John - If it would be possible, you might consider getting a consult with the EPs at Bordeaux (France). Several people here on this forum have gone to Bordeaux and have had excellent results. Our moderator, Hans, is one and I'm sure he has all the contact details if you want them. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom B - I'm one who had a successful ablation about 8 years ago and I still use nattokinase (NK). Initially, I took NK prior to the ablation and continued on it afterwards at the lower suggested dose of 4000FU daily rather than the therapeutic dose of 6000. I do this because my fibrinogen level tends to become elevated and NK keeps it down. I am 75 and while I'm not concerned that I&by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Janet - Glad your procedure went well. I hope your recovery is quick. What is the dosage that your doctor recommends for aspirin? Typically, it's observed that you can take small amounts of aspirin along with standard dosing of NK, but it needs to be supervised by a knowledgeable physician which may not be your situation. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Laurel - sorry to read your post. What's your normal daily dose of both drugs? Tell us what you've been doing in the two years while you were afib free in the way of assessing your electrolyte stores, taking supplements, what's your typical diet - all whole fresh foods or eat in restaurants frequently? Packaged processed foods? Or doing anything other than the drugs? If youby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barb - blurry vision which resolved once the drug was stopped. I also took the 300 mg daily and when I did my electrolyte experiment that allowed me to wean down to only 50 mg daily, I was definitely feeling better with that amount and remained in NSR for two months until the ablation date. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
This really could be made without any oil at all or use coconut oil since that will stand the higher temps. Or, if the oil bothers, then don't try the snack. I only eat it when kale is abundant in the garden each year. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good for you, Mike - gluten-free and dairy-free is definitely the way to go. Glad you are doing so well. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
William - the 'nightshade' family of vegetables is said to cause inflammation and therefore a flareup for those with arthritis. Moderation of consumption is probably a key issue for those who are sensitive...just as gluten sensitivity is a well-known aggravator of RA. Fortunte for you that you are gluten free. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Christy - I use the potassium gluconate powder for both dosing and to add to any food that needs a bit of "salt" for taste. I also carry with me for use with meals eaten out (to counteract hidden salt in that food), either potassium citrate tablets (99 mg each) or another encapsulated product called potassium glycinate (potassium bicarbonate). The powder is easy to use by adding justby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gill - if you get the ratio K/Na at least 4:1, preferably higher potassium, you may find the electrical improvement in the cardiac tissues alleviates your symptoms because of the improved (increased) voltage. I'm glad to see your diet is so healthy and avoids commercially packaged and prepared foods. Be well, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Calli - I'm glad you are gluten free because the Sjogrens is definitely linked to the antibody production that gluten aggravates. It depends on how long you had the Sjogrens process manifesting versus when you went GF with regard to results. Meanwhile, do all you can to lower the inflammatory process naturally... ie, Omega 3 fish oils, Curcumin C3 complex, boswellia etc... Glad you donby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom B - You are correct...Salt is salt...or sodium chloride. There are actually a very minor amount of trace minerals in sea salt so as you comment, if you need extra minerals, you can easily get them elsewhere. The commercially prepared/refined salt uses heat and often adds chemicals in the process including anti-caking chemicals so that's where the claims come in that Sea Salt is prefeby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gill - if you are having bouts of ectopy, then you definitely need to assess your dietary intake and the resultant ratio of potassium to sodium and try to meet the 4:1 at the very least. There is a very large amount of information in CR 72 and all the recent posts on why sodium overwhelms potassium and interferes with NSR. I certainly hope that you are able to convince someone to allow your fiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Calli - have you considered a gluten-free diet? That would help you eliminate taking potentially harmful NSAIDs and get rid of arthritic pain and inflammation ... such as you mention (feet). Most people who suffer arthritic pain and similar find relief when they go gluten-free and long-term, you spare yourself damage from the OTC drugs and also damage caused by the antibodies to gluten. Jackby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Judy - Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is well-known as a stomach irritant and for some afibbers, anything that irritates the stomach or causes gastric distress can be a trigger. Taking aspirin with meals may help prevent gastric irritation. There is some concern over long-term use of aspirin with regard to kidney damage and also with the other NSAIDs. You can Google for info. If you haven&by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ian thanks for sharing your experiences and viewpoint. The science behind the potassium-to-sodium ratio is solid. That doesnt mean there wont be a few exceptions such as you indicate; but in general, the majority of healthy people struggling toconquer LAF will find success with more potassium and less sodium because it speaks to the voltage which governs the heart. We may look like fleshby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Larry and George - You can't beat any of the Albion patented formulations for both efficacy .. but one form may be more effective for some individuals than others. In the testimonials I've read on the malate form, it definitely helps with conditions such as fibromyalgia and the warning seems to be prevalent that it causes some bowel intolerance even with one tablet which can be handlby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gill - with all the downside issues with warfarin, especially in an active person, I can't imagine why it would be a good choice for you. If you keep your inflammation down as well as fibrinogen levels low, hemoglobin A1C low, you should have no more risk of stroke than a younger, healthy person. The only way you'll know if the brand of nattokinase you choose is effective is by the fby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kale the leafy green vegetable almost no one eats, is available now in abundance. I don't recall if Peggy has this recipe in her collection or not, but its a unique and tasty way to eat plenty of Potassium-rich Kale which is economical and easy to prepare. Those on restricted amounts of vitamin K, take note, this has 547 micrograms vitamin K in one cup of raw kale. I just baked a pound andby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans - I don't think that advising a set amount, especially as high as 1000 mg sodium is a good idea. It's too easy to overshoot on the sodium if you don't eliminate the packaged, processed foods which are nutrient-poor in general and no one is going to take the time to count before eating. This is a mental hangup on 'allowing sodium intake' because if you really stiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Brendan - if your afib consistently arrives at 2:30 am, I'd be looking at what you consumed at the evening meal and later on before bed. If you drink alcohol or eat a large portion of starchy, sugary carbs, hypoglycemia is often the result about that time of the morning and it definitely can result in afib. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Larry - the most beneficial form of magnesium is the amino acid chelate - magnesium glycinate (Albion patented proces). Start with a low dose of 100 - 200 mg daily and slowly titrate up until you reach the tissue saturation point indicated by bowel tolerance. The fine points of magnesium and dosing are covered in these two reports: While magnesium is extremely important, it's only oneby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - I take magnesium four times a day...(+-)...with meals and at bedtime so I already know that my intracellular magnesium is optimal. You have to work up to that level over time and then maintain daily. This allows me to dose with extra supplemental potassium (at will) without worry of any adverse effects from not having adequate levels of IC Mg. I've done this for several years andby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - intracellular magnesium must be optimal. That's first and foremost. When that's in place, then adding the higher amounts of potassium from diet and supplements if needed, will allow the sodium/potassium ion pumps to function as they should and that produces the voltage in cells. If we are low in voltage, we'll have ectopy or afib... and other complications as well that arby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Neil - sorry - what I meant - was in addition to your 'search' for past posts here... the heart.org article is the latest on dabigatran. You'll have to do the search as Hans suggests for all the others. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Neil - here's another one just out today from heart.org Jackie Arrhythmia/EP Caution needed with dabigatran in the elderly August 4, 2011 | Lisa Nainggolan Paris, France - New reports of two elderly women faring badly when taking the novel anticoagulant dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) have prompted more discussion about the cautionby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just noticed that the computer gremlins inserted an iV in the title.. in place of a dash. I forgot to check there... sorry...but I had to proof my entire draft and take out these extra letters wherever there was a dash or apostrophe in the text. Weird stuff...didn't happen previously. Jby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Geroge - thank you.... you took the words right off my fingertips.. " As far as Gatorade goes. My own opinion is it is counterproductive because of the insulin spike and therefore electrolyte wasting associated with the carbs in the drink."" Gatorade is not a healthy electrolyte replacement. When people get muscle cramps after heavy perspiring, it's because electrolytes leby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
George - I've just had a HRV evaluation using a scanner in which you place your fingertips and sit quietly for 5 minutes. When I learn more about the results, I'll share. On dehydration, it obviously depends on the amount of both sodium and potassium (and magnesium) that particular individual has in his/her system at the time of both exertion relative to the amount of hydration - if aby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans In addition to the explanation (The Importance of Electrolytes post) about the function of electrolytes and the HPA Axis, impact on kidney function, etc I have found that my heart feels rock solid and is ectopy free with lowered sodium intake which I control by using only whole, fresh foods and adding only minor salt as seasoning if I desire it. I would estimate my intake to be 500 mg oby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM