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Re: Walking/Exercise to Stop AFib Episode? - 9 months ago

I think I'm a pretty good example of someone who was able to stop Afib episodes, which I did hundreds of times. I got my first bout of Afib drinking a strong cup of coffee from Starbucks. I then spent the next 10 years in and out of Afib. The last year or two that I had Afib, I was getting it every single day.....but I could also stop it every single time. (a couple of times it took a 2nd

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Update on my recent post about stopping Eliquis - with trepidation - 1 year ago

Susan - that IS the advice from Dr. Natale that she relayed to me.

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Update on my recent post about stopping Eliquis - with trepidation - 1 year ago

Since Dr. Natale's office is comfortable saying I can go off of it, as is my cardiologist who surely knows all about strokes, I'm OK with it too. I'm can understand why your experience of being an EMT makes you more hesitant, Carey, but everything is a bit of a risk as we get older, in my opinion. You could have a hemorrhagic stroke from Eliquis too... If the feeling was that ju

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Update on my recent post about stopping Eliquis - with trepidation - 1 year ago

Not sure. They never asked for my Chad score. I think it had more to do with no Afib for 11 years, and having a Watchman that has been checked twice for any issues after it was put in.

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Stopped Eliquis - with some trepidation - 1 year ago

Hugging - please see my updated post about this. And don't forget, even if I DID have asymptomatic Afib, I have the Watchman. To note, my Afib was always very symptomatic.

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Update on my recent post about stopping Eliquis - with trepidation - 1 year ago

So I had written that I had some trepidation about stopping Eliquis, as I wasn't sure that Dr. Natale was on board with that idea. He did both of my ablations, and then sealed up my LAA with a Watchman, put in January 2022. I have had no Afib for almost 11 years, was on a low dose of Eliquis as an extra precaution, but wanted to get off of it to reduce the number of meds I'm taking

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Stopped Eliquis - with some trepidation - 1 year ago

My cardiologist and my PCP believe the risk is greater for a bleed, being on a blood thinner, than the risk of me having a stroke. I know there are quite a few things that can be done naturally to help thin the blood, including taking nattokinase, Omega 3's (which have many positive benefits), garlic, gingko biloba and more. My Chad score is 2, which would be 1 if I weren't female.

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Stopped Eliquis - with some trepidation - 1 year ago

I had a colonoscopy last week, so needed to stop Eliquis for a few days before hand. I have wanted to stop it altogether, at the encouragement of both my cardiologist and my PCP. My history includes10 years of Afib which ceased in 2013 with a LAA ablation by Dr. Natale, followed with a flutter ablation in June 2014. I've had no Afib now for almost 11 years, and also got the Watchman imp

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supplemental potassium when on keto like diet - 1 year ago

Thanks, Susan It was on this site that I learned about Dr. Natale, and I'm so grateful for that. I ended up needing a LAA isolation About 6 months later, I went into Flutter just as my Acupuncturist put a needle into my left shoulder area (vagal nerve, I assume). Ablation #2 with Dr Natale in June 2014. QUIET ever since.

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supplemental potassium when on keto like diet - 1 year ago

I've had several blood tests and lipid profiles done within the last 4 months or so. No problem with kidneys. My cholesterol is high, but it's been running that way for years. Recently found out my Lipo-proteinA is quite high too, but at this point, they have no way to treat it. Just pay attention to all of your other markers to get them in a good place. Inflammation is very low. B

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supplemental potassium when on keto like diet - 1 year ago

Oops...yes, the 10% or less is for carbohydrates. My kidney function was fine until recently, when my ALT and AST were a bit higher, but that is likely due to my starting a statin drug within the past month or so.... My concern is whether the amount of potassium citrate is acceptable or not.

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Supplemental potassium when on keto like diet - 1 year ago

Hello all - I have been following a modified keto diet for the better part of the last year. It's not as strict as "pure" keto, but is generally a 60% fat, 10% or less carbs, and whatever is left over for protein. I have been taking some electrolyte drinks (no sugar) to help offset the fact that we are taking in less potassium through vegetables and such. I saw a drink that look

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is Advil OK to take when on 1/2 dose Eliquis? - 1 year ago

No recent procedures or upcoming ones, other than a colonoscopy in February (no issues, just a routine check). I wasn't considering taking Advil on an ongoing basis, but only as needed here and there for pain. My Ortho guy made it sound like it was a hard NO, yet that's not what I think Dr. Natale said when I asked him years ago (I've had 2 ablations and a Watchman implanted,

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Is Advil OK to take when on 1/2 dose Eliquis? - 1 year ago

HI all - I'm getting to the ripe old age of aches and pains, aka arthritis, and when it kicks up - or I get a headache at times, I would like to be able to take 1-2 Advil (ibuprofen). I don't think it's OK to take it regularly or more than a few/day, but my Orthopedist made it sound like it was a definite NO to take any Advil for pain if I'm on Eliquis - even a low dose. J

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supporting Afibbers.org - 1 year ago

Donated! Appreciate all you do to help those in the Afib world..... Barb

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

AFter a LAA isolation, could we still get Afib in another part of our heart? - 1 year ago

This thought came to me as this was something told to a friend of mine, who just had her 7th ablation (!!). That this time, her Afib came back in another part of her heart. I believe that having a LAA isolation and an extensive ablation basically reduces that chance to almost zero. But is that correct? Barb

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Have recommendations for Eliquis changed when you have a Watchman? - 1 year ago

But apparently Dr. Natale does. Or has that changed? I have a LAA isolation, but according to my cardiologist, the FDA has said that a Watchman replaces the need for an anti-coagulant and she doesn't' see any reason to still be taking it. I have felt that way for quite awhile, but was scared by some saying you could still get a stroke. She said that blood thinners don't prevent

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

SEVEN ablations! This is nuts - 1 year ago

HI all - thankfully this is not about me. I had two ablations with Dr. Natale and have been in NSR for over 10 years! This is about a good friend of mine, Debbie. I would like to advise her, but want to be sure I have my facts straight. Debbie has had Afib on and off for quite a few years, and she also has cardiomyopathy. She just had her 7th ablation one week ago, and is still in Afib. This

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Sleepless - 2 years ago

Ahhh....so I am a certified Sleep Science Coach and have helped my clients who have struggled with chronic insomnia, finally get a good night's sleep. In the case of MeganMN, I may not be as helpful at this point, as it sounds like your heart situation needs some resolution first. When you get that resolved, you may still have difficulty sleeping (hopefully not), because your brain is

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Berberine and Eliquis - do they interact? - 2 years ago

Thanks Carey. I have to agree with you on most supplements, as their efficacy and absorption rate are pretty poor. However, I've learned a great deal over the years about them in general, and know which ones to trust and which ones actually make a difference. Berberine has a long history in Chinese medicine, for one. It's a new one for me though. Here's an interesting article

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Berberine and Eliquis - do they interact? - 2 years ago

Thanks Bettylou - I'll see if I can find a pharmacist in my cardiologist's group. My usual pharmacist had never heard of Berberine..... I was hoping Carey or Shannon would hop on with some possible insights, but haven't heard from them. Be well ~ Barb

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Berberine and Eliquis - do they interact? - 2 years ago

Has anyone tried Berberine to help with weight management and glucose levels, AND is also taking Eliquis? I"m having trouble getting an answer as to whether this combination is a problem or not. I am on a low dose of Eliquis (2.5 mg/BID) Anyone? ~ Barb

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supporting Afibbers.org in 2024 - 2 years ago

Done! This site has been a God send over the years. Thank you!! Barb

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Eliquis interactions with supplements and herbs - 2 years ago

Did you happen to notice if it mentioned Eliquis too, Steven?

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Eliquis interactions with supplements and herbs - 2 years ago

Hello all - after 2 ablations and a Watchman, all done by Dr. Natale, I have been Afib free for 9.5 years. I continue on a low dose of Eliquis 2.5mg/BID, as a precaution, at the recommendation of Dr. Natale, as I had a LAA ablation. I'm fine with it except when I want/need to take something that might interact with it. I would like to take a product that has Berberine in it. When I G

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is AF Necessarily Progressive? - 2 years ago

HI Jim - I don't know what kind of Flutter it was. When I got it, it was the one and only time I had to be cardioverted, and that only lasted 2 weeks. The "touch up" ablation wasn't that long, and I recouped very quickly afterwards. I remember my sister and I walking downtown either later that day or the next morning....I'm sorry I don't have more detailed informa

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: booster shot for Covid - 2 years ago

I had AFib for over 10 years. Then a Dr. Natale ablation. Then Flutter. Dr. Natale again. I've also had every Covid shot offered, and have had zero problems - and have also never had Covid. I saw my brother suffer with Shingles for almost a year - in a lot of pain. I got my Shingles shot. I got walking pneumonia and felt lousy for a whole month. Got my pneumonia vaccine. I'm not afra

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is AF Necessarily Progressive? - 2 years ago

My Afib started with a big swig of Starbucks coffee, sitting in the car on our way back from our daughter's lacrosse game. I went on to have Afib fairly often, but could always - always, stop it with a brisk walk. I went "into gear",( meaning NSR) after I got to a certain speed, I guess. Because I could make it stop, I kept putting off doing anything about it. After getting to

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Eliquis and supplements - what's OK, what's not? - 2 years ago

This post is about Eliquis and interactions with that. I was concerned about getting too much blood thinning, hence my questions. Anyone else on this particular drug and interactions?

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Eliquis and supplements - what's OK, what's not? - 2 years ago

Which two are you referring to, Daisy?

by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM