As an Afib patient, Im a bore. Compared to some of the stories here, I feel most fortunate to battle this condition as little as I do. Since my first episode nearly 6 yrs ago, 2014 was the most active with 4 episodes. 3 within 5 mos, 4 within 8 mos. 1st caridoverted successfully. 2nd and 3rd, converted with supplements and acupuncture in 8-16 hrs. 4th chemically converted with flecainide in 45 min. Since over 1 year ago, zero episodes and no standing or occasional meds, nary an aspirin. 2 close calls over 1 year, battled tachy for 3 hours with heart bpm of 110. I was tempted to reach for the Metop, but rode it out with massive doses of Magnesium, Taurine, Hawthorne berry along with 8 glasses of water in 1/2 hr. My trigger(s) which I do believe in, could be MSG among other stresses. I discovered recently that my favorite food being Japanese hibachi and sushi, uses more of this in cooking than chinese for the simple fact that they are basically a "no bones" house and rely on chicken and beef base for flavoring, both high in MSG. Plus the process used is more potent. That has also provoked PVCs from time to time. My Dr laughed when I told him I have 3-7 per week. Told me thats not as much as some without AF.
So the $64000 question is how or why did I stay in NSR? I actually gained a few extra lbs. I started drinking coffee again, none after noon, 1-2 cups. Im a wino, 3-10 glasses per week. Not a big exerciser, light to moderate. Use little or no sugar. Avoid gluten most of the time. Work stress is high, but whos isnt? Keeping the spine and neck in line may provide some relief, but hard to verify without double blind trials. The supplements I take are very basic and most are not specific to Afib. One I have attempted to cut down on or out is Vit C, however, PVCs become stronger and more frequent within days of stopping. Dr has no clue as to why. I have my own theory but getting verification is a challenge. I will possibly eliminate the last item I know of , a root canal 8 yrs old this year and start a more intense detoxing/chelation program. I tend to believe Dr Wolfson Cardio and his book "The Paleo Cardio" about the toxic world we are exposed to every day.
In my 6 short years, I see very little in the way of a cure. Same drugs with different names, most fail to curtail our condition and of course the side effects are unbearable with several unknowns. Ablations have gotten better, but I question the real success rate and the long term effects, not to mention the massive exposure to radiation at our age. With that said, I understand why we take that path when AF becomes more frequent, the choices are not plentiful or mutually exclusive with those who continue meds after this.
For we Afibbers, this is a day to day battle. Even when we are in NSR, the fear of this conditon effects my plans of vacations, lifestyle and to some degree work schedules. For me however, anything and everything is on the table. I discount no ones treatment or regimen and never pre qualify any success story. If licking a toads arse gets you back to NSR, pass the salt please. Regards.