OP, I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I don't have any advice to offer, but I was wondering if you might be able to answer a question. I've seen a cardiologist three times in the last few months for shortness of breath, mild chest pain, and lots of flutters and flip flops. They ran all the tests (except no Holter monitors) and say everything is fine. He keeps telling me it's anxiety. I'm not convinced. How did you get your doctor to take you seriously enough to do the monitoring?

DO NOT TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT DISCUSSING WITH YOUR DOCTORS! Supplements can mess with medicine and can cause other symptoms. Supplements often have the same chemicals in medicine, but are not regulated. You do not know what you are taking.

With an Arrhythmia, this could lead to FATAL complications.

For what its worth, I have issues where my heart spontaneously pauses for 10-12 seconds. I was fainting. That was the symptom. I had done this all my life, but it increased in frequency. (from every few years in my 20's to every few months at 50). Finally, it happened while wired up. Now, I have had a pacemaker for the last year, and have not fainted, but the condition that lead to my fainting has occurred about 10 times a day (rapid drop in heart rate). In the grand scheme of things, finding out is a good thing: they can treat it.

PP here - you should seriously look at supplemental iodine. There is lots of good information available - no secrets and no miracle cures. Just getting your iodine levels up to functioning. Just try it - get a bottle of lugol's 5% and take the whole thing - start with a few drops and over time work up to 5-10 drops/day. At the end of the bottle have your thyroid tested.

The mineral drops i use are called "concentrace." Be sure to drink plenty of water.

Have not yet seen an electrophysiology doctor but that is the next step if the meds don't work.

Anonymous wrote:I have had two attacks this year that landed me in the ICU. Have you had to be cardioconverted? Have you seen an electrophysiologist to see if you are a candidate for an ablation. I agree it is scary, but you have to live your life.

I'm on a beta blocker--it makes me tired. Also, no caffeine or alcohol. I also gave up sugar.

Op again, which beta blocker are you on? I have been on acebutolol but now they want me to try flecanide and metoprolol.

Op here. Pap, No have not yet had to be cardioverted. Have heard the adenosine is awful. But Have been to ER twice with SVT but it converted on its own, once in ambulance.

Have already given up caffeine. Looks like carbs/sugar and alcohol are next. I am not a heavy drinker but do enjoy a nightly glass of wine. It does cause flareups though.

What was your cardio version like? Was it for SVT or afib? How old are you?

I have had two attacks this year that landed me in the ICU. Have you had to be cardioconverted? Have you seen an electrophysiologist to see if you are a candidate for an ablation. I agree it is scary, but you have to live your life.

I'm on a beta blocker--it makes me tired. Also, no caffeine or alcohol. I also gave up sugar.

OP again. I also had thyroid disease for many years and wonder if that had been corrected sooner I could have avoided this. The thyroid stuff isn't deadly but this is.

OP here. Thanks everyone. PPs what liquid trace mineral supplement would you recommend (brand?). I have already started taking magnesium (rainbow light brand with calcium and b vitamins).

Any other dietary recommendations? I do not eat red meat but do tend to eat a lot of carbs.

I've always been in shape and athletic (college varsity athlete). Not overweight. I am prone to anxiety and panic attacks, which I thought might be causing the heart symptoms but now it looks like it might be the other way around.

Now I am at a loss. We have vacation plans to go skiing, snorkeling, etc and I am scared. I used to love a glass of wine at night but that is a trigger. I eliminated caffeine years ago as a trigger.

I just feel too young to be living this diluted life.

Maybe I will look for a second opinion. I do not have Afib yet but precursors.

It is very normal to feel anxious after being diagnosed with arrhythmia. You should remember, though, that people can live a very long time with your condition, even if it progresses to afib. The drugs we use now are very good at managing the condition.

Get a second opinion from an Cardiologist with specialty in Electrophysiology. Reduce caffeine intake. Get to bed on time to ensure you are getting enough sleep. If overweight, lose weight, this is particularly important in reducing risk for atrial fibrillation.

Also when you start taking trace minerals you will feel the difference immediately - within a week or two. With these symptoms you are obviously quite deficient but you should see results quickly - like, in between doctors appts. You could have your blood levels checked for trace minerals. It sounds like you are severely deficient. You must take them with plenty of vitamin A- like, fish oil. All this is available at your health shop or Amazon. Prices are comparable.

Please please consider changing your diet. Yes, I've had flip flops and flutters and also was getting shortness of breath and an EKG showed Arrthymia and even a small heart attack that occurred previously -

I took iron for a while and it sorta helped but when I did more reading and started taking a broader spectrum of trace mineral supplements (liquid drops) - especially magnesium and iodine- it all went away. I have so much energy and NONE of my previous symptoms, including anxiety and depression. I sleep well and wake up energetic. Amazing - do some reading.

Get a 2nd opinion.

Be glad that there's a solution, a manageable one too, otherwise the consequences of not being diagnosed would be dire.

Let your emotions come out - it'll be a whole range of them.

Do your research and educate yourself so you can better embrace the unknown.

I recently wore a 30-day cardiac monitor and got the results. Apparently I have an arrthymia and will need to start on medications for the rest of my life. I am 40 and a mom of two young kids, and this is making me so anxious and depressed. I was feeling a lot of flip flops and flutters and also was getting shortness of breath. Turns out I am having runs of PACs, PVCs, tachycardia, brachycardia, and SVT as possible trigger for Afib.

I don't want to deal with this. I just want to enjoy my life and children. Doc wants to put me on a beta blocker and antiarrhymia drug called flecanide. Has anyone taken these?

Anyone else living with arrthymia? How do you manage without fearing you will drop at any moment?