Actually, a diagnostic that shows the heart rhythm pattern will show if you are in afib or aflutter.... you can have a strip run at your doctor's office if they have the equipment. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
While the focus of iodine typically has to do with thyroid function, and we certainly are aware that thyroid dysfunction either hypo or hyper can be a source of arrhythmia in some individuals. The increased incidence of both undiagnosed hypothyroidism and atrial fibrillation is probably not coincidental. Nor is the increased correlation of the obesity epidemic, hypothyroidism and iodine defby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gill - here in the US and when we can get our cardiologists or EPs to give advance notice of the pending CV, the TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) can be done prior to the CV to insure that no clots have formed in the LAA which would then make it safe to proceed with the CV. You could ask around as to the availability of that diagnostic procedure and what's required to have it done in caby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Miriam - First, I wish you well and a speedy recovery. The regional anesthesia is less likely to cause problems for you, but the long fast might become a trigger...so just alert them that you'd like to have an IV glucose solution introduced as early as possible...especially if you are just hanging around waiting for your turn. I always have and it has helped a lot. Remember also that aneby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - If you weren't a free-thinker, you'd never have found our forum... so I know you are already way ahead of the pack in terms of 'enlightenment.' I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine, but based on my own complacency, I thought it was worth mentioning. Best regards, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike Goddard... Glad you are wading through CR 72...as it is key to reversing your afib trend... as is taking responsibility for changing your diet... whole foods won't get you in trouble the way packaged and processed foods will and that's about the only way you'll successfully limit excessive intake of hidden sodium. The good news is that fresh, whole food is just basic nutritioby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lisa - your duration is still fairly short by comparison to the 48-hour deadline. Aspirin at the onset is useful. Omega 3 fish oils help keep platelets from sticking together as does magnesium. You may want to consider using low dose nattokinase on a regular basis and increasing the dose when you go into a prolonged event....as when it gets to over 20 hours. I was 67 when I had very prolonby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - when the Essential Trio is taken according to recommendations... using the appropriate forms of magnesium (that are absorbed well and do not cause diarrhea) and titrating up doses very slowly to the tissue saturation signals which optimize the intracellular levels of magnesium, diarrhea is generally not an issue. The problem typically happens when people use supplements -- too much, allby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just remember - as emphasized repeatedly, it's the relationship of the two electrolytes... you can't correctly reference a sodium intake without also mentioning a potassium intake...they work in a reciprocal manner. It's all there in CR 72 and Dr. Moore's book. So even if you cut back to a gram a day of sodium...what does that mean in terms of your potassium intake.... thisby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lynda - this study addresses your question. Pradaxa works by directly inhibiting the clotting factor, thrombin. Variable Hypocoagulant Effect of Fish Oil Intake in Humans Modulation of Fibrinogen Level and Thrombin Generation Kristof Vanschoonbeek, Marion A.H. Feijge, Martine Paquay, Jan Rosing, Wim Saris, Cornelis Kluft, Peter L.A. Giesen, Moniek P.M. de Maat, Johan W.M. Heemskerk From the Depby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike - running or other prolonged exertive exercise that promotes sweating also allows for depletion of critical electrolytes... and those which directly affect the heart (arrhythmia) and blood pressure are magnesium, potassium and sodium. Start by reading through Conference Room 72. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - did you mean ...can't you increase? The answer is yes, but I was responding to the potential for the Emergency Room to treat with an IV of magnesium and potassium first before one had to consider the cardioversion procedure. You can increase IC levels with oral magnesium, but of necessity, it's a slow process and can take several months (or longer) of ramping up doses thatby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Margaret - if the metoprolol keeps you out of afib, then that's what you should use... you certainly could be mixed rather than totally vagal or something else is working to allow your breakthrough AF and that's why we were emphasizing the electrolytes specifically the K:Na ratio and a good IC level of magnesium. That can take time to establish. Be aware that some EPs don't alloby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - I was told that a rapid heart rate is not likely to convert easily on its own. Therefore, I was also told that using metoprolol (Toprol XL) works to slow the HR enough to allow (in my case, the second part of the PIP plan to work..ie, antiarrhythmic, flecainide). Works within an hour or less. BB immediately at the onset; then 30 minutes later the AA. If it doesn't convert, anothby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Erling - thanks for putting this where it's easily available. It's absolutely frustrating that the relevancy of magnesium when dealing with arrhythmia was known way back in 1965 as referenced (DeCarvalho) and so very well defined in Dr. Seelig's original work in 1980....yet, our doctors, cardiolgists still remain oblivious to the importance of magnesium (and potassium, sodium), Nby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - Just keep in mind that loading magensium should be IM or IV as Hans mentions...otherwise, to add a significant quantity of potassium if you are very low in intracellular Mg will just make the arrhythmia worse. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Heather... so sorry. In a rush again...by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
There have been posts about using the Myers cocktail IV used for many years by progressive doctors who understand the need for maintaining the critical electrolyte balance. What's missing from that formula is potassium, so if it became a standard protocol in the ER to deliver IV what they used in this study when you first arrive, chances are you'd self convert quite often. Certainly woby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Adrian - Glad to see your report and learn all is well. I've read that one of the reasons for the Losec is to blunt the potential irritation from stomach acid in the area of high heat generated on the back wall of the atrium which rests on the esophagus. The heat from the burns in that close proximity to the esophagus can cause pain and irritation. If they prevent the GERD effect, yby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lynda - check with your pharmacist for the latest in his data base. I have no experience with that combination, but I did take high dose Omega 3 fish oils for over 8 years with no adverse effects... 6 grams a day as directed by my MD when I began my AF journey. Sixteen years later, I'm still taking 4 grams a day and I also took it during the times I was also taking warfarin. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Heather - if the water was ice cold, that could be a trigger. As for the hiatal hernia, read this article by Steve Rochlitz, PhD.... his information was presented here years ago as it related to the vagus nerve and hiatal hernia. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good to hear from you Gregg. So glad you are doing so well. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Diana - Migraines are frequently a symptom of low intracellular magnesium...as is arrhythmia. A good B complex is typically found helpful and many people have found extra doses of the various B's can make a difference in both arrhythmia and headaches. If you use a cell phone or cordless phone frequently or long duration or are exposed to a lot of wireless EMR's, that's also knowby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Intravenous Administration of Magnesium and Potassium Solution Lowers Energy Levels and Increases Success Rates Electrically Cardioverting Atrial Fibrillation. Conclusion: Administration of K/Mg solution positively influences the success rate of CV in patients with persistent AF. Furthermore, significantly less energy is required to successfully restore SR and therefore K/Mg pretreatment may faby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dick this is a good assessment of considerations. Missing is the consideration for Adverse Effects as a result of an invasive procedure. It's incomplete to recommend a procedure without also identifying the potential problems which should be discussed with the EP or Cardiac Surgeon as a matter of course in the pre-surgical review called Informed Consent. Lets start a list of what thoseby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dee - somehow you need to try to learn the cause of your elevated CRP. You may have an intestinal bug that is causing the elevation so it's important to get rid of all types of pathogens and then take a potent probiotic daily to keep the gut healthy. Jackie C-REACTIVE PROTEIN - is an antibody-like substance and a marker of a future risk of symptomatic peripheral vascular disease and heart disby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Monty - I can appreciate how you feel, but really, I'd say you've made excellent progress and now, you are much more aware as you've identified the culprits immediately. You've proven that you can control much of your afib and the key lies in managing the critical electrolytes by keeping the dietary intake of potassium to sodium (ratio) where it needs to be. Alcohol is dehby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dee - yes, Boluoke has been around a long time and the quotes you offered for it could be interchanged with nattokinase. You should still know your fibrinogen level because if it's low, then you don't need to take Boluoke or nattokinase, especially with low platelets. I have low platelets but my fibrinogen still can creep up to higher than we like.... thus, my NK use but if I take too much,by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
William - What I wrote was not wrong. You're missing the point of the post. This is observed in those treating patients with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. Adding either gluten or iodine - either one - promotes more antibody production. It is never 'okay' to do something that promotes antibodies. The point is that one should not indiscriminately add high-dose iodine wiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dee - there is good evidence that lumbrokinase works well. When I did my initial research, lumbrokinase was available and also expensive. If it is still just as costly, I have a hard time justifying the expense when NK is proven to be effective. And yes, definitely, you should have a fibrinogen test. Otherwise, you have no idea as to appropriate dosing. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM