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Re: 7 Day Heart Monitor—Dr. Natale - 3 months ago

Pixie thank you for that info. Nice to know perhaps there is another option to choose from. Carey makes a nice point, an elastic band/strap would be great. Maybe could even be removed for bathing.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 7 Day Heart Monitor—Dr. Natale - 3 months ago

Susan - Does the Bardy Cam only get placed in a doctor office or is it similar to a Zio where they mail it all to you? Thanks.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 7 Day Heart Monitor—Dr. Natale - 3 months ago

I too am about to schedule my annual monitor. I do not like wearing. I always have issues with adhesion because I sweat, and bathing is a challenge. Does anyone have knowledge of how insurance companies handle the monitor now that we have a choice? Or can anyone compare adhesion properties between the Zio and the Bardy Cam?

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Co Q10 question - 4 months ago

I posted in another thread about taking De3 omega and vitamin D supplements at recommendation of my eye people post-cataract surgery for dry eye. I was extremely skeptical, but decided to give it a try. That was 2 months ago, and within a week my joints (many broken bones, multiple ortho surgeries) were essentially pain free, and have stayed that way.I was and still am astounded at the effect. An

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti- arrhythmic meds - 5 months ago

I would look at the anti-arrhythmics only as a possible stop-gap between now and the ablation months away. I went down the list and stopped taking them before I got to Tikosyn and amio. They were problematic for me, and expensive. Required in-hospital admission for sotalol. Most were pro-arrhythmic, and stall caused long conversion pauses that had me right at edge of syncope. Looking back I woul

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Fish Oil consensus? - 5 months ago

I'm not one to usually comment on supplements and effectiveness or side effects. 3 weeks ago, however, at the suggestion of my eye surgeon I started De 3 Omega Benefits, taking 2400 mg rTG Omega 3 with vitamin D. The following week when I met with my O.D. he OK'd them at that quantity, and doesn't see a need to test any liver function etc. My cholesterol numbers are enviable

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Watchman Leak: Low Dose Eliquis or Baby Aspirin? - 7 months ago

I had my Watchman when Carey did, and Natale now has me on every other day low-dose aspirin. No leaks.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anesthesia for dental procedure - 9 months ago

The bonus of using anesthetic w/o an epinephrine is the effects wear off much faster.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Watchman - 12 months ago

.5mg bid Eliquis is not a hard and fast Natale recommendation. He switched me from .5 bid to a daily low dose aspirin about a year after the Watchman implant. It wasn't advice or a recommendation really, more of a this is what I want you to do going forth.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Co-Worker Ablation Death - 1 year ago

QuoteGeorgeN That is awful about your coworker. ...... This can be an issue at teaching hospitals. Condolences to cornerbax's co-worker and all affected. My first ablation was with a well-known EP at a teaching hospital. It lasted 11hrs 47mins. I was a mess. Through the kindness of a stranger here and Shannon, I was fixed 6 weeks later in Austin. At the elite level things happen too

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: In Recovery- Successful Ablation - 1 year ago

I experienced ocular migraines after 2 ablations and a Watchman placement. They have significantly decreased in the past 3 years. Now I get maybe one or 2 a year.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dr. Natale’s Watchman Protocols - 1 year ago

I had a recent Telemed and asked Shannon about this. I am one who has been on low dose aspirin almost exclusively after the 45 day period, back in ...'18? There was a several month time frame where I did the low dose Eliquis, then he had me switch to low dose aspirin. I've never received a clear to me answer as why. Shannon said the choice to be imaged is completely up to me, but she ma

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Natale Telehealth Consult - 2 years ago

I have a Telemed scheduled with Shannon to review a week long Vital Patch. When they called to schedule, I was asked if I wanted Dr. Natale or Shannon for the appt. I've developed a rapport with Shannon, so I went ahead and reserved time with her. It works for me just like Daisy said: a phone call from a staffer about an hour before the scheduled time to review current meds and I'm sure

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Sotolol NEXT - 2 years ago

For me Sotalol included mandatory hospital stay for onboarding and dangerous conversion pauses (I was told not to drive.) I had less episodes w/o Sotalol than with. Everyone is different. Good luck.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: EP Update and Plan - 2 years ago

My "plan" by my first EP was very similar, and I followed like a lemming off the cliff. Medications caused me all sorts of issues, the worst of them conversion pauses, which in me caused near-syncope. I was told to stop driving. There's also the stress and just plan suckiness of being onboarded for sotalol or tikosyn. This little medication journey was 6 months of hell. For some

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: New Member Seeking Advice - 2 years ago

I had an immediate positive effect from CPAP therapy. I used to need afternoon naps - could barely keep my eyes open by 3pm. A good sleep study, whether in-patient or at home will help with a possible diagnosis. I havent gone a night w/o CPAP therapy in 6 years. I can't say it did or didn't affect my # of episodes, because a week after starting CPAP therapy, I had a Natale ablation.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: booster shot for Covid - 2 years ago

My first 2 shots were Pfizer, and all subsequent shots Moderna, including this fall's booster. And a flu vaccine. I was a complicated case when I got to Dr. Natale and TCAI, and my afib is now in "remission". To the best of my knowledge I have had zero side effects from the mRNA vax's, or from the flu shots. I have also never, to the best of my knowledge, had COVID, t

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dear Afibbers, one and all ... - 3 years ago

I think his presence and contributions live on through you and so many here that strive to educate others and themselves, and to share that knowledge in ways that have been so helpfu. I'm grateful to these gifts he shared and has passed down, for I am surely one that has benefitted from them.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: What is the longest you've been afib-free after an ablation? - 3 years ago

QuoteMaria23 Thank you, AB Page. Happy for your 6 years. You're welcome Maria. While my words carry no influence, my story is like so many others, connected to Dr. Natale through the selfless acts performed by Shannon. Best to you as you develop your course of treatment with your EP.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: What is the longest you've been afib-free after an ablation? - 3 years ago

My first ablation, 6 weeks. Not done by Dr. Andrea Natale and the incredible staff at St. David's/TCAI in Austin. My 2nd ablation just about 2 months later by Dr. Andrea Natale and the incredible staff at St. David's/TCAI in Austin, is coming up on 6 years free of any known arrhythmias of a duration longer than :30, and free of all anti-arrhythmics. I'm still in awe and overflow

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Antiarrhythmic drugs, what and why... - 3 years ago

In regards to my AFIB treatment path, I can say one of the most uncertain, frightening and stressful periods was when my local EP (at the time) essentially started down the list of AA's for me to sample. Every one was a combination of ineffectiveness and side-effects, like 3-4 second conversion pauses and 4 day hospital stays. Hindsight is indeed 20-20, and if I could, I'd go back and g

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Any need for ANY blood thinners after Watchman implant? - 3 years ago

As Carey said, the answer is different for different people. Carey and I are about the same age, height, build with similar prior levels of exercise and we had our watchman's placed about 45 minutes apart. He's on half dose Eliquis, Dr. Natale has kept me on low dose aspirin. I suspect it is for a couple reasons - including family history of heart and cardiovascular disease.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Using Natale and local EP- how does that work? - 4 years ago

From personal experience, find your A team first. For me, it's Natale. Then pick your B team for local, and make sure he/she is genuine in respecting that only the A team does procedures, and is willing to participate in your care, and will communicate with TCAI as needed. I had to switch local EP's after I learned about Dr. Natale and TCAI from Shannon. My then local EP crossed t

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: New Video Interview with Professor Shane Crotty P.h.D. from La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Shannon Dickson - 4 years ago

Very well done Shannon. Very thoughtful discussion. So gracious of Dr. Crotty to share with the afibbers community. Thanks for making the connection and sharing the knowledge and information with everyone here.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Remaining on blood thinners post Watchman procedure - 4 years ago

In 18' after Dr. Natale implanted the FLX and after the 45 day protocol I asked to stay on half dose Eliquis, instead of low dose aspirin. I did for about a year, when for reasons unknown to me, he was fairly adamant about dropping Elliquis and taking up low dose aspirin. Which is what I have done to this day. I need to ask, but I suspect the reasons are for life style choices I made when I

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Austin Called Me Today (prior to 7/7) - 4 years ago

QuoteCarey we tried it and damn was it good! Very different and very interesting. Indeed. It was delicious and different but Texas through and through.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My update tues may 25 - 5 years ago

All three wonderful human beings. Many of us have had the good fortune of being on the receiving end of their giving, and as you now know, it's hard to measure the good they do for us. I was in a very similar situation - botched 1st ablation that introduced high rate tachycardia. The phone calls with Shannon were essentially a literal life line for which I will be forever grateful. And the b

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Sleep apnea - 5 years ago

My local EP, my sleep doctor (pulmonologist?) and Dr. Natale are all in agreement that for my mild sleep apnea, using a CPAP every night is the right choice. I felt better immediately when I started using it, and I believe it is another tool to help your heart and other systems operate optimally. Some folks have a hard time adapting, but after 2 or 3 nights I settled in to it. How do we kno

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Back in Austin - 5 years ago

Best to you, and I agree - that new wing is indeed amazing, as are the people at TCAI/St Davids.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does taping your mouth shut before sleep reduce afib? - 5 years ago

Quotehwkmn05 CPAP mask. Yep, and until there's a better way, I'm just fine with this. Accept, adapt and reap the benefits.

by AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM