Ivan - I totally agree with James - the PIP approach would be perfect and very emotionally reassuring that you have a Plan B at your fingertips at any moment in time. I still carry my PIP like a security blanket. I think you are smart not opting for ablation until you are sure you absolutely need it. If your afib has held off that long, it makes no sense to have the procedure and I'm reby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim - I just heard a great explanation on CoQ depletion and people not knowing it. Good health would probably be the most significant indicator of adequate amounts, but the body does become depleted and it can use up significant amounts and once those are depleted, apparently can't make more on its own. I'll find the interview and transcribe the comments. The main issue is that CoQby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yeah, I knew I'd forget - Taurine 3 grams a day.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bill - My experience with flec was similar to yours... at high doses - 100 BID, I was in afib every day or every other day. After correcting my diaphragm issue and adding to optimal the magnesium and potassium taurine, I cut back over a couple month's time on the flecanide until I was down to about 25 mg and then I went off. Couldn't sustain NSR going off but was afib free with abouby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
There is always a risk potential with anesthesia and invasive procedures albeit small. In the case of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, we know from our members reporting back, for the most part, we have all managed to come through without serious, long-lasting injuries. Two articles on medical errors are worth noting just for the awareness factor. FYI - Jackie Quoting directly the lby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bringing this thread forward again... for Dick... <> Dick- something that is frequently missed are adverse subclinical symptoms that seem to occur with time and may not be traced or consciously linked to statin use and the blocking of nutrients along that pathway including Coenzyme Q10. The body makes the powerful antioxidant, CoQ10, but often not enough to meet the demands of the oxidativeby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm coming in late on this go-around and no one need worry about 'tip-toeing' around Jackie.... I hear enough functional medicine interviews with experts all discussing free radical damage to know that I'm not incorrect when pointing out that those who are endurance exercises or hobby exercisers all have the same problems with free radical damage. I just listed to another 2 hours on this veryby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Darcy - I'd say that whomever told you to salt after the potassium doesn't fully understand the function of magnesium, potassium and the sodium potassium pump....or arrhythmia for that matter. You probably need to work on your adrenals if your Bp is consistently low and often a bit of salt does help but with afib, you can't overdo the salt and expect to eliminate AF. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - must ask... How many ablations do you do in a year.. how many each week. How many to date. Track record for safe ablations? Any tamponades? What is your record for success with one ablation rather than requiring two. You want to go to someone who has done a thousand (successful) at least rather than 200 and someone who does it regularly... Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - Have you checked out Hans' recipe called PAC Tamer? I shortened that to just using extra potassium gluconate because don't eat large enough quantities of food to get even close to 5 grams a day of dietary potassium. When I do not supplement, I have breakthrough AF. I need to qualify though and say that it's essential to know if your intracellular magnesium levels are atby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for doing this, Sharon - just another reason that points out that drugs are not innocuous. If people have appropriate metabolic testing, they can learn where their nutritional deficiencies lie and supplement to normal levels without using drugs. I am typically sensitive to drugs and prefer an approach that fixes the deficiencies. I have a long history of 'doctoring' for afibby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Bill - exercising the body and heart is good. Overexercising is not good and the damage in the whole body from oxidative stress has to be recognized. Exercise physiologists always point that out. Intense exercise depletes many nutrients and the critical electrolytes and is a large stressor on the entire body. If those nutrients aren't replaced, then eventually, something gives out. Justby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve - I can't imagine that the doctors don't realize the stress of any procedure on the body and the impact it has on all systems. Just the mental stress is enough with which to cope, but the physical stress is huge as well. This is well documented and recognized. After my ablation, I resumed immediately the magnesium, potassium, taurine, CoQ10 Omega 3's... that I had been usby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - I'm sorry this caused you so much aggravation. Your experiences are exactly why we say we are experiments of one. Not everyone will respond exactly the same. You deserve credit for trying and it's too bad the afib is worse, not better. When you work out something that stabilizes your heart, please post your results here because your success will help others who also don'by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dick - you may enjoy reading the book on amino acids by Eric Braverman, MD, called The Healing Nutrients Within. It's about 300 pages plus study references on how amino acids function in the body. This is complete with functions of each amino including tables, etc. Excellent reference and a brilliant piece of work. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Liz - the legal recourse would be if that original doctor shared privileged information that was detrimental to Ivan. That goes against doctor/patient confidentiality. Ivan mentioned he was worried he might be fired because of the EP. I'm not suggesting he consult an attorney over whether or not the recommendation for ablation was correct. Give me a break! Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is just basic biochemistry. There are many books just about CoQ complete with study references. It's an essential part a healthy body in that it functions in the mitochondria. CoQ10 is one of the major players in the electron transfer chain. It makes sure the energy transfer is efficient and doesn't leak into the cell and cause oxidative damage. Every cell that depends on mitoby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Coincidentally - a recent newsletter by brain expert Daniel Amen, MD (psychiatrist)... indicates that key nutrients for optimizing brain function and helping to avoid Alzheimers include CoQ10, DHA, Curcumin and all of the antioxidants founds in berries. CoQ is shown to slow brain deterioration by 44% Those with the highest levels of DHA are 50% less likely to develop dementia India has theby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - finding that dosing of 1000 mg is common in mainstream medicine. The professionals who deal with functional medicine have been using higher doses for a long time prior to Omega 3's gaining its current popularity. Well over 6 years ago, I began using between 4 - 6 grams a day for the slippery platelet concept and it was directed by my Board Certified Functional Medicine Family Praby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ivan - This is a real shame. It's difficult enough to deal with working and afib but having a greedy EP is inexcusable. I'd consult an attorney. This doctor should not be able to file anything that would contribute to your losing your job. And definitely, see Dr. Pinski. You won't be sorry. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alex - I have some recent info from a teleconference on the measurement of CoQ and optimal levels. If I can dig it out, I'll post it for you. Give me a day or two. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve... I can appreciate what you say. I'm 74 having had ablation at 67. I know what you mean about feeling 'old' but I'm here to tell you at 74, I don't feel what I consider to be 'old'. Maybe in another 10 years, I'll change my mind. I think the many surgical procedures you've had have really taken a toll on your body and you need some nutritiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve - I've had one catheter ablation. In six years post-procedure, I had breakthrough AF 5 times. I learned that what prevents this (for me) is optimizing intracellular levels (IC) magnesium, potssium, taurine, CoQ10, carnitine, B vitamins, Omega 3 fish oils and a very critical one for me, d-ribose. You can do a search here for my name and ribose and most of my posts relevant to thiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Of course, I'd stop the statin but others may not want to go against doctors orders. Or, theyve had a stroke or MI and have been prescribed a statin. These people arent likely to stop the statin and using the combination is actually preventive. Masking of symptoms is actually not how CoQ works. It prevents the myopathy in the first place if adequate therapeutic amounts are taken. It canby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
If youre looking for a plant-based food source of calcium, consider Chia seeds. Chia (Salvia Hispanica) is often called the New Superfood. Chia seeds have been a staple food source for the Native American people for centuries. Aztec warriors ate Chia during hunting trips and the Native Americans of the South west at only Chia seeds mixed with water as they ran from the Colorado River to the Pby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - good to see. Magnesium is definitely known to help with headaches as it relaxes blood vessels and allows for better blood flow. Certainly healthier for us than a headache drug or NSAID. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - well thanks very much, but you'd have to line up at least a dozen or more to share with all the other wonderful contributors here that help make this forum what it is. It's a collective effort and we all complement each other's efforts. I appreciate that you appreciate us and I'm glad you are joining us and sharing your medical expertise as well. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
JamesW - 100 grams of carbs a day is a huge amount. You are really asking your glucose handling system to work overtime with that load. A typical low carb diet will be less than 60 grams and if the goal is more like Adkins for the ketogenic effect, it will be around 20 or less carbs. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
In 1990, famous magnesium researcher, Jean Durlach, wrote this article.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Gregg - I've been at this a long time...lots of files and 'stuff' and it's my pleasure to help provide easy access to those who want to know more. Good luck. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM