Berberine - does anyone have experience of taking this for PAF?

[Dippy22]

I’m going to have a pace and ablate in a few weeks time, so I started watching videos about it by the York Cadiologist (great guy!). On one of the videos I tripped across a comment where a chap said he had to stop taking Flecainide because of the adverse side effects (that’s me too!) and had started taking berberine. Surprisingly, and to his delight, the berberine put him into constant SNR - with NO side effects! He was still taking it and hadn’t had a AFib episode in several weeks.

I’ve searched on this AFib chat for references to berberine and couldn’t find anything , but I did find references to it on other heath issue forums - where people are extolling its miraculous benefits.

The cardiologist is in the process of prescribing amiodarone for me “to get me through to the procedure” and I haven’t had the nerve to look up the side effects yet (I’ve had adverse reactions to all of the meds they’ve prescribed over the past five months).

So, in light of the fact that I’ve been in constant AFib since Saturday with no drugs since being told to stop the Flec (dehydration and double vision!), I think I’ll give it a go.

Just wondering if anyone had tried, or even heard of berberine?

[CDreamer]

Hi Dippy - there was a post 11 months ago - some good comments from some experienced and knowledgeable people there

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

The link to the study mentioned in the thread should work.

[Dippy22 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you so much!  I obviously didn’t dig down far enough.  Interesting stuff, eh?!?What’s slightly more interesting is, after taking Flec 50mg twice a day for approx 1.5 months (with little or no effect on the AFib episodes), plus  having severe dehydration issues, on Saturday I took the PiP approach (mac 300mg in one day) and it caused horrendous double vision in the early hours of Sunday morning.  So I ceased taking it for two days.  This morning at 06.00, after being in AFib since Saturday 🫤, I got desperate and took Flec 100mg as a  PiP and within 40 mins it had shut down the AFIB!  😲  I’ll see how I get on over the next few weeks, but maybe(?) this is a way forward for me rather than having a pace and ablate in 5-6 weeks.  I’ll also give the Berberine a go too. 

[Tantaanna]

I’m not a fan of amiodarone. Side effects not good but I had to take it after one of my ablations. I took Flecanide for three years. Pip 300 mg - had to stop because of elongated qt waves on EKG. Haven’t heard of the drug you mentioned.

[Dippy22 in reply to Tantaanna]

Hi. It’s not a drug, it’s a natural product.

More about it on here:

healthline.com/nutrition/be...

[Jajarunner in reply to Dippy22]

Interesting. Turns out I have that plant in my garden. Just off to make a witches brew 🪄🧹. Just kidding 😂

[Tantaanna]

oh thanks. I prefer natural

[Dippy22 in reply to Tantaanna]

Same here! 👍

[raymelb]

I've not heard of Berberine being used to counter AF, but it has good reports as an alternative to Metformin for diabetics, especially as it's a natural product. Usual caveat - not a doctor.

[frazeej]

I've attached a complete and concise report on Berberine from Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute. Of particular note is the effect berberine has on the suppression of certain metabolic enzymes in the liver (2D6, 2C9 and 3A4), and this could alter the effects of some of the drugs that we folks take-specifically flecainide, propafenone and beta-blockers. If you are taking any other medications, it would be very wise to inquire from competent medical personnel about the possibility of any adverse drug interactions. Natural isn't ALWAYS better. mskcc.org/cancer-care/integ...

[Dippy22 in reply to frazeej]

I only started taking it when the cardiologist said to stop the Flec. Which left me in AFib with NO medication. It’s very early days, but despite having a pretty nasty emotional time last night going into this morning, I haven’t had another episode. PS they were coming thick n fast every couple of days.

My heart is feeling calmer. 🤔

[djmnet]

My EP recommended berberine several years ago and I've been taking as a supplement since to combat insulin resistance. Can't say it's made any difference in my persistent afib.

[Weren]

I take Berberine for lowering my blood glucose. I have never heard anything regarding taking it for AFib. I would be interested in finding out if taking it for AFib is helpful. If it is I will increase mine.

[Dippy22 in reply to Weren]

Hi. So far so good since I started taking it last weekend. I had to do a Fec PIP on Monday to knock out a prolonged AFIB episode (started on Saturday immediately after having a lymphatic drainage treatment!) and have not had another episode since, which is pretty good considering I was barely getting 1-2 days PAF-free! Watch this space.

NB the lymphatic system controls electrolytes AND regulates and tones the vagal system. Electrolytes imbalances can cause irregular heartbeat! I’m currently investigating having a (possible) electrolyte imbalance issue with my functional medicine doc, as everything is pointing to it. Watch this space. I’ll do anything to avoid the pace and ablate they’ve told me I must have. 🫤

[Weren in reply to Dippy22]

Good luck I hope it works for you. I try and drink a bottle of electrolytes each day.

[Dippy22 in reply to Weren]

Forgot to mention in my reply below to be careful of h contraindications with any meds you’re currently on! These supplements can be very powerful. x