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Re: Take away points from StopAFIB.org forum - 4 months ago

QuoteDean I have been eating the Japanese fermented soybean food Natto every second day since 2004 and have been afib free since then (no ablation). Also, I have not had a cold, flue or COVID over this time. Dean Dean - I don't know anything about natto (the food that is - very familiar with the supplements). Can I ask you what specific brand you eat and where you buy it? And wh

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

New Study: Fish Oil Increases Risk of A-Fib - 4 months ago

I've been taking large amounts of very high quality fish oil supplements daily for years. I never took them for heart issues, I always took them as just another general supplement to assist with my overall health (i.e. supposed lower body inflammation, lower triglycerides, etc.). By large amounts I mean as much as 4 grams per day (that's total EPA and DHA) but in recent years "only

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 7 months after Natale ablation...PACs are back - 6 months ago

I agree. Dr. Natale's team is very hit or miss (mostly miss). Aside from the expert ablation you'll get from Dr. Natale, any issues post or pre op you are on your own. That's why it's imperative to team up with a solid "local" EP. I look at Dr. Natale strictly as my mechanic who does the hardcore mechanic work. For everything else, I work with my local EP. Now, r

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Should I be Worried About a "Tiny Leak" from my Watchman? - 10 months ago

DAISY - I don't know what the first TEE showed. I admit, I have been lazy on keeping up with my records - assuming all is good and I don't have to worry about anything. I went from a TEE to a CTA Chest Scan so I don't know if a CTA chest scan shows more or less detail than a TEE. When I have my final CTA chest scan here in May, I'm going to get as many details as I can bec

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

I Didn't Die after a Major Cut While on Eliquis - 10 months ago

I've been on full dose Eliquis 5 mg on and off over the years due to the 3 ablations I've had. I've now been on a low dose of Eliquis (2.5mg twice daily) for well over a year because of my Watchman implant and subsequent leak. One of the biggest fears I've had being on Eliquis is bleeding events. The very first time I took Eliquis I lost sleep over the thought of bleeding

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

2.5mg Eliquis + Baby Aspirin or Eliquis Only? - 10 months ago

Dr. Natale put my Watchman in back in April 2023. Unfortunately, at the 6-month check up they detected a "tiny leak" so for now, I've been given two choices: stay on 2.5 mg of Eliquis twice daily, or take a baby aspirin every other day and one 2.5 mg Eliquis every day. Of the two options, which one do you believe poses the least overall short-term and long-term bleeding risks

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supporting Afibbers.org in 2024 - 11 months ago

I just donated but the PayPal receipt I got said it is not an official donation receipt for tax purposes. Do you you guys send an official donation receipt? Travis

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Natural Alternatives to Aspirin for Watchman Implant Patients? - 11 months ago

Thanks George! I just ordered a copy. Travis QuoteGeorgeN Hey Travis, It has been a while, but the afibbers.org board's founder, the late Hans Larsen has a book on this stuff: He had me review this 3rd edition in 2018, so it has been a while, but may give you ideas.

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Natural Alternatives to Aspirin for Watchman Implant Patients? - 11 months ago

I've been given the green light by Dr. Natale to stop my Eliquis and to switch to a baby aspirin once every other day (presumably for the rest of my life). Dr. Natale put my Watchman in about 8 months ago. I've never taken aspirin before and I'm reading about all the bleeding risks from long term use and how it can really mess up your stomach, etc. I already have a few issues g

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Should I be Worried About a "Tiny Leak" from my Watchman? - 1 year ago

A month ago I had my 6-month check up from my Watchman implant that Dr. Natale put in back in April 2023. I had a CTA chest scan done locally vs flying down to Austin, TX for a TEE. I just got an email today from Dr. Natale's office that they finally had a chance to review my CTA chest scan images and while they noted a "tiny leak" they weren't concerned about it and have give

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Please say a prayer for a fellow afibber now battling a brain tumor - 1 year ago

I don't know if any of you have heard of "Big Northern Bear" on YouTube, but he's a Canadian YouTuber who had been battling a-fib. Through lifestyle changes he was able to put the beast to bed for a year and counting as he waits for an ablation. Yes, being a Canadian he has had to wait for over a year to get an ablation. On his YouTube channel he interviews various afibbers, d

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Post Ablation heart care - 1 year ago

I would not go to the wedding. Way too many variables at play. As others have mentioned, the recovery varies from person to person and you won't really know how you'll feel 3 days after the ablation. You won't be in any pain or anything like that, but you'll likely be physically exhausted due to the lack of sleep you'll no doubt experience. And do you really want to be at

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is it Really That Hard to Have a "Local TEE" Done (vs. Dr. Natale)? - 1 year ago

Interesting. When I was there my ONLY option was to come to Austin, TX for all the TEEs. When I asked if it was possible to have any of them done locally, they said that I could have the 2nd and 3rd TEE locally but they would prefer if they were all done in Austin. They strongly advised I at least have the first TEE done there. There was no mentioning of CTAs after the first TEE. In fact, I didn&

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is it Really That Hard to Have a "Local TEE" Done (vs. Dr. Natale)? - 1 year ago

Ah. Makes total sense. Thanks for the explanation! Travis QuoteCarey The advantage a TEE has is it shows motion. You can see heart wall movement in real time AND blood flow because it's a doppler device. So that allows them to see volume, velocity, and turbulence of blood flowing through the heart. That's particularly important at the first TEE when they're especially concern

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is it Really That Hard to Have a "Local TEE" Done (vs. Dr. Natale)? - 1 year ago

I wanted to update my original post. After many back and forth communications with Dr. Natale's office and my local EP's office, we have a local CTA Chest scheduled. I'm thrilled because it will save a lot of money and time doing this locally here in MN vs flying to Austin for a "simple" TEE checkup. I'm a bit nervous because my local EP's team wasn't t

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Is it Really That Hard to Have a "Local TEE" Done (vs. Dr. Natale)? - 1 year ago

I had the Watchman put in by Dr. Natale in April and had my first TEE with him in July. Everything is going great but I'm supposed to have my second TEE (the 6th month checkup) in late October/early November. I'd like to avoid having to travel to Austin, TX yet again, especially that time of year since we have a lot going on then so I'm considering doing it locally. How hard

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: THC and afib - 1 year ago

I can't speak to THC but I take a combination of CBD and CBN every night with great success. The combination of the two have given me the best sleep I've had in years. I also take 2.5mg of melatonin about 45 minutes before going to bed. I've had insomnia since our 18-year-old daughter was born. I struggled for years with getting good sleep until I discovered CBD/CBN. Travis

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: the how-to's in getting the TEE orders done outside of St. David's - 1 year ago

Madeline: Just curious if you had your "local TEE" yet. If so, how did it go? Were there any hiccups at all, or did everything go smoothly? I'm considering a local TEE as well but the whole process seems cumbersome. Travis QuoteMadeline 9. The local Watchman nurse called me today & gave me a date for my TEE. Then I asked her if she had gotten the orders Dr. Salaz

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: TEE after Watchman Implant - When can I stop Eliquis? - 1 year ago

Daisy: So you and I are on the same exact track. Glad to hear you’re doing well and that your first TEE was good! You are doing your second TEE locally? I’m thinking about doing that as well because in four months we’ll be into November and we’re going to be super busy with the holidays so another trip to Austin isn’t going to be so easy that time of year. Can I ask you what’s involved to d

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

TEE after Watchman Implant - When can I stop Eliquis? - 1 year ago

Dr. Natale put my Watchman in on 4/27 this year. They couldn’t get my first TEE scheduled until today (7/26) - a full 3 months after my Watchman. The first TEE is typically done 6-8 weeks after the implant is put in. I was under the impression that for most people the Watchman is fully sealed over within 4-6 weeks. Given my first TEE was done a full 12 weeks after my Watchman I thought there w

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dear Afibbers, one and all ... - 1 year ago

My sympathies to you, Shannon, Hans' family, and to all of you who were fortunate enough to "meet" him here on this website. I discovered afibbers.org just shortly after the transition from Hans to Shannon so I was never able to "meet" Hans, but I owe my successful journey keeping a-fib at by to him for starting this website. It was through this website I learned about Dr

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Is Natto Safe to Take with 2.5mg Eliquis? - 1 year ago

I have the Watchman implant now but I don't have my 45-day TEE until the end of June/early July. In the meantime, my Eliquis has been reduced to 2.5mg twice daily. I'd like to start taking nattokinase again as I have taken it for years for general health but stopped when I was put on Eliquis. Now that I'm on a lower dose, is natto safe to start taking again? If not, I guess I'

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is it safer to take Flecainide with Betablocker? - 1 year ago

Before my ablations with Dr. Natale, my local EP (who is an EXCELLENT EP), never recommended a beta blocker with my pill in the pocket flecainide protocol and I was taking 300mg at a time when I'd have an episode. I had to take that probably a dozen times and I never had an issue. I had no idea that it was a good idea to take a beta blocker with it until just recently. Dr. Natale, howeve

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Help Me Understand Why Atrial Flutter is More Common After an Ablation than A-Fib - 1 year ago

QuoteCarey So in the end, it really just boils down to luck and taking care of yourself as best you can. That makes sense. Thanks!

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 1 year ago

Thanks Susan! I'm going to add another doctor to this list: Pasquale Santangeli, MD, PhD Maybe we can just keep this thread going with top EP's - or EP's that people have had success with. Travis

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 1 year ago

I have a very popular a-fib blog and one of the most common questions I get asked from people that email me is: how do I find these "expert EP's" you say is so important to find if you're going to have an ablation? I of course tell them Dr. Natale, but not everyone can fly to Texas or California to be treated by him. I hate telling people that Natale is the only option. He

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dissapointed - 1 year ago

Carey: I'm just seeing this post now after two years of you writing about this analogy. I agree with you 100%. I've been telling people this for years, but not in such an easy-to-understand analogy. I love it! It's not a common or popular belief to have in the a-fib circles though. Travis

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My 4/27/23 Watchman Implant Experience with Dr. Natale - 1 year ago

Quotesusan.d I read your blog. It’s amazing! I honestly think they do more at Austin. I was weighed once pre procedure and when I was given a room and bed, they weighed the bed with the blankets. I was never weighed again for water retention. I was told to weigh myself at home and if I gained 5 pounds to take a Lasix. You had excellent care! PS I’m in a mood for a gluten free peanut and butt

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My 4/27/23 Watchman Implant Experience with Dr. Natale - 1 year ago

QuoteShannon Hey Travis, Regarding the overnight stays after a procedure at TCAI in Austin, be sure to keep in mind that a good number of TCAI EPs are often treating local patients who live within an hour or so of an easy drive to their own homes. Plus, with the approximately 14 plus EPs working under Dr Natale, it is more likely for local patients, perhaps doing a follow-up PVI, to stay

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Help Me Understand Why Atrial Flutter is More Common After an Ablation than A-Fib - 1 year ago

QuoteCarey your body is simply forming new fibrotic tissue all on its own. That's why EPs have come to understand afib as an underlying heart disease known as atrial myopathy. It's also why the term "lone afib" is no longer recognized. Having afib is a form of structural heart disease, so the term doesn't make sense and misleads our thinking. Carey - that's sobe

by tvanslooten - AFIBBERS FORUM