Linesteps1

[Linesteps]

I’m really struggling with food induced AF every time I eat anything I seem to flip into AF lasting between 4/20hrs rate is never high .My Arrythmia specialist nurse was very supportive but no real answers other than ordering an echo to check my ventricular function before commencing flecainide my meds are apixaban statin allopurinol no beta blocker due to rate but has been suggested bisoprolol 1.25 HR is slow af 70/90 as pip anyone taken ormepazole and does it help ?

[fibnum]

Do you have gas or bloating or other digestive issues after eating? If so, get tested for celiac disease or other food intolerances.

[BenHall1]

Hi,

This was my issue back in the day (2010/2011). It still is if I am not careful with diet. After I'd eaten an AF event would occur. I'd also have symptoms like, burping, diahorrea, intestinal gurgling and massive, massive painful bloating. The bloating would be the demon that would trip me into AF. The trigger here is the Vagal Nerve, suggest you Google it if you don't already know about it.

My GP at the time had me tested for IBS and Coeliac Disease. Results were clear. He offered more tests but I declined. Instead I had a series of consultations privately, with a Nutritionist. She put me on a course of Probiotics and advised me to go Gluten, Wheat and Oats Free.

However since then I've widened the diet which now includes some Fruit and Veggies. One thing that is beyond doubt if I followedthe health mantra of eat 6 or 8 fruit and veg a day I'd be permanently in the bathroom.

If you are interested in the Nutritionist route go to the BANT website in which there is a search box to enable you to identify a Nutritionist near where you live.

Guarantee your GP is least qualified to advise you on nutrition, ditto with Arrythmia Nurse.

John

[Linesteps in reply to BenHall1]

Thank you my episodes seem to be getting longer and longer and I’ve always said my af is vagal related , cold drinks , spice low blood sugar all suggestions have been given very little attention ! Thanks will look at the web site

[CDreamer in reply to Linesteps]

If you think you have vagal AF then beta blockers are not a good idea.

Have you been tested for SIBO? That can be a common cause. You can ask your GP for testing.

There are lots of techniques for experimenting - I would try with 24 hour fast and see how you are. Then introduce very small amounts and start with bland, blended foods and sip over time. Gradually introduce one food at a time and keep a strict food/symptom diary. You need to know if it’s quantity or particular foods which triggers.

Eating 4-5 very small meals per day or try grazing. Sticking within an 8 hour eating window - this gives your gastric tract a rest. We humans were designed to fast for at least 12-18 hours a day but convention says we need 3 meals a day, we don’t, it’s just habit.

Avoid all starchy carbs.

Also look at how to improve vagal tone exercises.

Certainly seeing a Nutritionist will help but know that the testing involved in addition to the consult will cost, it’s worth it but expensive for initial outlay.

Sometimes we need to be our own observer and investigate ourselves.

[Linesteps in reply to CDreamer]

Good advice thanks

[secondtry in reply to BenHall1]

Totally agree.

[pusillanimous in reply to BenHall1]

Oh dear fruit. Although I ate normal amounts, an apple here, a banana there, (no strawberries - cause a rash), after reading the dire warning ofwhat gruesome fate awaited you if you failed to ingest 8 portions or similar ! I decided to mend my ways and consume a mixture for breakfast, - the much admired berries, essential to life avocado ,pineapple, paw paws, oranges, anything on the fruit department's shelves .Quite a lot is grown here in South Africa and most people have an Avocado tree in their garden. After suffering a week of stomach cramps and a fear of leaving the house, I thought I would just forego eternal life and do without. Vegetables did not have the effect, neither does the single banana I eat per day - I think it is the fructose, which is so much sweeter than sucrose .

[Buffafly in reply to pusillanimous]

Have a look at the Fodmap diet which suggests that various sugars can affect IBS and divides the sources into groups. You may be fine on one of the groups while others have a disastrous effect. I was advised to eat a high fibre diet to prevent diverticulitis as I have diverticular disease and like you thought that should be good for me, but as I can’t eat wholemeals that would mean a lot of fruit and veggies. I have finally settled on a portion of fruit at breakfast, tomato juice or smooth veg soup with lunch and a large serving of potato and one serving of a single or mixed veg at dinner as keeping things moving but not too much. I’m 78 so as I’m seeing a lot of famous people dying at a younger age than me I think it’s too late to worry about eternal life!

[pusillanimous in reply to Buffafly]

Me too - I'm 80 !!!!!

[Ducky2003]

I had the opposite. If I was in AF, sometimes eating actually stopped the AF. I don't think they're keen on prescribing omeprazole long term. I think there are some other "zoles" they prefer now.

[secondtry]

Before taking any more drugs I would be having several consultations with experienced Alternative practitioners eg Naturopath, Nutritionist, holistic doc. As has been mentioned you would have to be very lucky to have a GP who gives this route credence or refers to any holistic natural healing methods.

I now regard GPs like A&E only for emergencies or for a route for test referrals to save money going private. Just been referred for a sleep test to check the trend of my sleep apnoea (last tested several years ago), appointment given Feb 2024; I expect a private test is over £500 now.

[Singwell]

Flecainide can be helpful as an anti arrhythmic. Quite a few of us here have used it and get on with it. Others do not. Before taking a proton pump inhibitor (ormezapole) I'd be inclined to get some input into the digestive problems. You don't know yet that it's to do with acidity. It could be a number of things, including a simple food intolerance or hiatus hernia. Keep a food diary and notice patterns. Do you literally get an AF episode every time you eat anything?

[Linesteps in reply to Singwell]

No but once I’ve triggered an episode I have persistent indigestion and reflux . Once this goes I revert back to SR ? Usually lasts about 12 hours normal rate but AF . Getting a bit obsessed with what to eat now . Diary good idea thanks

[Poochmom in reply to Linesteps]

I would try a teaspoon of baking soda in 6-8 oz water before you eat. Or directly after but that seemed to quiet the symptoms you describe for me. I had vagal AFib as well.

[Linesteps in reply to Poochmom]

Will try thanks x

[Ppiman]

I have had this and it was explained that the stomach's natural movements can push against the diaphragm and force that up against the heart itself, setting of ectopic beats, and, from those, for me only on occasion, AF. Most mornings at breakfast this happens but I get only the palpitations.

One thing I have found is that avoiding constipation seems to help as I guess this will cause yet more internal pressure. Prunes and prune juice for breakfast help with that,

Steve

[Vonnegut in reply to Ppiman]

That’s what I have with my breakfast muesli along with other fruit and berries! Snap!

[healingharpist]

I recall someone saying that taking Gas-X daily stopped many of their AF episodes. I might try that as I'm having some of the same issues you are... went into AF last night & could feel "bubbles" inside that prob. triggered it... bec. they wouldn't move up or down . But I have ulcerative colitis issues and currently am on mesalamine, which might be playing a role. A trial of Gas-X shouldn't be harmful & might help us. Diane

[Linesteps in reply to healingharpist]

Thank you x

[2learn]

Hi, don't know what you're eating but have you cut out alcohol, all fizzy drinks, caffeine, sugar. Your HR isn't slow, its a bit fast.

[Linesteps in reply to 2learn]

Yes to all and HR when in AF is 70/90 well within normal limits resting HR 55/60