Awful bloating and Afib: Hi all, Has... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,400 members38,733 posts

Awful bloating and Afib

DaveT81 profile image
7 Replies

Hi all,

Has anybody ever suffered bloating and gas so awful they felt like their insides would blow up? I experienced it last night after taking a handful of charcoal tablets after a meal. I'd been using the same brand for 6 months but saw a good offer on Amazon so stupidly bought these, based on positive reviews.

The bloating I can handle though, but my heart just wasn't happy. I spent a few hours - it felt - tossing and turning with constant arrhythmias. I expected full-on afib at any moment but eventually I fell asleep.

The bloating is still here this morning but isn't as bad but I'm not quite ready to eat anything yet as my heart is still very pissed off and I'm getting regular ectopics. Has anybody ever suffered that before? Such awful sensations of bloating. I've learned my lesson re: trying new supps.

I'd already been suffering with lots of ectopics lately due to a new medications, which I stopped recently so I really could've done without another problem.

Written by
DaveT81 profile image
DaveT81
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
Hilly22 profile image
Hilly22

Hi Dave. It's happened to me a few times after eating too much carbohydrate and it's a horrible feeling. It's also a huge trigger for my arrhythmia. I was once writhing in so much pain that my husband was about to call an ambulance. Some people can burp when they want to, but I can't. I discovered (through desperation) that sticking my finger down my throat to make myself retch brought up the wind ... what a relief, and better than exploding any day :-D

DaveT81 profile image
DaveT81 in reply toHilly22

It's an absolutely horrible feeling, and I'm still suffering a bit today too. My arrhythmias were so bad last night I was in a cold sweat at one point, thought something really bad was about to happen because my heart was playing up so much.

I still feel so bloated today, and have only just had something to eat. Typical that this would happen on New Year's eve, when I was planning to allow myself a few beers and a few treats. Might try the finger trick later.

Hilly22 profile image
Hilly22 in reply toDaveT81

Another tip. I always wait until the last meal (including excess wind) has completely gone from my stomach before I’ll eat again. A bit of prevention and a bit of cure! Good luck with the finger manoeuvre, although brushing the back of your tongue with a toothbrush should work well if not better :-)

Hi Dave,

Yes, me !

I was diagnosed way back in Jan 2010 with paroxysmal AF. Many months later I identified the onset of an AF event with food I'd eaten.

My symptoms were akin to IBS and Coeliac Disease. I was tested for these and they were cleared of being the culprit. The symptoms specifically, were incredible and very, very, painful bloating, burping, intestinal gurgling, flatulence and diarrhea etc.

The culprit was a dysfunctional vagal nerve ( suggest you google it for a definition) but basically it is an information superhighway of the central nervous system between the brain and and digestive system and the heart. It very much controls/influences both cardiac and digestive systems.

If you click on my user name CARNEUNY it should take you to some posts I've written on this. Any problems get back to me and I'll write more.

Meanwhile .... happy new year to you all.

John

DaveT81 profile image
DaveT81 in reply to

Thanks for your reply, I had always worried whether there was some vagal involvement to be honest as a lot of my problems seem interconnected.

I went gluten free about 6-7 months ago I believe, mainly because I was starting to experience digestive issues that were irritating my heart and I was seriously concerned my a-fib may return at one point. I had an ablation last June, so thankfully it didn't but it's always been in the back of my mind that this won't be helping matters.

I'll take a look at your previous posts. I'm seeing one of my GPs tomorrow, so may mention this then.

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

You can get this sort of reaction from eating anything containing dairy products (lactose intolerance). Can be checked out by your local surgery as it affects about 15% of the population. It is a fairly straightforward check that will either confirm or knock out this possibility. John (carneuny's) posts are well worth a look if the check comes back clear.

DaveT81 profile image
DaveT81 in reply toIanc2

Yeah, I've actually had those done myself. But I'd like to have them done via my NHS surgery. I'm not entirely gluten or dairy intolerant, but I do have slight issues with both.

I've been gluten free for almost 6 months now and I will allow myself some dairy now and again. I usually use coconut milk as a substitute so it's really only cheese that I occasionally indulge in. That wasn't the case that night though!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Almost AF, followed by wind and bloating....?

So, a few hours earlier I was sitting by the couch when I felt that fairly familiar quivering in my...
DaveT81 profile image

Awful night with heart & ectopics

I'm past 3 years post my first ablation, now 39 years of age and by God, my heart just feels as if...
DaveT81 profile image

Afib or not afib

So where to start I'm new 27 year old male not overweight relatively fit ex-firefighter still go to...
Wilsons1990 profile image

Ever had reflux/bloating set your heart off in the middle of the night?

As it says, this happened to me. Woke up about 3 ish and lay there before becoming aware of my...
DaveT81 profile image

Inflammation and afib I’m surprised.?

Long story short. I left work after my shift on Friday feeling rough. Heart rate faster than normal...
Jetcat profile image

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.