Adrian - after my ablation, my instructions were that should an event occur, I should use both the metoprolol and the flecainide (PIP) - I had used flecainide for several years prior to ablation. Dr. Natale said the beta blocker was needed to slow the heart rate down in order to allow the antiarrhythmic to work. When in afib, typically, the HR is rapid...especially at the onset. Also, my insby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike Afib is such a minefield...I have found that once I got my magnesium optimized and started using L-theanine that my anxiety about all issues has gone down several notches. I was prone to panic attacks and anxiety prior to these two supplements. This is my silver lining to afib. Wishing you the best. Cyndieby Cyndie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom - sorry about this. I'd just take theanine and eat good food, take more of the magnesium and potassium and try to reduce your anxiety.... and I know that's hard to do with the prospect of another cardioversion coming up.... just rememer that you have 48 hours. After hour 24, you can start thinking about making arrangements if needed, but most often, that's not necessary.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hey Tom, sorry about your current bout with afib. There are bound to be afib events that don't seem to have a trigger, at least that's my experience. It's not your fault though, just the nature of the condition. Afib causes me anxiety when I am in it, and I guess that helps to keep it going. You might be feeling some anxiety thinking about being cardioverted again and just haby Craig - AFIBBERS FORUM
I second Dick's recommendations - especially with respect to taking the supplement Theanine to manage stress. I am coming to the conclusion that in most cases underlying anxiety and short and long term stress cause afib. People respond to stress in different ways: for afibbers the vulnerable - weak link is the nervous system/ heart. K and Mg are depleted or not metabolized properly frby Carol - AFIBBERS FORUM
i was told I have a fib in 2004 and I have been in the ER twice with high heart rate and irregular rhythm. I have had an EP study done and could not be induced for ablation. I have been cardioverted in Dec. for atrial flutter and a-fib but when I went for my checkup I was back in a-fib and flutter sothe next step is ablation but I cannot take rate control drugs because of low heart rate at timby Carole - AFIBBERS FORUM
There is disturbing news about my dear friend and long-time afib project collaborator, Erling Waller. New readers will recognize the Waller reference aka WW (Waller Water), the recipe he developed and I with research and testing some years ago and from which we continue to enjoy benefits, thanks to his endeavors. Longer standing members will remember ErlingÂ’s many enlightening and important conby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Baad - I presume you are on this BB because of afib.... did that begin after you started consuming the Cytomax drink? or do you consume it regardless of afib? I checked the ingredient list and I'd certainly be cautious of the inclusion of the stimulant, guarana... Couple of clips: Contraindications: Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Guaraná contains caffeine and shoulby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans and Peggy - it's well known that those who are sensitive to wheat or gluten/gliaden proteins will have inflammation in the intestine and the body often has a reaction. Perhaps the Saccaro b. heals irritated intestinal cells and eliminates that chronic intestinal irritation and inflammation which also translates to fewer ectopics and afib. Seems to be a reasonable explanation as is oby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Gill, apologies I assume most bloggers here are American or canadian. I am from the uk too but live in Sydney, oz. I get 000's of pacs too and as Russ says in his reply it's the concern that they are possibly going to lead to afib which makes me most nervous plus some days I do get this tight feeling in my chest which brings on the anxiety loop that there must be a structural pby Mike - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the post George, yeah, I am not on any meds other than supplements right now. I have a PIP in case of afib, but other than that no drugs in my system save for some ribose (small amount), and sevarl vitamins (B,C,D), fish oil and some magnesium... I'd say anxiety would make sense...I guess the affected ANS could make your heart rate slower though right?by andrew - AFIBBERS FORUM
"Could chelated magnesium do this as I've recently started on that? Doubtful, as I wasn't feeling great before I started the chelated mag while I was on mag citrate instead." Mag will most likely decrease rather than increase BP. BP increase could be due to your anxiety about afib, though you'd expect HR to increase, not decrease in that case. The only changes I'vby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi andrew, You don't need to apologise for asking questions, thats why we all come here, to share information and learn. Without the help I have received here, I would be lost. About the Bradycardia, I have no idea. Sometimes my heart races, sometimes it is slow, and sometimes, I can go for a month without noticing anything at all. Sometimes I have very hard and erratic afib, and sometimes,by curt - AFIBBERS FORUM
Since starting potassium and magnesium 6 weeks ago my heart has been rock solid. I had one PVC that I noticed in all that time. Prior to this I spent 3 months with regular ectopics that would strike at night and two episodes of afib. I'm pretty excited about this and I have reclaimed some aspects of my life that I had given up. I have been eating way healthier than I have in years and I&by montos - AFIBBERS FORUM
Curt - that's good advice. The adrenaline surge one gets from the 'fear factor' serves a purpose....initially intended to give a burst of energy to save the individual from the saber-tooth tiger... but ongoing, prolonged stress is not natural nor is it healthy. The most important thing any afibber can do is get to the place where the afib event doesn't cause that sense of anby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Andrew, I too had afib and anxiety seems to plague me also. I had afib for about 5 years and about 2 years into it i found the best ep i could find who happened to be at the university of pa hospital. I started to see Dr. Lin for several years before last august 1 ablation. Since then afib free. I am a nervous person also and have seen therapist for anxiety. I still suffer from anxiety whiby steve Daley - AFIBBERS FORUM
Andrew: People who have had panic attacks i think are more prone to afib. My theory is the autonomic nervous system is taxed by internal stressors that come from what causes the panic attacks. I know, because I too have experienced anxiety or panic attacks and now at 52 years old I have afib. But george is right about mag. and taurine helping you relax. Since I've been on 400-600 mg of Maby chrisdodt - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would look into magnesium deficiency. It causes lots of heart and brain issues. Its deficiency and that of taurine will cause anxiety and depression. I have a huge page on that, but little discussion on afib. there is lots of discussion on these nutrients on this board.by George Eby - AFIBBERS FORUM
I do take .5 mg sulingual ativan to calm me down. I develop acute anxiety as soon as I kick into afib.by Ted - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ken, Nice to hear you are doing well. I had an ablation Aug 1 2008 at univ. of pa and since april of this year have been off all the drugs. I have not had any afib post ablation. I still experience some anxiety about it and hope to get better with that. My heart rate is usually in the high 60s to 70s right now but have had maybe a couple of higher heart rate which subsides soon after. But iby steve Daley - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Everyone, Can anyone provide any advice on what I should do? Last night I had ectopics so badly everytime I lay down to sleep that I only slept for 3-4 hrs last night. I've had 2 episodes of afib, one in Aug and one on Oct 30th. I'm taking 400mg of magnesium, a multivitamin with high potency B, fish oil, 2000mg of vitamin C and 100mg of Co Q10. I have been drinking Low sodium V8by montos - AFIBBERS FORUM
Montos, When i got afib it was very similar. First time they did nothing and when i had second episode they put me on drugs. After finding this site and reading about afib I located the best Electrocardiologist and hospital. I am lucky in way that Philadelphia has some of best hospitals and doctors. I went to University of Pa. Dr. David Lin and for several years met with him about my afibby steve Daley - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes Multag is an anti-arrhythmic, new just released in Julyl I believe. Here's a support group for sleep apnea and CPAP I was overwhelmed myself with both of these conditions to the point where I was missing too many days of work and suffered from anxiety/depression too. Try to take it easy and just thru the day if not just get thru 1 hour! Yes teing one on triggers my AFIB too, soby McHale - AFIBBERS FORUM
This past memorial day weekend (a couple of days before) I had an uneasy feeling in my chest and started sweating. I called my cardiologist and went to his office and was diagnosed with AFIB and given metropolol beta blocker. Ending up switching cardiologists because of incompetence, long story. Anyway my current doc sent me to a sleep doctor after checking me twice both initial EKG and subsequenby McHale - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi again, Julia- I want to add to my post earlier today on this that I have every sympathy for the stress and anxiety and discomfort that Afib causes those who have it. Altho I have relatively few episodes overall, seveal of them are quite memorable for the discomfort they caused. Also, I empathize with the mild anxiety that we call can have wondering when the next AF will occur. Your husband maby Sis - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike - it could be that your stressful childhood/youth of which you've spoken coupled with alcohol intake produced enough stress or damage to your adrenal system and heart cells. It's good to recognize that some past behavior might be contributory and while we can't go back, we certainly can look forward and resist contributing more damage to a system that is already under siege. Quite someby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
First episode at age 39. Always had lots of ectopics since early 20s. Also have long history of GERD and anxiety/OCD. Now 48 and have had 9 episodes to date (max 10hrs no meds). Always late pm/early am when occurs. Took nothing med-wise until Nov 06 when I first tried 'pill-in-the-pocket' (i.e. as and when required rather than daily) Flecainide 300mg that successfully converted me in aby Anonymous User - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was diagnosed when I was 40, now I am 43. I had a flutter ablation in October of 2008, but I still get afib nearly every night when I go to bed....sometimes it last for a few minutes, last night for 3 hours....my heart rate was 184 at 2 in the morning......VERY frustrating. I do take Rythmol but am considering Flec to see if it works better. Hans seems to think for vagals, it may be more effectby Curt - AFIBBERS FORUM
JohnsS, Everyone is different...Since starting flec this summer, the anxiety that came with the afib is gone and the afib (so far)...............Atenolol was the drug that gave me anxiety and lots of other stuffby Tibbar - AFIBBERS FORUM
JKean - Welcome. Quite possibly the scoliosis contributes to irritation of the vagus nerve. Not that it's the same, but there is a connection between hiatal hernia and an irritated vagus so it's logical to think along those lines. Bending over from the waist is a common trigger for vagally mediated afib. It certainly was a trigger for me. That said, work needs to be done to calby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM