a bata blocker, going to have the stress test and echo. I am so afraid i am going to die. Can anyone help ease my fears… please?

Oct 5th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Gail, please read the post on Recommendations and try everything until you start feeling better. There’s a very good chance you can manage your afib on your own if you take responsibility for your diet and lifestyle, and begin taking supplements to support your heart. If you can, see an acupuncturist that also works with herbs. It’s a tremendous help.

Marie, glad to hear you survived the fires. I’ve been swamped with acupuncture school, which is why I show up here very infrequently. I’m in my second year, which I’m told is the hardest.

Oct 5th, 2009
Marina

Dear Gail,

Im running out to do errands but I read your post in my e-mail, my heart went out to you & I just want to say briefly. Please! Read all these stories on this site & may be it will give you some comfort in knowing that many of us have or had the same fear on a regular basis but there’s a remedy & unfortunately since Modern Science & Doctors do not know what causes A Fib (at least most kinds of A Fib) you will have to through your own process (which doesn’t hurt in addition to the Western Medicine approach you are undertaking) experiment with foods, supplements, etc. to see what works. It can be most frustrating, depressing & debilitating to your everyday life but you “CAN DO IT” & you won’t die. It’s WORK. I ain’t gonna’ lie my sister, but you have to hone in on all the information you find, stumble upon & call in the Universe to assist you. Work everything you know & ALL you’ve got in addition to whatever your doing now & supplements, herbs & diet. Tap in to your Zen info, Buddha, God, Jesus whoever & whatever you believe in because you are stronger than you know. We A Fibers have a HEART that BEATS to a Different Drummer & runs it’s own Marathon & I can’t stress that enough. Doesn’t sound comforting but that makes us unique. Please! Don’t let depression get the Best of you, which is another thing that occurs with this condition. You have to talk to yourself & regularly. You have to work all the positivity & spirituality in addition to the medications, doctors appointments, medical tests & everything else. Don’t let it get the Best of you. I think there’s a reason why they call it Living With Atrial Fibrillation. A lot of people live long & full lives. There are people who stay in A Fibb all their lives. Google any questions you may have on A Fib & draw & do what you intuitively feel works for you. Women have Good intuition. We have to tap into it & make it work for us. Listen to that voice. Don’t give up Girlfriend! We’re all here with/for you. PEACE!

Oct 5th, 2009
Marina

Good Morning Everyone!

I’m addressing different individuals based on their post & info.

Hi! MARIE,
Can you explain how the VAGAL MANEUVER is done, Please! Much appreciated.

Hi! ANN,
I read your post (9/20) & I will call you Ann from here on out. ;) I found Gary Craig’s EFT site. Thank You! By the way. I downloaded the Free manual. I also ordered the Magnesium Orotate. I live in Los Angeles & I searched high & low in the local health food stores here & no one carried it so I ordered it online & it seems it is backordered. They said due to an unusually high demand it has not been sent by the manufacturers to the site that would ship it & estimated stock time would be 30 days. I thought that was interesting. So I’m ok to wait as I already paid for it & by our recommendation am looking forward to taking it. The company that was recommended by Whole Foods Market here in LA said KAL Magnesium Orotate was the Best Seller. I was admitted into the hospital for 4 days back in August not to mention I went to ER in June & July which can be extremely costly here in the US particularly if you do not have medical insurance. I spent 4 days being loaded up on Sotilol & given shots in my stomach of Coumadin which left me with ugly black & purple bruises across my abdomen. Sexy! Eh? ;D I’ve been prescribed 4 or 5 different meds & not of them have worked. Cardizem, Metoprolol, Propafenone, Sotilol & now I’m taking a new med called MULTAQ (Dronedarone) it was developed in France by Sanofi Aventis.

MULTAQ is a prescription medicine used to lower the chance that you would need to go into the hospital for heart problems. It is meant for people who have had an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in the last six months but who do not have that abnormal rhythm now or are about to be converted to a normal rhythm. It may be safely used for people who have had atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter who also have medical problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, or diabetes.

I’ve been taking it for about a month & 1/2 & it has lowered my chances of going to ER but I’m still fibrillating & my cardiologist has reached his the limit of what he knows can do so now he recommended I see an ElectroPhysiologist to see about an Ablation Procedure. I’m not feeling that especially since I don’t know that there is a guarantee I will not have A Fib which is what my Doctor thinks the procedure will eliminate & he said I wouldn’t have to take meds anymore. Sounds good but I must look into it further. I have Paroxsysmal A Fib which no known or unknown cause. The nurse at the clinic I go to says I am an “Enigma” & apparently I’m beginning to believe that because my cardiologist (who I love by the way) sat on my bed in the hospital, looked into my eyes & apologized – He said, “I’m sorry but my medication failed you” which I thought was really honest & I appreciated him for that. I’m still Fibrillating & Fluttering throughout the day & @ night I have episodes. Seems like after I eat something on the way down it causes me to flutter & even go into episodes but I’m working with it & not letting it upset my life. I take vitamins & a liquid B-12 by Nature’s Answer with Quick Sorb 2 oz. about $24. Pricey but I do what I can when I can & I take if because I tend to get tired easily because of A Fib & how often I have it. Anyone have any suggestions or info Please! Feel free to render as I’m open & welcome. God Bless! Us A Fiberrs…. ;)

Oct 6th, 2009
Marie

Yes, Marina hello!!! So many good posts here….

The maneuver I use to kick me into normal sinus rhythm is a yoga breathing exercise. This morning at 4 AM I was all over the place, I do it without really disturbing myself to much. Some times the A Fib comes with violent heart beats, and sometimes I lose my breath (while being asleep) and I am jolted awake….

What I do is repeated simple yoga breathing exercise. I take a slow deep breath (while I am still in bed) through my nostrils and keep my mouth closed. When I breath deeply I expand my diaphragm more than my lungs (that is the trick) and then blow the air out slowly from my mouth. I keep repeating this (remember to expand the diaphragm not just the lungs) and it kicks me back into rhythm. Everything slows down and before I know it my pulse has dropped sometimes 30 points. I can feel the heart slow down, and normal rhythm resume within the most 15 min and usually much less….it has worked for me for about a year…I used to bare down like I was going to the bathroom, that worked for a bit, but this works so much better….

I live with violent A Fib every night, a little in the daytime. I have to work on my state of mind every day as I am one of those people that has limited their activities. I know what the triggers are for me, and try to avoid those. But you have to live and take chances….

GAIL….you are not going to die….it feels like it, because it shakes you. The Doctors tell me you don’t die from A Fib. There is danger of stroke, however they say that you have to be in constant A Fib for 24 to 48 hours to be in danger. Now that means you have it steady and do not kick back into sinus rhythm at all during that time….

I do not take any drugs anymore for they made me worse. I do the most natural things I can, and use this vagal maneuver all the time…..sometimes it feels violent and I feel as though I am going to have a heart attack, and this exercise calms it down and kicks it back in. I also get chest pain at times with this, but it so far goes back into rhythm with this slow breathing technique.

I want to comment on Ablation…..I have researched this since 2004 and I will probably eventually have it however, it is improving every year. It has come a long way in the five years I have had A Fib. I also know who THE MOST SKILLED EPs are….I have really researched it. It is all in the technique and approach to it that sets the tone for cure rate….or at least close to cure…but I am not ready to go there yet. I have bleeding problems and for me it is risky…

Love to all
Hang in there

Oct 6th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Hello Marina.
After reading your note it seems to me that you have a fair amount of anxiety around your A-fib. This can be a trigger. I am glad you found the Emotional Freedom Technique site because it will be your best friend. When you are saying the words while you tap, try “Even though I have this annoying A-fib and it frightens me, I completely accept myself and I choose to allow the brain to send the correct signal to the heart’s “spark plug” (it is located between the heart chambers) so that my heart will return to its strong, healthy, regular beat.” Now, I know that sounds a lot, but if you say it with conviction while you tap (see the manual), and concentrate on the steady heartbeat that you want, you will find that your anxiety level will go down and help your heart to return to its proper ryhthm. When you are able to take the magnesium orotate as well, you should start to notice an improvement. You will certainly sleep better. I actually recommended it to a doctor who suffers from A-fib and he is willing to try anything. He is relatively young, so he is more receptive to alternate help. One day they will learn, we hope. Although your doctor has done his best, I wonder how much the mixture of so many medications has affected you. I will be keen to hear from you as to how successful you have been. There are no right or wrong words to say, only those which describe how you are feeling. I found a great site which shows in an animated version, what happens during A-fib. It’s fascinating and very informative. I will send it through because it’s worth a look.
Keep in touch with all of us because we can all help and encourage each other.

Ann

Oct 6th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Hi again Marina.

The website which shows an animated version of atrial fibrillation is as follows:
http://www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk/Documents/Animations/Heart_Tool.swf
I think you will find it interesting to see how it all works. Understanding what happens can somehow help to alleviate the fear.

Ann

Oct 6th, 2009
Kurt

I’ve been able to control my AF – bringing the heart back to normal rhythm – with a simple breathing exercise, similar like described by Marie.
My episodes are always at night, never in daytime. They are infrequent, sometimes a week without, sometimes 2-3 times at night.
I’ve kept track of all food and supplments for months and cannot find a pattern that would trigger the AF. However, I have noticed that increased stress seems a definite trigger.
A few times I’ve had the feeling that I snored myself awake and after being awakened noticed the pounding in my neck. Mostly I am awakened by “something”, could be the fluttering, or the feeling in my chest or who knwows what. After all, I’m sleeping. I do not know the difference between severe and mild, my own subjective feeling is that my “fluttering” is mild.

The pluse rate is not elevated at the wrist but I can feel the flutter at the cartoid in my neck.
To “fix” it, I lay on my back and take a very very deep breath, all the way down into my stomach/gutt area and to the point that I feel my rib cage could burst like a balloon.. The AF goes away mostly with just one such deep breath, sometimes it takes two, rarely three and never more than three.
Because of the snooring that seems to preceed the AF, I’ve wondered if there is a connection to sleep apnea. I’ve also noticed that the episodes seem to bee happening around the same time at night, which would also make sense since the sleep rhythem (stages of sleep) could be a trigger (I go to sleep at the same time every night).
What would fit this picture also is that the wife says lately i’ve been snooring like a bear. I am a bit overweight (55 years young, 5′11″, 185 lbs) but very healthy. Research on the web seems to indicate a connection between sleep apnea and AF, but they usually talk about obese people.
If a breathing disorder is the cause of my AF, it would explain why the episodes only happen during the night and also why the deep breathing is ending it quickly.
By the way, I’v stayed away from all prescription meds, just take supplements, Fish oil, Vitamine E, Ginko for blood thinner,
L-Argenine for its Nitro-like effect, CoQ10 for general heart health, eating a lot of fruit and veggies, whole wheat, limited meat.
What I am sorly lacking is exercise.
My next quest will be to set up an exercise regimen and see if that has any influence on my AF or not.

I was wondering if anyone else made the connection from AF to possible sleep disorder.

Oct 21st, 2009
sandi

hi every one,
maybe this will help some one out their. ive had several episodes of my heart racing an then the shakes so bad you would think i was freezing to death. well my heart doctor said i was after many test from stress to echo grams ect,, ive got to much estragen coming from my heart. i to wore the little box for 30 days an it showed each episode of the heart racing an shaking after wards. i tryed to get my mind off of what was happening to me an would go out side to catch my breathe due to shortness of breathe. i would stand or should say sit infront of the fan to breathe. i also would get a band feeling around my left rib cage. i had a severe attache last night. first i had a stabbing feeling just for a second in my left ring finger as if some one was sticking me really hard in the finger. i sad ouch. then i asked my hubby(he has severe heart problems) if his muscles in his chest flips over. he was half out of it asleep form a long day at work. he mumbled some thing. something in my chest fliped completely over an then my heart was racing so bad till hot flush feeling came over me an i was having a hard time breathing. i had a tight feeling around my left rib a if some one was tighting a belt around my upper waist. i had to take a valium an finally sat still after this aweful ordeal was over. i has several small episodes through th night. ive not heard any thing else from my heart doctor other then i passed all the other test. any suggestings on waht one can do to stop to much estrogen coming from my heart. please i cant stand these aweful episodes any more. desperately in need of help. thanks all an know i kept praying for GOD to not let me die. this is exactly waht it feels like. would appreicate any info or natural cures to help me out. GOD bless each of you!!

Oct 22nd, 2009
Kurt

Hello Sandi,

I am not sure what you mean by Estrogen coming FROM your heart. However, I can tell about my wife’s experience with hormones and heart issues.
When she was 51, she got very high blood pressure (170-180) and rapid pulse (80-90) all the time. The cardiologist put her on a Betablocker with worked exactly the opposite of what was intended by pushing her BP over 200 and sent her heart racing (they say it’s rare but not unheard of).
After this, she went to a hormon specialist and she is now taking bio-identical hormones that get implanted under the skin. It’s the size of a couple pieces of rice. She was sorely lacking in several hormones, among them testosterone and since she is getting the replacement hormones, the bloodpressure dropped over 30 poins and the pulse is down as well.
In addition, hotflashes are gone and other womens-only problems are no longer an issue.
You might want to have your hormones checked as well. But don’t settle for estrogen check only, you need ALL your hormones checked. They are all needed and balance each other out if your body is healthy.

Kurt

Oct 27th, 2009
Marie

My, I havn’t been on in awhile and missed you folks….I am in A Fib every single night at the same time. I am exhausted as it has gotten worse. Actually, it has taken on a different form. I used to have just A Fib, but now have all sorts of arrythmias and tremors during that time. I wake up almost exactly the same time each night with what I call “My dancing heart.” Only it is not a pleasant dancing, it is angry….the only thing that helps me is the vagal maneuver I have spoken about. It puts me back in sinus rythum after about 4 times of doing it. But then it comes back as I turn, or lay on my back and now I get short of breath, and have trouble breathing…I am always half out of it, and I have now made an appointment with a pulmonary specialist…this week was brutal….I am not taking any meds for the arrythmias as they now make my heart rate go to low….I am up and down like a yo yo…..the main reason I came on today was to ask Robert or anyone else about the supplement calm. I have had bad luck with the magesium oil and also supplements as they give me Dihreaah….goes right through me…..I am going to try the CALM and want to know if anyone had any suggestions before I take it?? It says 2 teaspons and I will try one, and when are you supposed to take it???
Also, I want to respond to a post from Kurt:

urt

I’ve been able to control my AF – bringing the heart back to normal rhythm – with a simple breathing exercise, similar like described by Marie.
My episodes are always at night, never in daytime. They are infrequent, sometimes a week without, sometimes 2-3 times at night.
I’ve kept track of all food and supplments for months and cannot find a pattern that would trigger the AF. However, I have noticed that increased stress seems a definite trigger.

Kurt: Yes stress is a big trigger for me…..I notice if I stay quiet and down I might get a night without more than one episode….also, I wanted to say Sleep Apnea and A Fib Can go together. Get to a sleep clinic….and also, how are you??

Marie

Oct 30th, 2009
Marie

Also, want to add that I have no thyroid and with this last episode that I am in, they gave me to much thyroid and it kicked in worse as I became hyper thyroid….I do my blood work every 6 or 7 weeks to check my TSH….I knew something was wrong as I had the thyroid jitters and my heart rate went up….what a mess and a juggling act…..hormones play a big role in this disease….for women and men….

Oct 30th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marie, I’m sorry to hear you are having so many problems with your afib. My strongest recommendation would be for you to see an acupuncturist. Waking up at the same time every night is a clue to a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis, as is the diarrhea. I think you will find acupuncture and Chinese herbs to be very helpful. They’ve helped me tremendously.

You can try the CALM any time, but I would start with very little. You might try taking a half-teaspoon every couple of hours and seeing how you tolerate it. If you get diarrhea, stop.

Oct 30th, 2009
Marie

Thankyou Robert, I will try and find an acupuntrist…do you know of someone in the Los Angeles, area??? Also, I will try a 1/2 tsp of calm tonight…..you said several times a day, how many??? Can’t you get to much mag??? Oh my, this is so hard…..I must stay positive…I begining to think the thyroid is to much again, and I have to take it to live….I stopped a couple of doses two weeks ago and my inside tremors calmed down but I am back on the regular dose….
Thankyou so much
Marie

Oct 30th, 2009
Robert Ellis

Marie, I don’t know of an acupuncturist in L.A., but try yosan.edu. They have a school clinic, or I’m sure they could refer you to someone. As for the magnesium, I took as much as a gram a day or a bit more until I began to feel better. I take about half that now. You don’t have to wait until evening. I don’t know what else you’re doing, so if you have any concerns, ask your doctor.

Oct 30th, 2009
Nancy

Hello everyone — It is so reassuring to read the comments on this site and learn that I am not alone, that this condition is not black and white, and that it responds to many approaches. I having been taking Maltaq for about ten days and thank Marina for sharing her experience with it. Also appreciate the suggestions re EFT and yogic breathing; I know these techniques and now will be more disciplined and consistent about using them. [BTW, re breathing -- having practiced yoga for 25 years, I only just recently experienced diaphragmattic breathing , which you are doing if you expand your rib cage until it feels as if it is going to burst, as described above.] I have been going to a very experienced cardiologist who is also an electrophysiologist for about 15 years and thought y’all might be interested in what he says about drugs v. ablation as treatment. In his experience, prescription drugs are about 30% effective, and ablation [sometimes with drugs, especially following the procedure] is 60-70% effective. My advice re choice of physician/hospital for ablation is that you go where they have a lot of experience and perfect safety record. For ex., my doc has never had a death, and has had one patient have a stroke on the table — which they were able to treat and reverse. I think I am going in the direction of having the ablation.

Nov 23rd, 2009
Leroy

A lot of good info! I experienced my first bout with A Fib back in Sept. ‘08 and had a second episode in March ‘09. I know exactly what you all went thru. Scary and spooky. During my first episode I thought to myself, this is it, I’m history. I’ve had palpatations since I was a kid and when it did occur, even thru out my adult life, all I had to do was take deep breaths and it would go away. Not this time. My heart was flip flopping and going at turbo speed. I then called 911. I was hesitant at first, but I didn’t know what the heck was going on. It took three days before it converted back into a normal sinus rhythm, both episodes. I was given Cardizem via IV during the first episode and during the second episode it didn’t work and was given Amiodarone. The first time I was prescribed Sotalol, taking it twice a day. I forgot the dosage. Apparently it didn’t work. After the first three months out of the hospital, I went back to drinking coffee, sodas, chewing tobacco and BEER. The day of the second episode I forgot to take my first dosage of Sotalol and had several cups of coffee in the morning and a Mountain Dew in the afternoon. I got home from work to take a nap, lied on my left side, then BOOM, it’s back! I was so pissed that it came back. So here I am in the ER thinking back what could be the trigger. I told the Dr. that I forgot to take my morning dosage and I went back to drinking caffeine. He said that I was supposed to stay away from caffeine…DUH!! And that medication for A Fib doesn’t last that long. I quit drinking caffeine, prescribed Amiodarone (80 mg), Coumadin (Only the first month, both episodes), Lipotor, and Omeprazole (Acid Reflux). Also went to a sleep study and came out negative for sleep apnea and was prescribed a restless leg syndrome medication that I don’t take by the Neurologist. So far so good. Almost 9 months without A Fib! Still got palpatations though (Few times a day) and still scares me. Been exercising pretty regularly…weight training and cardio on the treadmill. I socially drink beer on the weekends and still chew tobacco, which I plan on quitting. Quit all cafffeine products for 9 months. My Electrophysiologist gave me the o.k. to drink socially. I believe that both episodes were brought on by 1) caffeine and 2) lying on my left side. I’ve asked my Cardiologist about lying on my left side and he said it triggers an A Fib attack in some people. Since then, I’ve noticed that when I laugh hard, I get palpatations. I also asked my Electrophysiologist about ablation. He told me that I didn’t need it and would rather control it with meds. Since I’ve been prescribed Amiodarone, I’ve been researching the side effects and DAMN, I think it’s more deadly to be on it then off it!! Well in the long run that is. During my last visit to my Dr, he plans to get me off of Amiodarone after I reach my target weight. Gotta drop 20 lbs. My question is should I tell my Dr. that I want the ablation? I sure don’t wanna go thru another episode. Got anxiety after all this. I’m only 32 and all this is happening. Sure would love to hear any suggestions!

Nov 24th, 2009
Marina

Hello! Ann…

It’s been a while since I’ve been on LWAF. I’m having worse AFib the last few days. It’s made me so depressed I don’t want to answer my phone, go out in public or do any of the things I need & must do like go to the bank so I can pay my bills. I didn’t open my curtains but I did open my blinds this morning so I know I’m still somewhat ok but I cry, cry & cry. So much so I can’t stand myself. I Went to see an Electrophysiologist about 2 weeks ago for an Ablation Procedure. I haven’t had it done yet.That sounds so much better than Surgery. He said I was a good candidate for this procedure as an Eco Cardiogram performed in August showed I have a normal heart. I have a difficult time making decisions & something of this magnitude has really stumped me. I’m confused & scared. I am. I’ve tried everything & nothing seems to work for long let alone permanently. I don’t know that I had anything in particular to say or ask, I just needed to talk. Thank You! ;( Marina

Dec 4th, 2009
Marina

Dear Kurt,

I read your post of (Oct 30th) about connection between sleep apnea & A Fib. I noticed that myself with my night episodes. I figured when your mouth is opened & your snoring your taking in air in your upper cavity that creates A Fib for some. Now whether a person has A Fib & the sleep apnea contributes or the sleep apnea creates the A Fib is a big question for me. I was diagnosed with A Fib back in 1997 when I was hospitalized for it & I didn’t snore back then. Now I do & when I wake up my mouth is dry & I get a funny sensation in my teeth I believe from sleeping with my mouth open. I went to see an Electrophysiologist on Nov 16th & I didn’t mention sleep apnea but interestingly enough he mentioned it to me. He asked me if I had sleep apnea. I didn’t know how to answer him. I told him I’m not sure because since I’ve been fibrillating so bad I wondered if that has caused me to have sleep apnea but I have been diagnosed by a doctor as having it. So, yes I think they do go together…

Dec 4th, 2009
Peggy

Ann, I am so glad that I found this site. I was diagnosed with Afib Sept. 29, 2009. Have already been to ER three times. I am currently on coumadin to thin the blood. Nothing else has been prescribed. Maybe it is because I am so early in the game with this issue. I have converted back within three hours after each episode. They always happen between seven and nine pm.It does make me feel anxious when this happens. The cardiologist keeps preaching that it is managable and not life threathing. Well excuse me! I have read where 15% of Afib patients can have a stroke. Personally I do not want to be in that category. I am 60 and have a four month old grandson that I would like to see grow up..Everyone has given great info. in your posts about diet triggers, stress. I will try these different options. I have meditation tapes on my ipod and they seem to help at times..The post that you sent to Marina about an emotional freedom technique site, I would like to look at that link. Could you give me the info. please. Reading these posts have helped so much. I know that I am not alone in this fight. Thanks to everyone for their insight.God Bless us all.

Dec 16th, 2009
Marina

To Leroy & EveryOne Else on This Site:

My name is Marina. Im a 55 year old female & my electrophysiologist told me I was a good candidate for an Ablation procedure because I’m still young & have no heart disease, no enlarged heart from all the episodes I’ve had & I’m having them quite regularly these days. I was diagnosed in 1977 so Thank God I don’t have any of those things. They tried me on Cardizem, Amiodarone, Verapamil, Sotilol & several others I can’t remember all right now. I’m now taking Multaq 400mg once in the morning with a meal once in the evening with a meal. New drug. Still fibrillating but not rushing off to emergency. That’s what they say about the drug. Google it. It’s by a company called Sanofi-Aventis. It’s a French company. Check it out. I was scheduled to have an Ablation on Dec 22 but put it off to check out other options like Acupuncture, Nutrionist an an Iridioligist before I have them burning tissue off my heart. My EP told me they build a picket fence around the area that fires off & how they do that is make small burns or cauterizations on the heart. 80 to 90 of them. That freaked me out a bit. If it’s my last alternative after checking other things I will succumb but not right now. I don’t know what the success rate if for the Ablation Procedures & is there at least a 90 something % guarantee I will be A-Fib free after? These are some of my concerns. I’ve heard some people say they’ve had to go back & have 2 & 3 more Ablations. If your 32 sounds like you could be a good candidate too. My Dr. told me when I went to visit him on Nov 16th that he had just performed one on a 25 year old & it was Successful. I guess you have to tap in to your intuition & see what the Good Man Upstairs tells you. Okay! Here’s 2 more sites with A-Fibb Info for any one interested.

http://www.mind1st.co.uk/Atrial-Fibrillation-case-study-Warafin.asp
http://www.udoerasmus.com/firstscreen.htm

God Bless! Merry Christmas! Everyone.

Dec 16th, 2009
Ann Wyatt

Peggy….I can understand your concern about your A-fib. The best thing I have done for myself is to take magnesium orotate morning and night. It has done wonders. I hardly ever experience an episode now. Even my cardiologist is amazed and said to keep on taking it. It relaxes the heart muscle and stops it from becoming over excited or stressed, which is often the cause of an episode. The emotional freedom technique site will be closed down on 15th January as Gary Craig is retiring, so I urge anyone who is interested in learning about this technique to have a look before the information disappears. It’s amazing and a wonderful help when you are feeling anxious about your heart returning to a normal rhyythm. Just type in emotional freedom technique and the site will come up. If you add atrial fibrillation, then you will find articles from their newsletter telling of people’s experiences. I have also had some success “talking” sternly to my heart and asking the brain to correct the electrical impulse it is sending to the heart’s “spark plug”. I know this sounds whacky but you’ll try anything when you are desperate. I was astounded when this actually worked. I concentrated on a regular beat, even counting out loud ( one, two, one, two etc) in the rhythm I wanted. I suppose it’s a bit like meditating and eventually the brain and the heart “talk” and all is well again. The main thing is not to panic when you feel an episode coming on. Start tapping on how it makes you feel and what you want to happen. The site will show you where to tap. For example, “Even though I have this awful atrial fibrillation at the moment and it is making me worried and scared, I am a great person and I choose for my heart to return to a strong and steady heartbeat.” There have been times when I have become quite angry with it and I demand that the correct rhythm returns and not long afterwards it happens. Never underestimate the body’s ability to heal itself. Good luck.

Merry Christmas everyone. If anyone has snow, I will take it over our super hot Aussie Christmas any day!

Ann

Dec 22nd, 2009
SULLY

Happy 2010 to all of you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your AF experiences. I found this site today and will stay in touch with you. I have had Parosysmal AF for 10 years and have 1 to 3 episodes a month. I have been on Cardizem for a year and hope to try MULTAQ when I see my Dr. 1-26-10. I was on Toprol for 9 years and had a horrific time withdrawing from it. Two weeks ago I discovered that milk was causing me to flutter. Happened about 30 mins. after eating cereal/oatmeal……..heart pounded and ponded for about an hour. Switched to Silk (soy milk) and it has helped me immensley. I agree with many of you who put a lot of blame on anxiety. I find that if I do flutter in the aftrnoon……..maybe 4-5 pm. my daily cocktail hour having a couple of scotch and sodas stops the flutters within 10 mins. Not recommending you start boozing………..I’m 67 and have had a doily dose for 50 years. But I think the alcohol as a depressant has a difinite positive effect. I’m also going to check w/ the DR. about the Magnesium several of you have suggested. This is getting too long so I’ll quit and look forward to sharing more info with all of you in the future. I am a huge lover of God and get a great deal of help from Him. May he bless all of you who share this nasty condition immensly !!!

Sully in Colorado.

Jan 4th, 2010
Ann Wyatt

Hi everyone.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you have an A-fib free 2010. I have not had an episode for nearly two months now and I am very happy. I am convinced that staying away from food with additives, taking magnesium orotate and having the tapping technique on hand is definitely working. Sully, I envy you your daily cocktail hour as alcohol is a definite trigger for me. I really do miss my glass of wine with dinner. However, I would rather be A-fib free, so water has to do me. Boring, but safe. I could be wrong, but I think sometimes that all the medication causes the heart to react. We can do a lot ourselves by lessening anxiety and finding meditative ways of slowing the heart down and keeping it calm.

Have a good year everyone.

Ann in Australia

Jan 8th, 2010
SULLY

Hello again from frigid Colorado. I have been reading about the EFT and am quite overwhelmed with all of the technicalities of the procedure. Can anyone simplify the tapping technique and how it might be applied to just AF? I looked at the paperback book and spent a while looking thru it and just put it back on the shelf.

Also, I’d love to hear some stories from any of you who have experience with MULTAQ after changing from either calcium channel blockers or beta blockers. I’m on digoxin with Cardizem………. .125mg and 180mg respectively. My appt. with the cardiologist is in two weeks and hopefully he will let me try the MULTAQ. Aren’t we all looking for the “fountain of youth” and permanent cures? I’ll just keep on Praying !!

Ciao friends,

Sully

Jan 9th, 2010
Margie

Hi all.. i just came across your blogs this a.m Jan 9,2010 .. I was at my cardiologist yesterday ..they did a short EKG and said i have AFib.. i was shocked. I had one episode of odd heart beats last spring ‘09 and the cardiologist i saw then said i was deficient in magnesium .. so started on 400 mg twice a day. All has been well till Dec when i started having small bouts.. off and on all day .. Then a week ago today i had a long episode of 4 hours or so .. I took extra magnesium but it took along time for it to revert . I ended up taking some Zanax to calm my mind as i was so worried and my heart reverted almost immediatley… i do not know if there is any correlation. But yesterday , the cardiologist kind of made me feel that the magnesium was useless… i disagree heartily . And he wanted me to start Warfarin.. ( coumadin) which is rat poisen and has very serious side affects. I really do not want to start that and am going to try and use selenium /magnesium and b-complex to try and help my heart stay regular. I also must get the amalgum out of my teeth.. i wonder if that is the trigger . Being 60 yrs old , one of my regular dr.s says it could be hormone related… not sure yet how we’ll find out, but i am consulting with a homeopathic Dr. on Monday. I will try and let you know what she says..

Jan 9th, 2010
Ann Wyatt

Hello again, Sully.
In response to your comment about EFT, I want to tell you that it is really not hard to do. The short cut is to tap firmay on the side of your hand just below the base of your little finger, while concentrating on how your episode of A-fib is making you feel. Then tell yourself what you choose to happen, for example, “Even though I have this annoying (insert here however you want to refer to it), A-fib and it is frightening me (worrying me, painful etc), I am a great person and I deserve to have a strong and healthy, regular heartbeat.” I get really annoyed with it sometimes and tell my brain to work in sync with the heart’s ’spark plug’. I know that sounds weird but I am willing to try anything. There is no right or wrong way to do EFT. You focus on how you are feeling and then on fixing your porblem. The anxiety about the condition is a major part of the problem and so EFT helps to reduce that fear. Good luck. I will help you as much as I can if you have any questions. Good luck.
Ann

Jan 13th, 2010
Ann Wyatt

Hello Margie.
Keep up the magnesium because for as many cardiologists who say it doesn’t work, there are as many who say it does. If it works for you, go for it. I haven’t had an episode for two months and I am sure that is because the magnesium has built up in my body and is supporting my heart muscles. It also helps to control blood pressure and that is a good thing. My cardiologist was very interested in what I reported and is going to put some of his patients onto it. My GP’s wife makes him take it every day and he said he feels great and has noticed how well he feels. I agree that Warfarin is rat poison. I have also been drinking more water because I have never been a great drinker of H2O and I am sure that dehydration is a trigger. Between the magnesium and the water I am doing well. Don’t forget to check the labels on packaged or tinned food. Many of the additives e.g., preservatives 220 (any in this number series) and 600s (monosodium glutamate) can bring on diabolical episodes. The sulphites (200s) are found in wine and are horrendous. It’s amazing how many other foods they are added to as well. Good luck and keep reading the comments because everyone has really helpful advice.

Bye now,

Ann

Jan 13th, 2010
SULLY

Hi Ann and thanks for your note. I appreciate you giving me the short version of EFT and I’ll sure try it when the time comes. I also take warfarin and look forward to my meeting on the 25th with my Cardiologist. Google this new drug which is now available to replace warfarin……..DABIGATRAN. Not sure if my guy will prescribe it but it appears to be much better than dealing with the monthly PROTIME monitoring of the warfarin. Maybe it’s available “down under” there in kangaroo land for you. The frigid weather has left for a while. Come on Spring. I really need to go float some rivers. Cabin fever is such a nasty disease !!

Saw this the other day and find it very enlightening………..”LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORMS TO PASS…………….IT’S ABOUT DANCING IN THE RAIN”. Love that one !!!

Ciao friends,

Sully in Colorado

Jan 14th, 2010
Mary

I very much appreciate the insights on magnesium. I had begun additional use of B Complex and hoped this would help. Seems it does but not consistently. Have been on Flecainide and diltiazem now for three years. Have tried extra calcium at times, but that also has been inconsistent. Absolutely no MSG that is diabolical and aspartame
Will try the magnisium as the episodes I have had even on medicine have lasted up to 9 hours. No alcohol and caffeine in this life but better that then not being able to breath and exhaustion.

Jan 14th, 2010
Ann Wyatt

Hi everyone.

Reporting in. I still have not had an episode of A-fib and it has been nearly three months now. The magnesium I have been taking has built up in my body now and I don’t even feel as though I am going to have an episode. I even managed a glass of wine with dinner the other night and nothing untoward happened. I have decided that I am not going to keep on worrying whether or not I’m going to have an A-fib episode because I believe that you can talk yourself into it. Too much medication can cause it too. I hope you all have a better time this year. Keep tapping.

Ann

Jan 22nd, 2010
Marina

Marina…

Good Morning! From Sunny Los Angeles after last weeks rainy days & unexpected tornado in the SouthLands. I’m going in tomorrow to have my Ablation Procedure done. I went in for pre-op work last week & had a chat with my Dr. He says I have no structural heart damage & since I am a Paroxsysmal A-Fibber I am a Good candidate. Thank You! Lord. When I think of the details of what occurs during the procedure I want to head for the hills but I feel very comfortable & confident with my Dr. I know the “DIVINE” flows through everyone. Naturopaths as well as Western Medicine Drs. I believe there’s a reason for both. Western & Natural Medicine. So I’ll keep you updated as to my progress & Please! Say a Prayer for me. Prayer is Powerful. God Bless Each & Everyone of you with Good Health because with Good Health you can Fulfill your Dreams… ;)

Jan 25th, 2010
SULLY

Good morning to all of you from the Norht Pole!!! Colorful Colorado continues to be in the deep freeze. Marina, I will say an extra prayer for you this morning and ask God to arrange a totally successful ablation today. Please let us know all the details about the procedure. I know that one day I too will try the ablation. My annual meeting with my cardiologist was postponed from yesterday to 2-3-10. I need some changes in my meds and can also use lots of prayers from any of you who are so inclined. I will have more input for you all after I meet with the Dr. next week.

Ciao for now amigos,

Sully in Colorado

Jan 26th, 2010
Ann Wyatt

HI Marina.

I hope all went well and that you have an A-fib free life from now on. I have lit a healing candle and said some prayers for you. I have a number of special angels who help me in my healing practice so I have asked that they assist you with a speedy recovery. Let us all know how you are progressing.

By the way, sunny days here in Oz are getting to be around 42C and that’s over 100F in the old measurement for us. January has been really hot, as usual, and I’d love to see some snow. Thank goodness the bushfires have been kept to a minimum.

I still haven’t had an episode, so I think my angels are working overtime. Thank goodness.

Cheers all.

Ann

Jan 27th, 2010
Marina

Dear Ann,

Thank You! Sooooo Much for you kind thoughts & prayers. I haven’t had an episode since I got out of the surgery room on Tuesday, January 26th at 3:30pm so I’m looking at 51 hrs of no A-Fib Thank God. I was having them everyday & when they didn’t happen during the day they would happen at night for 12 hours at a time. I can’t tell you how on edge & depressed I was. Life was truly bleek. I have a Wonderful God send Dr. who I felt very confident & comfortable with & he feels very positive & so do I with the outcome. I have had little surges (that’s what I call them) or impulses occur but it’s still fresh & I anticipate long term I will be myself again. Life is better today than it was this past year or more. I was getting progressively worse & I feel good today. I am dealing with the aftermath of the tubes & needles but all in all I feel like my life has changed for the Best. Thank You! Again for your prayers, lighting a candle (something I do as well) & calling upon your Special Angels & I’m Happy to hear you haven’t had an episode. I will keep you in my prayers too & Pray for continued Fib Freeness for you. ;D

God Bless You Ann & everyone else who is being challenged with A-Fib.

Peace & ❤,
Marina ;)

Jan 28th, 2010
Marina

Dear Sully,

Thank You! Too for your prayers. That’s very sweet. I too will Pray for you. I know how challenging it is to go through this condition but hang in there & be as proactive as possible in any way you can. My Ablation went well. My Dr. is confident & so am I that I will be back to the swing of life once I am physically healed inside. It took a little over 4 hours but I spent a bit of time after coming out of the anesthesia which the Dr. said is common. I’ve been A-Fib free or Episode free since Tuesday, January 26th @ 3:30pm. A few flutters here & there but nothing like what I was experiencing before. I had episodes that would last all night through to the next day noon time. I honestly don’t know how I survived it but I can tell you I couldn’t have survived it much longer & I’m glad I had it done. It may not be the answer for everyone. I managed it on my own since 1997 but couldn’t anymore. Please! Keep us updated with how you’re doing & feeling & if I can be of any help sharing information Please! Feel free to call upon me. In the meantime I will lift you up in Prayer…

Stay Strong,
Peace & Light,
Marina ;)

Jan 28th, 2010
SULLY

Marina, I’m so happy for you. The anxiety of having the procedure is more draining and difficult than actually going thru the process. Your peace of mind is your greatest healer and you will be much stronger now knowing you have that big hurdle behind you.

I’m finally meeting with my Dr. tomorrow morning and can’t wait to go over this whole page of questions I have for him. I’ll share the salient questions and answers with all of you in the next few days.

Thanks you so much for your prayers as well. They are the best medicine and I truly appreciate you “lifting me up”.

Adios for now my friends,

Sully in the snow.

Jan 31st, 2010
SULLY

Good Morning to all of you from Colorado. Signs of spring are appearing and that brings happinesss to my soul. I have had a busy month meeting with Dr’s. I am waiting for more results on Multaq before switching from Cardizem and digoxin. I have a new family Dr. who suggests I take COQ10 and Vitamin D3 for heart health and general health reasons.

Marina, how are you doing after your ablation? I notice a real slow down of postings here on this site. Hope you are all doing well . I feel the help from your special angels Ann Wyatt !!! Many thanks for sending them.

Ciao for now friends !!

Sully

Mar 10th, 2010

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Living With Atrial Fibrillation

A Personal Story

A Little History

Emergency

911

Do I Hear an Echocardiogram?

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