Hi there,
I completely understand your concern re the Diltiazem and Flecainide drugs. I developed AFib three and a half years ago (I’m female, age 69 now). It was a very scary time for me too. The heart specialist put me on various drugs and I found I was extremely intolerant of all of them, but persevered for four months (with terrible side effects) to see me through that time as I was about to retire from full time work. During that time I slowly cut down the dosages of what I was taking, and on retiring my job the only thing I was still taking was Diltiazem (for heart rate control), though at a very low dosage before I quit that also. The Diltiazem played havoc with my gut - I later found out it inhibits saliva secretion etc and I already had a dry condition as part of an autoimmune condition!
I did a lot of research on natural supplements for AFib and found there are a number of natural supplements one can take, which work in synergy with each other.
I take a number of things, including magnesium, taurine, Carnitine fumarate, CoQ10, vitamin C 3000mg daily, fish oil caps, D-Ribose powder (an absolute essential). I keep hydrated and make sure I get enough daily potassium. The D-Ribose gives more energy out to the muscles and heart and is great for helping with fatigue. I’ve been AFib free for more than 18 months now and can excercise much easier now. I do a weekly gym circuit class, and have a recumbent exercise bike at home.
Here is a link to an excellent article called Metabolic Cardiology:
http://www.afibbers.org/resources/strategy.pdf

There’s a lot of reading, but it explains so much!
I’m sure you’ll find it helpful.

It’s great that you cut down your alcohol, as some folks find it can be an AFib trigger. (We’re all very different.)

Best wishes and take care.
Cheers, Sandra

Hello Sandra, these are awesome information---I'll be all over it indeed and very soon!

You know, The best would be someone coming up with a few pills with all of the natural supplements you're taking!!!! the magnesium, taurine, Carnitine fumarate, CoQ10, vitamin C 3000mg, fish oil caps, D-Ribose powder, potassium etc.
with my research I started taking fish oil caps and it improved my brain functions a lot!

I haven't told the doctor that I'm not taking the meds he prescribed me... and, I'm scared to continue to take Xeralto now.
cheers
T

Hi T, you should definitely tell your Dr that you’re not taking the prescribed meds. You should at least try taking the Diltiazem as it controls the heart rate. I am one of a small minority who seem not to be able to tolerate many drugs. Initially I was taking one 180 mg diltiazem but it was too much for me and I was given smaller dosages over a day.
I did tell my cardiologist I was stopping everything and taking some natural supplements (he wasn’t bothered by what I said). I didn’t see him after that and am only monitored by my local Dr, who is aware of what I’m taking now (though again, is not really interested and she doesn’t know much about, as not her field). I just keep her in the loop!
You could find a qualified naturopath to give you some advice perhaps.

I also take a daily Hawthorn extract capsule, which lowers blood pressure and can keep heart rate steady (don’t take this if already taking BP meds).

Something that helps me is by not having too many high carbs at mealtimes (eat more protein). Also nothing too rich like too much cheese. I love cheese and certainly don’t do without it - just watch my intake!

Cheers, Sandra

Oh - I wasnt taking any blood thinning meds. That’s not to say you shouldn’t take them though. Try the Xeralto and see how you go - and talk to your Dr if you have disagreeable side effects.

Hello Sandra,
Thank you so much for helping out, your help is indeed much appreciated :)

indeed I'm giving a try to diltiazem 180mg and I'll be calling the clinic about the prescribed meds that I'm not taking and taking. Totally forgot when should I take that one---in the morning with food.

Yes, I’ve been looking for a good naturopath around here, in-fact, I spoke to one that offers a diet with yoga/exercises, supply all the supplements witch my work’s health plan would cover, the problem is, she will be all into my butt and wanting me to do their things with yoga and exercising on their times etc. I’m looking for a more relaxed approach for now.

high carbs vs protein, I’m all into it and as I love fish, veggies, salads and stuff like that, I think I’ll be okay---although, i feel that I should correct some of the snack finger that i eat like those smoked sausages with nuts, presunto and those smoked meat with high sodium concentration, have to reduce it to half... I love cheese too!!! cheese and red wine!!! ho my!!! so good!!! :)

Xeralto, He wants me to take it forever, I do believe something is very wrong with him!!! Xeralto have terrible side effects, people die of internal bleeding and my vision started to get so blurry specially in the morning and etc so, I stop taking it slowly.

I’ll be calling him Monday and will post the outcome!!!
cheers and have an awesome weekend!!!
T

So sorry to hijack this post, but I'm new here, just go diagnosed with AFIB, I am extremely terrified and panic stricken and can NOT figure out how or where to write a post. I am desperate for support as I have ZERO! Can anyone please help me? Thank you
Linda

Hello Linda,

With all the respect, I believe I am not the right person to help you out---because, I'm not doing what my doctor wants me to do. I stop taking xarelto and never took any of the medication that they want me to take. you may call me a rebel now. Pharmaceutical companies must be hating me now!!!


I do believe, you with CVID, you do really need to see a doctor that understands very well afib and CVID to subsequently prescribe the proper medication...

if you feel panic, call your emergency number---and, try to relax, if you can, stand straight and breath deep and close your eyes until you breath out.

as for the "post" you did post on here so yay!!! if you want to write a new post---follow the steps.
1 - go to the page [Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group]
2 - middle right click on [NEW POST +]
3 - On title, clicke on there and write the title
4 - on the big white space underneath, click on it and write the post
5 - click bottom right [Post] and that is it!!!

hope this helped!
good luck!

Greetings A-fibbers;
I joined the club 10 yrs ago. at age 70... Went to my PCP for a knee problem, he did the checkup, listening to my heart, & followed by an ECG which diagnosed me with Proximal A-Fib...
Cardiologist suspected it might be ""Life Style Inducted" A-fib... And told me to look out for the triggers...
After some research, I narrowed it down to 'Caffeine'....
I knocked off the caffeine, and I as good for 10 yrs ""without"" any A-fib at all...
So last year, my PCP sends me over to a Physical Therapist to do some exercises...
After about 45 minutes of ''STRENUOUS" exercise I was completely wore out..TIRED"""
They sent me home and I checked my pulse at home....I"M IN A-FIB...
From "over exercise & tiredness'... WOW!!!.
First time in 10 yrs...
So about couple of months ago,, We were celebrating some thing, I don't exactly remember,
Except i probably drank to much alcohol..., the strong stuff...
Couple hours later,,, I'm in A-Fib again....
Another 'Life Style Inducted "" ..TRIGGER...
The 3rd, and latest episode, happened when I was under sever stress...
I wouldn't get into the details....But, it was just another 'TRIGGER""
For me, it appears to be a 'life style thing'
The Cardiologist wants me on Anticoagulants for life...which I'm NOT taking..
So, in the last 1 1/2 yrs, I've had 3 episodes...all life style inducted...
There's about 5 or 6 MAJOR triggers...
1]. Stress
2]. Caffeine
3]. Alcohol
4] Over exercising
5]. Tiredness [from over exercise]
6]. Smoking
I'm trying to be more careful now, that I'm over 80, and know it's a bad time to have A-Fib...
When your young, it's not as much of a problem...
I probably had A-Fib for 5 or more years before they found it...
I kinda knew something was wrong, but just didn't know anything about A-Fib...
My ONLY suggestion, is to review the 'TRIGGERS" , and reduce or totally eliminate them in your life
Take Care
Bada-Bing

hello, new to site and new afib patient. anyone out there following their doctors advice..taking meds etc? I am. they know afib better than we do. afib can be silent, like mine was. you could develop a clot if not treated. you could damage your heart by too many afib episodes. my next step is an ablation to hopefully cure it before it gets worse. any thoughts on my take of afib?? good luck to you all. hate to have this condition.

Hi perfume2,

Here is a link to another AFib support group who do follow medical practitioner advice - and who are very supportive to new AFib sufferers.
I don’t go there much any more. Since I’ve had no AFib episodes for the past 22 months they weren’t very helpful to me. I keep my GP informed of my programme of natural supplements.
(It seems there aren’t many folks like myself that cannot tolerate prescribed drugs.)

https://forum.stopafib.org/index.php

Wishing you all the best,
Sandra

Hi Bada-Bing,

indeed, I totally agree with you, we should identify our triggers in the first place and correct them. Below are my triggers.

1]. Stress
2]. Caffeine
3]. Alcohol
4]. lack of sleep
5]. getting a flu/cold virus
6]. Smoking
7]. Extreme hot

As for Anticoagulants---he wants you to be preventive of any critical episode like in my situation, exact the same, but I do not take it as-well, instead I added a few supplements and started a more blood healthy diet with more garlic, turmeric, ginger and more veggies.

Hey, I'm new on here too but, welcome a board!
cheers
T