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Hi Sam.... As most of us know from experience and comparing "notes," sleep issues are often highly individualized. On the melatonin topic, what I’ve learned is that (for me)… less is more. I didn’t have problems falling asleep…but rather, waking up around 2 am and not being able to go back to sleep. That was something new and also very annoying. I tried 3 mg. melatonin atby Jackie - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Hi Liz - good memory! My clot incident came after my first ablation and I had a breakthrough arrhythmia. Prior to my first ablation, I had taken only NK since I didn't tolerate warfarin and that's all there was back then. There are several past posts relating to my "Clot in my heart" story... The AF forum archives have my story about having a clot in my heart aftby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi MarkL and welcome - Here’s a link to a past post on potassium…which includes the post: “Let’s Not Forget About Potassium”… and you may find something helpful there. Jackie PS - you can also go to Conference Room Session #31 and scan through the various posts that have significant details about the relevancy of potassium levels, etc.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom - There should be no embarrassment regarding therapy to help afibber’s cope with the distress/anxiety that it can cause. In fact, it’s very smart because when you are managing anxiety/stress successfully, then (collectively) your body’s systems have a better chance to function normally. When one or several systems are impaired/compromised because of stress, then the down-stream purpoby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kathleen - First, Welcome to the forum. I can relate to your challenge. I’m writing this to offer support and encouragement. Although I am 85, I had thyroid problems for years prior to onset Afib at age 59 (1995) and a history of three ablations (all by my EP, Andrea Natale). The first was in 2003 and then after 11 years, developed A-flutter so had that ablation in 2014 which iby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Smackman - Optimizing one’s immune system is always smart. You may recall from some of my previous posts on Vitamin D, that I was found to be very deficient when I was finally tested after I became a patient of my Board Certified, Family Practice MD who practices Functional Medicine. No other prior physician had bothered to run the 25 OHD test, even though I had some classic symptoby Jackie - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Thanks, George, for your reference link to that post. Also, there's another that may also be helpful... Digestive Wellness. As you note, one influence that's more common than one might think is the lack of natural stomach acid production. Taking supplemental betaine hydrochloride with meals is certainly known to help in many cases. It certainly did in my case.... especiallyby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi bettylou - Yes, definitely, for your case, always be sure you take the antibiotic for your known risk factor before you have the typical subgingival scaling/cleaning procedure. As for daily flossing, that is definitely important, but if there are subgingival areas where there is pocketing or sulcus depth more than 5 mm, then it's important to keep up with the regular professional propby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Because of COVID and our lives being put on ‘hold’ for so long, note this reminder that if you’ve put off your regular dental exam/prophylaxis visits, be sure you don’t delay too long. Just FYI… study report from 2018…. Potential Impact of Oral Inflammations on Cardiac Functions and Atrial Fibrillation Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, George...your memory is amazing. I’ll clarify a bit. My AF began 26 years ago in 1995 at the age of 59. I tinkered with various treatments for 8 years... and only in the last year of that 8-year search did I learn about the importance of making sure the heart cells had enough magnesium... and to stop taking those calcium supplements - recommended for post-menopausal women.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom - I didn't expect otherwise and it's great to see your post this morning! So glad you are doing so well. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom - Yellow Brick Road, indeed! I echo all of the 'wishes-well' to you for your Natale ablation and am very confident that you will benefit 100% from his ultimate skill and experience. I look forward to reading your post-procedure report when you have the time. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Marge W. Definitely consider the statin influence. It may take longer than 2 weeks to start noticing a difference. Years ago, my taking statins caused, permanent, muscle damage...mainly leg muscles. I didn't even have a cholesterol problem, but at the time, statins were the new, 'must use' med and my doctor said, 'good idea to stay healthy.' Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
On the melatonin dose at bedtime, once again, the dose and subsequent effects can be highly individualized. When I first experimented, I was taking either 3 or 5 mg at bedtime. I didn't sleep well at all. I did read that for some, only a 'touch' of melatonin was all that was needed so I tried taking half of a 1 mg. tablet at bedtime. I had the best sleep in a long time.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello fujau64 - As George comments, the problem is often a lack of stomach acid causing problems... Many years ago, I had that problem and was helped with supplemental betaine hydrochloride and other digestive enzymes. As a result, I offered several posts that are archived here. You can browse through to see if anything 'resonates' with your situation. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes..Fidrych... No reason why... otherwise healthy. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Fidrych - A person I know has a long-standing history of high platelet count. He's been going regularly for a formal pre-test and then a blood draw (if needed) for a number of years. He see's a hematologist who oversees the procedure and results. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom - Well, see.. the time did pass quickly and now you’re heading off for the ultimate Austin experience with the Maestro, Dr. Natale! I’m so pleased you decided to go and I know you’ll have lots of positive comments to share about the whole “Austin experience.” Try to relax and as they say, “just chill.” You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Susan - My personal experience indicates the blanking period duration is most likely quite individualized. I’ve had 3 ablations…one for Afib, one for A-flutter that isolated the LAA followed by a touchup procedure. I had an experience with clot formation shortly after the blanking period (my first ablation - 2003) which could have been a disaster had I not resumed using the fibrinolytiby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, George for providing that link. Jackie Tom - Glad you are noticing improvement and great that you have eliminated alcohol. As I’ve often commented, my first AF event happened after playing a round of golf (about 4 hours) on a hot summer day and then drinking wine afterwards at a party in the club house. I was undoubtedly dehydrated as well. The afib occurred 4-5 hours lateby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
There are numerous posts archived here about the impact of stress, anxiety and related issues such as insomnia while dealing with Afib. Recently, I was helping a non-afibber and suggested research on calming, natural remedies such as L-theanine and GABA… and offered the link to the post (here) for afibbers…. Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia…Sympathetic Dominance and more… Additionally, for many yby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Percyfaith - be sure to read the 'testimonial' by Sharon Glass at the link GeorgeN provided. She remained afib free for many years once the H.pylori was managed. We corresponded for a long time but I haven't heard from her in a long while. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tibber.. So sorry you had to go through that misery. Thanks for sharing. Best to you, Jackie Thanks, George, for posting that link to hwkmn's experience. Awareness alerts are very important and because there's such a huge number of contributing variables in Lyme symptoms, it's important to have as much info as we can. Best to you as well, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
In the General Health section, Todd just posted about "Bad Bugs"....and it's a good 'awareness' reminder about what bugs can be prevalent in the warmer weather .... specifically Borrelia burdorferi .. the tick or vector that causes Lyme disease, which is the most common vector-borne disease in the US, according to the CDC. (Thanks, Todd). I wrote about my 2012 Lyme eby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom - It's good to see you posting this acknowledgement and to see your mention of John Sarno. He and others helped me in several personal saga/ health-issue journeys that I experienced long before Afib entered my life, but apparently were still there to help me cope as I didn't have nearly the anxiety for AF as I did during previous health-related issues. I think that recogniziby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lance - sorry for the delay... got sidetracked... FYI... This is from the Patient Ed tech info from the professional 'bottler' of supplements, Designs for Health. on their NAC product . Jackie DESCRIPTION N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that is a precursor to glutathione, the body’s most powerful antioxidant. NAC is heavily researched in bronchial and lung disorders.by Jackie - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Hello Lance... Good observation... I'll start looking into the files I have on both and see if I can find something that helps clarify. Stay tuned. Jackieby Jackie - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Hi Larry - I've been using a liposomal form of Glutathione... by Designs for Health... Here's a couple clips from their Patient Ed data sheet on this form of GSH... Just FYI. I can send you the formal Tech Data sheet if you'd like to see it. Send me a PM. Jackie What is Glutathione? Glutathione is a crucial molecule synthesized inside every cell in the humby Jackie - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Percy - My personal experiences and assessment of the potential influences that resulted in my onset AF definitely includes the stress factor. My life has always been stressful. I developed AF 26 years ago at age 59. Long story that I won't go into, but the impact of stress affects many and in multiple ways. And, once you’ve had AF, I think most afibbers are at least, subconsciously,by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Colin – Congratulations on your continued success with the natto food. Great news. I’m also pleased that your vitamin D intake has helped. You’ll may recall that the year before I developed AF (1994), I had also learned my Vitamin D level was very low – (18) - and definitely was responsible for the muscle pain and weakness I had developed. Back then, it was rare to have a doctorby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM