AF after diarrhoea

[Karendeena]

I have paroxysmal af and the last 3 episodes have been triggered by diarrhoea.

I had to take gastrogaffin as a bowel prep for a CT colonoscopy over the weekend which gave me constant diarrhoea- as expected went into af in the early hours of Monday morning. My EP thinks it may be imbalance of electrolytes, potassium or salts directly affected by loss of bodily fluids even though I was drinking loads of water.

My heart rate went up to 150bpm and was jumping about all over the place and seemed to miss several beats before going really fast. Finally went back into NSR after 36 hours felt it slowing down a few hours before.

Has anyone else had this as a trigger?

I am on 40mg of sotalol twice per day

[rebecca70]

That is why I had my colonoscopy done as an inpatient at the hospital. Best way to do it. with a fib.

[Poochmom]

I sometimes get triggered by acid reflux but not diarrhea. It’s all connected!!!!

[Jalia]

No, this has never triggered mine even when I had nightmare Noravirus on cruise ship. I was so ill I couldn't have cared less anyway !😱

[secondtry]

No not had that. My guess is the AF is most likely caused by a combination of stress and the Vagus Nerve, the latter has many gastro to heart connections.

[blulla1]

Too much calcium can trigger AF, so toss the dairy products or keep them to a bare minimum and stay away from calcium-fortified food products.

[Karendeena in reply to blulla1]

Thanks Blulla1, I was wondering if it's dairy kicking off my IBS too as chocolate no longer seems to suit me

[needlestone]

Did your colon prep drink contain aspartame or sucralose? In the US I have to request a specific prep that does not contain artificial sweeteners as most have them. I had to do research to find one to request in place of the one the doctor had prescribed. Also, if loss of minerals was cause, I take cell salts daily or drink alkaline water to replenish. Just some thoughts.

[Dee5165]

This had happened to me in the past. Magnesium Taurate, Magnesium Glycinate, Water with electrolytes and other supplements brought me back into NSR.

[Trilby8]

Have a look at my past posts re Sotalol for my thoughts on this drug.I have ( not officially diagnosed ) AF triggered by gastric bloating which irritates the vagus nerve in turn this triggers my heart to jump around - look up Roemheld syndrome .

[Sebhel in reply to Trilby8]

Thanks, will check