Slip Up!

[fibnum]

After posting numerous comments on this forum discussing my success at avoiding Afib through controlling gas buildup, I feel that it is important to be candid about any setbacks. This past Saturday, I was awakened at 4:30 AM with Afib and remained in arrhythmia for 8 hours.

I waited it out and have been fine since then. The trigger was pretty clearly sleep apnea, perhaps exacerbated by some stomach-gas discomfort. After getting up for the bathroom a few hours before the Afib episode, I lay back down for a moment on my back with head and shoulders elevated and fell asleep before I remembered to assume my side-sleeping, chin-up sleep-apnea-avoidance position. I tried to suppress the onset with deep inhalations through my nose and relaxed inhalations from my mouth, but the triggering was too firmly in place by the time I woke up.

This was the 2nd event over the past 9 1/2 months, so I hope it is an isolated one, and that I can continue to avoid Afib by monitoring my diet, relieving gas and sleeping in the right position.

I still believe firmly that some of us can improve our Afib avoidance by dealing with these two triggers. I know that is not applicable to many sufferers.

[Rainfern]

Thank you for sharing this and sorry you had a bad episode of AF. I’m sure the triggers are many for AF and it’s useful to hear everyones accounts. I have recently been paying more attention to minor changes in my persistent AF and though I’ve identified sugar as near poison I hadn’t thought about gas. I’m sure diet will be crucial to my recovery from ablation - in 2 days time!

[secondtry]

You may have other contributory AF triggers, I have focussed on many more and together with Flecainide have had a virtually AF free period for 10 years.

Re breathing and sleep apnoea have you found Patrick McKeown youtube.com/watch?v=vorhOVW...(Not working as expected?)

[healingharpist]

Hi fibnum, I am so sorry to hear this...I know that disappointment. But all of your original caveats about gas etc. as triggers still apply. I've been following them and it has indeed helped lengthen the time between episodes. While in Canada for 6 wks, I had an allergic reaction to the wildfire smoke/chemicals still in the air, and developed a terrible cough; I think the paroxysms of coughing during the night actually triggered several episodes. Saw an allergist yest. & had tests in hopes of discovering whether food allergies especially are implicated in my AF episodes (& the IBD). Hoping your recent bout was a one-off. Sticking to your regimen has done so well for you, I feel sure it's going to continue. There are many rogue triggers that appear and disappear for us. Many good wishes! Diane S.

[fibnum in reply to healingharpist]

Thank you very much for the support.

Having the isolated Afib episode despite precautions is a little like making all A's in a class for most of the semester, and then getting back a paper with a C on it. You are still going to pass with a good grade, but it is a little disappointing. I can always fall back on the old "the exception proves the rule" adage, which actually is pretty applicable.

I am sorry you had to deal with bad air and coughing and more Afib. Searching for causes for Afib seems to be a needle-in-the-hay-stack proposition, but those of us with gut-triggered Afib have sat on the needle enough times to find it pretty quickly.

Here is a list of causes for Afib from something called "Medical News Today":

{Treat the underlying cause

Underlying medical causes can trigger an A-fib episode. Examples include:

thyroid disorders

asthma

pulmonary embolism

sleep apnea

heart disease

high blood pressure

diabetes

obesity

Treating the underlying cause is a way for healthcare professionals to stop A-fib episodes. }

Hmm... something seems to be missing. (celiac disease, IBS, GERD, etc.)

I hope you are feeling "pluckier" today! (I'll bet you've haven't heard that one more than 50 times!)

Thanks,

Al

[healingharpist]

HA ha, Al, thanks for the fun joke! Being completely honest--I have NEVER heard that particular one! I am looking forward to hearing results of the allergy work-up (chest x-ray came back normal, glad). Also, the gas issues have decreased since I went gluten-free & lactose-free one month ago. Will keep you posted. Planning to make gluten-free bread bec. one loaf is $10 USD here! Cheers, Diane

[fibnum in reply to healingharpist]

There is good news and bad news about gluten-free bread and rolls in the US:

The bad news is that they are $8-10 for a small loaf of bread.

The good news is that they are so tasteless and disgusting that one is not tempted to buy them!

Unfortunately, the cookies and cakes are great...

Al

[healingharpist]

So true, Al... but I did find ONE good gluten-free bread while in Canada. It says "Product of Ireland": Promise Gluten Free Brioche Loaf. Best I have tasted--rather light and not cardboardy! PromiseGlutenFree.com You might be able to find or order it. Meanwhile, checking out recipes. Let's see if I can do any better. Stay tuned... Diane

[fibnum]

Thanks for the recommendation, Diane! I don't think it is widely available over here yet. In my quest to avoid gluten and control Afib, one of the minor, but nagging, disappointments has been the inability to enjoy a sandwich, hot dog or hamburger with a real bun.

If you develop a tasty recipe, you could make a mint providing buns to "gluten-free" Americans!