Have you had a sleep study? Your afib could be triggered by sleep apnea. If you haven't had one, ask your EP to order you one.

Not sure what to ask EPs , Ive never seen one, but Id be doing more than just not taking Meds. Im also a nocturnal afibber. Ive had a few right before bed too. Most think its sleep/breathing issues because it happens then. I dont totally disagree, but have my own theory on this. A few things to check first, and Im not saying these are gospel, just process of elimination.
Look in your mouth. Lots of mercury fillings, root canals, abscesses, gum issues etc. These can all leach and impact heart.
Blood tests can show deficiencies and excesses for Mag, Potassium etc.
Sleeping. Check into "IBT" My bed is at 3 degrees now and moving to 6 soon. I did so for other health issues, but worth a look for AF. http://inclinedbedtherapy.com/
Reduce inflammation. This could be hard to figure out, but I would start with a good dose of Vit C
Stop, alcohol, caffeine, pot, tobacco, and wheat. to help the gut and keep the BP in shape.
Back adjustment. Spine issues and especially the neck area can impact the nerves to trigger AF.

This is how my first EP visit went:

He asked me alot of questions and wrote as I answered.

Then he got a booklet out about ablations and told me it would be about 6 weeks until I could have my ablation. He seemed surprised when I said I was not there to book an ablation, rather to have his help in handling my afib. I asked him about Magnesium, he said it would lessen the intensity of the beats. He was on his way out of the room at that point, saying I would need an ablation sooner or later, and sooner is best.

My PCP suggested I take Rythmol as PIP. I do sometimes. My Cardio Dr. is about to retire. I am not sure what I will do then, I am coasting right now.

I often have questions after an appointment with a specialist. I ask if it is OK if I call and ask my questions at that time....so far so good with that.

Best wishes for a good visit!!!!

Yoga, ahh, thanks for the warning. My new PCP scheduled an appt with an EP, solely based on my medical history. Ablation isnt even in my vocabulary at this time, so you just saved me the $50 Co pay. Owe you a drink.

Hwkmn, From what I read here, they are not all like that. I think it is worth the 50. to check yours out. My thought from my experience is, to say right up front, that you are there to get help with managing not seeking ablation. If I had said that, my appt. "might" have gone better. I have managed my afib with a little help from several Dr.s

My PCP said my EP could do an ablation in his sleep because he does so many. That is all he wants to do, I now know. BTY, he is now doing touch up's for the folks he did a couple of yrs. ago.

My drink of choice is now water.....alcohol is the only definite trigger I have. I am raising my decaf coffee cup to you, toasting genuine help for your afib :-)

It is best to know what you want to ask them when you walk through the door. Sometimes doctors like to guide the conversation so that they decide when they're going to walk out and deal with the next patient. Its harder for them to do that when you have a written list of questions.

Personally, I think a long-term monitor (if you've never had one) would be a good thing. That will tell you exactly what kind of arrhythmia you have, how often, etc. Sometimes other arrhythmias can be misdiagnosed as afib by PCPs or ER docs. Plus knowing that information will likely influence how you want to proceed with your treatment. Its your heart, its worth all the doctor appointments.

You'll probably know pretty quickly whether the EP you see wants to push ablation (I've had two) or medication (done that too). Those are your two options with an EP. There are others that have had success with supplements (I use a few), addressing other issues like thyroid imbalance (known to cause afib), sleep apnea, etc.

Duder and Yoga, good advice. I went back to high test coffee, but never more than 1 cup and never after noon. I cant drink beer or liquor, but 1 glass of wine on the weekends seems ok. The questions I would have for an EP most likely I already know the answer to. This EP is well known for ablations and meds, so seeing how at this point I have little interest in either, I ve canceled. A monitor may show some blips, but if you dont stay out of NSR and know every time your out, kind of a waste of my time and $$.

Hi;
I"ve had afib for the last 12 years (I'm 63 now) and control it using natural means for the most part. When I'm triggered, by things like MSG, I do take Rythmol to stop it, but only when I'm in afib. To stay out, I do the following:


Here is a link that describes EXACTLY what Im doing. I found it very interesting that he summarizes it all in one place, while it took me almost 7 years to put this all together. The only thing he does not mention is the heavy metal chelation option. I did that too and found it helpful, as was removing all amalgam fillings before the chelation.

https://www.drlam.com/blog/lone-atrial-fibrillation-laf/805/

I suggest you actually study this article, it corresponds in almost every sense to what I found out and am now doing. I especially found the magnesium to benefit me. I take 250mg Magnesium Citrate morning & evening.


See these links too:
http://a-fib.com/supplements-for-healthy-heart/
http://knowledgeofhealth.com/controlling-atrial-fibrillation-without-drugs/
http://www.healthline.com/health/atrial-fibrillation-natural-alternative-treatments#1

Hi Diamorrow,

My first EP appt is 5/4, they're busy down here in FL. Do report back with how it went (if you care too, it would be helpful).

Doug, what is chelation like? I ask because I just learned that I have a MTHFR gene mutation that reduces my ability to clear toxins (methylation?), AND that the brands of Magnesium I've been takng contain twice the ARSENIC than the best rated ones (Labdoor.com). Guess what Arsenic can cause - arrythmias! Would chelation help that?

Hi Hawkman! Kissing frogs still hasn't worked for me. Glad to hear you're doing well.

Doug , good plan. Your post reminded me, I guess I am going to see that EP now. I use Flec 100mg as PIP, tho only once in 2014, the date on that script. Time for new ones Im guessing.
Monty, I am very cautious on types of supplements. Another good reason to see an ND. Never referred me to a GNC or walmart for these.
No, you need to lick the hind end of these reptiles, no kissing.

Absolutely Hawk, I bought what I thought were great brand names (and they are, but why ingest more toxins than you have to...). I only just discoveted the supplement testing sites - what an eye opener.

I'd probably need to buy the frog dinner first...

Thanks so much to everyone!!!
I have done the monitors in the past and of course while wearing one I had no episodes but they are more frequent now so I think that is a good place to start. I purchased a home monitor from AliveCor and it can show my heart like an EKG does. It attached to my old cell phone and there is an app to run it . I can print what it records. I try to use that when I am in an episode but even I can tell that they are not all alike. I am going to look at the supplements again. Ablation is NOT what I am after and so I will have to see but I am definitely going armed with questions.

Dia, If ablation isnt what you are after, then good for you, keep battling. I have to share this recent post with you from a lady I have known on another all natural site for over 2 years. Her AF got so bad that her family was begging her to get one and at one point, even I suggested nothing seems to be working and we arent getting any younger, so I probably would get one. There were very few NDs in her state which made this more of a challenge to treat. She didnt listen to us and kept battling. It had been a few months since I had been on that site and hopped on to find this good news.-
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AFib: I had the most success when I began using Dr.Carolyn Dean's "ReMag" & "ReMyte" which you can find on her website which helped with the magnesium deficiency and mineral deficiency as per Dr. Dean. But the other supplement to absolutely try is Taurine! I take 1500-2000mg a day in 2 doses A.M. and P.M. It was a life saver!

Off the meds now except for a very small dose of metapropol (12.5). I also take Hawthorn, Fish oil, and "Heart Calm" from "Vitabiologics"(2 capsules a day) and a few other basic supplements(Vit c, etc) that I always took! I would advise anyone to get on these and see the results!

Good luck to all and a big "Thank You" to"___________" because that is where I found it all!!!!!

EC: P, thank you for sharing with us with the names of the supplements that have helped you. Congratulations on finally getting results! We know how hard you, Hwkmn and Bee have been working to figure out a cure for a-fib for a long time now!

Dia,

I been living wit Atrial Flutter and Afib since 2008. First the EP will want to see it on paper....i.e. trhey want to see it on an EKG so the monitor is a step in the right direction.

Now it has been my experience that most EPs are two dimensional. The answer to your afib is either pills or ablation or a combination of both.

Yes they will look for a few things like HP, diabetes, thyroids function, blood work, structural damage, sleep disorders etch...but the bottom line they will diagnose you with Paroxysmal Afib and they will offer you two choices: Pills or Ablation (PVI Ablation). Oups1 I forgot, there is a third choice.....live wit it.

Afib is simply the formation of extra fibrosis in your atria due to many possible reasons. Finding the reason will not eliminate the fibrosis so this is why they advocate ablation so much. Of course change of lifestyle or finding your triggers will help keeping it under control....but it wont cure it.

Now, If you bring in alternative solutions like buying a bunch of supplements that often take time to define which one work or don't work, the EP will probably just walk you out of his/her office. (Been there done that)

I guess the bottom line is that most of EPs will offer you the pills, ablation or manage it on your own approach. They simply treat the condition but not the cause. You GI, GP or Cardio can help with triggers not the EP. Ironic since they are the expert.

I got 2 ablations so far and I spent years asking for the cause and trust you me that the EPs never came even close to give me a reason why I have this curse. So when you see your EP, don't expect him or her to put too much emphasis on the cause.

Scooby

T

Scooby I was afraid that might be the case. Most docs treat the symptoms without trying to figure out the cause. More money in treatment. Sigh....i have noticed my BP is up so I am going to watch that closely to see if here is a correlation.
Just frustrating to get this far in life with no meds only to get hit with this...