Rohmeld syndrome

[Conno40]

I have had PAF for over 25 years and I came across an interesting article about AF that cardiologists don’t really talk about.

Rohmeld syndrome causes AF and this is due to gut problems. This is something that those who suffer from distended gut through some type of disease like acid reflux, trapped wind, anxiety or other gut ailments, should look this up and present it to your cardiologist. Many AF patients are sometimes misdiagnosed and go on to have ablations or take powerful pills like flecinide, digoxin to name a few.

If you suffer ectopics then this can be the cause.

Hope the above helps

Thanks

[jeanjeannie50]

Interesting, thanks for posting. Have just found this info about it by Dr Sanjay Gupta. Feel I may have this:

drsanjayguptacardiologist.c...

[meadfoot]

My gastric surgeon and electrophysiologist are discussing this as a possible cause of my cardiac and gut issues. At my phone consult last week I raised it and theu are discussing this and my symptoms at their next multidisciplinary team meeting.

I have had a letter follow up to that effect this morning. I have been convinced of Roehmeld syndrome for a number of years and medics are looking into it with me.

There is lots about on goggle I have found including dr Sanjay Gupta at York cardiology who explains it well..

[Limoncello]

Thank you so much for this. I am convinced my gut problems of 50 years standing have brought about my AFib. If I can ever get to see a cardiologist again, I’ll raise it with him. My mother had similar problems so I guess there’s a genetic link too.

[Conno40 in reply to Limoncello]

Hi, I have controlled mine with Omeprazole and taking magnesium in powder form. I think if you did that, this could help. You may have silent GERD/reflux. If you have this, then the problem is within your gut.

[Bawdy]

Thank you for posting this information. I too have gut problems for 50 plus years and now have some heart problems that also have taken a long time to be recognised. Never seemed to be the right test, maybe I needed some rehab to strengthen my heart and lungs!!. It was and still is an ongoing struggle to keep on top of it. Have had an ablation now with some success. I will be printing this out to show my cardiologist, yes, if we ever get to see them again, here in Aust we are having a hard time where we live. But we are Ok and lucky not to have the problems facing a lot of others. Thanks again.

[Conno40 in reply to Bawdy]

There are so many people having ablations when in fact they may have silent reflux that is exacerbating the heart and causing AF. Gut problems seem to be passed by by the cardiologists.

Take magnesium and if you do have reflux then omeprazole is the way to go

Good luck

[Hidden]

Thank you so much for posting this.

I sent an email off to my doctor after reading everything I could find online and asked him if this was my problem. He replied that several years ago the EP had placed a line in the record that said ROHMELD SYNDROME??? Nobody ever uttered those words to me!

He said it was clear in reading my records that I had been reporting a gut/AFib connection for years and no doctor and no test had actually identified a problem with my heart. From 1986-1999 they just wrote prescription after perscription for drugs to be taken daily that really just made things worse.

He said he believed that my episodes were so bad during the 13 year period I was on Digoxin and Quinidine because they are both very hard on the gut, as well as being known to deplete nutrients. Digoxin depletes Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, B1 and Phosphorous and Quinidine depletes B5, K, Choline and Potassium. He said with electrolytes impacted by prolonged use, it was no wonder I had more episodes on the drug combo than off.

He said he put Gastro/Cardiac Syndrome in my file after seeing me in June. He said if I wanted to give it the specific name of Rohmeld Syndrome, he had no problem with that, but that it was not in common use here. He said it is clear my triggers are carbs and gassy foods and to continue to avoid them and I should do well.

He asked how I was doing on his recommendations and I reported that all was well and I am able to tolerate the extra supplements/herbs and no A Fib incidents.

I look forward to our next in person visit in mid December.

[Limoncello in reply to Hidden]

Good grief! Yet another instance of the medical profession ignoring notes from other professionals and patients’ reporting of symptoms when it doesn’t fit in with their idea of a health condition.

Your experience has convinced me to speak to my GP. I didn’t know about EPs, that’s never been mentioned and because of Covid I’ve had no further contact with the cardiologist since my initial external cardiogram. I told both my GP and the cardiologist that my previous episodes and the eventual persistent AFib had been triggered by stomach upsets, but they didn’t comment and as it was all new to me, and after I was told I had a mitral valve defect and would need a repair or replacement, I was in quite a nervous state, ( but trying to appear calm!) I didn’t press them on that.

Perhaps I am at fault for not going to my GP a couple of years ago when I started having the odd mini AF episode, but as it only lasted a few seconds, I ignored it. And also I might have been put on the Bisoprolol earlier and had yet longer feeling rubbish!

Maybe the valve problem has come about because of damage from gut bacteria, I don’t have any reflux symptoms, no sore throat or acid reflux, just bloating and a “turbulent” gut. Perhaps I can limit the damage by being stricter about my diet. I have been taking magnesium citrate for a long time, as years ago I was told by two alternative practitioners (both qualified doctors, one also a hospital consultant) that I was deficient in magnesium, after blood tests done for nutrients and ‘toxic’ chemicals. As my problem is the opposite to constipation I do wonder if it contributes towards that.

Heaven knows when I’ll get seen again in cardiology!

Anyway many thanks to people who contribute their experience. It’s good to feel I’m not alone!

[Hidden in reply to Limoncello]

Don't fault yourself for not seeing your GP about this when you started having this. I have NEVER discussed this with a GP. I went straight to the Emergency Room when I had my first episode and they immediately brought in a cardiologist.

I was only seen by the EP after my wife had the nerve to ask the cardiologist why he had not suggested it! She also chastised him for not having a vein specialist take a look at my "bad leg" to see if anything could be done. My first cardiologist was an arrogant know it all, and my wife never liked him, but I was reluctant to change doctors. Thankfully, he retired and I was able to move over to his partner, who we both liked better. He had great bedside manner. We had great rapport, he listened, but he did not have a background that would leave him open to more holistic treatments, but he did not make me feel like an idiot for bringing up diet, supplements, and the gastro/cardiac connection. He was a numbers man and since all my numbers were better on Keto, compared to what they had been on the American Heart Association diet, he said it was OK to continue with Keto.

He retired last year and I was not happy, but now I feel like I won the lottery. I actually found someone who listens, understands, and is very willing to think outside the box. I have my wife to thank for that too because she took the time to research the list of cardiologists in the area. My doctor gave me a short list before he retired. He had a star next to the doctor I eventually chose, but I was afraid he was only recommending this guy because they were in the same medical group. It turned out to be a blessing because with a few keystrokes he was able to access all of my cardiology records back to 1986.