Atrial Fibrillation strikes again

Agree with Tat-man. My cardio doc says the same thing--PVCS are not harmful, absent any other symptoms or abnormalities. I, too, had runs of bigeminy, and other rhythmic disturbances, but after a complete workup, including holter, echocardiogram, stress test, etc, were deemed benign, idiopathic pvcs. Most folks do have them at one time or another, and often don't notice it, unless the pvc pattern lasts a long time, or is pronounced. Atrial Fib is an entirely different matter, and is generally treated with beta blockers, or some other rhythmic stabilizer. Cardiologists weigh the benefits of the meds versus considerable side effects. If you do want a second opinion, an Electrophysiological specialist might be appropriate. For me stress, IBS, and overall somatic preoccupation were the major triggers, and controlling all three has helped.

For me, the problem with PVC's, at least the noticeable ones, are that they are happening as often as every 3rd beat, for extended periods of time. When this is going on, I have no stamina and short breath. I can tell the moment they start. They make my chest tighten up and I am suddenly out of breath, as though I just ran a mile, even if all I'm doing is sitting in a chair.

What is interesting to me is that these PVC-episodes have been more frequent over the past month. This coincides with the increase of my anti-A-Fib medication. I've reduce that dosage to my pre-January levels and haven't noticed them for 4 or 5 days now.

Tony

Interestingly, and frustratingly, I wrote the last message about 30 minutes ago. No PVC's for several days. Now, just sitting here at my desk, they just began. A hesitation/skip every 5th or so beat.

In the past 30 minutes I have eaten a granola bar with milk, and taken my flecainide ( anti-A-Fib medication).

Tony

I was recently diagnosed with AF also. I have since been on several different heart meds. What triggered mine was we were in the the High Sierra Region of California. at about 10000 ft.

Tony

Very interesting info - thanks

DSM

tonycog wrote:...

Tony, I can't remember if you posted whether are you taking magnesium (any sort other than oxide which is only good as a laxative)? Had your magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium levels checked (critical for normal bioelectrical rhythms)? Thyroid panel shows normal levels in all parameters?

Patrick
I have a friend who discovered she had an alarming number of A.F's at high altitude. They had planned a trip to Peru primarily to visit Machu Picchu. They had advice on how to avoid altitude sickness, but had no clue that high altitude can trigger A.F.'s. She was ok at the jump-off place to take the bus from Agua Calientes, but shortly after arriving at Machu Picchu the AF began pounding.

An English-speaking doctor in Lima, said he sees scores of panicky tourists who experience A.F. anywhere in the ascent to 8000 ft and higher altitudes in Peru. She hasn't had a recurrence in the two years since their trip.

Jan

Muse-Inc wrote:Tony, I can't remember if you posted whether are you taking magnesium (any sort other than oxide which is only good as a laxative)? Had your magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium levels checked (critical for normal bioelectrical rhythms)? Thyroid panel shows normal levels in all parameters?

Hi
I have been taking magnesium for several months and only recently discovered that it was the "wrong" type. I started taking chelated magnesium about 3 weeks ago. I'm cautious about potassium and taurine (both recommended by some A-Fibbers) without discussing it with my doc first. The frustrating thing (one of them, at least) is that my cardiologist acted like he had never heard of magnesium when I asked him about it, as it relates to AF. If I can learn from Google that magnesium-deficiency is prevalent among A-Fibbers, certainly he should know this also.

Thanks,
Tony

Tonycog, I take Sotalol to control my A-fib. It is a very effective anti-arrhythmic medication. I have been in normal rhythm since early July when I started taking it save 3 short episodes, the most recent in early September.

tonycog wrote:...The frustrating thing (one of them, at least) is that my cardiologist acted like he had never heard of magnesium when I asked him about it, as it relates to AF. If I can learn from Google that magnesium-deficiency is prevalent among A-Fibbers, certainly he should know this also...

Doesn't that just drive you nuts! And ya don't know whether they are that clueless & just don't wanna admit it OR just don't wanna deal with someone asking about natural approaches to the sorts of medical conditions OR don't agree with the studies.

SleepyBobR wrote:Tonycog, I take Sotalol to control my A-fib. It is a very effective anti-arrhythmic medication. I have been in normal rhythm since early July when I started taking it save 3 short episodes, the most recent in early September.

I'm glad to hear this. Most of what I've read has indicated to me that Sotalol doesn't help much with AF. I'll keep reading. I'm curious....When you did have the A-Fib episodes, how long did they last, and what, if anything, did you do to stop the episode? I''ve been taking Flecainide since July. When I've had an AF episode (3 or 4 times) I've taken a larger dose of flecainide, to combat the flare-up and restore normal sinus rhythm. From what I've read, Soltolol won't restore NSR out of AF like Flecainide can.

Thanks,
Tony

Muse-Inc wrote:

tonycog wrote:...The frustrating thing (one of them, at least) is that my cardiologist acted like he had never heard of magnesium when I asked him about it, as it relates to AF. If I can learn from Google that magnesium-deficiency is prevalent among A-Fibbers, certainly he should know this also...

Doesn't that just drive you nuts! And ya don't know whether they are that clueless & just don't wanna admit it OR just don't wanna deal with someone asking about natural approaches to the sorts of medical conditions OR don't agree with the studies.

....or can't/won't admit how much influence the pharmaceutical industry has over them.

When I first started dealing with this last April, I was angry at the thought of taking a pill or two every day for the rest of my life. Now, I'm more reconciled with the reality that I might need to. But...since I apparently need to take one every day, I just want the "experts" to figure out which one will actually do the job. If they can, I'll gladly take the thing. The A-Fib episodes that I've had are enough of a nightmare that I'll take a pill if it will keep them at arm's length.

Tony

Yep AFIB here too the lone paroxysmal kind no heart disease. Back in May I noticed my heart out of wack with palpitations. Went to see my cardio and diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. Anyway I changed cardio docs and went with my girlfriends friend and he gave me a stress test then sent me right to a sleep center. He explained to me most of his patients with AFIB also have sleep apnea. Yep AHI of 57 diagnosed in August.
i'm on Multaq and Beta Blocker but I was still getting AFIB 1 or 2x a week. Since then I added Ribose along with L-Cartinine and C0Q10 and my PVC's PACS and AFIB has pretty much subsided and are mild. D-Ribose is what has really calmed my heart. Here's a great site to deal with AFIB.


http://www.afibbers.org/bbarchives.htm use the following name and password to login afibbers 2sesame

http://www.afibbers.net/forum/read.php? ... eply_11441

http://www.afibbers.net/forum/read.php? ... eply_17456


http://www.afibbers.net/forum/list.php?f=8

Here's a video of the latest magnetic ablation techniques

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/ ... 5#35180025

tonycog wrote:

SleepyBobR wrote:Tonycog, I take Sotalol to control my A-fib. It is a very effective anti-arrhythmic medication. I have been in normal rhythm since early July when I started taking it save 3 short episodes, the most recent in early September.

I'm glad to hear this. Most of what I've read has indicated to me that Sotalol doesn't help much with AF. I'll keep reading. I'm curious....When you did have the A-Fib episodes, how long did they last, and what, if anything, did you do to stop the episode? I''ve been taking Flecainide since July. When I've had an AF episode (3 or 4 times) I've taken a larger dose of flecainide, to combat the flare-up and restore normal sinus rhythm. From what I've read, Soltolol won't restore NSR out of AF like Flecainide can.

Thanks,
Tony

Interesting. From my research Sotalol is considered to be very effective in holding the heart in normal rhythm. Not as effective as Amioderone but Sotalol isn't as toxic as Amioderone so there are no issues with taking it for extended periods as long as you don't suffer from serious side-effects. My a-fib episodes were self-terminating without increasing the Sotalol dosage to restore normal rhythm. The longest episode was 48 hours and the other 2 were in the 12 hour range. All of my episodes before and since starting the Sotalol have self-converted. Of course I have no way of knowing how long the 3 episodes since starting Sotalol would have lasted had I not been taking the Sotalol; the really important thing is that I've only had 3 episodes since early July '09 and none since early September so the stuff is obviously effective, for me at least. One other thing - for me at least, the required dosage to control the condition is much lower than originally prescribed. I have cut my dosage in half to avoid the side-effects without compromising the therapy.

btw, I attribute my a-fib to my sleep apnea. I firmly believe that it was caused by the stress placed on my heart while I slept. Now that my OSA is controlled, I am seriously considering suspending my drug therapy to see if I still need it. I haven't discussed this with my Cardiologist yet - he may disagree - and I'm not looking forward to getting off the Sotalol as beta blockers can be hard to wean off of but I would love to be drug free again.