Thank you, Carey. I saw Natale in 2015. Since then I have had an echo every year with “no change.” This is the first year with a change and is why I am seeing an EP. I will start there and if medication and/or conversion don’t work and an ablation is recommended I would go see Natale. No to the metroprolol — my heart went crazy on it.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anti-Fib, I did not go to Austin, I went to La Jolla, CA from Santa Monica. The visit was prompted by many people here, mostly Shannon, who thought if I was going to see an EP, I should see Natale. At that time given my history he did not recommend an ablation; and actually asked me why I was there ( which made me slightly embarrassed that I wasted his time) I was diagnosed during a routiby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
With everyone here doing so much research on their own, we are all lucky to have so much information from so many perspectives based on that and personal experience. Carey, have you read any of Hans Larsens’ books or research in the forum’s archives?by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I don’t know if they are “in cahoots,” but certainly brainwashed and not willing to look at options. I couldn’t agree more with the military being neglected after going through God knows what for us. Hopefully there will be some younger doctors coming and more aware of latest research.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes, George, from what I’m reading here it doesn’t sound like the odds are in my favor.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am 69; is that too old? I am, other than afib, in excellent shape/health and very active. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, since I’ve not been in mar since 2013 (or before), it sounds like I should have cardiovereion but it probably won’t work...by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
No cardiologist has ever suggested this. That’s one reason I’m going to an EP. I’m thinking after all this time maybe it should have been tried. If this EP suggests it I wil do it. From what I’ve read, although there is no guaranty, the risks are low and not much recovery time.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Libby, thank you so much for your input. I cannot get an appt until Jan 4 but I am anxious to see what can be done. I am hoping the EP does another echo to confirm the results. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, I’m not even CLOSE to getting an ablation. I just meant two friends liked this EP. I’m going in because of this latest echocardiogram and would rather an EP look at it than a regular Cardiologist. I will see what he recommends and go from there. If I get to a place where I am considering it I would certainly want to see Dr. Natale.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Things happen quickly. Two friends with afib have recommended an EP in Santa Monica, He is in a boutique office so I wrongly assumed they didn’t take Medicare. This is a wonderful Christmas present because he is a few blocks from my home. My appt is Jan 4 so I will definitely get your opinions about recommendations at that time. Thank you so much for responding so quickly. This forum has beby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for the info George. Thousand Oaks is much closer! I will struggle along squinting until I can figure it out...by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Possibly,Carey. I have to see when he is in La Jolla. I will try to see this EP first.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had searched a few years ago and didn’t find an EP near me but just looked and Dr.Ajijola is at UCLA and it appears takes Medicare. I believe I will see if I can get an appointment with him and cancel the cardiologist. Thank you for the push. On a separate note, can anyone tell me why my type is SO SMALL when I am posting on here? It’s larger after I post the message but while I’m typingby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I always thought conversion was for people who show up at the ER with a very elevated hr. Is that something that is done just for an irregular hr? I actually met with Dr. Natale in 2015 because people on this forum were suggesting an ablation. He did not recommend it or medication other than a blood thinner. He did not mention cardio conversion. Things have changed now so... I’ll gave to seeby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just got the results today and have not seen my cardiologist yet. I live in Santa Monica, CzA and haven’t seen an EP. my Drs are all at UCLA.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for responding. I’m not sure how I would determine if this was an incorrect reading. Carey, my heart rate is usually in the 70s or 80s — 60s when I wake up. I was given Multaq for a brief time and that made it worse. And I also tried Metroplolol (sp), but that didn’t work well for me either.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just received the results of my recent echocardiogram. From 2016 to 2017 everything was pretty much the same. Although I do not know hoe to read most of it I noted the following: 2016 left atrium normal in size; LA volume 39.8, volume index 25 ml/m2 Right atrium normal size, volume 46ml 2017 left atrium mildly dilated in size; volume index 37.1 ml/m2 Right atrriuby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
My mother just died in April 5 months short of being 100. She had LAF the last 40 years of her life - the first 20 or more not diagnosed. When she was diagnosed she said she’d had an irregular beat for years. She started with Warfarin and then was put on Pradaxa. When she was 92 she had internal intestinal bleeding and got a $40,000 settlement from Pradaxa. She had a stroke while she was inby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Elizabeth and Jackie, Sorry, I never think of all my questions at once. What doseage do you take? Thank you, Louiseby Louise - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Thank you so much for that info Jackie. Louiseby Louise - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Hi Jackie, I was first interested in collagen for joint pain for both my husband and me. Actually, I still am; but I have also read it helps with aging skin and since I am weaning myself off hormones that would be an added bonus! Thank you, Louiseby Louise - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Does anyone have a good source of collagen that does not cause calcium overdose? Thank you. Louiseby Louise - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Thank you all. Years ago I had back surgery and was told not to take ibuprofen for a week before; so I assumed Xarelto would have to be stopped for this. I will ask the surgeon.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was off Xarelto for a year and taking Cardiokinase and was very happy about it; but during my annual physical lDt week my Dr scared me into taking Xarelto again. Now I have to have oral surgery and am wondering when to go off Xarelto. It is on a Wednesday, so I was thinking of taking it Monday night and then taking Cardiokinase Tues and Wed and starting Xarelto again on Thursday. Any suggestby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you so much, Jackie! I’ve never seen that comparison. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
How does cardiokinase differ from Nattokinase? Thank you to anyone who can explain it. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM