Meds/Supplements/Vitamins

[Cheers]

Of course I know I need to ask the Doc...but curious what you think.

I have been taking many supplements and vitamins for many years now at the advisement of a nutritionist/pharmacist in town. I feel some of these have really helped. But not really sure what does what at this point.

Drs around here really don't believe in vitamins and the more natural routes. My insurance doesn't cover the docs that deal with it. So it is very difficult to get trustworthy info/advice.

Question is...could any of these be aggravating my PACs? Thoughts?


Metoprolol
Wellbutrin XL
Klonopin
Zyrtec
Alpha Lipoic Acid
L-Carnitine
Multi Vitamin
Aspirin
Vitamin C
B-12 Lozenge
B 100 Complex
Vitamin D3
Apple Cider Vinegar
Chronium
Gymnema
Co Q10
Fish Oil
Glucomannan
Ibuprophin

[Kim_1970]

Ask the pharmacist if Wellbutrin can cause them.  
I have heard of that class of meds having many side effects.

I understand wanting to question everything and being hyper-sensitive to heart issues.  Its our heart for Gods sake and we only have one.

Since I first started having heart rhythm issues I put myself in counseling.  It has helped me  a lot.  I have a hard time trusting anyone and actually realized I second guess everything including my self and my doctor.  I have one of the best EP Dr's in Nor Cal and I need to relax and trust his experience and that he is going to help me.  

I agree with-- is something wrong's -- post in that stress makes them worse.
I know stress makes them worse. I have felt that.

I find my self consumed with my heart stuff as well.
I am on this forum every day looking for hope and answers.
Its wonderful how we can learn from each other's experiences.

I am working on when my heart flutters or skips- not overreacting or panicing --but floating through it and saying oh, there it is ....this is not going to hurt me.
Sure its scary, but I am ok.  Deep Breath.  
Not letting the anxiety - adrenaline monster out of the closet which brings with it dizziness, and feeling cold and shivery, nervous and more palps.

The metaprolol is keeping a lid on my tachycardia which is good but I still feel pvs/pacs...

Tomorrow I start new med Rythmol and Corgard.  I'm scared but am going to take it anyway...

Take good care Heather and keep posting.

Kim

[is_something_wrong]

Heather, it's OK to ask questions, and you're not a pain anywhere. We love an active board with a lot of questions.

My point was, and is, that you are trying to find answers to a normal phenomenon. It's sort of like this; what can I do to never get hiccups.

Maybe it's possible but the effort is not worth the gain.

PACs are to your heart like a little turbulence is when you are on a flight. Scary, but your heart is designed to handle that. The heart is built to handle billions of heartbeats.

I can understand why your EP doc suggested an ablation; she told you that your condition was benign, but if you are having so much trouble with anxiety about your heart, and the problem can be fixed (if it can) it may be worth it?

But, of course, another strategy is trying to solve your anxiety. No matter how many ablations you have, you will unfortunately always have PACs. We all do. But you can learn how to lose attention to them, and when you do, they will feel less bothersome.

[achillea]

It really IS all right to ask questions, Cheers, but it seems to me that your arrhythmias are so mild that the bigger problem is the fright you have about them.  I believe you mentioned having a therapist.  What does he/she say about this?

About all the supplements you are taking, quite a few reputable studies have indicated that--surprisingly enough--they do NOT guarantee good health and long life.  Rather, they seem to have no effect in general, and some have actually proven dangerous.

The latest big study concerns older women (you are youngish, I think?), but since people do tend to age, this is worth considering:

http://extremelongevity.net/2011/10/11/large-study-finds-vitamin-supplements-increase-risk-of-death-in-older-women/

Really, there are so many things in life to enjoy, and your heart is clearly basically healthy, so I suspect that finding a therapist who really helps you with your fear would be the most useful thing you could do right now.

[Cheers]

Thanks to everyone who has helped with all my questions. It has honestly been very reassuring and informative. Please know it is much appreciated.

The very last thing I need on my mind is the thought of being a pain in the butt. So I will stop posting for now until maybe I can have the knowledge and confidence to help others.

Please take care. And I will continue to read. I wish you all the very best!!!!!

Heather

[Cheers]

I went years being fine. Then a Dr who I was suppose to trust told me I should have an ablation. I THOUGHT I was fine...that this wasnt dangerous. So why an invasive procedure. This scared me and started it all up again.

I just have a lot of questions I cannot seem to get answers for. But I will take a break.

[is_something_wrong]

You are not bothering us. You can ask 100 questions if you like, but I think you focus too much on the heart and that may make your condition worse ;)

[is_something_wrong]

My list of what is actually making the PACs worse:

1. Worrying about the PACs (definitely the main reason!!)
2. Deconditioning, especially after infections.
3. Stress
4. Heavy high carb meals
5. Sudden relaxing after high stress.
6. Sudden heavy activity without warming up
7. Sudden emotion (like thunder)
8. Being stressed with a slow heart rate (see 5., when your heart rate slows but you are still stressed)
9. Caffeine (to a certain degree)

What's making them better: (for me)
1. Stop reflecting about them.
2. Light aerobic exercise like walking and cycling.
3. Beta blockers
4. Low carb diet (not high fat, but healthy carbs like vegetables, and lots of fish, low fat meat, etc)

That's really it.

[Cheers]

Sorry I ask too many questions. I will stop. Don't mean to be a bother.

[is_something_wrong]

That's a lot of questions those days.. Don't you think you focus a bit too much on the heart at the moment?

Remember, you just have some PACs and a short run of narrow complex tachycardia.

I don't think your question here is possible to answer completely. I can try to share some thoughts on some of the supplements (don't know why you take so many of them by the way)

Metoprolol
Not unless your heart rate get too slow.

Wellbutrin XL
Don't know what that is

Klonopin
I doubt it.

Zyrtec
Some people get sinus tachycardia from those..

Alpha Lipoic Acid
What is that?

L-Carnitine
Never heard of..

Multi Vitamin
No

Aspirin
No

Vitamin C
No

B-12 Lozenge
No

B 100 Complex
Never heard about..

Vitamin D3
Not unless your calcium is too high (I doubt that..)

Apple Cider Vinegar
No

Chronium
No (don't think so at least)

Gymnema
Never heard about..

Co Q10
No.

Fish Oil
Not at normal dosage. There are reports saying you can get irregular heart rhythm but the opposite is more common.

Glucomannan
What is that?

Ibuprophin
If you mean ibuprofen, the answer is probably no.

Again, why do you take all those supplements? Prescribed by your doctor?