Aa
How could Keflex help my heart rhythm? My wife also had a rhythm problem
I have experienced atrial fibrillation and tachycardia in 2004-2005, and "noticeable" PVCs since 2008, with some success from two cardiac ablations in 2005.
On one occasion a doctor prescribed Keflex for an unrelated purpose, and for one week my arrhytmia ceased.
Both my wife and best friend (with whom we share the house) have also experienced some kind of heart rhythm or low blood pressure issues, with my wife also having a cardiac ablation.
The coincidence of my wife and I having rhythm problems, and the abatement of symptoms after Keflex, have led me to search out possible connections.
On one occasion a doctor prescribed Keflex for an unrelated purpose, and for one week my arrhytmia ceased.
Both my wife and best friend (with whom we share the house) have also experienced some kind of heart rhythm or low blood pressure issues, with my wife also having a cardiac ablation.
The coincidence of my wife and I having rhythm problems, and the abatement of symptoms after Keflex, have led me to search out possible connections.
Regarding virus prior to dysautonomia symptoms: My daughter (15) has had severe symptoms (dizziness, feeling faint, tachycardia when standing) for about a month. I have been desperately searching for help for her.
A couple days ago, I remembered the cold at the end of Sept. She has ALWAYS had sinusitus after colds, but not this time (apparently?). I asked the Dr. to consider a course of antibiotics (Septra). It's only been a couple of days, but she is up and around again. My fingers are crossed.
Subtle signs of chronic infection have been missed by the docs: low lymphocytes, low-grade fever (only very occasionally), wearing more sweatshirts, blankets (she usually feels HOT in all weather). Her normal body temp. generally runs LOW (97ish), (but docs do not acknowledge this), so 100.3 is pretty high for her.
For her whole life, sinusitis has knocked her flat. She has allergy history, and typically misses 25 days of school per year. I am now thinking the connection is that the dysautonomia makes typical infections far more symptomatic.
Other symptoms: Small Fiber Neuropathy (hands and feet numb/painful).
Heat intolerance. Postural Tachycardia -- BUT, not always hypotension. Often, blood pressure stays the same or goes up. Florinef gave her hypertension after 3 days, so d.c.'d. Now, she is supposed to try Toprol, XL beta blocker.
We are also continuing blood tests, etc.. to rule out many other conditions, including Adrenal dysfunction, food allergies.
A couple days ago, I remembered the cold at the end of Sept. She has ALWAYS had sinusitus after colds, but not this time (apparently?). I asked the Dr. to consider a course of antibiotics (Septra). It's only been a couple of days, but she is up and around again. My fingers are crossed.
Subtle signs of chronic infection have been missed by the docs: low lymphocytes, low-grade fever (only very occasionally), wearing more sweatshirts, blankets (she usually feels HOT in all weather). Her normal body temp. generally runs LOW (97ish), (but docs do not acknowledge this), so 100.3 is pretty high for her.
For her whole life, sinusitis has knocked her flat. She has allergy history, and typically misses 25 days of school per year. I am now thinking the connection is that the dysautonomia makes typical infections far more symptomatic.
Other symptoms: Small Fiber Neuropathy (hands and feet numb/painful).
Heat intolerance. Postural Tachycardia -- BUT, not always hypotension. Often, blood pressure stays the same or goes up. Florinef gave her hypertension after 3 days, so d.c.'d. Now, she is supposed to try Toprol, XL beta blocker.
We are also continuing blood tests, etc.. to rule out many other conditions, including Adrenal dysfunction, food allergies.
I can't remember which antibiotic it was that I took, but I do remember a decrease in my palps when I took one. The only other times I have been completely palp free was twice when I had the flu
Interesting question. In the scientific community, it has been known for quite a few years that some antibiotics appear to have anti inflammatory and immune-modifying qualities in addition to their antimicrobial function. This has been most evident with antibiotics in the 'macrolide' class (things like erythromycin), and doctors do use these drugs 'off-label' in this way.
I myself have been very successfully treated with low-dose minocycline for a strange condition called reactive arthritis, and more recently with doxycycline for rosacea. These are both disorders that are not caused by infection, but seem to be perhaps related to immune malfunction. One of the thoughts behind such therapy is that these particular antibiotics inhibit collegenases, substances that break down protein.
Although I have never read that the cephalosporins like keflex might have this anti inflammatory property, it is possible. And if a condition a person is suffering from is due to inflammation, then under some circumstances going at it with the right antibiotic just for its anti inflammatory effect would make sense. Don't believe I have ever heard that PVCs are often caused by unspecified inflammation or might be quieted with antibiotics, and of course it would take many, many cases such as yours to generate any serious research, but still, you might mention your observation to your cardiologist and see if he/she has ever read anything about it.
However, a lot of antibiotics are being investigated for their potential along these lines. There is a book on the subject, called Antibiotics as Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Agents, by Rubin and Tamaoki. Maybe medhelp will let me do a link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=YY6GBWpVV3sC&pg=PR12&lpg=PR12&dq=anti+inflammatory+property+of+antibiotics&source=bl&ots=alRk1C8REM&sig=RJO0K_7RaO-AfznZFvLd-w1hBqk&hl=en&ei=C8jLTMDMFpKcsQPji4GFDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEcQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=anti%20inflammatory%20property%20of%20antibiotics&f=false
I myself have been very successfully treated with low-dose minocycline for a strange condition called reactive arthritis, and more recently with doxycycline for rosacea. These are both disorders that are not caused by infection, but seem to be perhaps related to immune malfunction. One of the thoughts behind such therapy is that these particular antibiotics inhibit collegenases, substances that break down protein.
Although I have never read that the cephalosporins like keflex might have this anti inflammatory property, it is possible. And if a condition a person is suffering from is due to inflammation, then under some circumstances going at it with the right antibiotic just for its anti inflammatory effect would make sense. Don't believe I have ever heard that PVCs are often caused by unspecified inflammation or might be quieted with antibiotics, and of course it would take many, many cases such as yours to generate any serious research, but still, you might mention your observation to your cardiologist and see if he/she has ever read anything about it.
However, a lot of antibiotics are being investigated for their potential along these lines. There is a book on the subject, called Antibiotics as Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Agents, by Rubin and Tamaoki. Maybe medhelp will let me do a link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=YY6GBWpVV3sC&pg=PR12&lpg=PR12&dq=anti+inflammatory+property+of+antibiotics&source=bl&ots=alRk1C8REM&sig=RJO0K_7RaO-AfznZFvLd-w1hBqk&hl=en&ei=C8jLTMDMFpKcsQPji4GFDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEcQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=anti%20inflammatory%20property%20of%20antibiotics&f=false
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
