hello. Wanted to post some positive news from me. I went into AF in September 2021. Had a cardio version on Nov 21 and have been in SR since. But was very frequently having rapid heart rate and lots of fluttering/odd beats. And bouts of breathlessness and extreme fatigue. Through reading in this group I recently started to experiment with my diet. Two things have come out of this. Firstly by cutting out decaf coffee (and other caffeine sources) my heart is much more stable. Was surprised as I assumed decaf was decaf! But apparently still has caffeine and that was leading too ectopic beats. Second thing I have done is take out diary. And that’s really helped my chest clear. Much less phlegm. So overall I am feeling much better and more optimistic that my health will continue to improve. I would encourage food experimentation.
making progress: hello. Wanted to post... - Atrial Fibrillati...
making progress
That’s really good news for you and pleased you’re feeling better. I use decaf coffee and tea with no problem but mainly drink water. I use Oat milk too.
Take care
I use decaf coffee and tea, but you've got me wondering if that's a good idea now. I remember years ago getting a drink from the health shop called Barley cup, may try that now.
I use lactose free milk, but may think about replacing that.
Jean
I was surprised by the difference when I cut caffeine out completely. A life time of coffee drinking made it a challenge. Good luck.
What do you use instead of milk? I'm looking for an alternative?
I use soya milk but to be honest I have pretty much moved to herbal teas only. Very few hot drinks with milk now.
We have had herbal teas only for many years now - lemon balm and other herbs from the garden now and no coffee for ages or alcohol since my diagnosis though I never had much but haven’t missed it!
That's a good idea. I like the Pukka peppermint and licorice tea, must get some more. Just fished out a packet of three mint tea and use by date is 01.2022. do you buy your tea loose or in bags? Is there one you would recommend?
I love the Lemon Zinger. It’s lemon and ginger. But I also make it fresh: half a lemon and a few slices of fresh ginger. Delicious.
We like the lemon and ginger but I think it comes in bags - think ginger is supposed to be good for us.
I think that liquorice can cause raised blood pressure and too much can lower potassium levels. I used to enjoy a liquorice and blackcurrant herbal tea but I stopped drinking it when I read about this.
good to know although personally I never touch licorice. Hate that taste!
My daughter is dairy intolerant and she has oat milk. When I was feeding her, I went dairy free for her and I actually prefer oat milk in my odd coffee now to regular milk.
Also rice milk is brilliant for making things like mashed potato or sauces.
Flora do a plant butter which tastes very similar to packet butter. Also for cooking with, sheese (I think that’s what it’s called) is nice for cooking with - I used to have sheese “cheese” scones.
The only downside for me being slim was that I struggled to keep my weight in a healthy range whilst I was dairy free but since resuming dairy in my diet, I’ve put on (and kept) half a stone 👍🏻
Good luck if you decide to venture into the world of dairy free 😁
Best wishes
Soap 🧼
Hi Jean, I use Biona Organic Coconut Milk. Absolutely delicious. Tastes how cream should in my imagination. None of the horrid aftertaste like the stuff they make from cows. I drink a can of Biona Organic Coconut Milk every day now. It's cheapest from Dolphin Fitness.
All the best.
Roy
Presume you cut out dairy rather than diary as you wrote! I gave up dairy after I breastfed my children when babies and came to realise as my milk was for them cows milk was for their babies-
yes cow products. But as a dyslexic I’m lucky I got the sentences down at all.
You are doing brilliantly then! What a pain to have dyslexia now when so much is based on printed words. Are you good at art? I’ve heard it often goes together. Sorry, my degree was in Psychology so it is of interest.
I’m not troubled by it at all. I have a doctorate in quantum mechanics so it hasn’t held me back and spell checkers help so much. But the computer didn’t spot the diary/dairy thing. I think it’s quite important to talk about neurodiverse experiences.
My son's severely dyslexic yet oddly he can always recognise when words are spelled wrongly and he reads so fast I can't keep up with him. He simply can't spell and misses out numerous words because his brain goes too fast to get them all down yet he's a brilliant computer programmer. Dyslexia has so many facets. I remember being very surprised and pleased when a man in front of me in a queue for an amusement park, turned to ask if he was in the correct queue because he couldn't read. It was years ago when dyslexia wasn't well understood so I thought he was really brave.
and they are both vegan now but must admit my husband and I have a little oily fish which I understand is good for us!
Good luck - with it- if you have a doctorate in quantum mechanics you can achieve anything!
We are all different. I never drink milk, but love plain full cream yoghurt which I had a tendency to pile onto a chopped banana for breakfast. I never drink milk, I have reduced my cheese consumption, which was excessive, considerably. My single cup of coffee consists of half a teaspoon of decaf and half a teaspoon of mild blend, plus a teaspoon of coffee creamer. I reduced my sugar intake to a small portion of ice cream and jelly for pudding. I took these measures to try to reduce foot swelling. My Cardio removed Verapamil from my regimen and I do not have heart failure., my EF is 60. If anything ,these measures increased my mucous production and did nothing for my feet which are normal in the morning but swollen, particularly the tops of my feet in the evening. The odd thing is ,and my GP does not know why, is that whenever I have an anti-biotic (which I had recently after injuring my foot) the swelling disappears for about 2 weeks , and then starts up again. I don't know if anyone has any suggestions as to what tests, treatment or whatever, I should have investigated next. I have mild COPD (Asthma and chronic bronchitis). I have a cupboard full of lovely shoes I want to wear !!!!!
I’m really missing Greek yoghurt the most of the dairy as like you I had it for breakfast with fruit. The yogurt alternatives I’ve tried have been pretty awful so far. I also get swollen ankles towards the end of the day, especially if sitting at my desk too long. I’m on a water tablet but not sure it does that much (apart from make me pee).
I also take a Spiractin tablet (Cardio says it's potassium sparing) but I certainly don't pee excessively - I hardly touch salt and apart from my one cup of coffee in the morning, I only drink boiled water ! (after it's been in the fridge). Although my problem is minor compared with what other people suffer, I really would like it solved, especially the reaction to anti-biotics - maybe a vascular surgeon next!!!!
I hear you about the shoes!
i am so lucky to still be able to drink coffee, only 1 or 2 a day, then green tea or chamomile and at night a TikTok bedtime tea. Done this for years. I find the herbal teas quite expensive now
Bravo for you. It's always good to hear forum participants' strategies, what does and doesn't work for them.
nice bit of information.👍 I’m always interested in what works for others then I can give it a go myself.👍
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