Advice on upset stomach.

[Diamonddaisy]

Today, I have not felt well. BP 128/91 and pulse 60 yet when I bend forward, it feels like my head, face, fills with blood. I have no better way to describe the feeling. I feel out of breath too. Yesterday I cooked a meal for the family and know I should of not eaten it as it was pork, and that upsets me stomach, I had only a tiny portion, more like a taste, this morning I was rushing to the toilet. . I automatically reached for imodium and took 2. I've just read the leaflet and it says about quinidine, used to treat abnormal heart rhythms and to check with gp. I've not heard of this and am on bisoprolol 1.25mg daily.. Is this similar, would it cause this feeling. There is a lot to learn having my first af episode last August and don't see a cardiologist, for the first time since then, on the 16th of this month..

Should I see gp if I'm still like this in the morning, has anyone else done the same. Ty

[Hidden]

Hi Diamonddaisy,

Well, I would get to see my GP and if he/she is not immediately available go discuss your concerns with a pharmacist.

Quinidine can be described as a drug to slow ventricular arrhythmia while Bisoprolol performs a similar function, i.e. to slow the heart rate - amongst other things.

If it were me I would be querying why I was prescribed two different drugs which, in theory at least, are doing the same job.

Again, in my non medical trained view your reaction to pork maybe nothing to do with the drugs (although Bisoprolol can have a diahorrea side effect) but rather a food intolerance due to a dysfunctional vagal nerve which can be associated with heart arrhythmias. It controls both heart and digestive system and wanders around the body to touch on other organs too.

I am pork intolerant too, as well as duck, gluten, wheat and oats intolerant, not to mention other foods.

By the way, do not tamper with these drugs yourself - only make changes under the guidance of your healthcare professional.

John

[Diamonddaisy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. This was actually an over the counter purchase.. I usually avoid pork and thought that the small amount eaten would not trouble me. I am only prescribed bisoprolol and apixaban. It just didn't occur to me that something like imodium would have anything like that in it.

I feel much better today and have learnt I must ask each time I buy over the counter products AND eat properly I know the trigger foods that upset me and have suspected wheat products have been causing trouble for me for a good few years now, certainly before my afib episode. I have had ectopic beat since my teens.

Thank you for your advice, I will book gp today to discuss my concerns re diet.

[Jpan6 in reply to Diamonddaisy]

I was given Lanzoprazole while in Hosp after heart surgery and have been kept on it, although in discussion with my Dr I'm now thinking of no longer taking it. I am also on bisopropol 1.25 and a different NOAC. In my case it was given to protect my stomach I think. Your Dr might mention this drug as it seems to be commonly given, or you could ask him/her yourself.

[Diamonddaisy in reply to Jpan6]

I'm on something love that, I take omaprazol. I sometimes forget. Have had for several years now after taking aspirin ibuprofen and paracetamol with arthritis. Im only able to use paracetamol now

[CDreamer in reply to Diamonddaisy]

Personally I would book to see a nutritionist, not a GP as in my experience they know little and don’t have the time and will usually refer to the nurse who tend to use the NHS plate - which is out of date and not specific to AF.

[Diamonddaisy]

Thank you for your comments and advice, it's very appreciated. I am to see gp, the gastro side has settled, just having little episodes of ectopic beats now which I'm not stressed over.