Let's Correspond

[Robroy16]

Mainly, I am looking for members with the same long-standing persistent AFib to correspond about ideas on how to alleviate symptoms without surgery, but all experiences are welcome.

[CDreamer]

Hi Rob, we have a group with a wide and varied experience and I hope you find our friendly forum useful.

Most of our members are UK based but there is a good scattering of people from around the world including US, Australia, Canada, Japan etc. You will therefore note that medical advice varies from country to country slightly.

Personally the only relief I gained, and I tried many strategies, was from ablation, had 2 and have had nearly 3 years free of AF, bar 2 relatively short episodes last Sept/Oct,

Best wishes CD

[Robroy16 in reply to CDreamer]

I am 68 yrs old, with several medical problems and an aversion to medication as it treats me harshly. Thus, I am not a candidate at present for ablation. Thank-you for your comments.

[Robroy16 in reply to CDreamer]

It is difficult to reach everyone since I hate telling my story over and over again. Thanks for your reply.

[BobD Volunteer]

Ablation worked for me and by the way it is not termed surgery.It is a procedure.

Good luck in your search. Changes in diet such as moving away from meat products to a plant based diet and removing such as stress. alcohol etc from your life have all been reported to help reduce the AF burden. As the old joke goes you may not live any longer but it will sure as heck feel like it.

[David73 in reply to BobD]

Hi,

I agree with Bobd. I think that I have had af for over 4 years and was only diagnosed last year and am on a loop monitor. Looking back alcohol, and over eating, seem to make af worse for me. Since the New Year I have avoided alcohol and been on healthier foods. Periods of af have reduced to a very occasional event. So I believe that some of us lucky ones can benefit from reviewing our life style.

David

[sleeksheep]

All my bouts of AF were persistent , not to sure when it first started but diagnosed seven years ago. Found after some trial and error what the triggers were ( after successful cardioversions ) No trouble staying in sinus rhythm untill I inadvertently triggered the palpitations which became PAF within hours.

In my case it made it far easier to proceed with the control / cure ( I know it cant be cured ) after finding a Specialist who wanted me to try different drugs (mix/ratio ) with another cardioversion.

I was told by my previous cardiologist that another cardioversion would not be successful but I went to a Private Specialist to get another opinion - which in my case has had a successful outcome.

[cuore in reply to sleeksheep]

You say "all your bouts were persistent" and your previous posts state 4 cardio versions. By definition persistent means more than 7 days and less than one year continuous. So, were you able to get back into sinus rhythm through cardioversion only or did some revert to sinus rhythm spontaneously? Also, how long were your persistent episodes? By the time I eventually get to see a cardiologist for the first time, I will have been 52 days in persistent, so I am getting anxious and worried with all this delay.

[sleeksheep in reply to cuore]

Well the first time ( 12 months ? ) I didnt know I was in PAF , just everything seemed to exhaust me , but after diagnoses I was aware when it reappeared after my first cardioversion. All my AF episodes started with palpitations similar to the fast heart rate you get after extreme physical exercise [ but in every case caused by chemical intolerance ]

First cardioversion lasted almost 12 months , 2nd was 4 months , 3rd 8 months and currently still in sinus rhythm after nearly 9 months AFTER 31 months in persistent AF [ it was during this time I switched to a cardio specialist as I was unhappy with the approach taken by my then treating specialist via his registrar ]

At all times when not in sinus rhythm my heart rate was erratic .

I did revert to sinus rhythm spontaneously for three weeks between my first and second cardioversion but not any other time.

[Robroy16 in reply to sleeksheep]

I have had long standing (lasting over a year), persistent (never stops), silent AFib for one yeat which I found by accident with a bout of pancreatitis. Once in a while I experience 20 minutes of an extreme episode of something that doctors are stymied to explain. It begins with a high pulse in the 80s and 90s (my normal pulse is 40s - 50s), and goes to a feeling of anxiety plus an urge to urinate every 10 minutes (this part can last several hours). Nothing life threatening but very bothersome. Therefore, my urgency to find something natural to cut these symptoms. I am working with a cardiologist and a general practitioner to balance my medications. Not eligible for ablation at present but there is talk of a pacemaker. I seek first hand experience with natural products or procedures that have worked for readers of this forum. Thank-you for your reply.

[Ashburton51]

Hi Rob I have had Paroxysmal AF for about 6 years now and have tried numerous alternative therapies including homeopathy, osteopathy etc. All of which have worked for me with other health issues so I know how good they are. Unfortunately nothing has improved my AF but it is getting worse. I stopped drinking alcohol about three years ago, only drink decaffeinated tea/coffee and only weigh 56.5 kg so definitely not overweight and eat a healthy diet.

It didn't matter what drugs I was put on I had bad side effects from them. I am now on Sotolol and Rivaroxoban and the Sotolol hasn't made any difference just makes me tired.

Sorry if this seems a negative post, but I do understand how much you want something to make AF better that doesn't involve surgery, I have been down that route for about two years now.

When I saw my consultant in January he said I was an urgent case for an ablation but then I found out last week that he has transferred me to another hospital so I am back to the beginning again - frustration reigns!

I wish you good luck on your search though and will be interested to see if anyone has found an alternative,

Gloria

[Robroy16 in reply to Ashburton51]

This is not a negative post if it is true. I want the truth. I hope you get your ablation. Please keep us informed when you do ok? I have found no alternative treatment yet but am still looking and well let everyone know when I do. Have a pleasant day! Robert

[Ashburton51]

What I have posted is true, I really don't see the point in giving out information that isn't correct.