Ritze - I found that depending on the trigger, it could be within an hour and in some instances, delayed for several hours. Obviously, everyone is different. Identifying the main triggers can be tricky, but once you are able to do that you have half a chance of avoiding them. Hidden triggers in foods can certainly be a source of afib events especially if they compete with the essential electrby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just be aware that excess potassium in the presence of less than optimal intracellular magnesium can make arrhythmia worse.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kate - be aware that if you keep the TSH too low, and I realize what you are saying about feeling well, you are at higher risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Both my primary care MD and my Functional Medicine MD are asking me to back off on thyroid medication - my TSH has been .54 for several years in an attempt to get rid of goiteroid tissue and nodules (directed by the endocriby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ray - Albion's patented products are all chelated and the KAL brand is definitely a chelated amino acid version. It can be confusing when labeling isn't consistent. Just be sure there is no calcium listed on the label. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve - had you taken magnesium before your ablation? If not, then most likely you are one of the people who does not get along with magnesium supplements. What brand did you find? Check the fillers and other ingredients to be sure there is no calcium added. If you get too much magnesium in your system, it will be eliminated quickly both through kidneys and bowel. It won't hang arouby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alex - good luck in finding someone to monitor and advise. Testing is essential. The TSH should be around 2.0 - some endocrinologists allow it to be as high as 3.0 but much depends on the symptoms.... which would include arrhythmia.. either too low or too high may cause arrhythmia and it varies by individual. The old guideline of 5.0 TSH being the cutoff for hypo/hyper was revised by the Amby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Deb - So pleased for you both. Dr. Tchou is an excellent EP. Enjoy the bliss of NSR. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
On the osteoporosis prevention topic, the more one can buffer the system and remain alkaline, the better chance one has to avoid osteoporosis. Found a quote while looking for references to potassium citrate as a good buffer. "Life is a struggle, not against sin, not against the Money Power, not against malicious animal magnetism, but against hydrogen ions"1. These words, written by H.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John - for some reason, Betapace or sotolol seems to be a favorite first medication some cardiolologists like to recommend. When I first began my afib journey, I was on a dreadful HMO insurance plan that dictated the choice of cardiologists. I tried two and both insisted the sotolol was the best drug for me. When I didn't improve, I changed to the insurance option that allowed me to choosby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
As far as using glandulars, some physicians prefer that, but as I mentioned, adrenal treatment requires a good deal of testing to determine which area needs support....and then frequent reteting to determine what's working and adjusting dosages. In some cases, glandulars are more effective but only testing shows the areas of deficiency. I've used both and found that the typical adreby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jean - don't be surprised if you get the same response from the EP. Often, they aren't at all aware of how much supplements can help as they just utilize the drugs and surgery medical model. If you would consider ablation with this EP, then you need to inquire about his track record and what his definition is for success. We consider success, no drugs afterward and no arrhythmia.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lew - the oxide version of magnesium is the worst type for absorption and will not adequately add to your intracellular stores. Switch to the amino acid chelated version called Magnesium glycinate. You can look for it locally or do the easy thing and order it from Hans web vitamin link. The brand is Doctor's Best, Magnesium Glycinate... note this: Ideally, you could ask for the Exatestby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Darla - yes, many of us take the fibrinolytic enzyme Nattokinase. You can read in the Conference Room... and also Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John, while that juice is loaded with antioxidants and is considered very healthy, to drink a great deal may put you at risk for some blood glucose issues so go easy with how much you consume. It can be too much sugar in some individuals to maintain a healthy balance. Better, follow some of the protocols George references in CR #61. The essential trio for helping to manage afib is magnesium,by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hey Charlie!!! Good to hear from you. Consider that you may have slacked off on your electrolyte intake...magnesium and probably most important, the potassium portion. I know with my own situation, if I become lax, I'll start with some missed beats and even get arrhythmia. Additionally, you may want to consider some d-ribose and CoQ10. Let's see what your monitor indicates. Bestby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jimmie, the chelated version of magnesium patented by Albion process is the best possible form of magnesium because it does not breakdown in the stomach but rather, when it arrives in the small intestine, it is ready to go right into the blood stream without further processing. As far as the effect of magnesium on the heart, it's indispensible...critically important to have adequate intraceby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bob - I'm sure you'll notice improvement in how you feel continually as you do your mild exercise. Just getting the circulation moving is a great benefit. If you can find a functional medicine MD in your area to consult with for the nutritional aspect of your care, you would find it highly beneficial and less frustrating that what your cardiologist offers you. Don't expect to lby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alex - all of the functional medicine experts that I read and listen to plus my own functional medicine MD say we must always treat the adrenals first otherwise to rev up the thyroid would be adding insult to injury. High cortisol levels need to be calmed down with adrenal support nutrients and a diet that supports adrenal function. The best reference is a book by Diana Schwarzbein, MD, anby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Lew. I have no information that indicates taurine would be contraindicated with coumadin. As for the Xanax, I can find no formal instructions to avoid, but you may find that if you decide to try it, you could get off the Xanax as taurine has very relaxing properties. You could ask your local pharmacist about interactions for both coumadin and Xanax. I've not seen any, but thatby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John - when can you stop the sotalol? Since SOB is a definite side effect, I'd think you'd want to be stopping now or at least switching to something else. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sharon - remember that nutrient content of many foods we typically see listed as a reference are based on very old science back when the soil they were grown in actually wasn't depleted of minerals. Now, even with commercial fertilizers, many foods do not contain the nutrient value they once did. I recently heard a doctor say that the iron content of spinach was less than half the value itby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Hans - Unfortunately, today, most all studies are funded by drug companies, one way or the other. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jean - this is either Drs. Abraham, Flechas, or Brownstein...they are all in collaboration together about this protocol for iodine supplementation. Some say it's good... others say it's too much iodine. Go here as a reference: <; My functional medicine MD did not want me to risk taking that much in a loading dose of iodine. It may be fine, but with an arrhythmia history she saby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
It's my understanding that the longer a heart has to deal with fibrillation, the more likely incidence of atrial scarring and the more scarring, the less likelyhood of a successful first ablation. The more a heart can be in NSR, the better, from the avoidance of the remodelling and fibrosis or atrial scarring standpoint. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
The gelatin capsule has to be disssolved in the stomach before the contents are released. The bulk powder would probably be slightly faster in breaking down in the stomach than waiting for the capsule to dissolve...depending on the amount of stomach acid and enzymes available for the process. Some faulty capsules don't dissolve readiy in the stomach and are passed along to the small intestby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just musing here but they use vagus nerve stimulation for migraine treatment and the vagus nerve also ennervates the heart....and is often mentioned that an irritated vagus stimulates afib....so wondering if less stimulation of the vagus as a result of ablation might bring on migraines. ??? Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - be aware that in some people, creatine is not always a good thing...it can cause water retention as one side effect. I've read small amounts are okay but as I recall 500 mg. is quite a bit. Not as much, of course, as body builders use to bulk up muscles with fluid, though. I also believe I've read that when using supplemental creatine, it's smart to know that kidney functby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
David - some chemistry may have changed for you if the bloating is a new occurrence and not a continuing symptom. You may have a Candida overgrowth which always contributes to bloating after meals. Incomplete digestion due to lack of digestive enzymes produced naturally in the stomach may be another reason. If you haven't read Conference Room #63 - you should definitely do so. This isby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I don't believe Hans has reported on this in the AF Report but sorry if he has. It's worth reading - especially the comments on remodelling. "Delayed Rhythm Control of Atrial Fibrillation May Be a Cause of Failure to Prevent Recurrences: Reasons for Change to Active Antiarrhythmic Treatment at the Time of the First Detected Episode" Posted 04/07/2008by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anthony - I presume you've read the comment here that often ablation unmasks underlying flutter that was there all along. Sometimes while you are on the table, the EP can also ablate for flutter during the same procedure if they are able to detect it. When it shows up afterwards and is persistent, it typically requires a second ablation for the flutter. Stay in touch with your EP. Heby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM