I KNOW alcohol is a trigger for me..I had half glass In Dec. and 3 hrs. later was in afib. I used to (before afib) enjoy a beer or 2 often in the summer, and a glass of wine in the winter months....no more!!!!

It took me a month to wean myself completely from caffeine. I use decaf now..I know it still has a smidge of caffeine, but I seem to be OK with it. Now the Chocolate...I had a dark chocloate binge in Feb. and went into afib that night. So, I am challenging myself to stay away from choc. now...Big Sigh, but if that is what it takes, I am Willing. I usually have afib ea. Month, but went w/o for 2 mos. Dec-Feb. I have my fingers crossed for this month...!!!

Welcome Thomas,

Regarding coffee - Fortunately coffee is not a trigger. I'm a big coffee drinker. 4-5+ cups in the AM. Even if I'm experiencing AF.

Regarding alcohol- Another story. Alcohol is definitely a trigger. At times I can get by with a 2-3oz. glass of wine w/dinner or a vodka on the rocks before dinner. Rarely both.
I'm aware when in and out of AF. I self-convert to NSR within 4-18 hrs. Since my diagnosis in July 2010 the bouts of lightheadedness have decreased. I don't drink if I have appointments or I'm ushering in the evening the next day. This usually means I DON'T Drink.
So far I've been able to manage on with no drugs, other than Warfarin or other procedures.
A long answer to a short question.

Thanks for posting the videos. I found them very helpful.
I'm almost 78. Ablation apparently not recommended for those over 75. That fine with me.
Annette

Hi Thomas- Regarding Caffeine and Alcohol..I do pretty good if I practice moderation. I drink one cup of coffee each morning and usually have 1 beer in the evening. I find this works good for me.

Hey Thomas! 13 months ago on a Sunday, after my morning cup of coffee I went into afib. So, I avoid all caffeine. Well.. I do eat some chocolate here and there. I dont drink alcohol anymore.

No alcohol or caffeine for me. I am always in afib, but I don't want to mix the alcohol with the medicine and I want to be as relaxed as possible.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting.

Similar to CLane, I moderately partake of both caffeine (usually a/one cup of coffee in the morning and a small ice coffee @ lunch time) and alcohol, white wine (sometimes one glass in the evening before or during dinner) or a beer on the weekends. I used to drink alot more coffee throughout the day but have opted to reduce it to the bare minimum.

Since my first episode I have tried several different scenarios, often abstaining from one or the other (caffeine/alcohol) or both for off and on - long periods of time.

I'm not exactly sure what initiated my AF episodes 2-4, perhaps a combination of several things all at once - or - possibly deficiencies in a few specific areas. I have a few theories that I'm working on.

I received a thoughtful email message from a member here this week, urging me to get a thyroid test (including T3), I don't know if they did one in the hospital and I really don't know anything about this test. I will bring it up @ some point with my EP or PCP.

TGIF everybody. Have a good one tomorrow. ;-)

I gave up alcohol several years before my afib diagnosis so I can't give input on that, but I measure my coffee intake by the pot, not the cup. There's always a pot brewing in my house. My kids code for "I have a problem and need to talk" is "mom, have a cup of coffee with me". Caffeine doesn't seem to be a trigger for me.

When I was first diagnosed, I gave up all caffeine and alcohol for several months. These items were not a primary trigger for me as I still had the same amount of afib without them as I did with them. When i decided to allow myself coffee and alcohol again, I made the decision that on any given day, I am not allowed to have more than 1 of each :) Even on special occasions, I do not have more than 1 drink, because, like Petey stated, I also do not want alcohol to interact with my medication too much.

Also, to add to my prior comment, I did give up coffee and alcohol after each ablation for 2-3 months during healing as well. After my last ablation (4/19/2011), in August, I allowed myself to have coffee and alcohol again.

I think you are right in that we all react differently to triggers. Coffee and alcohol don't seem to bother me but stress is my #1 trigger I'm beginning to believe......having to work on that one as I didn't realize I WAS even stressed!

Would you believe that the Warfarin thinned out my blood so quickly that last week the nurse practioner told me to go eat a BIG salad for lunch? I was amazed but she said it would stop it.......so I've begun eating small portions of green things again.....which is great because I really missed them!

I limit my caffiene to one cup of decaf in the morning (used to drink to big cups of joe every morning).

I limit my alcohol to one or two beers in the evening before dinner. I don't like feeling if I drink anymore than that (used to not bother me, I think it's the medicinal interaction).

If I could give up stress, I'd be home free!

I gave up alcohol and coffee when I started getting this daily - it didn't help to give them up and it didn't hurt when I put them back in a few months later when the episodes were down to 1 per week. No correlation for me that I can tell, and I am looking very carefully.

I drink half-caff coffee now...no problem with it. As far as alcohol, maybe one glass of wine, or a martini...haven't any problems yet. Had ablation several years ago....so far so good (fingers crossed)!

I drink decaf with a little regular coffee, and have a glass of wine any time I eat salads or greens which is most every night. No problem with either of those.

Svenska congrats, you sound like a real success story with the ablation.

I stay off caffine and alcohol. med bottle says no alcohol. never been a drinker of it. I had given up tea and coffee years ago. So far only twice in Afib and short time. ( after that first big attack and in hospital,) No idea what the trigger really was but think stress. THis winter with this cold a few times I though starting but did not and I had dirrehea couple days and that seems to be what was bothering me. I keep pills on hand for that. I think it messed up my med balances. I am being more careful there. I was told had it end of July 2010. Year and half ago . I seem to be doing okay. and doctor says I am and now checks me 6 months at a time.