I’d be interested to hear if anyone has ever been told about or treated for underlying causes of their AF and how successful the treatment was if given?
As mentioned in other posts I’m only 34 and would like to explore all avenues before I go for what my EP suggested in having an ablation. I’m more than happy to go for it if it’s my only option over drugs but I’d much rather find the cause and correct if possible.
Also if anyone knows of any possible causes they’ve heard about over the years I’d love to hear them. Hopefully I can compile a list and ask to be tested for them before hand.
Thanks guys 👍
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Elli86
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Thanks buff I will check those out. Drug taking and binge drinking were unfortunately part of my teenage years 😫 how I regret that now! My diet isn’t an issue now. As mentioned in other posts I don’t do or take anything bad nowadays. Stress is most definitely part of it though. Sleep apnoea ruled out as well.
Now gut issues are something I’ve had for years and I’ve mentioned in other posts that I feel this would probably be one of my underlying causes. Did mention this to EP in a personal medical history I wrote out for him (3 pages long) he didn’t mention it in consultation though
It’s not proven but there a strong indication that gut biosphere is extremely important in regulating immune and autonomic responses. We humans have complex, interrelated systems so treating just one system just doesn’t make sense to me.
You can improve gut health in all sorts of ways without using meds but the science is in really early days. I follow Prof Tim Spector who uses Zoe Apps to help research and monitor COVID but along the way he got very into gut health and completely changed his views on nutrition and health and is now on a mission. He is working with Zoe and they have just launched in US and which will be coming to the UK shortly. Worth following the progress. I’ve signed up as I’ve had gut problems since I was 18.
Of course you could also find a dual trained Lifestyle Medicine/Cardiologist - rare species but not impossible to find.
Trouble is even when you have gone through all that you may still not get the answers you seek.
I didn’t look at Buffafly’s link yet but I believe my AF issues started after I developed gum disease which was treated. Oral health is often forgotten but very important.
I’ll check the them links out. I’m much like you in I believe treating (or masking) one problem on it’s own is pretty pointless. As you said the body (and mind) is incredibly complex and all things are linked together and affect each other. That’s why it’s so difficult to find a route cause. Not impossible in my opinion but extremely difficult. Frustrating to say the least. I’ve been trying to get to the bottom of my issues for the last 10 years to no avail. I’ve seen just about every different type of professional you could imagine. I’ve tried loads of different diet changes, fitness regimes, holistic treatments and had 100s of different tests but got nowhere. All come back negative. Now this has kicked off I’m assuming it may have been connected to my heart all along but who knows.
Definite causes, Over exercise ( iron man, endurance racing etc) obesity, Ibuprofen, binge drinking (in younger people this is a classic cause) being a fast jet military pilot.
Natural cures? stop drinking, de train and reduce over exercise, maintain good BMI less than 26. Reduce meat and processed food consumption. Reduce stress.
That all said there will always be racing snakes with AF as there is also a genetic function. If your heart is built a specific way then you are more likely to develop AF just as if your eyes are built a particular way you will need glasses. Blame your parents.
Trained kickboxing for 3/4 years when I was younger. Till 22 I think. Never had any injuries or issues until I had to stop after a viral infection. Since then been nothing but problems.
As mentioned above don’t drink/take drugs anymore. Did in teenage years and pretty heavily for few years. Flying fast jets not part of my life currently although I wish it was 🤣 probably a dream I’ll have to forget now 😫
Genetically could be an issue as I was a very prematurely born identical twin. Unfortunately my brother died when he was 6 months old. So could be something to do with it? Although would issues with the structure of my heart not show up on an echo and mri? My eyes are terrible and always have been. Ridiculously thick glasses growing up lead me to have the operation I mentioned in another post. Not the nicest thing I’ve ever had done but did the trick.
You mention a viral infection and that health problems started following it. Could you perhaps be suffering from some sort of post viral syndrome? Did you get any treatment for the virus at the time such as inappropriate antibiotics? Do you have any other health issues that have come on since your infection?
It’s a great idea getting all your ducks in a row before your appointment. One of the best things you could do is click on the link below which will enable quick and easy access to AFA and other webpage which will provide you with all the information you need, including a number of questions you should ask your specialist. It also explains the different causes of AF as well as the treatments which are available including videos on ablation. It’s probably better than having us banging on because we are likely to comment largely on things you already know, but if you see something which requires more clarification, just ask.
The one thing you should not overlook is the impact lifestyle changes can have on reducing AF. Diet, alcohol, recreational drugs, exercise, smoking, obesity ......the list goes on and I’m sure that a lot of these things won’t apply to you but they have to be mentioned.......hope you find the information helpful.....
• in reply to
I see I have already provided you with this information........
I think you have flapjack but thanks again 😂 I’ve looked through the usual possible causes just thought people might have some more personal/ unusual causes from experience
🥴 I’m not sure about that. Doesn’t feel like it at least. Currently feel like I’m looking for a needle in a dark cave with a match for illumination. Hopefully find a torch at some point
That’s interesting. I took naproxen for just over a year as I kept getting what I thought were muscular issues. I can’t remember the dosage but it was pretty high. I stopped taking them because they were destroying my gut
Ummm. Were you taking them when you began being in AFib?I get a feeling that this was further in the past. I’ve been on naproxen for about 12 years, but I’m determined to stop it and so am seeing a chiropractor now.
No this was years ago right at the start of my problems. I believe it may have been around a year after I had to stop training. I hoped it would get me back. It didn’t. This would have been around 8/9 years ago.
My af issues have been since last jan/feb. Although I did have an attack prior to this but I can’t remember when exactly. Wasn’t debilitating like it is now. Didn’t feel nice and I felt rather tired but I carried on working through it and eventually after roughly 6 weeks on and off (mostly on) it went on it’s own.
A combination of Barts, Prof Schilling and his team and your thirst for knowledge.....methinks you will end up with a searchlight which most here will envy!!
I’m far from knowledgable in AF having only heard of it last March. AF first came my way as a result of COVID which also gave me pneumonia. After successful cardioversion, it returned 7 months later and I’ve been in AF for five weeks awaiting cardioversion again. I’m then hoping to have ablation(s) to prevent return.Thought I would highlight the cause of my first AF was clear but not for my recent ongoing episode. I have been told by cardiologist that once someone has had AF, it’s likely to reoccur regardless of initial cause. This has been hard to accept and like you I’m in my thirties. I guess this is makes it even harder to find the underlying cause for some cases as initial cause might no longer be a factor?
Sorry to hear that mate. It’s pretty life changing. Taking me a while to get my head around it. You’ve had it for around the same time as me as well. My first serious episode was jan/feb. I’d had it before then but it wasn’t debilitating like it is now. I could still go about my normal life just didn’t feel great. Not so lucky since jan though. Interesting they gave you a cardioversion. I’m guessing you ended up in a and e? What have your symptoms been like? Bearable or same as me? I’ve not heard from anyone around my age, your the first so I’d be interested to see how our circumstances compare.
My husband was told he needed to carry a spray, after he had an attack at work. That was 9 years ago, then last year he was told he had A.F. and lucky not to have had a stroke.
Yes it’s been really tough of late. I have little ones too and being around and not really being able to help and play with them has been the most difficult. My first episode wasn’t as severe I don’t think but I was battling pneumonia and infection so hard to tell really. I was in hospital for a week and in ICU for a few days on oxygen. Only noticed my fast HR when in the ambulance and it was 180.Cardiologist said me to there was a chance it might return but equally it might not. I wasn’t prepared for how much this second episode would floor me though to be honest. Last time I was able to work partially before cardioversion (desk job at home) but this time I’ve not had the energy. So fatigued, on bisoprolol and breathless. Thankfully I avoided going into hospital as was able to speak to cardiologist remotely.
He managed to get me in yesterday actually to attempt cardioversion with flecainaide. Would have been much earlier but pandemic has got in the way. Despite giving me as much as he was allowed, heart stayed in AF so I’m awaiting electric cardioversion which will take a while given the pandemic challenges. I have changed beta blockers as of today and now on verapamil. Too early to say if I’m feeling better on them as am rather done in from yesterday still! But I’m hopeful given comments on here from others. One thing I’m learning is that everyone’s experiences and symptoms are so different. Might be worth seeing if your meds can be changed if you’re feeling like me? From what I know about ablation (mainly from here so thanks all!) it’s the path I need to go down for sure. My cardiologist, who has been excellent, said as soon as this episode started that was the best option and he said yesterday it might take a couple of go’s but should have a good chance of success. God knows what the waiting list is at present though!
That’s what I find the toughest mate is my kids. They’re starting to ask questions now as well and worrying about hurting me. My little girl keeps mentioning her heart beating too fast. Horrible. Feel useless. Was very hands on dad and used to love chucking them about on the bed 🤣 they love it as well it wasn’t one way 😂 can’t do it at all now. Struggle to pick them up at all at times. Finding it really difficult. Looking like ablation is best bet for me as well. I paid £300 to see a private EP over a zoom call and he said straight away that I need a cryo ablation and is writing to my gp so they can refer me. He said he’s more than happy to do it but itll be anything from 8 months to a year wait time on his list so I’m probably better off going on at barts wait list and should get done a lot quicker. Just want my life back now. 👎 fingers crossed the ablation gets me back to normal and I can start being a proper dad again 🤞
Hopefully I’m not like this in the summer as I’m gonna find it really hard not being able to run around with kids and play outside. Gonna find that REALLY tough if it hasn’t improved by then. Bring on the ablation now I think
Hang in there mate. I know it’s tough at the minute but things do get better. I went through depression anxiety and went really inward for a good while, I hated the unexpected bouts of afib coming and going whenever it decided to appear.? Missed heart beats for days on end etc frightened to go sleep etc, no energy, interest etc etc. Also worrying about not been able to have a chuck about with the kids etc. When you’re first diagnosed with this AF it’s the hardest part, but over time and tying different medications and maybe a ablation life does get better. Your life will come back step by step mate as mine did. Read as much medical info on afib and learn as much as you can about it and this will also help you and your cardiologist.👍
Thanks jetcat. Always helps to hear from people who’ve been through what your going through and come out the other side. How did you find relief in the end? Meds or ablation?
A little bit of both to be honest. I Had 3 PVI Ablations over 2 half years and I was also placed on propafonone mainly as a pill in the pocket approach. I did still get some afib episodes mostly in the early hours. But the ablations were worth doing.👍 my symptoms became much less troublesome and easier to live with. Afib can strike anybody.!! young, old, even athletes. It does change your life. But you can live with it mate. Some folk don’t even know they have it. But some others like myself feel every single missed heart beat, ectopics, racing heart etc😡. Do you have lone af same as me.? Structural normal heart. What tests have you had.?
Much like you I feel everything and it ruins me when it happens. Didn’t at first but every episode seems to get worse and more debilitating. Literally exhausts me and I just have to lay down and ride it out until extra dose of meds kick it out. Structurally my heart seems fine. Since I’ve had the af I’ve only had ecg and echos. I’ve had Mri, X-rays of my heart before due to my other issues and these came back fine. I did a stressed mri in my heart as well. That was a pretty weird experience. All came back negative though much like every other test I’ve ever had. Very frustrating to say the least. As the years have gone by ive actually hoped for a positive test just so I can finally get some answers. Hasn’t come as yet though. Maybe it was my heart all along? Who knows
All the tests you’ve had would have shown if there was any serious issues so it’s good to know that it’s just the hearts miss firing sometimes same as mine. Still I agree it is a downer because there’s no obvious reason.😡 my cardiologist said it’s probably something Iv been born with which didn’t cheer me up😡 have you tried magnesium supplements.? Iv had quite a lot of success with it. Some people find it helps some people see no difference but it’s worth a read up as magnesium is a very important element for the heart mate.
Quite a few people on here have mentioned it and I’ve seen it on various lists of heart healthy supps and foods. Definitely something I need to get on. Think gonna get back on the vit d and k2 as well. Maybe that’ll help. It’s hard to see what helps and what doesn’t when your on permanent meds though, as my meds seem to keep the af under raps, I just feel like rubbish when taking them. Chest still aches as well and fatigued but the actual af episodes seem to be kept in check.
Yeah I found that too. I felt awful a lot of the time with the meds but I agree it does keep it at bay mate. I was getting ectopics daily, all the time for ages. It was getting me down. Then I started reading about this magnesium. I thought I may as well give it a go so I started taking 250 mg / 350mg daily. Six months ago and my ectopics stopped within a week and touch wood my AFIB has decreased massively too.
Every 5 to 10 seconds I got a little thud in my chest with a slight pause then a catch up beat then normal beating and then just kept repeating this for months. I’d have a week or 2 without them then it started all over again😡 I printed a ecg off using my cardialive cor finger monitor and showed my cardiologist on my next appointment. He said ohh yes there ectopics there nothing to worry about they are a nuisance but harmless .!! I thought to myself not only afib to cope with but also ectopics 😡 he was rite though they do come and go. Why I don’t know😳
That’s interesting. I get the occasional thud/skipped beat and feel like I have to catch my breath briefly. This is even while on meds. It’s quite occasional though and is only a couple of beats. Doesn’t feel great but I could definitely live with it if it was my only issue.
I had one about an hour ago and it feels almost like your hearts going to go into AF but the meds level it out. This is what I’ve put it down to so I haven’t really put much more thought into it than that. I tend to find it comes on when I’m in certain positions. Especially if I’m laying down and lean over to grab something on my right hand side. Seems like when my heart is put in certain positions, there’s a pressure change inside and it can’t cope with it. I used to sleep on my left but I can’t even lay on it now as I instantly feel like I can’t breath properly and my heart feels like it’s struggling with the additional pressure/weight. Same sort of issue if I lay on my back but not as bad. I have to sleep on my right now which is annoying and probably another reason why I’ve found sleeping difficult.
Can’t really lay on the floor either which is annoying because it’s normally the positron I’m in when playing games etc with kids. Something about laying on my side , with elbow propping me up that again puts pressure on my heart that it doesn’t like. This is either side as well.
Yeah I’m like that too. I can bring on a missed beat just by leaning over or twisting.! Sleeping positions have definitely had to change for me too over the last few years. I was once in afib and drank a cup of really cold water straight from the fridge and immediately went back into sinus rhythm😳 that freaked me out a little. Iv since read that a certain nerve runs near your throat so it must be something to do with that.?
Dave0 I wrote out a huge reply to Elli86 at the bottom of this thread because I thought it was Ellie86 who said he had had Covid. But it wasn't, it was you. So that long reply is really meant for you if you want to go and find it in here somewhere.
Ah thanks FancyPants54 , just seen it. Very interesting and sounds like you’ve been on quite the journey to find out what you have. I think for me the initial cause is more straight forward and hopefully ablation(s) will do the trick
I had SVT since high school. Usually about 3 times a year. From about 16 yr old to 40 yr old. At about 40yr old it’s started happening twice a month. Doc could never diagnose it. Apple Watch caught it. I ended up getting an ablation for it and I couldn’t be happier. 2 years now without any SVT. Get an ablation!!!! I do now have rare instances of AF. That’s when I drink too much booze. If I stay away from the juice then I’m good. If I drink too much there’s about a 40% chance something funky is going to happen within 36 hours of my binge.
I think an ablation is the way to go. Thanks for input. I’m good to never drink again to be honest. Haven’t drank alcohol for years now. Do miss a glass or two of red with dinner at a restaurant but I’m happy to go without.
Get them fixed by addressing the route cause. At the outset of AF, once I found out I had Lone PAF with no comorbidities I was determined to make it a driver to improve my life in other areas more than it has detracted from it. I have achieved this over 7 years. You are so much younger and therefore much more to gain!
You know, this is really worth checking out I think. That’s three people (including me) who have mentioned gum problems.I’ve just been reading your posts and wanted to say how sorry I am that you’re feeling so awful, especially because you’re so young.
I’m 64 and it’s a nightmare thing this AFib, but at least I don’t have small children to look after any more. I do feel for you. 🙃
Thanks sliding doors much appreciated. It is certainly tough I’m not gonna lie. I’m still breathing though so that’s a positive. I’ve often thought that my gum problems were tied in with my inflammation issues and I’m now learning that inflammation can be a big cause of AF as well. Everything’s connected. Be nice to find someone who’d treat things holistically but as I’ve recently learned, even if you fix the underlying cause, once you’ve got AF it tends to stick around regardless. Looks like the ablation is the only way to go.
PS That’s really interesting Elli. I didn’t know about inflammation and AFib (this nightmare journey only began in September) but because I’m riddled with arthritis (from big toe to lower neck!🥲) it could be another reason for me to think about!
Sorry to hear that. It’s certainly not easy when af is the culmination of an already long list of ailments. Certainly feels like someone’s out to get you. Does for me atleast. I’ve struggled with depression since my training(my life at the time) got taken away from me 10 yrs ago. Since then it’s been a constant battle to try and get back but i think this latest roadblock is the final nail in the coffin and I’ve just got to realise it’s never going to happen. Problem is I’m not one to give up so I keep fooling myself. Probably time to call it quits
Clearly this is lot to get your head around and sorry to hear how much you are struggling mentally which I get and is totally justifiable. It’s important to remember that things will get better as others say and you will find a way through managing this condition. Have you reached out to anyone for support in the form or talking therapies? If not speak to your GP about this and a CBT referral perhaps. Things are tough for everyone right now and add to that a significant health condition you’re battling with physically and emotionally, and not being able to exercise etc and easy to feel the way you do. They might be able to assist. Just a thought.
Hi. I don’t know because I don’t have a medical background, but surely when your young heart it sorted out you’ll be able to exercise the same (or nearly the same) I suppose there will still be the inflammation issue though?
I was told that my severe obstructive sleep apnoea was the cause and that my ablation would not hold if apnoea left untreated. I had the ablation 5 years ago, am treated for apnoea with a clap machine, and have had no more episodes of af since
I’m 75 now. The other thing I did was lose weight. Good luck with your treatment. There are many positive ablation, but you don’t see many on here, because they don’t have problems they need to share. Think positively!
Thank you. Appreciated. I have heard quite a few positive cases from ablations on here now. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do before I came on here but it seems to have made my mind up now.
Hi! I went to A&E 3 times over 2 years and was said to have AF during these times. After the first one it was looked into and an ASD (hole in heart) was found. It was since been closed at London St Thomas back in November and was a success! I feel better and no issues so far.
I had an echo at Gloucester Royal not long after the first time, and then a second one with bubble study. After that I had an MRI in Bristol and it was after that the diagnosed SVASD. I then had a CT to determine how to fix it.
My husband had a very stressfull life before he met me. The doctor told him that was the cause of his A.F. I make sure he has as little stress as possible. Apart from being on warfarin, he has had no other problems.
It’s funny you should say that as I had a very easy life with no problems before I met my mrs 🤣 I used to train 5/6 times a week and I met her and my health went down hill from there 😂 im not even joking either. Not her fault of course just a pure coincidence (although I do like to bring it up occasionally if she annoys me) 🤣
All jokes aside stress does seem to be a trigger. Either physical or mental.
For me, the main causes were: 1) inherited arrhythmia (my mother and grandmother had it), and 2) the tricyclic antidepressant Amitryptiline. (I have posted about this before). Legal but damaging, although it seems they didn't know that then.
I never drank a lot of alcohol, but can't drink any now. I did take the odd illegal when I was younger, but mostly cannabis, which I don't think is a cause. My diet is pretty good, although this lockdown has got me overweight!
Fluoxetine (Prozac) could have been a part of it, -- I was given it for a few weeks and suddenly got a fast heart beat, but they took me off it then. Sadly, not the same with the Amityiptiline. They just kept telling me I was having panic attacks, which I knew was not true, but I wasn't believed until I had a PAF episode.
have you been on any kind of medication before this developed?
I don’t believe anyone else in my family has had it. My Nan had a cardiac arrest but this was after a bout of pneumonia. She’s now on bisoprolol same as me. I think I’m the lucky one who ruins it for the generations that come after me in that regard 😫
I hate medication and normally refuse it when a doctor just prescribes it without even barely listening to what I have to say. So the only one I can really think of is naproxen which I was on for roughly a year. This was only as I hoped it would allow me to continue training and not have to worry about flare ups. It didn’t. Other than this I can’t think of any other meds I was on.
Yes Elli I agree with you about doctors. Not entirely their fault though. It's free in UK but not enough time to talk, and pharma companies have too much influence.
I agree. I’m sure they’d listen if they had enough time. Some still do but even those haven’t got enough time to really drill down into your problems. Soon as you walk out they’ve got to focus on the next patient. Too many people and not enough good doctors out there.
Just a thought (another one) They seem to put everyone on bisoprolol in the beginning, but it made me feel breathless and weak and horrible so go it changed to Diltiazem, which was better for me. Just a thought!
My nhs cardio suggested trying diltiazem and my new private EP has suggested sotalol. Not sure I want to keep messing about with different drugs. Might have to though. Depends how long I have to wait for the ablation.
OK. You asked. You might wish you hadn’t when you go down this rabbit hole!
I’m female and developed paroxysmal AF in my mid 40’s. It was dreadful when it happened. Totally debilitating and terrifying. But it would stop after a couple of days and I’d be fine for 10-11 months. That went on for years. I was at my slimmest and fittest at that time. But my Dad’s side of the family have AF running through them. So there is probably a genetic link as Dad had it badly.
By mid 40’s a woman is undergoing substantial hormone fluctuations and degradation. I am convinced that this is a factor. Symptoms of peri menopause are long and varied, but include palpitations, ectopic beats and runs of tachycardia as pretty much standard.
On top of those two things, hypothyroidism runs in Mum’s side of the family. I had periods throughout my life where I would shed loads of hair and get fat and tired for several months and then it would pass. I had severe glandular fever at the age of 20, which took a year to get over and I was warned about relapses, which did seem to happen. Something like 70% of people who have had glandular fever end up hypothyroid. Those periods of sluggishness were often put down to the virus. But chances are it was my thyroid performance that was to blame. The gland sputtering to keep going after the bashing it took from the virus.
Now I’m diagnosed hypothyroid, I have never got well on standard thyroxine (inactive T4). Thyroid treatment in the U.K. is appalling! Desperate. So I have tried different things. Last year I took a genetic test and discovered that I had inherited a genetic defect on an enzyme production called Dio2. It affects how well my body can convert the inactive thyroid hormone T4 produced by my thyroid gland and given In the form of thyroid replacement medication into the active hormone T3, needed by every cell in our body for energy. The heart and brain have huge T3 requirements on a daily basis.
I am now experimenting with replacement T3 medication as well as T4. The problem is that U.K. medics don’t understand this and panic because they think that there is evidence that T3 replacement can give us AF. They base that on knowing that hyperactive thyroid patients get it. But a natural hyper state is different to a replacement overdosed hyper state. My experiment is because I have no energy or stamina and feel horrible most of the time because I am hypothyroid, now I’m in persistent AF, I’m pretty asymptomatic, but the lack of thyroid hormone and the menopause hormone loss is a total killer for energy, motivation, recovery etc.
There is evidence that lower levels of T3 in the blood can cause AF more than high levels but you won’t find a U.K. doctor who has a grasp of that. The best information I’ve found is on a Canadian thyroid patient web site. There’s more about the thyroid connection to AF than I’ve found elsewhere. But it’s quite hard to understand the graphs and percentages, and I have a detailed knowledge of hypothyroidism. Low T3 with normalT4 and TSH is called non-thyroidal illness syndrome and happens after a severe illness or injury. It’s the body’s way of slowing us down to heal.
Now do you see where I’m going with this? I had a severe bout of glandular fever in my early 20’s. I had a family history of hypothyroidism and AF and developed both (AF first) in my 40’s when my female sex hormones started to fail. You have been very ill with Covid 19 and developed AF on the flip side. I have heard that some medics are concerned that Covid can induce non-thyroidal illness syndrome and have found evidence of low T3. I think there might even be some experimental treatments going on around it.
Low T3 makes you feel exhausted. Unable to climb stairs, not able to walk far, no stamina, no recovery, legs like lead, tight chest, difficulty breathing, depression, misery, no motivation, weight gain, loss of hair etc. We get some of the symptoms rather than all at once). Add into that Bisoprolol (but I think you said that has been swapped, good. If it’s still an issue push to try a calcium channel blocker if appropriate for you) and you could feel like a hibernating slug.
If you go to this Canadian web site and search atrial fibrillation you will find quite a bit about it, including the work that’s been done to analyse data to show how low T3 is as bad as high T3, if not worse. And talk about the non-thyroidal aspects. I hope it can help you find ways to proceed because AF is likely to return after ablation if the underlying cause is still there. And I hope you can find someone (not a GP) who will help you to test and evaluate this possibility. But that will be hard and probably needs to be someone working with Long Covid. Or you will need to find a top thyroid specialist who is willing to listen. They are like gold dust, but they do exist.
If you got to the bottom of the essay, well done!
My iPad has forgotten the link so I will add it in another linked message rather than run the risk of all I have typed being lost.
All our hormone systems work together. Disrupt one and all are affected. Hypothyroid patients invariably have poor gut function, which in turn makes our vitamins and mineral levels low. All connected.
A lot of interesting info in there fancy. Thanks for that. Not sure it was meant for me though as I haven’t had Covid and hoping i won’t 🤞 either way I will dissect this and hopefully get to the bottom of it. One thing I did do before I got the first bad episode of af was testosterone replacement therapy, which I sit think I’ve mentioned on here. I was desperate and this was my last resort for trying to fix my issues prior to af. I managed to find a consultant in Doncaster who put me on a trial to see if i would get benefit from it. On the 3rd injection on 3rd week I started getting palpitations and it developed to the point where I ended up in A and E. like I say since then It’s been downhill rapidly. I’ve mentioned this too several doctors, cardios and my latest EP but they don’t seem to see a connection. Seems like a bit of a coincidence to me but again who knows.
Thanks for info again even if it wasn’t meant for me 😂
Edit: the doctor who put me on the testosterone treatment did say that if this doesn’t work then I should look into thyroid but since then I’ve had these af problems that have completely taken over my life.
Ah drat! Someone in your thread then said they had had Covid 19 and got AF. I thought it was you. Sorry. But yes, hormones are linked I'm sure. And injections might have been too much too fast.
😂 no problem. The layout on this forum does make it quite difficult to keep track of who said what and when. Easily done.
I think hormones are definitely linked like you say. I seemed to have a good response to the testosterone until the heart problems for sure. Might need to look into my thyroid as i know the symptoms are incredibly similar for both.
They are. Most men use a gel to support testosterone levels, which will be less of a shock to the system than a sudden injection.
I've found the man who had Covid. Dave0, I've tagged him.
We have a big problem with medicine in the UK. The specialists only focus on their specialism and never consider a whole-body view and collaboration with other specialists.
I looked at the gel but most men who start on this don’t get much benefit from it. Most if It gets lost in the process of getting through your skin into your blood stream. Another concern was my kids. I didn’t want to expose them to it so I went for the injections. Wish I hadn’t now.
Totally agree about your view on the health system over here. No one takes a holistic approach. Time this changed in my view. Most doctors don’t want their ego tarnished by joe public either. They feel the need to justify their long time spent in education and won’t listen to anyone who suggests anything outside of what they’ve been taught. Frustrating to say the least but also if you understand how the human brain works, it’s understandable to some extent.
It might be less effective, but doses are easier to tweak and you might not have got too much at once. All our main HRT preparations are through the skin, so we have to worry about kids and pets etc. But you find a way. Apply the gel or patch to an area the kids don't go, like your bum or back of your thigh etc.
How long did you have AFIB for before it went permanent.? and what is your quality of life like in permanent AFIB.? like so many other people this is my biggest fear for the future
I had paroxysmal AF from mid 40's to 26th Feb 2019. I had felt better than I had in a long time (due to hypothyroidism) the day before and met a land agent we were using to sell some land to walk around the site (a large field with steep slow on the return). I felt good until I got back to the car and then felt unbelievably hot and shaky. It took a while to settle down and I went home rather than on to the thing I had planned to do. Next day I got up in the am to take my thyroid med and hoped back into bed and it started and never stopped. I was very stressed by it for the first few weeks. A GP put me on Bisoprolol and Digoxin and left me on a blood pressure pill. I was working and nearly passing out, dripping in cold sweat, shaking... Finally realised it was BP too low. Went to GP one morning with HR around 130 because I was so stressed and he sent me to A&E. They ran tests, and I spent the day in out patients while they got things back under control and took me off the BP tablet. I was much better after that.
Cardiologist said he'd book me a cardioversion to see if I felt better with NSR. He forgot. I reminded him at my next review 6 months later. I had a cardioversion January 2020. It was successful and held for a few weeks. I felt so much happier. One day it felt a bit racy so I went to the surgery and they did an ECG for me and it was fine, just a bit faster, which settled. My HR never came down to normal even after the successful cardioversion. A couple of months later I went for something else and the GP confirmed I was back in AF, but I couldn't really feel it so we don't know when it happened. I feel much better with it persistent than I did when it hit me out of the blue and floored me. I just take Nebivolol now and an anticoagulant. Sometimes I feel it get going a bit more noticeably, last night and this morning for example. But I'm tired and didn't have a good day yesterday so that was the reason. I can't feel it now. I'd rather I didn't have it of course. And I feel tired and worn out all the time, but I think that's my unsuccessfully treated hypothyroidism. I'm trying so hard to sort that out, but my body is proving stubborn.
You’ll get there fancy. When I first got properly diagnosed with afib 6 or 7 years ago it seemed really violent and forceful, after my ablations my episodes didn’t seem as powerful although it still frightens me and makes me feel worrried for the future as I’m 53 now but feel more like 83 some days 😂
I got sick right at the start of all my issues around 10 yrs ago yes. No idea what it was. Got tested for various different things but all came back negative. I was in bed for around a week but the problems dragged of for a good 2/3 months. Was mainly stamina issues that dragged on. Used to run as far as I wanted but couldn’t even run to bottom of road. Once I started to feel better again I tried to resume training as normal and this is when I got the persistent issues that I put down to Inflammation.
Certainly seems to be a genetic aspect to it Petel. Several people on here have mentioned it. For me personally I’m not aware of anyone in my family who’ve had it. I’m the lucky one at the start of the chain it would seem.
In my case it was determined that the cause of my AFIB was withdrawing from 15 years on antidepressants. Within a week of withdrawing I developed arrhythmias and it kept on for months. I never had any of this before so I finally went to a cardiologist who told me I now had a mild case of AFIB. I began to research in earnest and found out, through government websites, that the particular drugs I was on were noted for causing AFIB upon withdrawal. I then went to several very well known antidepressant withdrawal websites and, sure enough, heart arrhythmias and AFIB were a common result from coming off these drugs. I don't know if you have been on antidepressants, but if you have, review your history and check out all the online info available. The pathway of these drugs appears to be a dysregulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, causing vagal nerve disruption. Also, go to PubMed and review the studies on stress and its relationship to AFIB. Very eye opening! Good Luck!!
Hi king. I’ve never been on antidepressants personally no. I’ve definitely had bouts of depression over the years since issues started but I’m not a fan of medication so wouldn’t take medication for it. Only meds I’ve really had are naproxen and the anti arhythmic medication I take now. I’ve obviously taken your standard over the counter meds and the occasional dose of antibiotics. The latter of which I’ve regretted taking after finding out more about the micro biome and how antibiotics destroy it.
I really hope not, but My A,F didn’t start until zi was in my early 60;s , I am op is in permanent very well controlled A.F. and am symptom free, I am well and happy being very active, walking, exercising and living a full life.
I don’t think anyone can tell you for sure what caused it. IMO ablation is the way to go, especially because you are younger. I had one and have been AF free for 2 years now (knock on wood).
I’ve been suggested to have cryo. Not sure why exactly or what the advantages/disadvantages are of both options. Not sure what the parameters are for certain people to be eligible for one over the other either.
Cryo tends to be quicker as it is a balloon that freezes a larger area, rather than zapping areas individually. As for AF causes, my cardiologist said sometimes, it just happens. We would all like a definitive reason so that we can avoid our triggers but sometimes, there just isnt an answer. 4.5 years on and I still haven't got a clue what caused/causes mine.
Hi Just found out that the Fosamax I was prescribed for osteoporosis had doubled my likelyhood of getting AFib. Of course, given that I stopped the treatment once it had done its job there's nothing useful to be done about the AFib which I have now.
You're in good hands with all the replies here but I thought I'd share my experience. To be short, we don't know for sure what causes mine. It seems my over riding issue is PAC's. They rarely devolve into Afib (3 times in past 17 months).
First stop was all the blood panels, including thyroid, testosterone, electrolytes, etc. Only once has anything been out of range....Potassium was a bit low after a hot bike ride. I happened to be in BiGeminy at the time.
Next was Sleep Apnea. I did two sleep studies and the second found very mild obstruction while on back. After several years of CPAP, Positional Therapy and a Mandibular Advancement Device I can tell you that's probably not it as AHI never registers over 2-3. For me, diet, sleep, exercise are all in line though exercise may be towards the high end. And I certainly have a history of binge drinking and some genetics at play as my Mother has AF. Reducing my bike ride time from 3 hours down to 1.5 hours and going less intensely keeps me from some of the more robust palp storms....?
I tried twice to get an endoscope to check for hiatal hernia (had referrals both times (U.S.), but was rejected both times). Enterologist did not believe PAC's nor AF were related to gastro. I do not have reflux but they did agree to a two week course of Proton Pump Inhibitor, which made no change in arrhythmia.
Then, I went to the allergist where I convinced them to check all my common exposure points. The only thing that came back red flagged was trees and grasses. It turns out I live in one of the most forested and 'green' areas of the U.S. (Oregon). Can't hide from the trees though so this one remains a trigger each year for sneezing fits and itchy eyes but I can not find a causal link to the palpitations.
Through it all I've had serial imaging via echo's, MRI's, and a CT scan. Nothing wrong mechanically other than a large Aortic Root and some calcium plaques. Then came the trials on different types of Magnesium to no significant effect. I can say that stress/anxiety seem to be huge contributors as medical intervention for anxiety is proven in my case to calm/stop/supress the PAC's and AF. Currently exploring SSRI as a last resort. Good luck with your journey and search for a cause. Stay organized, remain curious, listen to your body, keep notes and be deliberate with your testing. I am guilty of modifying way too many factors at one time without patience to see them through, usually.
Hi bannera. Yes that is a problem I suffer from as well. I my case I believe they call it impatience 😂 I’m very guilty of not giving changes time to take affect. I find especially difficult when you read or are told something and immediately want to put it too the test. Sometimes it definitely pays to give things time. Making too many changes at once it is extremely difficult to know what’s having a positive effect and what isn’t.
Look into pub-med articles on GERD/ Acid reflux. There are some strong correlations. I'm looking to join a study. Had GERD for years. Recently experienced several AF episodes. Beta blocker helping fir now. And limiting caffeine..
Thanks gcriz. I’ll have a look into that however personally I haven’t ever suffered from gerd/acid reflux. Is this something you can have without being aware of it?
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6 months AF free
AF - a wide range of different varieties?
Exercise with AF?
AF & ablation! back to sport. 
