Re: Acidophilus and Afib?

[Guest guest]

I have to share a new discovery although it is not yet proven to be related

to afib. After suffering for almost the entire month of December from the flu

and its side effects, I last week developed an extremely painful sinus

infection. When I saw my ENT doctor, he prescribed Augmentin XR, and I thought

" Oh,

oh, here we go again. " In the past antibiotics have really irritated my vagus

nerve and indirectly caused afib. In fact, my longest afib episode of ten

days occurred two and a half years ago when I had to take a ten day course of

Amoxicillin after a root canal. Since Augmentin is Amoxicillin with an

additive, Clavulanic acid, I have been quite nervous about taking it but felt

that I

have no choice because I must get rid of the horrific sinus infection. I have

read that people nationwide but especially in the West have died of this flu's

side effects.

My first day on the Augementin confirmed my fears as I experienced severe

stomach problems, cramps, pain, etc. I called my doctor and was told that he

wanted me to continue on the Augmentin but suggested that I should try eating

yogurt or taking Acidophilus pills. He said that the antibiotic kills good

bacteria in the intestines along with the bad, and the resulting imbalance can

cause stomach distress. When I explained that I cannot eat dairy products, he

said that the pills should work because they would not contain the components of

milk. I was skeptical because I know that Acidophilus is manufactured by

fermenting milk. but I decided to try the pills. The first brand I saw at the

pharmacy listed whey and lactose as part of the ingredients, which inspired me

to

forget that brand. I was quite excited to discover a milk free Acidophilus

product made of Lactobacillus Acidophilus which had been extracted from the

milk medium in which it naturally grows and infused into a calcium-based tablet,

with each tablet containing a billion colony-forming units. After two and a

half years of no dairy products, I was quite pleased that I could follow my

doctor's instruction without jeopardizing my dairy-free, afib-free status.

However, it was with some trepidation that I took an Acidophilus tablet this

morning. Whether it was coincidental or due to the Acidophilus, I had virtually

no stomach problems today after taking a second tablet in the afternoon. Only

time will tell if I have found an amazingly simple solution to the digestive

problems that have been plaguing me for about four years and for which I have

had every test known to medicine with only negative results. Getting that

stomach under control could offer further insurance against afib.

After the severe stomach problems of Tuesday and Wednesday, I was flirting

with afib last night. I had numerous PVC's and PAC's, was sure I was going into

afib, but I never did. Today after the Acidophilus, my stomach and heart are

completely quiet and normal. I will post any new developments here but

thought I should immediately share this new idea which could turn out to be a

panacea for the stomach problems that cause afib at least for me. Since

vasovagal

stimulation is such a key factor in causing afib, calming the stomach is very

important to an afibber. I will be amazed if such a simple strategy can

continue to quiet my stomach problems which are always with me but which were

drastically worsened by the antibiotic. Because Acidophilus is a harmless, over

the counter supplement, it might offer a simple solution to a difficult problem

for some of us.

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

,

I read your post with anticipated relief. I have COPD and gum

disease and have to take antibiotics several times a year for various

bacterial infections. I have been reading about the benefits of

acidopholus and have been considering taking it.

Now I'm convinced. Could you please tell me the brand you

purchased. I'm very anxious to see if it helps my stomach problems,

as Prevacid and Pepcid don't seem to be doing the trick.

Warmest Regards,

Debbi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/2/2004 5:01:28 AM Pacific Standard Time,

Pagequeen1@... writes:

<< Now I'm convinced. Could you please tell me the brand you

purchased. I'm very anxious to see if it helps my stomach problems,

as Prevacid and Pepcid don't seem to be doing the trick >>

Debbi,

Nothing has seemed to do the trick for me either. I had resigned myself to

just eating a very limited range of food and being very careful. Antacids just

make the situation worse, but Mylanta Gas tablets (Simethicone) have helped a

bit. Because I had every possible stomach test two years ago, with all

showing I am " normal, " my primary care doctor had decided my problem is stress.

She has been urging me to change jobs. However, like you, I am anticipating

that taking Acidophilus will help my stomach problems even after the

antibiotics.

The brand I am taking, which is labeled " milk free, " is Schiff, and it is

manufactured in Salt Lake City, Utah. If you can't find it locally, I could

give

you the toll free number to call. However, if you don't have a problem with

milk, you could probably buy any brand. In fact, I noticed that Safeway has a

" Select " brand which also includes another bacillus: Bifida, which I think is

also beneficial. I'm not sure that's milk-free because it contains lactic

acid. Maybe you should check with your doctor first, though. Like you, I have

had to take extended periods of antibiotics for a skin infection and sinus

infections. It seems in retrospect that my severe stomach problems started

after

I took three months (!) of Tetracycline.

I will be so happy and thankful to my ENT doctor if this solves my problem.

My gastroenterolgist could offer no solution, but he did advise me to stay

away from milk, which I was already doing. Actually I made a mistake when I

said

that this flu has not caused afib. I looked at my records and saw that I did

have afib for seven hours three weeks ago. I was thinking that was connected

with another virus, but now I am thinking that this flu has dragged on and on

during the entire month of December. I've probably had only the one virus,

but it seems like about ten different illnesses because it has caused such a

variety of symptoms. Oh well, at least I'm not in afib. Today my stomach

continues to be fine.

Let me know if you can't find that brand and also, if you decide to try it,

how you are doing. I decided to let everyone know about this, even though my

conclusions may be premature, because I am sure that anyone who is having as

much stomach trouble as I am having would like to know right away about any

chance for relief.

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/4/2004 8:42:53 PM Pacific Standard Time,

Pagequeen1@... writes:

<< No stomach aches or diarrhea or flatulence. How is

progress coming along?

Thanks for this great tip as I was put on yet another round of

amoxycillin for dental problems. >>

Debbi,

It's the same with me. The acidophilus does really seem to be helping.

Certainly I am 98 percent better than that first day of Augmentin, when I was

suffering greatly with stomach problems. On the second and third days

Acidophilus, I decided to try taking it only once a day instead of twice because

I try to

take as few drugs as possible. I was back to twice a day on the fourth day

because my stomach problems returned. I concluded that taking Acidophilus

twice a day is necessary for me. Like you, I find it hard to believe that such

a

simple drug could make such a difference in this stomach problem I have

suffered for years. Also, I find it a bit ironic that it was an ENT doctor who

gave

me a remedy for stomach problems, but my gastroenterologist said he could do

nothing other than advising me to stay away from milk, a strategy which I had

already adopted anyway, thanks to information I had learned here. I don't

know if acidophilus will be a continuing solution to my stomach problems, but I

am enjoying the current respite.

I'm glad to hear that I was able to help you, also. That's why I posted the

information so prematurely before I had much experience with Acidophilus: I

thought if anyone else was as desperate as I for a stomach remedy, they would

be glad to get the information. The hair stylist who cuts my hair told me that

she has taken acidophilus for about 20 years, since she was 26. Because she

has had mitral valve regurgitation since then, she has had to take antibiotics

every time she has dental work done. She would suffer acute stomach problems

each time until she began to take acidophilus. She said that now she only

takes acidophilus for one week before and after her dental cleanings and

appointments. Because of her profession, she has had information from a number

of

clients about the effectiveness of acidophilus, too, since many, like me, tend

to discuss personal and medical problems with her. From what she said it

appears that acidophilus works for many people but not for all. She recommended

a

book, which she is not sure is still in print, called _The Yeast Connection_.

I think I will look for it because she said it offers a good explanation of

the mechanism by which antibiotics cause stomach and other problems.

I hope the Acidophilus continues to work for us.

in sinus in Seattle