Atrial Fibrillation Stomach Gas & Bloat Relationship?

[delcocat]

I saw a post about atrial fibrillation and stomach gas possible association.  I too have the same thing so it may not be all in your head if your suspect this to be the case.  Most dr.'s think your crazy or never heard of this when you even suggest it.  Thats whats wrong with most dr's.  They don't think outside the box and most always treat symptoms with side effect ridden drugs because this is what they learned.  I think we can guess or prognose just as well or better than they can at times particularly if we know something about health and or ourselves.  Never be afraid to speak up because I feel strongly that digestive tract problems are real and translate into other real nasty symptoms like this.  Fortunately we can prevent much of this & need to prevent it from happening. I do feel the more you get afib the worse it can become either physically, emmotionally or both no matter what the cause.  I thought up until now that I may have been the first to discover this but thought I would put this to a POLL since the question already exist out there about the afib gas connection.  I would like to know how many people feel that they get atrial fibrillation and feel that it may be related to gas or full, bloated stomach, intestinal or digestive tract troubles etc?  Any way I also would be interested in what anyone might have to say about it and or what they may have learned from this if they know or even think this to be the case for them and would also like to correspond with others to trade stories and info on what they've learned and done. Be well.  Sincerely, Rich - ***@****


This discussion is related to Stomach Gas and Arrythmia.

[delcocat]

Sorry to hear your problem.  I think your on the right track in coming here.  There are many informative postings on symptoms, things tried etc.  There is also my sister page with a lot of info also on med help at link shown below •Atrial Fibrillation & Stomach Gas, Digestive Tract Probl...
I don't think its the end for you but if you can get relief naturally without things like warfarin in your repertoire.  I think you would be better off for it.  Refraining from alcohol, smoking, poor eating habits is a good start.  Stress, anxiety, poor sleep and lack of moderate exercise also bad.  Unfortunately doctors do not have a grip on this stuff or whether they are related and as usual its more drugs to hopefully address only symptoms but not get to bottom of the problem.  Unfortunately some of the same could be said here since there is no definitive solution or regimen that seems to work for everyone.  Everyone is different.  However like mentioned above there are some common sense approaches that could help bring relief even in the short term.  Stay away from white flour and gluten.  Buy a juicer and incorporate fresh juices into your diet a couple times a day.  Things that have a high density of nutrients (like organic carrots, apples, celery, beet etc)  that have healing properties and that are natural and easy on your digestive system.  Drink plenty of purified water.  Do not eat your last meal or anything other than a light easy to digest protein snack for at least 4 hours or more before going to bed.  Try taking a good enzyme and probiotice supplement.  Hopefully some of this along with other info you read here or else where will help.  Good luck and check back on any updates and know your not alone.  Lots of support here as well!  Thanks everyone!  

[McAuthor]

Yes, there is a definite connection between excessive stomach gas and atrial fibrillation. Since having a heart attack 17 years ago I’ve experienced continual arrythmias - tachycardia, bradychardia, ectopic beats, flutter, etc. - ever since. I had a stomach ulcer and accompanying pain on and off for many years. Despite being on daily medication sometimes the pain got so bad I passed out. However, in the mid nineties when my wife began studying reflexology, and after she practiced on my feet for a number of sessions, my ulcer related pain disappeared and never returned. Then, in 2005, the stomach gas problem began. It happened after an evening of eating chocolates. During that night I awoke, choking, as the contents of my stomach had traveled up my esophagus and into my mouth. From that point on excessive belching and prolonged belching “fits” have become a part of my daily life. In an attempt to eliminate the gas problem I’ve been tested for food sensitivities and discovered that dairy, wheat and sugar products are foods I need to avoid. I’ve also tried out a range of Proton Pump Inhibitors prescribed by various doctors but these seemed to make things worse. In February of this year (2013) I my right coronary was stented and other arterial blockages were pinpointed at the time. All went well for a few months and then, during a belching session, I experienced my first bout of Atrial Fibrillation. It lasted 56 hours. The AF has happened a number of times since and each and every time it is brought on by excessive stomach gas and the attendant bloating and belching. Currently I am taking Plavix and Asprin to keep my blood thin but my doctor wants to put me on Warfarin as well. I feel that this course of action spells the beginning of the end for me. And so I am desperately seeking a natural “cure” for this issue and will continue research and experiment.  

[rat1928]

I have intermittent afib and have been on flecainide for 15 months.  It worked great, but about 3 months ago, I started having terrible stomach pain.  I thought maybe an ulcer, as I was taking one aspirin a day and was hitting the beer pretty good.  I got the ok for getting off aspirin and completely laid off the booze, but still had the stomach pains.  Finally went for an endoscopy and what do you know, no ulcers, everything looked fine.  Dr.  prescribed prescription grade pepcid twice a day for 8 weeks.  I have had stomach issues with the pepcid in the past, so have tried to fix this with diet and lifestyle changes to no avail.  Has anyone had issues with flecainide causing stomach issues?  It is getting worse and not better.   Thanks so much for any information anyone can share

[rat1928]

I have intermittent afib and have been on flecainide for 15 months.  It worked great, but about 3 months ago, I started having terrible stomach pain.  I thought maybe an ulcer, as I was taking one aspirin a day and was hitting the beer pretty good.  I got the ok for getting off aspirin and completely laid off the booze, but still had the stomach pains.  Finally went for an endoscopy and what do you know, no ulcers, everything looked fine.  Dr.  prescribed prescription grade pepcid twice a day for 8 weeks.  I have had stomach issues with the pepcid in the past, so have tried to fix this with diet and lifestyle changes to no avail.  Has anyone had issues with flecainide causing stomach issues?  It is getting worse and not better.   Thanks so much for any information anyone can share

[delcocat]

Your right your doctor doesn't believe you but your definately not alone there.  Interesting though.  Why in the world would he believe in the opposite?  you should have put him on the spot and ask him to please explain his theory.  Also interesting is that you know of two cases where ablation helped.  I have yet to hear one.  Its all individual and it could be in those cases they knew the cause and right where it stemmed from if the ablations worked.  Most posting regarding the association of gas and bloat bringing on afib generally have it and it goes away for a time then it comes back again.  Anyone dealing with afib on a daily basis that doesn't stop I believe is a totally different can of worms.  Guess we will all keep digging til we get some more answers.  Thanks for posting.

[prescottj]

Could not find the poll.

But in answer to the poll, yes, definitely gas related for me. And my doctor responded, maybe the Afib is causing the gas! So I guess he doesn't believe me. Had 2 uncles who had an ablation done and they have not had Afib since and are no longer taking medication. Looking into that.