Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 11, 2019 09:59PM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 549 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 11, 2019 10:25PM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 233 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 12, 2019 06:30PM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 836 |
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AB Page
I’m in a clinical trial along with a couple others here, having had the Watchman FLX implanted in the summer of ‘18. I believe we all had our LAA’s electrically isolated by Dr. Natale. It’s been a very safe procedure and apparently effective too. I believe the complication rates so far show an improvement over the current Watchman being used in the states, which itself is very safe and effective. Yes, I now take a low-dose aspirin every day. I have no regrets having had this implanted - it was quick(under an hour), and I couldn’t tell anything had been done, other than the collagen plug in my groin. I think there is some under the table debate, if you will, over the necessity of a low dose aspirin.
I’m sure Carey can offer a more accurate assessment/evaluation. When done by experienced operators, I believe it to be a trivial experience for the vast majority.
If the FLX isn’t being used/approved yet in the states, it will be. Getting it covered by insurance is not easy for most, yet.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 13, 2019 09:26AM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 233 |
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smackman
How did you find out about a Clinical Trial with Dr. Natale?
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 13, 2019 11:29PM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 549 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 12:53AM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 08:20AM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 233 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 08:38AM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 4,222 |
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smackman
How did you find out about a Clinical Trial with Dr. Natale? I cannot have a watchman installed because of stringent Medicare requirements. I absolutely despise anticoagulants because of bruising, skin being easy to tear etc.
IF a clinical trial comes up again I would love to know the inside lottery of knowing about it and being chosen.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 10:22AM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 836 |
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GeorgeN
How did you find out about a Clinical Trial with Dr. Natale? I cannot have a watchman installed because of stringent Medicare requirements. I absolutely despise anticoagulants because of bruising, skin being easy to tear etc.
IF a clinical trial comes up again I would love to know the inside lottery of knowing about it and being chosen.
There is a list of all clinical trials (for all illnesses) here: <[clinicaltrials.gov]
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 04:48PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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AB Page
Whether you take an anti-platelet, a NOAC like Eliquis, or opt for nothing post-Watchman, you still receive the benefit of the Watchman - to close off the LAA and thus prevent stagnant blood that can form a clot in the LAA from escaping and causing catastrophic damage. So many things in life are a trade-off. I accept the bleed risk associated with an aspirin over the risk of a clot originating in the LAA, as well as the additional risk from Eliquis. Relative peace of mind is a great pillow. And with an electrically isolated LAA, my at risk over a single missed dose of Eliquis was potentially life taking. That is a point emphasized here and from the great folks at TCAI.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 05:05PM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 836 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 06:23PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 07:06PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 07:49PM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 150 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 08:22PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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gmperf
I will be doing the second Watchman TEE tomorrow.
I have been on 1/2 Eliquis and a baby aspirin since the Watchman placement. Dr Natale did my Watchman. I am hoping tomorrow I can stop the Eliquis.
Either way, now stopping blood thinners or aspirin, for tests, surgery, etc, does not carry the high risks it did before the Watchman.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 14, 2019 09:06PM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 150 |
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Carey
I will be doing the second Watchman TEE tomorrow.
I have been on 1/2 Eliquis and a baby aspirin since the Watchman placement. Dr Natale did my Watchman. I am hoping tomorrow I can stop the Eliquis.
Either way, now stopping blood thinners or aspirin, for tests, surgery, etc, does not carry the high risks it did before the Watchman.
Good luck! But I'm sure it will be fine. I think the results are pretty clear that if the initial placement is good and there are no leaks, the device is probably good forever.
Have you considered stopping the aspirin and continuing the 1/2 dose Eliquis instead? That's the course that all three doctors I asked about this thought was the best course of action no matter what the FDA says. You might want to ask Natale about that.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 15, 2019 12:26AM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 15, 2019 08:23AM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 233 |
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gmperf
I will be doing the second Watchman TEE tomorrow.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 15, 2019 10:34AM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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AB Page
His NP claimed he was insistent that I go off the half dose Eliquis I was still on at the one year mark, and switch to low dose aspirin. This seems to conflict with the either/or it's your choice Carey was told. I've never compared the bleed risk between the 2, and I guess there could be other things in my or my family history for him to be insistent on aspirin over ld eliquis.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 15, 2019 11:17AM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 836 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 16, 2019 12:46PM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 150 |
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smackman
I am on 2.5 mg of Eliquis 2X a day. This decision was made after my Tee in Dec. 2016. My LAA was isolated in June of that same year. Everything on my TEE was good except no A waves on mistrial inflow.
2.5 mg of Eliquis is the same price as 5 mg tablet. I need to have injections for my back but I have to stop Eliquis for 3 days; No if ands or buts from this Pain Management Clinic.
I also acquired Tinnitus after starting the new anticoagulants in 2012. It was Pradaxa back then and it has never left me.Buzzing 24/7.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 16, 2019 01:14PM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 18,881 |
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gmperf
I have had similar experiences with healthcare providers during the time I have been on Eliquis. Perhaps not every provider needs to know about the Eliquis.
I even had a dentist refuse a teeth cleaning because of Eliquis.
I have a prescription for 5 mg Eliquis that I cut in half. Why pay for 2.5 mg tablets if they cost the same as 5 mg.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 16, 2019 01:39PM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 150 |
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Carey
His NP claimed he was insistent that I go off the half dose Eliquis I was still on at the one year mark, and switch to low dose aspirin. This seems to conflict with the either/or it's your choice Carey was told. I've never compared the bleed risk between the 2, and I guess there could be other things in my or my family history for him to be insistent on aspirin over ld eliquis.
I'll be interested to hear the answer. I suspect it is due to your history.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 17, 2019 08:32AM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 233 |
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gmperf
Stopping Eliquis this morning feels very strange. I have taken it religiously for almost 5 years. It will take a few days to get used to this new normal.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 17, 2019 01:02PM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 150 |
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Jackie
That dentist was either unskilled at dental prophylaxis or certainly overly cautious. A routine dental 'cleaning' should not cause concern about bleeding risk when on Eliquis, unless, of course a) the skill factor is involved
and b) severely inflamed gingival tissue with significant 'pocketing' from periodontal disease exists. Obviously, if a treatment involves deep cleaning (subgingival debridement) of pocketed areas, then the Eliquis or other OAC should be paused.
Jackie
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 18, 2019 11:54AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 549 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 18, 2019 02:48PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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tobherd
Why are some saying that even missing one dose of Eliquis could be catastrophic? I was told that isn't true by my cardiologist. And if it were true, how would anyone on Eliquis ever be able to get off for a medical procedure, such as surgery?
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 18, 2019 05:06PM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 150 |
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tobherd
Lots of interesting discussion here. I'm inclined to wait a bit on the Watchman, as the improved version is supposed to be heading to the U.S. sometime next year. Less complications sounds good to me.
Why are some saying that even missing one dose of Eliquis could be catastrophic? I was told that isn't true by my cardiologist. And if it were true, how would anyone on Eliquis ever be able to get off for a medical procedure, such as surgery?
Barb
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 19, 2019 10:54AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 549 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 19, 2019 06:59PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 20, 2019 10:50AM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 97 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 20, 2019 10:33PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 20, 2019 11:11PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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ron
Cary, what is the E:A ratio ?
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 20, 2019 11:26PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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tobherd
My left emptying velocity has been all over the map, which is one reason I went for multiple TEE's. It's been 28.8, 41.4, 32, 40, and 58.5.
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I did meet with the EP on her staff about the Watchman, and the talk of having to be on an aspirin is what got this discussion started...my question being what's the point of trading one blood thinner for another?
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 21, 2019 02:16AM |
Admin Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 2,779 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 27, 2019 01:14PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 27, 2019 01:36PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 27, 2019 03:38PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 27, 2019 05:03PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 27, 2019 05:53PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 27, 2019 07:27PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 28, 2019 03:22PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 28, 2019 08:55PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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Elizabeth
Is the LARIAT still being performed? It sounds much simpler than the Watchman, it doesn't have anything added in the closure of the LAA like the Watchman does?
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 29, 2019 02:46PM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 549 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 29, 2019 07:22PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 29, 2019 09:19PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 30, 2019 10:58AM |
Admin Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 2,779 |
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 30, 2019 06:46PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 30, 2019 07:13PM |
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Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? October 30, 2019 09:06PM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,342 |
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Daisy
Question: once the Watchman flex is approved (March-ish?) and hopefully Medicare criteria for installation are eased, will Dr. Natale be doing ablations and Watchman installations in one procedure? I ask because I have not yet had an index ablation (I’m steady on flecainide so far) but when I do, it would be nice to have a Watchman installed at the same time unless there are contraindications to doing them together.
Re: Is it worth it to get the Watchman? And is there a better version coming out? November 03, 2019 10:11PM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 549 |