I have fairly well controlled PAF, current meds are propafenone, atenolol and Eliquis.
I suffer from occasional heartburn (more than occasional if I do something stupid like have fried onion rings with dinner). If I have heartburn come bedtime, no matter how many Gelusil I might consume, it's almost a sure bet I will wake up with, and stay awake with an afib episode that lasts for ~ 2 hours or so, before naturally converting back to NSR. I would like to "head off" any potential heartburn, to hopefully avoid these uncomfortable and sleep depriving nighttime afib episodes.
I would like to hear the experiences of the forum on the use of heartburn medications-specifically omeprazole (generic Prilosec) or cimetidine (generic Tagamet). Are there any contraindications with the rhythm drug I am taking (propafenone), knowing that it is a "serious" drug, and not to be tampered with. I would like to take the heartburn medication as a "PIP" to hopefully head off any heartburn after a "questionable" meal. I know cimetidine will work as a "one off", but not sure about the efficacy of omeprazole on an intermittent basis, PRN. Also not comfortable with possible cardiac interactions!
Any advice would be welcome, and I thank you all in advance!
JimF
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frazeej
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I think any advice on medication should be given by your GP. For what it is worth I took lanzaprozole as a pip when I suffered heartburn and took it alongside flecanaide and bisoprolol without any interaction, but we are all different and your GP will have knowledge of your medical history and therefore is in a better position than me to advise. 👌
I was offered PPI when starting on medication but have always refused taking them so manage any reflux by avoiding foods that irritate, ensuring at least 3hours between my last meal and bed, drinking enough water (if I feel reflux coming on I sip several cups of warm water). I find any types of white foods such as breakfast cereals, bread and the like are the worst antagonists.
If reflux does come anyway (very rare now) I take Liquid Gaviscon Double Strength - they come in individual dose sachets and that works for me.
There are some conditions that for which taking PPI’s are important but you should discuss with your doctor as once you start, they are really hard to come off.
PPIs (any of the "azole" drugs) are best avoided as once started on they are very very difficult to stop taking as they tend to perpetuate the problem they are supposed to stop so always best as a short term treatment.
In my view diet and life style is the best treatment.
Good advice from CD and Bob. I would also add that raising the head of your bed can help reduce reflux. I now avoid vinegar and fats and have been fine after doing the 3 things mentioned. To reduce reflux when it comes, try eating a banana or almonds (chew them really well though).
Ah yes, just remembered when I had my reflux someone asked if I ate yogurts - well I did - thought they were good for you, but stopped and not had reflux for years. I keep to that diet now, eat banana and almonds daily but no yogurt. After a few years free I've now been able to put the head of my bed back to normal.
It's not a great idea long termly. This is because it inhibits the uptake of vitamins and minerals so you can become deficient. Secondly heart burn can be caused by high or Low acid levels in the stomach. The symptoms are the same. Commonly as we age are stomach produces less acid so this causes problems. If low acid is the problem (they can test for this!) then a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water drank before eating can really help. Another thing they should check for though is if you have a hernia causing your flood to reflux back up your oesophagus. This would also cause heartburn.
Lastly sadly you may just be sensitive to certain foods and need to avoid rather than eat.
So bottom line is you need to be assessed and diagnosed first.
Avoid PPIs and H2 antagonists like the plague. They do NOT cure nor fix anything. Try the Keto diet (eliminate those damn carbs, they KILL your body and your heart). I am currently on the carnivore diet and the first few days were tought on my heart, but once I was completely fat adapted, ZERO HEART ISSUES. Try doing that with all those damn drugs out there with their myriad side effects. Of course, I am not a doctor, so the usual bla bla bla seek medical advise, bla bla bla. Take care and good luck.
Please understand once you have been to see your GP… you will often be prescribed a quick fix…but it does not always address the root causes..here are some suggestions that may lessen these incidences.
Eating fatty fried foods takes longer to digest which means acid stays high longer…
Onions tomatoes make the Lower esophageal sphincter relax hence reflux more common… laying down within two to three hours is not helpful.. your last meal needs to end three hours before you lay flat.. so sleep propped up if you need shuteye sooner than that.
PPI’s help in the short term.. but deplete magnesium very quickly .. and B12… both help regulate heart rhythms… especially magnesium taurate.
Using medication to lower acid is unhelpful.. it stops you digesting all your food .. allows the bad bacteria to make its way lower down..you need to concentrate on retraining your LES… A weak solution of ACV one teaspoon in a little water just before a meal should help the LES to stay closed as the acid from your stomach begins to build up.. it’s the acid that closes it so using something to reduce acid.. makes reflux much more likely.
Melatonin levels drop as we age..
Some remedies for heartburn have a lot of calcium… this too upsets cardiac function.
Try using DGL licorice… this is healthier.. coats the mucosal layer from mouth to small intestine with extra mucus.. which acts as a barrier to heartburn..one or two last thing if acid reflux is bothering you… does not upset calcium levels.
Get a balance back eat smaller meals steer clear of fatty fried spicy foods before bedtimes… supplement Magnesium if you are going to use PPI’s long term…increase you use of melatonin.. this helps the LES shut at night… walnuts and spinach are a good source… eating leafy greens increases correct levels of acid cell output….. think about it.. you go through your early years without having issues with heartburn.. but as we age.. our ability to make melatonin.. drops .. that’s the beginning of reflux issues… and sleep issues!
Learn how to massage your pyloric valve it helps the stomach empty sooner.. which then reduces acid levels…location the spot to massage ..2 inches below the v notch below the sternum one inch to the right side .. push your thumb in and gently make circular motion.. press hard enough and you should notice it relieves heart burn quite quickly.
I hope you find a “solution” from all the excellent suggestions from other members on this thread.. best wishes.
i have a hiatus hernia so have to keep taking ppis, been taking them for years.
Yes you can use it intermittently…to great effect…for one off heartburn… people with more complex problems like oesophagitis … ulcers need to stay the proper course in order to heal properly.
I was told the Omeprozole I was taking had affected my bone density so I avoid it now. Can you avoid your food triggers instead of medication? Most meds have their side effects.
I am quite sure that all of the antacid drugs bar simple alkalis such as sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide (Baking Soda, Rennies, Milk of Magnesia, etc.) come with potential side effects. From my reading, if you can get away with it being less effective, I guess cimetidine would be my first choice, long term. then ranitidine, and finally any PPI. For my reflux and sliding hiatus hernia, I have been on PPI drugs for over ten years with no known issues except when I tried to stop once when someone here brought me to question their safety. A GI consultant put me right on that and I resumed the PPI. He assured me that when they are needed, they work like nothing else to prevent gastric ulceration, erosion and potential worse changes occurring.
PPIs can be used "PIP" but they do take a while to work, so it will depend on what your medical problem is. If it is genuinely food related rather than anatomical (i.e. the food causes the problem rather than a weak sphincter), then taking a PPI well beforehand should work.
I doubt there are an contraindications with your drugs, but I wouldn't buy these drugs without my GP's knowledge and approval.
I take Omeprasole twice a day as I have a hiatus hernia.Tried Lansaprasole seemed give me wind and diarrhea.Cimetidine made me nauseous.It seems well controlled now but if ive forgotten to take it might get indigestion and AF follows then.As someone said your stomach heart oesophagus all squished together! Over 50 per cent of all adults have a hiatus hernia you should get checked out if you havent done so already.
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bisoporol and heartburn. 
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