Nsaid Pain Relievers And Atrial Fibrillation

[Scroll to the bottom for a link describing the link between NSAIDs and A-Fib if you don't feel like reading]

So, I've been dealing with an infection recently that seems to have become quite serious with my lack of insurance to help pay for the help I need. I've been on 2 and 1/2 rounds of antibiotics so far and hopefully am planning on getting to the culprit of all the problems I've been having very soon.

Recently though, I've started having ongoing heart palpitations (where your heart skips a beat and it's quite noticeable), I've experienced this before in the past and was hospitalized (self-admitted) because of them. They dismissed it as no big deal, told me they 'think' it's coming from a lower ventricle, which 'usually' isn't very serious. Nothing to worry about, discharged me as a patient and told me to follow up with my primary physician (you know the drill).

I followed up with my primary care doctor before AND after my visit to the hospital, where he told me there was nothing wrong with my heart as my symptoms weren't apparent at the time of my visit and was unable to record anything on an EKG. Now, after taking Ibuprofen for 2-3 weeks, only one 200mg pill (2, equalling 400mg a few nights because my headaches were so bad) my palpitations have returned and have lasted for days now, which seem to come and go at random.

I also experienced some of the most intense panic attacks while taking the Ibuprofen along with the Doxycycline antibiotic I was on before switching to a new anti-biotic due to ineffectiveness. Which I am now unsure whether to classify them as severe panic attacks or rounds of what may be atrial fibrillation.

I did a pulse count the other day and noticed while sitting at rest in a vehicle, I had a heart palpitation every 30-45 heartbeats. Right before I stopped taking the Doxycycline and Advil, I was experiencing a palpitation roughly every 10 or so beats in the morning after waking up and walking around or shortly before bedtime.

Now, with this newly discovered (and slightly hypothesized) information, I'm wondering if anyone else out there has taken NSAIDs such as Advil, Aleve / Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc. and has experienced any sort of trouble with heart function during or after use of these over-the-counter pain relieving, anti-inflammatory drugs.

I should start another thread concerning antibiotics and the very strange and adverse effects they can have on people.




Here is the link explaining the possible connection between NSAID pain relievers and A-Fib / heart palpitations
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/07/20/is-your-pain-reliever-causing-an-irregular-heart-rhythm/

Edit: Here is another link that I found EXTREMELY informative. It describes in great detail the dangers of acetominophen and ibuprofen toxicity.
http://www.lifeextension.com/Protocols/Appendix/Otc-Toxicity/Page-01

I find it funny that whenever I bring up the issue of panic attacks and heart problems to any health 'specialist,' they have no knowledge whatsoever of the link to NSAID pain relievers.

Have you had any heart issues during or after taking NSAID pain relievers? Or do you know something more that I should be aware of?

 

For a start, can't wait to talk about Doxycycline, which I take daily, and have done for years, although I have to change when going on holiday!

Ibuprofen is not good for everyone, and is discouraged for people with lung problems.

I had the palpation problem you mention, but was fortunate to have a good health team behind me...what they suggested, worked for me.

Firstly, caffeine.. Quit it completely, and not only will the headaches stop, but also the palpitations.. I was amazed to find the amounts in ordinary fizzy drinks.

The other, was sometimes, the blips were so erratic, I thought I might pass out and die! I was told when this happens, hold my breath, and bare down..guess what...it worked!

The other thing was tobacco, its a stimulant, stimulants over exercise muscles, your hear is a muscle! Cut down...believe me, these few things, really do work!

 

Thanks for the info Morrow! I have found that information through my rigorous research lately. It seems that adverse effects concerning acetominophen tend to point toward liver and kidney function. Especially when taken on an empty stomach (or malnutrition and/or starvation in general) or the use of alcohol while taking the drug. Whereas ibuprofen tends to weigh more heavily on heart function, circulation, blood clot formation, gastrointestinal issues... it's a long list! And many of the side effects are directly related to how the drug works.

The second link I added just now was incredibly informative to me. I suggest everyone to read it that stumbles across this thread. Seeing as both drugs are among the most widely used for pain relief, inflammation and fevers. Aspirin is also an NSAID, but the pros seem to heavily outweigh the cons with that one.

 

I wish more people understood how dangerous OTC painkillers can really be.

Even though I know the dangers i was taking ibuprofen daily for a while there for headaches, but it really messed up my digestive system to the point where i started to suspect i had an actual physical blockage somewhere. But i stopped taking the ibuprofen and started taking tumeric and everything is fine now.

Now im trying to address the root of the headaches and smoking weed when they get unbearable.

Ive never experienced any heart related issues but i did experience a blood clot scare a few months ago - my thighs felt like they were being squeezed in a vise. Im on birth control though so its hard to pinpoint the real culprit there.