Hello everyone! First, a practical question about the forum.
Is it best to start a new post on a topic that's been discussed if some time has passed, as opposed to continuing on an old thread?
That's basically what I'm doing here, but am open to learning from those who've been here longer. My impression has been that threads tend to get buried after a bit unless you're following the person or the conversation. I know how to follow a person, but haven't figured out how to follow a conversation, so advice is welcome.
Here's the latest on my ongoing experiment that involves the supplement Heart Calm, which contains CoQ10, magnesium, taurine, and potassium. I wanted to see if I can benefit from taking these micronutrients. I don't tolerate taking Flecainide regularly, but use it Pill-in-the-Pocket, and wanted to see if taking them might reduce the frequency of episodes or just help me feel better.
I've been experimenting with dosage and timing since the end of December.
CoQ10 provides energy and Taurine is calming. The suggested daily dose of CoQ10 in Heart Calm is small - 30 mg, whereas Dr. Stephen Sinatra (Metabolic Cardiology) suggests around 100-300.
At first, 3 capsules (the recommended dose) was clearly too much and kept me wide awake at night. As I mentioned in the other post, I'm really sensitive!
Over a few weeks, I worked up to 3 capsules, which then seemed not enough, so I recently started adding 100 mg extra of CoQ10. I also take additional Taurine before bedtime to be sure I sleep.
Overall, I feel so much better from taking the supplements, as I shared in the other post. My energy level, clarity of thinking and mood are significantly better.
The challenge I still have not fully sorted out is how much to take and when to take the doses later in the day so that I don't end up triggering an episode. I've had days when if I didn't take enough to get me through the night, I'd wake up in very mild AF.
If I took too much, it could keep me awake or else trigger an episode. I tried over 200 mg of CoQ10 the other day and had a long episode after teaching that knocked me out. Guess I won't do that again!!
Then in the mix there are days that are just lovely and normal.
I do still have to be mindful of my exertion level. Yesterday's dose was 130 mg, which was high for me. I could sleep and woke in NSR, but could feel the extra energy in my body, so went for a long walk that felt great. Heart was great, but then in the afternoon, after feeling like I needed another dose of Heart Calm, I went into AF.
The episodes have tended to be milder and short, like an hour or less, maybe up to 4 hours. Some have self-converted quickly, but this week, after taking Flecainide, they were actually longer. Those were on days of more exertion, teaching large classes.
I'm scheduled to see my cardiologist on Tuesday and mentioned Metabolic Cardiology in our email conversation about the sleep study. I sent her the link to the book. She thanked me for the info and said she'd have to look into it, which pleased me.
Even with the flickering of episodes, they are generally easier to tolerate somehow. I feel somehow physically stronger and don't get thrown off as much as I used to from episodes, though the one on Saturday that was 16 hours long was awful.
So that's where I am. Still exploring and carrying on in the AF adventure, grateful to be able to function better overall, which takes loads of pressure off of me that I'd been carrying. And I'd love to be free of episodes, like everyone else. I'm hoping that maybe if I can get the dosage and timing right, that could possibly happen. I'll keep trying, anyway!
I'm always eager to hear the experiences of others who have looked into the micronutrients, so feel free to share.
Looking forward to the cardio visit, too. Curious to see what will unfold!
Hawthorn supplement helped
Experiment update - 3 months
Does anyone take COQ10 with propranolol?
Heart Calm
