Atrial Fibrillation Forum - AFIBBERS FORUM A forum for sharing experiences regarding atrial fibrillation and other atrial tachy-arrhythmias. https://www.afibbers.org/forum/list.php?9 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:29:03 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201675#msg-201675 Re: Watchman Update https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201675#msg-201675 JAYHAWK AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:34:11 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201674#msg-201674 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201674#msg-201674 It's too difficult for individuals who aren't well informed and the majority of GPs (here in Australia at least) aren't interested in educating their patients since it's time consuming and many patients probably haven't got the motivation to change. So it's a pill for symptoms as promoted by the GPs' workshop manual which suits short consultations as well.]]> Joe AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 26 Jul 2026 02:00:26 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201673#msg-201673 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201673#msg-201673 GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:34:20 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201672#msg-201672 Re: Watchman Update https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201672#msg-201672 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 25 Jul 2026 20:24:34 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201671#msg-201671 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201671#msg-201671 nonthumper AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 25 Jul 2026 19:01:33 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201670#msg-201670 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201670#msg-201670
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nonthumper
I am on traditional Medicare, with a Supplemental plan. A doctor in Austin asked me questions to satisfy the insurance company that I really needed a Watchman rather than just remain on Eliquis the rest of my life.

I was a little surprised by that. Apparently Medicare approved in the end, but I have not gotten the final billing yet.

Sometime I want someone to show me an actual Watchman device so I know what is living in my heart now.

I had a concern about my nickel allergy if I would have issues with a watchman that contained some titanium/nickel. Dr. Natale’s nurse taped an actual watchman to my thigh for 24 hours. So in addition to seeing what later was implanted (new one), I wore one on my exterior thigh.]]> susan.d AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:16:00 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201669#msg-201669 Re: Watchman Update https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201669#msg-201669
Was told after the TEE the Watchman was "perfectly" in place.
What if any subsequent tests should be required for the Watchman??

Natale had mentioned a TEE at two years.......or maybe a CT.

I have no issues if an additional tests are necessary.......other than just all the procedures involved with the tests. The type anasthesia used does not seem to present an issue.


Steve]]> JAYHAWK AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:07:02 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201668#msg-201668 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201668#msg-201668
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most people with high cholesterol levels find it very difficult to diet and exercise their way out of it.
Agree with you there but maybe for different reasons.
Thinking what John D. Day MD describes re the life style of a population in Southern China, Dr Esselstyn and even Pritikin to mention a few.]]> Joe AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 25 Jul 2026 06:56:43 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201667#msg-201667 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201667#msg-201667
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Joe
Familial hypercholesterinemia is probably less than 1%.

That nay be but on a less dramatic scale than the coworker I described, most people with high cholesterol levels find it very difficult to diet and exercise their way out of it. The body makes cholesterol and everyone has their own set points they tend to gravitate to. Environmental and lifestyle aspects have little effect, so that leaves genetics. It's a lot like electrolyte levels. My baseline potassium and sodium levels are always near the bottom of the normal range and I know from experience that changing that is very difficult. We all have normal set points for various things and our bodies tend to choose those points all on their own.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:53:14 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,190711,201666#msg-201666 Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? & in Canada? Vancouver? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,190711,201666#msg-201666
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strongHeart
I've been recommended Laksman at St Pauls.
Unlike USA,
canada's medical system doesnt openly advertise Doctors or centers for best treatment.
but of course there are those that are more skilled, experienced.
I'm not sure how to determine who that would be. there's good EP docs in Victoria on vancouver island too.
I had a spectacular failed ablation in 2021: much to my dismay, I may need to rev myself up for another go. Aware, of course, that my attitude around it can impact outcome by 33% (placebo effect)

Any clue for best in surgery around Vancouver? female athlete, 56, year 26 of AF career, probably 40+ electrocardioversions.. thanks heaps! wishing you all NSR & health.

I had to have two ablations because, like you, my first failed spectacularly. I had to be on amiodarone for about eight weeks. Second attempt, same fella, got it fixed. He is with Pulse Cardiology in Victoria, Dr. Paul Novak. I'd give him a strong recommendation.]]> gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:41:02 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201665#msg-201665 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201665#msg-201665
e.g. other genetic variants like homozygous for APOE 4 are more susceptible for dyslipidemia if they don't subscribe to an appropriate.
diet and lifestyle.
Suppose a costly pill is a potential solution for them.]]> Joe AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:16:55 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201664#msg-201664 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201664#msg-201664
For example, I worked with a guy back in the '80s who had a heart attack at 32. He wasn't fat, didn't smoke, no risk factors I know of. But it turns out after his heart attack they discovered that he had cholesterol levels through the roof, something like 800-900 total cholesterol. It was so high his skin exuded it. The doc was able to scrape cholesterol off the soles of his feet. The first statin was released in 1987, which would have been about the right time for him. I hope he got them but I left that company so don't know.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:35:00 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201663#msg-201663 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201663#msg-201663 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:27:10 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201662#msg-201662 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201662#msg-201662 nonthumper AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 02:05:21 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201661#msg-201661 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201661#msg-201661 Joe AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 24 Jul 2026 01:26:31 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,190711,201660#msg-201660 Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? & in Canada? Vancouver? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,190711,201660#msg-201660 Unlike USA,
canada's medical system doesnt openly advertise Doctors or centers for best treatment.
but of course there are those that are more skilled, experienced.
I'm not sure how to determine who that would be. there's good EP docs in Victoria on vancouver island too.
I had a spectacular failed ablation in 2021: much to my dismay, I may need to rev myself up for another go. Aware, of course, that my attitude around it can impact outcome by 33% (placebo effect)

Any clue for best in surgery around Vancouver? female athlete, 56, year 26 of AF career, probably 40+ electrocardioversions.. thanks heaps! wishing you all NSR & health.]]> strongHeart AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:56:13 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201659#msg-201659 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201659#msg-201659
He mentioned that my LAA was positioned in an awkward position that he had to work with. He also ended up placing a slightly larger watchman. Back at the hotel resting today feeling really well compared to other visits that requires more attention to rhythm issues.
As per usual the his EP Lab team were great and very upbeat as was the St. Davids nursing staff.

I will give further updates once I see the complete report if there is anything notable.

I will say that I had a TEE done little over a year ago at a local reputable hospital. At that time Dr Natale observed what he believes to be a clot/strand @ the LAA that the local hospital did not catch. He ordered a second one to verify which he did but whoever reported out on it claimed there was no clot making it seemingly impossible to have insurance cover the implant.

I'm going to speculate here a little bit based on my conversation with the insurance company recently.....

I think it highly probable the Dr. Natale or one of his team has been trying to convince my insurance that I had an issue that absolutely needs to be addressed. And it finally reached a point where there was actually a peer to peer review of my issue and Dr. Natales concerns. This was definitely a pause in my care that could have possibly been a much bigger issue for me all because of conflicting conclusions from the 2 TEE's.

Either way I am thankful to have Dr. Natale and the TCA team in my court.]]> rocketritch AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:39:15 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201657#msg-201657 Re: Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201657#msg-201657
Jim]]> mjamesone AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:37:25 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201656#msg-201656 Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201656,201656#msg-201656 www.health.harvard.edu]

“]]> susan.d AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:09:18 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201616,201655#msg-201655 Re: First cardioversion today https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201616,201655#msg-201655
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AB Page
Just curious when amiodarone became a first line treatment? I've seen so many bad things said about amio's side effects and how it masks the ability for an EP doing an ablation to locate areas that need burned etc. And many peeps saying they will never take it. My own experience with several anti-arrhythmics was quite poor with one exception, and it essentially was benign, in terms of effectiveness and side effects. Hindsight being what it is, I would never have accepted AA's as first line treatment. I know they are effective for some. I just always thought amio is effective, but because of the toxicity, a last choice AA.

I don't know but in my particular case (49, hence "young" for heart issues, and no physical heart anomalies), my cardiologist thought about a cardioversions right away and used Amiodarone as a way to optimize success. I don't think it was ever prescribed to me as a way to stop AF, although it's been known to work for some people but the success rate is generally mediocre.
I was told about the side effects of Amiodarone (well superficially) but I was also told that the window of use in my case would be short enough for side effects not to be a problem. Now that the cardioversion has happened and worked apparently, my cardiologist will most certainly switch to something else than Amiodarone. He clearly said leaving me on it for too long would be dangerous if it were not even warranted.]]> Torvic AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:29:25 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201631,201654#msg-201654 Re: Kardia interference https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201631,201654#msg-201654
I go to a jeweler to replace the battery.]]> windyshores AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:42:45 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201653#msg-201653 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201653#msg-201653
If you'd asked they could have shown you one when you were, but since they cost a couple of grand each not many people have one lying around. Plenty of pictures of them online. Click the photo to enlarge]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:18:28 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201652#msg-201652 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201652#msg-201652
I was a little surprised by that. Apparently Medicare approved in the end, but I have not gotten the final billing yet.

Sometime I want someone to show me an actual Watchman device so I know what is living in my heart now.]]> nonthumper AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:58:32 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201623,201651#msg-201651 Re: taurine and eliquis? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201623,201651#msg-201651 Yuxi AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 19 Jul 2026 02:06:39 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201623,201650#msg-201650 Re: taurine and eliquis? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201623,201650#msg-201650
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Yuxi
Are you taking a taurine supplement? Has it helped you maintain your heart rhythm?

I take taurine as a powder for supplement. My supplement stack was initially (starting in Dec 2004) magnesium, potassium & taurine (and these remain primary). I had my initial afib episode in early July 2004. I was having episodes every 10-14 days and I could convert theim with exercise. I also found a paper on Scandanavian orienteers that indicated an increased afib risk for those who were chronically fit (and I thought I fit that profile). Around the beginning of September I had an episode that did not converte and lasted 2.5 months. I converted it with a loading dose of flecainide (took 20 hours to convert the long episode). Before I converted the episode, my EP suggested I stay out of rhythm as my afib heart rate was under 100 BPM. I declined and proposed a plan "B" that included changing my training along with electrolyte and taurrine supplements as well as a script for on-demand flec. He agreed.

I had to figure out how to dose everything and decided to use PAC/hour counts as a metric. Using an RR (beat to beat) recording monitor, I wouild monitor these counts either during sleep and also during medidation (primarily during meditation as I'd get artifacts in the data during sleep, from movement). My objective was to dose such to minimize counts. A month or so after converting the 2.5 month episode, I had another episode. This also took 20 hours to convert. I think the atria were still "stunned" from the long episode. Then I went 4 months without an episode and was also playing with dosing. I then had an episdoe that I unitentionally provoked. I lead a group of Scouts on a snow caving outing. I had a 70# pack and was breaking trail in 3' of snow. Then I contstructed a 3 person snow cave. The two other occupants - one a Scout and one an older leader - helped very little. I had a vagal episdode at 11PM in the cave & converted it quickly (under an hour) with flec (washing the flec down with water from my half frozen water bottle). A month later had another episode without obvious provocation. I asked myself what was different? I realized I'd run out of taurine maybe 6 weeks before and not replaced it as I didn't think it was doing anything. I put it back in the stack and went two years without an episode. The next episode happened as I thought I was "cured" and quit all my supplements. Had afib within 48 hours. I did not repeat that experiment. Taurine has been a constant in my stack since.]]> GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 18 Jul 2026 19:49:05 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201649#msg-201649 Watchman Update https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201649,201649#msg-201649
Assume if all is normal, will not require a subsequent TEE for the Watchman.

Steve]]> JAYHAWK AFIBBERS FORUM Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:30:47 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201648#msg-201648 Re: Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201648#msg-201648 Qwackertoo AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:27:15 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201647#msg-201647 Headed to Austin for Watchman implant https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201647,201647#msg-201647 rocketritch AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:58:47 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201619,201646#msg-201646 Re: Afib and the vagus nerve? New info on Ezoxx One https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201619,201646#msg-201646
I don’t know if they have the drug you suggested. It takes work but I can apply for a ministry of health export from either Canada or Germany.]]> susan.d AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:33:03 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201619,201645#msg-201645 Re: Afib and the vagus nerve? New info on Ezoxx One https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201619,201645#msg-201645
It's good your doc is trying a different approach. From what I briefly read, Ezox works similar to alginates like Gaviscon Advance, but coating sensitive areas. Never really helped me, but worth a try, just make sure you time it properly with your other meds or there may be absorption issues and/or the GERD raft will break.

What has worked for me best, and I've tried all the PPIs including the nuclear-option Dexilant 60mg, the best by far is the newer drug Voquezna (Vonoprazan). It's a PCAB (potassium-competitive acid blocker), which only has to be taken once a day with or without food. I take the 20mg dose. If Voquezna is not available where you are, my second choice would be Dexilant 60mg, also only needed once-a-day, and also can be taken with or without food. Significantly better than any of the other PPIs I've tried, which need to be time with meals.

As to the PPIs (or PCAB's) decreasing vitamin and mineral absorption, this is the downside. However, in my case, the GI-Cardiac trigger is so strong (Roemheld Syndrome) that the benefits of suppressing the acid outweigh the loss of vitamins and minerals. To help compensate I monitor carefully, supplement when needed, including iron infusions several times a year.

Hope some of this helps.

Jim]]> mjamesone AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:00:18 +0000