Intense exercise is the anti-anxiety drug of choice that I use as well. Concern about heavy weights stretching the left atrium caused me to switch from barbells to kettlebell exercise. I do the Simple and Sinister protocol from Pavel Tsatsouline and like it very much. I walk two miles a day, in a little under 30 minutes. I may go back to the barbells (starting strength wo) after a while but oby Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, Thanks very much for the detailed information. I'll be searching for and rereading this over the next few months as I get closer to having to make a decision. Thanks for all you do.by Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, Great news! The more options to choose from the better. Question: The lariat procedure has about an 85% success rate. Do you happen to know what the success rate for the Watchman is? Thanks, Mikeby Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sounds familiar. In Dec, a year and a half after my second ablation I was up late and felt funny. I checked my pulse and it was about 60 after months of being in the 80's. While I was thinking about how funny it felt and trying to figure it out it jumped to 200+. I was in SVT (supra ventricular tachycardia) and had to go to the ER. Diltiazem got me back into a more normal HR. I had a tby Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Shannon. Nice to hear back from you. I will definitely pm my number to you. Yes, I believe people like Dr. Natale are very rare indeed. I think the whole team at CPMC is first rate. I remember Kara, the NP I spoke with alot after my first ablation in 2012, really helped with a couple of issues and especially advising me on what to expect and what was important and not so important.by Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Excellent information Peter and Shannon, thanks very much. Very timely also, I'm ten days out from my third ablation with Dr. Natale (CPMC). This one was to finish isolating the LAA. Nice to be back in rhythm, getting stronger everyday. As much as I hate afib in all its variations I'm so glad Dr. Natale is here and it is a privilege to know him and I feel very secure in his hands.by Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
PeggyM, Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I will check your cite of the paleo diet. I have tried diet modification and taking taurine and magnesium and potasium, but nothing seemed to do much good. I do have a history of nearly 20 years dealing with afib, I guess I was just feeling sorry for myself when after more than 1 1/2 years after my second ablation w/ little or no activity and a normalby Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Nick, Thanks, and best of luck to you in May. I'll be watching the forum for updates. Meanwhile, does anyone have experience with Lexapro? My primary care doc would like to get my anxiety under control and suggested this for a solution. I've tried deep breathing, meditation, listening to relaxation music, etc. I'm a bit type A I'm afraid, ready to jump into the fray atby Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dear Shannon, Thank you very much for your very detailed reply and parallel personal history. Though I think you've fought through this a bit longer and harder than I have. I've never been in persistent afib. My problem is heart problems are my phobia. I was raised by my uncle, a very good man but happened to have serious heart disease which eventually killed him. He worked hard eby Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is my first post though I've followed this forum off and on for a number of years. I've experienced lone afib starting in the mid 90's, very infrequently at first, more and more bothersome from the beginning of 2010. In April of 2012 I had my first ablation procedure, PVI and some work on the coronary sinus. I recovered quickly and felt great, no episodes for many months.by Mike E - AFIBBERS FORUM