Looking for advice

[Pingu778]

My back story is I’ve had AF for about 18 months. Usually episodes are once a month and last about 12 hours. However recently they have been more often and lasting longer. I’ve seen a cardiologist and my heart is at the moment structurally sound which is good. Also during an episode I can usually function as normal as my heart rate tends to stay below 100 when resting. I take 1.25 Bisoprolol daily and an extra when in AF. I’ve been told no further treatments needed yet and I have to lose weight (which I get and am slowly doing) I suppose I would like to know about others experience and how their experiences with AF progressed? I am having a sleep study in July but nothing other than that. I’m 44 and dotn want it to take over my life but it’s scary!!

[Hidden]

Hi,

Short sharp and sweet ............. I was first diagnosed after feeling I was going down with flu ..... no initial cardiac symptoms, they came hours later. Full diagnosis and treatment started about 9 hours after feeling like I was going down with flu. Age 65.

AF did not progress. Medication prescribed which I am still on, age 78.

Discovered that AF was triggered by food/ingredients. Consulted a Nutritionist who advised me on diet. Followed the plan, now only get 1 or 2 events a year lasting no more than 15 hours.

The winner here was the lead time between onset and diagnosis but of course this was all back in the day when the NHS was something we could be proud of !

My take is that AF is what you want it to be - or what your medical team want it to be !

John

[Pingu778 in reply to Hidden]

I was lucky that on my first episode my gp caught it on and ECG. Saw cardiologist a few months later and had ECHO. Now left with GP to look after me but I might chase them up about some other meds to try and help this time. Thanks for the reply

[ozziebob]

Can I remind you of the importance of ensuring your Vitamin D levels are higher than current NICE guidelines.

I am a new(ish) member myself, but improving my Vitamin D level from a deficiency to about 110 nmol/L has certainly made my heart rhythm more solid and reliable. Just one story I know.

However recent research indicates Vitamin D as vital to everyone's health, including heart health. And it seems most of the population have levels lower than recommended and need supplementation.

Here's a relevant research article for you ...

medscape.com/viewarticle/98....

[TopBiscuit]

Hi - I've had paroxysmal AFib for about 18 months too. I was having one episode about every four months, each episode last 10-14 hours. I don't take beta blockers as my heart rate goes too low, but I was prescribed Flecainide as a 'pill in the pocket'. I take them immediately an episode starts and it's been very effective in stopping it in about 20-30 minutes.

At the beginning of December my episode frequency increased to one a week and then I had several only a couple of days apart both in December and early January which really freaked me out! What I was aware of was that I was very stressed because I wasn't getting nearly enough sleep (chronic early waking insomnia) and some life stuff, not to mention the fact that my AFib had suddenly cranked up! Also I'd run out of the Magnesium Taurine I'd been taking for months. So I got back on the Mag Taurine, got serious about my sleep problem and started daily meditation to bring down my stress levels and.....touch wood. ...t's been nearly three weeks....that's all I'm prepared to say because...fate...tempting...

All this is to say that I share your horror at the progression of this wretched condition but there are things you can do if you identify particular issues or triggers for you. They may not prevent it from advancing but you might slow the advance at least. I do recommend you take a good quality Magnesium supplement and get your general fitness levels up. Also you sound to me like a good canditate for the Flecainide pill in pocket regime - if I were you I would ask for that.

I do wish you the best with this! Try not to let it become overwhelming - life goes on and many people manage their AFib with minimal disruption to their lives.

[secondtry]

Three suggestions for you:

Buy 'The Afib Cure' by Dr John Day.

Book a private consult with your cardiologist to discuss Flecainide PIP.

Make an appointment with an experienced Naturopath/Nutritionist to discuss supplements in particular Mg Taurine & CoQ10

[TopBiscuit in reply to secondtry]

What's the CoQ10 for, secondtry? I was taking it before but I ran out and these supplements all really add up cost wise so I haven't replaced it yet.

[secondtry in reply to TopBiscuit]

London Naturopath advised partnering a Mg compound with CoQ10; the former relaxes the latter strengthens I believe.

[DawnTX]

that sleep study may really help you Sleep apnea is definitely a cause of concern with a fib and causing it. I was supposed to do one. In fact, I have the test at home however, my a fib and a typical flutter got really ugly too much to even try to do the test because of how sick I’ve been. if you can get the test and if you need treatment, it might make all the difference for you. I’m having a pacemaker put in Monday, so for now sleep part is off. They will not get a true rating out of me right now, because of how I am.

[Pingu778 in reply to DawnTX]

hope the pacemaker goes well for you

[DawnTX in reply to Pingu778]

😊 ty

[Pingu778]

they won’t give me anticoagulants because my score was low!!

[DawnTX]

I have been on those for the past couple of years and my doctor has already said probably for life which is fine with me. Well, I am worried because I only have one heart and will be depending upon a device because my AV node will no longer be there. Hopefully there is not much of a failure rate and pacemakers like there are other devices that we know and have owned. All I know though is this is not living the way I feel right now and the way I have been feeling since April actually since October before that. I don’t regret that I am going to have it done.