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← Return to Covid and AFib Connection?
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Thank you so much, @frenchie, for your comprehensive & illuminating post! Much to digest (& I am doing so in between work projects). In particular, your experience with MCAS is eye-opening & adds questions to my consideration. I'll respond more thoroughly going forward.
First an update: Subsequent to my original post, I consulted & confirmed that in all likelihood I experienced myocarditis (in response to the immunologically-induced inflammatory reaction to the 5th (& bivalent) Moderna (mRNA) dose.
Note: Going forward--& we all will have to undergo repeated vaccine administration as SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve to evade both natural & vaccine-induced immunity, I am switching to the protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax. The Novavax vaccine induces a much more durable immunological response (versus both the mRNA vaccines) & the protein-based platform is safe (not nearly as likely to produce the cardiac-related adverse reactions of the kind I experienced). There are those who believe--& count me as one of the them, that the mRNA vaccines may have issues because of the adjuvants & other ingredients used to stabilise the mRNA molecules). There is a long & proven track-record of safety with the protein-based technology & I am putting my faith in it (even as the pandemic rages).
The very good news: I have been afib-free for the last 4 weeks!
I attribute my recovery (from the vaccine-induced myocarditis & associated paroxysmal afib) to my prior good cardio health (& fitness)...AND to the changes in diet & supplementation, namely, the addition of a high-quality electrolyte powder that I add to my water AND the addition of the magnesium taurate (& another broad-spectrum, high-quality 6-magnesium-form supplement) & potassium orotate supplements.
In addition---& this is supported by peer-reviewed data, I no longer sleep on my left side (which ironically I had just taken up in earnest prior to getting the bivalent booster in response to another peer-reviewed paper on the benefits--to the glymphatic system, of sleeping...on the left side ). There is so much to consider & reckon with!
By the way: I financed the purchase of the new Apple Watch so now I track cardio health with both my FitBit & the Apple Watch, both of which monitor cardio function, including arrhythmias (& both can produce an FDA-approved ECG reading). Highly recommend everyone wear either the Fitbit Sensa or the Apple Watch.
Will follow up with other posts as I absorb & consider the potential role of mast-cell activation in another unrelated (but embarrassing) health challenge that also arose this year (& I must ask myself if repeated administration of the mRNA vaccines might have played a role in its development): IBS with mostly difficult or even constipated bowel movements (aggravated by bad lifestyle habits such as...reading while in the bathroom, which I have addressed & no longer do, along with some other recommended lifestyle changes).
Strict low-FODMAP Vegan diet has much improved many of the IBS symptoms but I still struggle with less-than-optimal colonic performance (will spare everyone the details here).
Wondering if adding a DAO supplement might not help with gut/colonic inflammation & motility?
Again: Thanks so very much for your thoughtful & kind post.
Stay safe--& consider getting the Novavax vaccine (even if you have already had prior mRNA vaccines), Shoshin
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Very grateful for the detailed reply, Shoshin. I'm sure we can all benefit from the knowledge and experience that you share.
Like you, I take a broad-spectrum magnesium supplement since each form of magnesium has its benefits. Of course, for some, particular forms of magnesium can have an unwanted laxative effect. In your case, that would be a benefit for you.
As to DAO helping with inflammation and motility... I truly don't have a clue. Never too proud to admit my ignorance. What I neglected to mention in my original, lengthy reply is that I also take a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme capsule with every meal. I don't know where you live, if it would make sense for you to order from Vitacost.com. I am never without those enzymes and have opted for their in-house brand called Synergy. The digestive enzyme product to which I am committed (one capsule with every meal) is called Super Daily Enzymes. It provides two types of Protease, Lipase, Alpha Amylase, Glucoamylase, Cellulase, Hemicellulase and Lactase.
Finally, during my 18 months of hell, I learned that certain probiotics are high histamine and had to restrict myself to a product by Life Extension called Bifido something or other. I feel I am ready to be human guinea pig again; ergo, next month I will re-introduce a robust, broad-spectrum probiotic. Until the Pfizer double jab, probiotics of any kind were zero problem. On what do I base my renewed courage? I have been eating a serving of plain Greek yogurt every day for months with zero GI "episodes." By the way, probiotics can be neutralized by certain anti-fungal supplements. For instance, if you take oregano oil capsules, take them at least twelve hours before or after the probiotics.
You know better than I how important the gut microbiome is. I hope you find the "magic bullet" or the symphony of natural products that can restore your GI health and regularity.
My husband suffers from chonic constipation which is probably the root cause of his acid reflux. We have added a rounded teaspoon of psyllium husk and a rounded tablespoon of a custom blend of high fiber naturals to his morning yogurt. That custom blend? A batch that lasts for months includes: 2 cups organic ground flaxseed, 2 cups organic chia seed, 1 cup organic wheat bran, 2 tablespoons organic Ceylon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons organic stevia powder. The ground organic psyllium husk and the high fiber blend are whisked into a 2/3 cup of double-filtered water before I add the plain Greek yogurt and stir, stir, stir. He also eats half a serving of oatmeal at breakfast. It's helped.
Finally, though I do appreciate the intelligent observations you've made about Novavax, we will not be getting any boosters or future Covid vaccines. Despite my husband's being "high risk" (heart attack and very mild stroke three years ago, Type 2 Diabetic, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, acid reflux), we are more dedicated than before to natural immune boosters. Many are mainstream: Vitamin D3, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Zinc, Beta Glucan, Astragalus and more. They've been part of our regimen for years! And, truly, aside from my husband's cardio event on November 8, 2019, we can't recall the last time either one of us was ill. We got scared by the coverage about Covid and, at the time, didn't want to be foolish. Plus, being seniors, my husband qualified for the first group to get vaccinated. I qualified, based on age, to be in the second group. Point being, we were early recipients, getting the double jab before negative events became known. Now? We feel repetitive jabs would be unwise. Of course, you must make your own decision based on your health profile, risk factors, etc. I respect that.
Oh, how could my husband, a health nut, have a heart attack despite being trim, slim, fit, at Planet Fitness three times a week, etc.? He was unable to quit his pack-a-day cigarette habit! Guess who quit smoking on November 8, 2019? Yep, he slammed the door on cigarettes.