Nigh time ectopics driving me mad

[Upsilon16]

Every time I have a couple of drinks and a decent meal I then get ectopics that keep me awake for hours on end, which finally subside about 5am. I've had two ablations due to paroxysmal AF, last one Nov 2020. No proper Afib since but these ectopics are driving me mad and are really affecting my life due to lack of sleep. Over the counter sleeping tablets seem to solve the problem, but that's not a long-term answer. I'm only 40! Any suggestions? (Apart from give up eating and drinking!)

[BobD Volunteer]

I think you already know the answer to that. Life style is vital. Most of us found the hard way that large meals and alcohol are not a wise choice. You can try the slow deep breathing exercises of course.

[CDreamer]

Don’t eat for 3hours plus before bedtime, smaller quantities and cut the alcohol and reduce stress & do the breathing exercises.

Surely your longer term health is worth making adjustments to your lifestyle?

I found ectopics more disruptive than AF but not had a problem with them for a while now - searching for the wood to touch……

[BobsBeat]

Lifestyle stuff is very important. In the interim, you could ask your doctor about low level Flecainide with a Beta Blocker to reduce the ectopic occurrences.

[mjames1]

Sounds like you've answered your own question. Your triggers seem to be a couple of drinks and/or a big meal. The more you take care of yourself, the less issues you will have. Afib is a progressive disease and you're only 40. Today it's ectopics, tomorrow it could be something else. Really up to you.

Jim

[Becksagogo]

There is a general train of thought running through these replies! Time to make some adjustments to your life style.There are some good non alcoholic versions of wine, beer and cider if its the taste that you like, but watch the sugar content.

Can you eat a smaller meal at lunchtime? Is it all food that triggers these ectopic beats? Are you able to keep a diary to record the foods that you do eat and eliminate them.

I'm an ex publican so giving up drinking wS hard especially in company. Fortunately the only food that doesn't agree with me is sweet and sour sauce. Weird I know!

We've all been there and lived to tell the tale. Good luck.

[ian16527]

I used to eat late and just found out I have an Hiatus Hernia due to that probably.

I was given omeprazole a few years ago in response to complaining to the GP again about ectopics as they can be triggered by acid I seem to remember reading online somewhere, but I used to get them throughout the day at different times, not just after a meal so maybe different.

The omeprazole seemed to help

I used to get them for hours during the day for no apparent reason.

[Singwell]

Hate to say it but...your body's saying no to 'decent' (which I'm guessing translates as heavy/lots) and 'couple'. I've had to give up alcohol almost completely. There are other joys. And I changed my diet too. Loads of lovely food to be enjoyed. We're all different- in my case it boiled down to 'do I like wine more than I hate AF?' After that it became simple.

[Upsilon16]

Thanks everyone. Pretty much what I expected (and obviously didn't want to hear!) I actually just saw my Cardiologist who said it is very common and that they aren't doing any damage, just annoying. Even admitted it happens to him too when he drinks too much. He said to just moderate things and it shouldn't be a major issue, which I'm happy to do. What successes have people had through changing diet, out of interest? As in which foods?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Upsilon16]

General advice is more plant based foods, natural home cooked foods rather than prepared stuff sensible salt and sugar content and good hydration. Shop bought meals are killers.

Good BMI (less than 26) has also been shown to reduce AF burden.

[Ablation7 in reply to Upsilon16]

I used to have a few drinks. Ketel 1 was my choice. Then came afib and it didn’t agree with me - even just one! Someone said try Tito’s instead. I found that I can have one of those on occasion with no problem. Supposedly because it’s not a grain alcohol.

From their website

OUR VODKA IS DISTILLED FROM CORN, SO IT’S NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE.

Tito's Handmade Vodka is certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. Some folks add a bit of mash back into the spirit after distillation, which could add gluten, but we don’t do that.

Good luck.

Trish

[RoyMacDonald]

A low calcium diet works for me. i.e. No cheese, yoghurt, milk, etc. Also no processed food like sausage rolls etc. as they all have too much salt and a lot of the visits to the bathroom are your heart trying to stabilize your blood and stop the ectopic's by causing your body to dump salt. I haven't been able to drink alcohol for years. Also a regular bed time every night.

All the best.

Roy

[NooNoo14]

That is how my AFib started. Took a while to realise the connection until AFib began for real. I no longer drink alcohol and no longer eat big meals in the evening which hasn’t stopped AFib developing but I don’t miss it.