I have severe dilated cardiomyopathy but until recently had been able to live a normal life including playing tennis 5 times a week, doing long walks, climbing the stairs in my apartment etc etc
3 weeks ago my acupuncturist kindly gave me the metapneumovirus which is supposed to be a mild virus like a cold, but after a few days it triggered A-Fib, which I had never experienced before.
I have some chest fluttering but the main thing driving me absolutely crazy is tightness around the liver, midriff, and stomach, and constant stomach/bowel cramps and nausea (I am trying to relieve this with anti-travel sickness wrist bands).
Are these gastric symptoms familiar to people, and can anyone suggest how to relieve them?. I can barely manage the stairs or walking around now and exercise seems to make the abdominal pains worse.
My cardiologist has suggested cardioversion but told me it probably won’t work.
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Jishuang44
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Sorry to read of your problems. I began my AF journey with the diagnosis of paroxysmal AF in Jan 2010. By Sept of that year I associated the onset of AF with food I'd eaten. My symptoms were intestinal gurgling ( loud and anti social ), burping, diahorrea and very very painful bloating - not all at the same time , all occurred at random in no particular order. The bloating was the worst and would be what would trip me into AF.
My GP back in the day had me tested for IBS and Coeliac Disease - all clear. I then consulted a Nutritionist ( look at the BANT website ). She initially prescribed me a diet which led me to go Gluten free, Wheat free and Oats free and taught me to keep a diary of my food ( cause and effect ). Eventually I widened this range of 'Free Froms' to embrace all manner of unlikely foods .... but for foods ... we must never forget ingredients of foods, even traces of 'stuff' could upset me and trigger bloating and AF.
Over many years I tamed 'The Wild Beast' - however - I also maintained my diet of medication daily ( none of this PIP stuff that seems to so en trende today). I now cannot remember my last AF event, certainly 18 months maybe as long as 4 years ago.
The common denominator is the Vagal Nerve ( leave you to research that ) its a kinda information superhighway that connects and sends messages between the brain and the gut and the heart. Also Google Schematic diagram of the Vagal Nerve and complete your eye opener.
Good luck, hope this gives a few pointers which may help.
You were probably told that because of your enlarged atrium. But I would still follow the advice of the cardiologist and have the cardioversion. I think the potential benefits far outweigh any risks. My first cardioversion lasted 10 years, which is probably on the long side, but you never know.
If the cardioversion does not hold, try and get a referral to an ep, who can come up with alternate plans.
Meanwhile, I'm assuming your heart rate is now in control (under 110) and you're being anti-coagulated, because those are the two the most important things while in afib.
"Are these gastric symptoms familiar to people, and can anyone suggest how to relieve them?. I can barely manage the stairs or walking around now and exercise seems to make the abdominal pains worse."
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Not necessarily associated with a fib. So you may have multiple issues going on at the same time. Hard to say, without knowing what exactly is going on with your afib, heart rate and meds.
But no reason to suffer, and you need something stronger than wristbands. Ask your doctor about a short course of PPIs and/or something like Carafate to calm your GI tract down.
My AF is triggered by any chest infection, it often ends without intervention once I have completely recovered. Infection = inflammation=AF. Miserable I know but unfortunately there seems to be an epidemic of this around at the moment.
The GI symptoms can often be managed by fasting or eating very little and sipping hot water just about constantly and/or using electrolyte drinks. Rest and ensuring good hydration are the quickest and safest way to limit the symptoms.
It’s very helpful to hear this!. I am in a complete state of dread over the cardiologist’s suggested remedies, none of which from my research, have a great chance of success in someone who already has DCM, so a spontaneous resolution, however unlikely, would be very welcome. In your case how long did it take for the A-fib to go after you recovered from the virus?
Hi. What did your doctor say about the "tightness around the liver, midriff, and stomach, and constant stomach/bowel cramps" because this has no association with af outside of being a trigger. Was the dilated cardiomyopathy a recent manifestation or always present ? Phil
My GP has nothing to add on the GI symptoms; she said she doesn’t know. The GI issues are unrelated to the cardiomyopathy which I have had for 6 years and been managing successfully.
How long since you contracted the virus? Is it possible these other symptoms are related to that, and not AF itself? Viruses have a habit of attacking different body systems - we know this from COVID. I think it's worth looking into that. Can you have a stool test for example to rule out anything in the digestive tract? I'm not sure otherwise why you're getting these symptoms in tandem with AF but I guess there could be a connection with the Vagal system.
I have had the virus since 28th November. The symptoms with that are bad post-nasal drip, fatigue, and lack of appetite. The A-fib started on 4th December, as did the GI symptoms. My own suspicion is that all my current symptoms relate to the vagus nerve.
I, too, get abdominal symptoms much as you describe although from your description, I cannot compare severity. Mine can go on for months, and when nausea is a part of that then it can be difficult to cope with. SO far it has always, eventually, gone away of its own. I can say that an extra PPI tablet has seems to help on occasion (I take these for reflux aside, daily) but no anti-nausea - or any other - tablet has ever worked.
I have a small hiatus hernia and some diverticular problems, which I often put it all down to; however, the connection with the heart is the most perplexing of all. I used to think it might be the vagus nerve as that gets so much mention, but always anecdotal or theoretical, and I have discussed this at length with an excellent cardiologist who disabused me of that idea. I have come to conclude that the heart issues produce either an anxious response that tightens the breathing and abdominal muscles a little, perhaps even the diaphragm, or the heart activity itself does this. The link with the heart is too obvious to ignore.
What can you do? I think your GP needs to check you for her things, but, in the end, I suspect time alone will bring relief, as it always has with me.
I cannot say that any alternative treatments have ever done anything for me except empty my wallet, by the way. You might be luckier.
What you’re experiencing with the stomach gastric issues aren’t ordinarily a symptom of afib and like others have said it sounds like you need some additional medication short term hopefully to manage these.
Are you still suffering from an episode of Afib? I.e Is your heart still fluctuating? Is your heart rate under control If it is, I’d perhaps ask my GP or cardiologist what next steps are to help with managing the Afib better long term?
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