Atrial fib comment

[nancy_W]

Not sure this is the right forum, but I am seeing comments here re: atrial fib. Wanted to add my experience. Female in my 50s, physically active, relatively fit. No blood pressure or cholesterol problems. Started having increased heart palpitations last year, increased gastrointestinal problems, significant tightness under left ribcage, slowed digestion and early satiety from late afternoon on. Primarily late afternoon and evening. Started out the day fine, then symptoms increased as the day progressed. Lots of tests last year; palpitations classified as benign. No firm diagnosis.

Had first diagnosed episode of atrial fib a couple of weekends ago, spent 5 hrs in ER to get stabilized (including cardioversion). My theory, after a lot of online research, is that something is wacky with my vagus nerve, given that it supplies the areas I've had trouble with. Eating, esp. late in the day, ramps up the palpitations. Position in bed is important; lying on back or on left side is about out of the question.

I had an endoscopy last spring; only a minimal hiatal hernia, nothing significant. Echocardiogram last week looks fine. Still waiting on 48-hr Holter monitor results. On Cartia XT for the time being.

Has anyone else found any support for the idea of a vagus nerve problem? Anyone been helped by medical acupunture? Thanks.

[LindaTX]

This probably should be a discussion on the heart rhythm forum.  There is a lot of information concerning the Vagus nerve on various forums here on Medhelp.  I tried to pursue that avenue also but kept running into dead ends.  I am one of those who do believe there is a strong connection between a-fib and stomach issues by way of the Vagus nerve.

I did have an ablation 10 wks ago and it was a PVI (Pulmonary Vein Isolation) ablation performed by the man who pioneered the procedure, Dr. Andrea Natale.  He told me he ablated my ganglionic plexi of which the Vagus nerve runs through. I asked him if he ablated my Vagus nerve and he said no, he didn't go near my Vagus nerve. I got my records from the hospital and it said I had 18 areas ablated.  Unfortunately, I went from having almost weekly episodes usually 24-36 hrs in length to post-ablation 24-30+ hr episodes every other day. I can't imagine why it has gotten so much worse instead of better. I've been on 5 different anti-arrhythmic drugs over the past 10 wks and none have helped.

Annabelle, I feel for you...it's a lonely journey because the pathway is different for each of us. nancy_W, your symptoms sound a lot like mine.  I dealt with this for the past 12 yrs and the only thing I know for sure is that it is a progressive condition....it won't just go away.

[cindy707]

I agree with your comments totally Annabelle and just want to add that ablations usually dont make the problems worse its the ablator thats doing the job......but i agree she should consider every option out there......i am not pushing any procedure...its just that i have been there and done that and know what the risks are first hand on the meds, the procedures, etc. and its for a medical professional to help us make an informed decision...

[Annabelle1961]

Nancy, I am fairly new to afib as well.  Mine's a pain in the butt.  I take Atenolol and aspirin.  I go weeks with nothing and then it starts up.  I do find some correlation between the stomach and my episodes.  My suggestion to you is to find a EP that you feel comfortable with and let him advise you as to the best way to handle.  Lots of people on here push the ablation, however, through research and speaking with my EP, ablation doesn't always work and it can make things worse.  Consider all your options before making and informed decision.  All the best to you and Happy Holidays!

[cindy707]

I had a super severe case of atrial fib and a couple of other things and chose to go with a cardiac ablation four years ago and since that time it is pretty much a memory.  With atrial fib it is usually and issue with the electrical pathways and the misfiring of our hearts especially if this was a confirmed diagnosis by a heart doc.  Atrial fib is not something that you want to play around with in terms of searching out a resolution that may be homeopathic because it does have to do with the firing of your heart the main pump of the body that sustains life.  On a personal level i would never consider acupuncture for this issue because it could actually harm you rather than benefit you because in essence you would be ignoring the base of the issue.  Alot of people look at the vagus nerve as the culprit but remember that problem in over 90 percent of issues has nothing to do with the vagus other then it being over stimulated.  Sounds to me like you need to get to the root of the problem and i have been there and done that as well w. the cardioversions...one of the worst things we can do is to try to self diagnose and self treat because with atrial fib comes some possible deadly issues with clotting .  Hopefully your doc has you on a least a single dose of aspirin a day if you are still going thru this as a safeguard.  I would think about and research and ablation if the beta blockers you are on are not doing the job...ablations were developed originally by a Dr, Natale and Dr. Scheinmann for atrial fib and remember an ablation in most cases is a cure not a treatment.  Good luck to you and happy thanksgiving....