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A forum for sharing experiences regarding atrial fibrillation and other atrial tachy-arrhythmias.
Magnesium Glycinate - 21 days ago
Anyone had any issues with Nutricost magnesium glycinate capsules (210 mg)????? Thanks Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Are you SURE you don't feel your Watchman? - 26 days ago
The only way I "know" i have a Watchman is that I went to Austin to have it installed.....then subsequent TEEs to confirm successful placement.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: The (Imaginary) Evils of Coffee - 27 days ago
QuoteKen I agree with Cary. We all want to know if there was/is a trigger, because if there was one, problem solved. It just happens! Over my history, I have had well over 200 episodes of afib (documented) and there was nothing identifiable regarding a trigger for any of them. I do think there are things that can increase the chances of having an episode (do some research if you wish), butby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Low dose Aspirin - 6 weeks ago
I am in a similar situation as you......Natale flutter ablation is March last year, and a Watchman in June. Was taking Xeralto. After the second TEE to confim proper placement of the Watchman in December, Natale stopped the Xeralto and recommended 86 mg aspirin everyother day. I am very active and noticed that I get more bruises on my hands and arms than with the Xeralto......especially get myby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Watchman Update - 6 weeks ago
Question..... Was told after the TEE the Watchman was "perfectly" in place. What if any subsequent tests should be required for the Watchman?? Natale had mentioned a TEE at two years.......or maybe a CT. I have no issues if an additional tests are necessary.......other than just all the procedures involved with the tests. The type anasthesia used does not seem to present an iby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Watchman Update - 7 weeks ago
Will have a TEE on Monday as a 1-year followup to the Watchman installation last July in Austin. Rather than return to Austin for this procedure, will do so here in Houston with my local EP cardiologist. Discussed having the test in Houston with Natale in December. Natale is very well acquainted with Scott Greenberg. Assume if all is normal, will not require a subsequent TEE for the Watchmaby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Mixed feelings about long distance doctoring - 5 months ago
Had my first ablation with Natale in March 2011 for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Last March required a touch-up flutter ablation with Natale......then Watchman installation, then two TEEs for varification of the Watchman. Have not had a lengthly discussion with Natale after each procedure......but he has always had a discussion with my wife. I do not see Natale for the conversation.....theby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Update on Stopping Blood Thinner - 6 months ago
Quotemjamesone Personally, I don't see the value of Watchman as a standalone, and even when paired with ablation, its potential problems have to be carefully weighed against its benefits. Jim In the fall 2024 expereinced a brief event of high heart rate, had a cardioversion and was placed on anti-coagulants. Then a flutter ablatiion in March with Natale. He said that his standardby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Looking for an oblation Dr. - 8 months ago
My TEE was on Decemberf 19.......in my conversation with Natale he told me to see him in six months. sby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Looking for an oblation Dr. - 8 months ago
QuoteCarlorea And does anyone have a recommendation for an oblationist in my area that has done thousands like Dr. Natale from one of the posts. My "two cents" worth. Rather than look for someone who is as good and as experienced as Natale.......opt for Natale!! I had a second ablation (flutter ablation) in March, followed by a Watchman installation and two TEE's last year.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Post Watchman TEE - 8 months ago
Carey.......most interesting idea. That verty thought had crossed my mind. Saved substantial cost by acquiring via the Canadian Pharmacy. Merry Christmas to All!!!!by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Post Watchman TEE - 8 months ago
Officially off anti-coagulants!!! Had my second post-watchman TEE on Friday, and Natale told me I could stop the Xeralto and switch to baby aspirin every other day. Wants to see me in six months. The only bad news.....have a significant supply of Xeralto left over (hope I never have to use)!!!! Steve Klein, Txby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure in AF Falls Short Again in CLOSURE-AF - 8 months ago
QuoteGeorgeN I am still wondering about the electrical isolation of your LAA. In hindsight, would it been better if that had not been done? I thought the LAA served no purpose, and was idle. But isolating it made the blood pool there even more? Of all the people who've posted here about their LAA isoation, I don't recall any who thought it was a bad idea. Outside of that, about 1by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Post Watchman TEE - 9 months ago
Will have a second post-Watchman installation TEE on December 19. If all is "perfect per Natale" will be able to stop the Xeralto. It appears that I will go to baby aspirin. Steve Klein, Tx Side note: Had a F2 tornado hit my subdivision on Monday afternoon......very, very close to our house....a few blocks!!! Forunately the path was very narrow and the major damage was liby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Dead ended in the phone mazes. - 9 months ago
I echo Carey's comments. Once the process starts you will be contacted with a variety of information, and after a procedure with Natale, you will be assigned a "nurse navigator" who will be a point of contact. Steve Klein, Txby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: My Second TEE after watchman - 9 months ago
Per Canadian Pharmacy, my intial Xeralto prescription was sourced from Turkey, and had Natale and Scott Greenberg (EP Cardilogist) not been supportive of Canadian Pharmacy, might have been skeptical about a source with such a price differiental. Incidentally, Natale said he told Greenberg about Canadian Pharmacy. After my first TEE to evaluate the Watchmen status, Natale cut my Xeralto dosaby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: My Second TEE after watchman - 9 months ago
Smackman.....maybe a little late for you, but my EP cardiologist steered me to Canadian Pharmacy for Xeralto (or any drug). He submitted a prescription and I got 84 days at about $170. My recent prescription renewal was slightly more expensive as there was tariff ($25) added to the cost. Natale also recommended Canadian Piharmacy. Steve Klein, Tx.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Anticoagulant/Cancer Question - 11 months ago
QuoteCarey Cancer can cause clotting disorders, so it's precautionary. I happened to have had an appointment with my long-time internist this week for another issue, and posed the same question. He gave me the same answer as you. However, he is very familiar with my cancer history......testicular cancer with an orchiectomy and no chemotherapy or other treatment. It was his opinion thatby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anticoagulant/Cancer Question - 12 months ago
Had an ablation for flutter in March with Natale. His protocol is to implant a Watchman when he performs an ablation three months post-procedure. Watchman implanted in June…..TEE in August to establish the Watchman is properly implanted. Second follow-up TEE planned for December. With the Watchman, hopefully will be able to stop the Xeralto. Ater the Watchman procedure Natale prescribed aby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Watchman/TEE - 1 year ago
I sent an email to Eric Jordan last week.......TCAI EP lab director. Thought it would be appropriate to share with Afibbers. I want to express my satisfaction for my experiences at TCAI. I got your contact information from Audrey Dieguez, my Nurse Navigator. I interact with her frequently. During my entire professional career I provided a service, and am sensitive to the level of serviceby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Watchman/TEE - 1 year ago
Had a Watchman procdure in June that required a TEE eight weeks post-procedure. Had the TEE last week, and it showed that the Watchman was, according to Natale.......Perfect! I will now have a second TEE six months post-procedure (December). If all is still "perfect", anticipate that I will be able to stop the Xeralto, or at least switch to baby aspirin. Natale reduced the Xeraltoby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Dr Natale's staff is failing me - Any experience with Dr. Vivek Reddy? - 1 year ago
I experienced a similar issue during that same time frame in effort to schedule my Watchman procedure.....had to call several days in a row to speak to the appropriate person, even though I left messages for someone to call me back. I learned that the person who was their procedure scheduler had left and they attempted to cover with other staff until a new scheduler was on board. Not an excuse,by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Watchman - 1 year ago
Follow up..... Since I was not having any symptoms of arrhythmia, I was interested in why Natale ablated " a couple of spots" on the right side of my atrium. Posed the question to my nurse navigator, and Natale explained that when they do a Watchman procedure they do a search for any sites that may have the potential for future issues. First the left side of the atrium and if no poby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Watchman - 1 year ago
Highly recommend the Drury.....have stayed there when in Austin for over 30 years. All suites and with a reasonable rate. Very convenient to St Davids.......only a couple of miles from the hotel to the parking garage. Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Watchman - 1 year ago
Left St Davids Friday morning after having a Watchman implanted on Thursday and returned home. Feel great. Natale told us that he also ablated a "couple of spots" on the right side of the atrium. I will return in 8 weeks to have a TEE to confirm that the Watchman is properly inplanted. My dosage of Xerelto was reduced 50 percent, and if all goes as planned, will be able to stop enby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago
I was just there in March for a flutter ablation......back next week for a Watchman. I was told that Natale now implants a Watchman with every ablation. He does not do it in one procedure......waits three months. Believe there are now six labs in the new facility versus two labs previously. The place is impressive!!!!!! Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Watchman - 1 year ago
Headed to Austin next week for a Watchman procedure on June 19th. Had an ablation for flutter on March 11, and at that time Natale told me he now implants a Watchman on all ablations.....but does not do it in one procedure....usually three months later. Hopefully will be able to get off the Xerelto some time afterwards. Fortunately, my local EP cardiologist steered me onto a Canadian pharmacby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Hotels in Austin - 1 year ago
Very late to this question . Had an ablation for flutter with Natale in March. St David's/TCAI provided me with a hotel list......budget to higher end hotels that they recommended. Many offerred a discount throught TCAI. I stayed at the Drury located near I-35 and US 290 with a great rate $100v++. Over the years have stayed at the Drury or other hotels in the same area many times.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Re: Atrial Flutter Ablation - 1 year ago
George.....you are correct. It was my bad in choice of terms. Don't know why I said closed. It was explained to me in the pre-op meeting that the LAA would be isolated since this was my second ablation. Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM