Rob - why not wait until the series is complete? I'll be covering treatment both drugs and natural and testing plus probiotics and the immune system. You'll have the entire picture and then you can continue with learning more about your specific situation. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good point, Carol.... that's why I included the diaphragm involvement in the GERD series.... anything that crowds or impinges the vagus and diaphragm can contribute to GERD and ultimately, AF. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - start by taking with food. It's said that amino acids should not be taken with food because of the competition, but most of us find it is fine to take with meals and that way, there is no risk of stomach upset. I take mine with meals just so I remember to do it. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon - you'll have to check the label.... some time back, it was reported that KAL brand magnesium glycinate was labeled as being the Albion patented version. I haven't checked labels lately. Doctor's Best - (from Hans site) also is the Albion version. Metagenics Mag Glycinate is another. If you just google "magnesium glycinate Albion" - you'll come up with aby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I agree about consulting with Dr. Callans. He's highly regarded. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Theresa... you are fortunate to be close to that clinic. They are doing remarkable work. Keep us posted. Interesting stuff! Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - as far a how long it takes to see benefits... that would depend on a large number of other factors. First being - are you taking the additional electrolytes magnesium glycinate and potassium? That's where taurine is helpful as it helps direct those molecules into heart cells and stabilizes the energy there. If you are low in either, taurine won't be working to it's maxiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alex - if you take the magnesium glycinate - the amino acid chelate patented version by Albion labs, there is no need to take with meals although it doesn't matter if you do. (you have to read the label) This particular version of magnesium glycinate is formulated so it does not break down in the stomach as other supplements typically do and therefore does not combine with other chemicalby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
John - you can just do a google search on flecanide side effects and then compare your health status with that. If you aren't having any symptoms and are doing well in NSR, then perhaps you are very compatible with that drug. I developed vision disturbances (which have resolved) after 4 years on Flecanide and even though I attempted to wean off it completely, I was not able to do that anby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Suzi - you have to be very careful with amalgam removal and have it done by a dentist who practices biologic dentistry.... one who understands the importance of containing the amalgam slurry as it is removed from each tooth so that as little as possible gets back into your system either by contact or breathing the vapors created. This is done with high volume evacuation systems, rubber dams toby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Marian - it's often mentioned that even those living in Florida may not get out enough in the sun or actually avoid the sun or use sunscreen when they do get out. The problem comes in as we age and the skin doesn't convert the the benefits of sunshine so it pays to be tested. Definitely do get out in the sun a bit - just briefly.. 20 minutes at noon with as much skin exposure as possby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Marian - do you know your vitamin D level as tested by the 25 hydroxy vitamin D test? I tested very low and once my levels began to increase, I noted a specific difference in the muscle and joint pain I had. I've reported on this previously... my level initially was 18 (very low) and my MD wants it to be at least over 55 and optimally 75 or more. I have been working at this for overby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Pam - you may also find this interesting - here's a clip from the info at the main website: "Scientists at Cardiff University (Wales, UK) have confirmed what thousands of people with arthritis have believed for years. Cod Liver Oil really is effective in treating joint pain and can slow, even reverse, the destruction of joint cartilage. Cartilage is the gristle that cushions bones and preveby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Faith - not long ago, Howie posted here a link to the CCF that featured Dr. Schweikert and the EP lab. I don't know of anything new regarding who is staying or leaving. Since they are so busy there, I'd imagine it will be business as usual at least for a while. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kate - INR = International Normalized Ratio - a measurement of how well warfarin/coumadin is controlling the clotting tendency of your blood.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well - FWIW "they" say that the larger the fish, the more contamination because they are at the top of the food chain in the fish realm. The smaller ones like sardines are the least contaminated. I think you just have to be sensible and not eat a can of tuna a day - as many of us did years back. We have to live and eat. Just being aware of the potential hazzards is a big plus. I kby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lee - I'm so glad you intend to write up your experience if warranted and I wish you well in getting them published. We need to have this type of exposure. Good luck through all of the procedures. Be sure to keep us informed. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kay - sotolol or Betapace was my first heart drug for afib. It did absolutely nothing for me and in retrospect, I wonder if it didn't make it worse. Hans writes in his Towards a Cure book..(p. 86) that " as a result of a survey of 38 patients - 22 vagal, 3 adrenergic, 11 mixed and 2 permanent afibbers who tried sotalol, not one (0%) had found i beneficial although one vagal afibberby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
This little health clip on fish/mercury content just came in FWIW . Omega-3 Alternatives to Mercury-Laden Fish By Dr. Allen S. Josephs Co-Founder & Chairman, Vitacost.com 02/01/2008 FISH MERCURY WARNING: Mercury is a deadly and highly toxic cumulative heavy metal that builds up in the body and causes damage to the central nervous system, endocrine system, GI tract, liver, kidneys and other oby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Paul - My thought is that when the burn lesion (scar) that results from the ablation procedure is generated, several things depend on how long it lasts. Some individuals will heal or overcome scar tissue (fibrotic tissue) faster than others; and others may not regnerate new tissue in that area at all - ever. From what I understood when listening to the EP disucssions at the AF Summit, the skby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks William - David Brownstein is one of the proponents of adding iodine for health. His work is extensive. I've definitely noticed improvements in adding suppplemental iodine but I always used sea salt on my food ( I crave salty things due to low adrenal function.) It wasn't until I added small doses of potassium iodide that I really noticed changes in symptoms. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Pam - that's a great testimonial and I'm so please for both your findings. I found Zyflamend to be extremely beneficial for my own needs as well, but never found it did much to curtail the AF... but then after I increased the electrolytes -- and perhaps it was in combination with that, the other heroics which included the Zyflamend -- I found significant improvement in the breakthby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Matt - You are fortunate to have access to wild salmon. I agree totally with the observation of impurities in supplements coming from China and the like. The key to avoiding that is buying the brands that certify they do assay their raw materials for purity. Not many offer that so it's buyer beware. Cheaper is not better. Supplements can be expensive. Typically the better supplements arby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lee - I totally agree that drugs and surgery have a place in medicine and I never want to be without access to either of them or emergency services, when I am truly in need. I just think we have to be smart and choose our battles as I have also known of people who have chosen to ignore conventional medical approaches and have died; but I've also known many who have done every medical approby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Elaine - I've corresponded with afibbers who have been told that as long as health is good and the heart is sound, they will do ablation on an 80 year old. I would presume every EP has his own comfort zone with the age issue and obviously, much would depend on overall health status. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lee - if you haven't been checked for parasites, you definitely should be. See the latest segment - posted just now. Yogurt may have a few probiotics left in it after processing, storage, etc.. but typically to benefit from probiotics, you have to formally take doses of prepared probiotics specifically formulated to combat a particular area of bowel distress. Not all probiotics deliverby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Keith - I think it's more along the lines that stomach irritation and upset will also irritate the vagus nerve which may in turn cause ectopy and/or the onset of afib. Inflammation, irritation or even impingement on the vagus is known to start the afib ball rolling. It will be interesting to see if you get responses that confirm the reverse. With afib, almost anything is possible, it seeby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Matt - just be sure the salmon is not farm-raised or you'll also be getting some things you would rather not have Wild salmon is better although all fish these days are suspect for heavy metal, PCB's and dioxin contamination....unfortunately. Most of the experts say it's better to get your Omega 3 fish oil from pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil that is labeledby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
<> -Part 1 DGL <> -Part 2 GERD, Digestive Issues & Health <>- Part 3 GERD & Digestive Ailments Includes References <> Part 4 Stress & Digestion; Diaphragm Function <> Part 5 Leaky Gut Syndrome No More Heartburn Part 6 Leaky Gut Syndrome continued Antibiotic Use Dysbiosis is the term used to describe the disorder where the normal balance of friendly or helpful gut bacteria (intestinby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lee - I can understand your frustration over not being able to pin down studies and data indicating low stomach acid is actually the culprit. So often, drugs take priority and the common sense remedies that address the problem at the core issue rather than mask symptoms seem to prevail. Studies are always going to be based on drugs because those are the income generators. There is no income tby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM