Hi onewaypockets, Thanks for the extra info-- I misunderstood how it works! Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, Neil, Thank you so much for the info about LabCorp...there's one really close to me!! Unless the other suggested labs are super cheap, I'll be glad to stay local. I really appreciate your thoughts about my situation--wow, you did have awesome insurance coverage at that time! I appreciate your input about the cost of things as well, reflective of the time you had your proceby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotewolfpack 750 ablations over 10 years is a pretty low number. I’d find another EP if possible. And trying to decipher insurance billing may have side-effects including depression, loss of appetite, and psychosis! Thanks wolfpack! I was told by the EP that the procedure takes 3 to 5 hours, and was also told Kaiser gets a 70-75% success rate. That percentage doesn't float my boat atby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Carey, for the info! I will send Shannon a PM. Thanks, AB Page, for the info, too--I appreciate your digging up your insurance billing! I have no idea about the cost of a consultations etc outside of Kaiser...but I'll be asking about this when I call Member Services. Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
I met with an EP at Kaiser today. He and Dr. Natale share the facilities at Scripps La Jolla, but they don't cross paths. At least he actively listened when I requested a C-reactive Protein test and a RBC Magnesium. He did order me the C-reactive protein lab work, but said Kaiser doesn't do the RBC Magnesium and suggested I get that done through a naturopath or a homeopath. I have nby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you JoyWin for your helpful information, and I'm sorry to read about your current situation! Thank you also to wolfpack and sharing your experience as well! Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sure makes ya wonder, doesn't it, George!? We really have to be our own advocates in many ways! Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, Gary, Congrats on the awesome news and thanks for sharing the update! I'm so happy for you! Is it normal to have pain after the procedure, or was that just related to your particular situation? Hooray for you and NSR!!!!! Sue edited because my Kindle is misbehaving about posting this replyby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the link, afibbers! Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteThe Anti-Fib I wouldn't go back to that Cardiologist. I agree with Carey in that he is not up to date with his AFIB knowledge. I wouldn't expect a Cardio to know about the EXA Test, but I would expect he know about, or look into the RBC Mg. Only takes a minute to look up the test at one of the Labs Websites. ^^^^^^ For someone so young (mid 30s maybe), I would have thought thisby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotewolfpack Sorry to hear about your experience with Dr. Flintstone. LOL ! ! Dr. Flintstone!!!! I did also think it was really weird that he so quickly wanted to give me an Rx, when I wasn't *complaining* but just sharing my symptoms. Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the reply, Carey. Yup, after my appointment, I did some reading about digoxin and saw some of the abstracts that linked the use of digoxin to mortality in older adults. As I said, I had to jump through the *consult with a cardiologist* hoop in order to get a referral to an EP. Well, darn it all, so a-fib is a sure thing progressive...and with variable speeds! Good to know. Fby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, everyone I had my cardiologist consultation yesterday at Kaiser and I told him I had some questions, and the consult was just a step to get a referral to an EP. He was fine with that. He asked me some questions, did a brief listen to my ticker, and then I asked him if he could order lab work for an RBC Magnesium test, and a C-Reactive Protein. I explained my reasons why. He said he neveby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ah, Willis, another Bill Murray fan! I posted this on one of my threads but thought you may not see it. Thanks for your kind words... yes, this forum is a God-Send! Episodes are still scary, though. I've been having issues with my computer, too, but those are not as scary as this a-fib and pounding heartbeat stuff! I do have the things I do to try and stay calm. When I'mby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ah, Willis, another Bill Murray fan! Thanks for your kind words... yes, this forum is a God-Send! Episodes are still scary, though. I've been having issues with my computer, too, but those are not as scary as this a-fib and pounding heartbeat stuff! I do have the things I do to try and stay calm. When I'm awakened from a sleep, though, it seems twice as scary because of couby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Willow Lee and Shannon, Thank you so very much for your helpful and specific info! Unfortunately, I've been having some computer problems and have not been online too much because of it. Shannon, your help and guidance is stellar! Gosh, there is so much to learn!!!!! BTW, I have a retinal specialist, too! My original guy was the eye specialist for the Blue Angels, but then he rby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is a followup to an earlier post of mine. I called Kaiser and asked for the names of all the electrophysiologists that they had on staff, since the cardiologist with whom I have an upcoming appointment is not an electrophysiologist. I went to the HRS website and typed in names, with no results. Admittedly, I have not researched these people beyond my going to the HRS website, so if aby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the info Willow Lee. I'm about 90 minutes away from the Kaiser in Riverside, and with traffic, it can take 2 plus hours. I plan on asking the cardiologist (the one I'll be seeing in March) who are the EPs in the San Diego area, and will specify that they would be a board certified EP. Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Cary, for the info! Willow Lee, I'm in the San Diego area, and I'm with Kaiser. Sueby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello again! I requested a referral to a cardiologist and my primary care physician at Kaiser put it through. I have a consultation appointment in early March with Dr. Hai Thanh Nguyen, a cardiologist. I did a bit of googling on him and noted he has been practicing for at least 14 years in this specialty area, he went to UCSF, and had a residency at UCLA (my old stomping grounds), anby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank, Jackie, for the extra info about magnesium and for the link to Dr. Sircus. Sam, it's always good to be reminded about the glugging---thanks! I take my Pradaxa with a full 8 oz glass of water, twice a day. Two hours later, and then mid afternoon and again before dinner, I also take my psyllium husk fiber capsules with another full glass of water, so that's three more timeby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, Dave, Glad to meet another newbie! I'm sorry that I can't help you about Youngevity supplements or Ben Fuchs or Dr. Wallach ... hopefully someone with more knowledge and experience than I have will be able to ring in on this for you. It's been so good to find this forum and know that I'm not alone! I'm sorry you're in steady a-fib since last month--does tby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, Jackie, and thank you for your kind and welcoming words. I have to admit, I've been under a great deal of stress for the past few years (and finally feel that I am coming out of this stress as I am dealing with it better -- passage of time, meditation and all that--I do feel the stress is/was a major component in my a-fib. The stress triggers can still rear their ugly heads now andby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, George and thanks for all additional information and the links. I downloaded the pdf for the Magnesium Bicarbonate summary sheet and hope to spend some time tomorrow reading it. Special thanks for the input and link to purchasing the Albion stuff with the keyword. You've been so helpful...thank you!!!!by SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
George, thank you so very much for your helpful answer! I realize I wrote a short story with this, my first post, and while many had read it, you are the first to respond. I really appreciate your input! I looked at my lab work online and couldn't find any magnesium test results... it could be that the tests that were taken while I was in the ER are not posted at the patient access porby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello! I am so very thankful I found this forum!!!!! I’m confused and scared as I begin this journey with newly diagnosed heart issues. When I read posts on this forum, I realize there are so many more complicated issues as others deal with a-fib, medications, conversions, ablations, etc, and I sound like a whining baby compared to the complexities of what other folks are experiencing—thank youby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM