An experiment!

[WendyWu20]

Hi all, after spending the last month with dreadful ectopics and palpitations on a several-times-daily basis, I have decided to experiment. I was reaching for the Flecainide as soon as I had the wobbles, terrified that i was going to go into AF at any moment. Also suffering with bad effects from Apixaban... had several cuts/burns on fingers that had bled and festered for weeks, and concerned that my whole body was being negatively affected by the tablets.

Anyway, for 4 days I have not taken any Apixaban or Flecainide. I must make it clear that I am not recommending this approach to anyone else, I take full responsibility for my health and I've just decided to see what happens.

I've had no palpitations so far today, which is a first for a long time. My cuts/burns have all healed up nicely, just like they used to in the good ole days :o). I am taking nutritional supplements: strong garlic for an anticoagulant effect, plus Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sattiva) and Olive Leaf extract for an anti-inflammatory effect. I used to take these supplements, before I had to stop them because of the Apixaban contra-indications.

We will see! If there is no benefit, and the palpitations/AF frequency is the same, then I will have to go back to doctor's orders. If I the palpitations stop, but I do have an episode of AF, then I'll take the Apixaban for a week then wean off again.

[jeanjeannie50]

Snap Wendy, because I've done the same thing a few times, that is stopped meds. Each time I was in constant AF and when I stopped the pills, 2 x 12.5mg Metoprolol and 2 x 100mg Flecainide my AF stopped too. I did however at all times stay on my Warfarin, just too scared to stop that. So that's all I take for my heart at the moment and all is well.

Jean

[wilsond in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Me too Jean

[Hidden]

Keep us informed Wendy! You are very brave to stop the anticoagulant.

Of all the many pills I take warfarin is the last I would give up( followed by magnesium glycinate !)

[wilsond]

Totally agree EXCEPT the Apixaban...please think carefully. I have been able to come off flecanide and bisoprolol except as a PIP if needed but there are no natural anticoagulants that are effective enough for us AF..ers as we are so high risk. Perhaps a change of anticoagulant??

[WendyWu20 in reply to wilsond]

I only have a CHADS score of 1, for being female. When I was put on Apixaban the score was 2 as I had a point for raised blood pressure, but that has been ok for a while now. So my stroke risk is low, and I eat a super healthy diet consisting mainly of fruit, nuts and veg. And I will take a tablet straight away if I go into AF.

[Ianc2 in reply to WendyWu20]

Has the blood pressure problem gone way as you changed your diet and lost weight? are you now inside your BMI and waist height ratio?

[WendyWu20 in reply to Ianc2]

I actually have no idea! I used to be a bit anorexic in my youth, so I never weigh myself as it can get addictive. I know I've lost a lot of weight because people who haven't seen me for a while say, 'omg you've lost lots of weight and look fantastic' :o). I'm in a trouser size that I haven't worn for over 10 years, but i know my waist still needs to be slightly smaller to be healthier. Guessing, I'd estimate that I need to lose another 2 dress sizes (my size when I was in my twenties and very fit and healthy).

A work in progress, but yes the blood pressure has been fine for a year or so. And I have loads of energy since losing weight :o)

[fallingtopieces]

As for no natural anticoagulants, nattokinase is used for just that by many on the US based Afibbers website.

I’ve been taking it for 5 years now.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Pat

[Hidden]

I stopped the Flecainide as made AF stronger. Still take 2.5mg of Nebivolol and Pradaxa. Di

[secondtry]

Keep up the experiments, it all helps to reduce if not eliminate AF.

[Ianc2]

A final question - have you changed your exercise levels?

[WendyWu20 in reply to Ianc2]

Not much in the last two years. I used to walk briskly for at least an hour each each day, now I walk for about two hours and it's more hilly where I live now.

However, I used to do hill running 6 days a week until I was in my mid-forties, plus gym and dance classes. I now only do a belly dance class but my heart rate hardly increases (but I do grimace like hell when we're doing the belly rolls hahaha).

[Ianc2]

So 'super healthy diet' and 2 hours a day of undulating walking.. Sounds like a pretty good plan to me. Great stuff.

[WendyWu20 in reply to Ianc2]

'undulating'.... haha... I live in the foothills of the Pyrenees :o)

[Hidden]

Not a bad approach but I wouldn't stop the apixaban totally ,ask the dr if you can take half dose if weight is well down ! Andy