I can't even imagine the nightmare of what you are going through and admire your candor in what you reported here. However one of your closing comments referenced sugar and alcohol. I can't comment on the sugar; however even after my first cardioversion I was told no more alcohol, caffeine and chocolate for 30 days at a minimum. (So they can check you again at that point. ) The irony is that's what numbers of articles tell people is good for you heart. I gave it all up "cold turkey" ... not easy on several dimensions and I was never an abuser of the three. (Diet Coke was the most challenging ( McDonald's stock dropped when I quit that...) I stayed with that advice -- ditto even more challenging. It's an education in fact.

My preferred provider who has a specialty in cardio and is a practical guy and said "you have to live" and once in a while in limited amounts would be OK to try. I finally did with a small amount of wine at dinner (and I have a certificate from the CA Wine Advisory Board so that was a moment of freedom) . However, the result was shocking per the the negative degree of impact. If there ever was a "never again" that was it. Keep in mind the RX you likely are taking (I take several) --- may well have different degrees of tolerance, especially alcohol ... just a thought.