At one time, I suggested that all new responses to threads should be at the top of the page rather than the current format of original topics staying in sequential order as originally posted. This way, responses to older topics don't get lost down the list and out of sight. Topics without a current response work their way down the list. This way, the most popular topics (lots of responby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My last ablation was day surgery and the next day I was walking over a mile.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Diagnosing afib is not easy. I went for 5 years of occasional irregular heartbeat sessions but was never able to get a diagnosis or catch it on ECG. Then I finally got to an ER while having a session and after the ECG - "Oh yea, that's afib" There are lots of things that cause or result in irregular or fast heartbeats, but are not afib, so assuming a session of "irregularby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
What was said above. Assuming one actually knows that they have a trigger, avoiding them means, at best, you will have fewer episodes of afib, but it will still progress. I would guess that in the process of trying to identify triggers, those that think they have found one are very, very likely to be wrong. Afib just happens no matter what you do. I have been playing the game for about 27 yeaby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I need to move ahead with the new vaccine, I had the older one several years back. I also had shingles about 30 years ago, on the upper left quadrant of my head/face. Really ugly with remaining scars, but - NO pain. Luckly, it did not get into my eye or optic nerve, which was a major concern.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My best sleep comes after a day of good physical activity - Working out, golf, windsurfing, walking, skiing, etc. My worst sleep comes after a day of doing nothing. A tired body needs rest/sleep. Unless you are bedridden, do your best to get moving.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Two ablations = 0 discomfort or pain anywhere except my throat because of the intubation.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
If I hadn't been confronted with the pulmonary embolism (no source identified), I would not be on a blood thinner. But with my history of afib and the PE, I had to decide which way to go, and that is with the blood thinner. Eliquis is reported to be the safest. When I have had cuts or bleeding, I see no difference in coagulation time than when I was not on a thinner. But, I have not had aby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My stroke concerns come from observing and knowing several members of my (over 55 community - 1300 homes). I am in the fitness center 2-3 days a week and I know of 4 guys that have had strokes and have limited mobility. They are doing their best to gain strength, but I see little if any benefit given their efforts other than maintaining the status quo. Although I don't know where they wouby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
About 9 months ago, I found that I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism. No source could be found, and I went on Eliquis. Because of this and that I have had two successful afib ablations in my 21-year afib history, my Dr. suggested that staying on Eliquis forever was a good idea. So, that's where I am. Some bruising when I bash the back of my hands on doorknobs, etc. but no other issues.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I came back from Antartica a week ago and was on Viking. Amazing trip, but for one week on Antartica, it took one week of travel (air and crossing the Drake Passage). There was a Dr. on board, but what treatments were available, I do not know. However, when I had active afib, many years ago, my bouts would not have impacted what I did on this cruise (mostly zodiacs taking you on shore and a biby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Back in the 60's, a pool that I trained in changed to iodine instead of chlorine for water purification. A few of my team members began having a number of strange physical issues, and after testing, their iodine levels were extremely high, resulting in their thyroids going crazy. The pool switched back to chlorine. How much iodine is too much?by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
As I said above, it's concern about the catheter insertion point in the femoral vein(s). Here is something I found at: Femoral vascular closure devices can be divided into two broad categories. They can be either passive or active. Passive closure devices help with mechanical compression or by increasing thrombosis for effective hemostasis. However, passive devices do not hasten the actby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was told to be careful after my last ablation, but it was related to the healing of the catheter insertion point in the groin, not the ablations itself. I felt 100% normal the day after (the ablation was day surgery).by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
First ablation 16 years ago, lots of bruising on both legs - vein access in the groin areas of both legs. Second ablation three years ago, access only on the right leg and almost no bruising. Progress. Failed? Until scars are fully formed and established weeks from now, afib will likely occur.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Never any issues with Eliquis. No impact whatsoever.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am not discounting what you are feeling, but with my over 200 documented episodes of afib, the second an episode ended, I felt and was functioning 100 normal. I never had any sense that there was a carryover from an episode. Certainly - never any pain.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Windyshores, I have been on this forum for about 10 years and from my perspective, Carey is spot on 100% of the time. The forum's success is contingent upon Cary's advice. If he seems a bit harsh, it's usually in response to someone that has been misguided or possibly a bit harsh in their questioning or responses. I love the fact that he is point on and brief without an abundaby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I think that it depends on the individual, their general well-being and level of fitness. I was very symptomatic and always knew when I was in or out of afib. For me, always in good physical shape, during my 11 years of afib and over 200 documented episodes, the only thing I altered in my day-to-day life was I avoided working out when in afib. Oxygen debt would come on way too fast. For me, aby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kingfizzy, One of the things all afibbers want to identify are the triggers that can kick off a bout of afib. Thats natural and instinctive, but reality it that there are very few "triggers" and LOTS of coincidences. I have had over 200 recorded afib episodes, and the only trigger I could identify was having more than one alcoholic drink, and that was not always the case, just occasiby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I can't speak to what's happening in the your case, but in my 27 year afib history and 2 ablations, the only impact after the ablations has been that my maximum heart rate has decreased. But that also happens as we age. I am now 78. I work hard to stay in shape, so I know what it takes to stay fit at the highest level as I was in the Olympic swimmer 55 years ago.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Who knows? Maybe the 13 years I went afib free after my first ablation was because I was drinking caffeine and eating dark chocolate. 13 years without afib is longer than almost everybody else that has had an ablation.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been drinking 1 to 2 cups of caffinated coffee in the morning, one Mountain Dew in the evening and 2 or 3 Dove dark chocolates after dinner every day for 50 years with no relationship to afib.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks guys for the input. I had reached the same conclusion, and the issue that kept me from loving Eliquis is that because of a few orthopedic issues, I frequently take Naproxen for pain. I do everything I want to do; it just hurts a bit when I am done. Works better than Tylenol, but I can't take Naproxen with the Eliquis. I have left over (not old) Eliquis that I will start taking tonby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Some guidance would be appreciated. More info. regarding my situation. In Feb. I had an "unprovoked bilateral embolism" which called for Eliquis for 6 months (no source of the blood clots was found). Then early this week, I had a two-hour episode of afib at night, that was resolved with Flecainide (3 years free of afib since my last ablation). My GP thinks it's a good idea to goby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gloaming, I had mis diagnosed/undiagnosed afib for 5 years. Then correctly diagnosed and went on meds for 6 years with over 200 episodes of afib. Then my first ablation, so the blood thinner was for those 6 years. Now, no blood thinners for the last16 years except for a short period after my second ablation in 2020. I guess I will consider a blood thinner again and talk to my Dr. Suggesteby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have had two ablations, so my risk of stroke is higher than someone equal to me but without afib. My CHADS2-VASc score is 2 (my age of 78). With this, should I be on a blood thinner for life? I don't recall that being the standard, so what is the recommendation? My afib started in 1995 - 28 years ago, but I was only on a blood thinner for 5 years of that time, waiting or my first ablatby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
So, if one has an ablation and no more afib, why is there an increase in stroke risk over the normal population? I was highly symptomatic when I was in afib, so I clearly know when I am not. Maybe the increase in strokes for ablated people is because some continue to have afib, but don't know it.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gloaming said: As much as I hate to say it aloud here, the later this happens, the poorer the prognosis. If you're still having episodes four weeks from now, I would regretfully suggest that you may need a second ablation. And then there is my case - My first ablation lasted 13 years then afib came back. I had number two in Jan. 2020. On Flec for one month and then in April I had 4 episby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
When you say: "I do not convert back on my own", what time span does this represent?by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM