Show all posts by user

Re: PFA Ablation by Dr. Natale in December - 9 months ago

Thanks to everyone that shared your experiences. Hoping for the best.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

PFA Ablation by Dr. Natale in December - 10 months ago

So it's been 8 years since my first episode and now it's time to pull the trigger. Ablation is scheduled in late December and will be done by Dr. Natale in Austin. Pre-op consultation with Dr. Natale is in early December. While I've done extensive research throughout the years and pretty much know everything about afib and ablation, when the date is approaching, I started to feel a

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

Thanks a lot for the information. It is very helpful! I have reached out to Dr. Natale's coordinator and hopefully I can be seen soon.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

I know going to Austin for ablation by Dr. Natalie is the best bet. But he also see patience in La Jolla 2 days and La Robles 3 days per month. Does either of these 2 places have equivalent environment/equipment like Austin? If I do ablation in either of these 2 places, would it affect the outcome compared to going to Austin?

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

Amiodarone may be justified in your case, provided the symptoms as described. But for me, although I almost have episodes everyday, but they lasted couple hours to a few hours. Actually, I function best by taking PIP instead of on regular flecainide. But I’m still worrying about taking amiodarone from now on till 3 months after ablation, that would be almost 5 months.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

Do you know if Dr. Natale is using Pulsed Field (PFA) or Radiofrequency Ablation (RF)?

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

Thank you so much for the details, totally makes sense. I thought about how they can induce afib to pinpoint the abnormal cells too. But I haven't got the chance to ask the EP. In fact, after the first consultation, I wouldn't have another visit with him until the ablation day, which makes me think shouldn't they at least run some testing or mapping beforehand? I will definitely as

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

Yes, he wants to put me on 400 mg amiodarone twice a day for 2 weeks, then 200 mg twice a day for 2 weeks, thereafter 200 mg once a day until ablation, and after ablation will continue the course and adjust or reduce, then eventually took it off. Is there any problem with this? I haven't heard of a lot of people used amiodarone in this forum, and I'm really concerning about the adverse

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Scheduled PFA at Keck Medicine of USC, and questions about amiodarone - 1 year ago

After fighting afib for 8 years, I finally gave in and I'm scheduled for pulse field ablation at Keck Medicine of USC in mid-July. EP is one of their leading professors and EP. Has anyone had their ablation there? I was put on flecainide 100 mg twice a day, eliquis 5 mg twice a day and metoprolol 25 mg twice a day. But after 3 days free of afib, I had breakthrough of afib, so I took one m

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: I'm back, lol - 1 year ago

Thank you for the info! I attempted to get an appointment with Dr. Natale in CA back in 2017 but the wait was months long, and the pre-requisite paperwork they requested was too much to handle, so I didn't actually see Dr. Natale back then. Will definitely take the flight instead of going to local facility then.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

I'm back, lol - 1 year ago

It's been a while that I haven't logged into this forum, more than 7 years actually. I had first afib episode in August 2017, and got 10 episodes total til September 2018, then for some reason, it all stopped for a good 4 years until I took the 2nd dose of the god damn COVID vaccine. Then the episode just got more frequent, from once a few months, everyday, and now I'm having r

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: stopped AF - 8 years ago

This is great to know that the method works on multiple people. Hope I don't have to use it, but it afib happens again, I'll try.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: CO2, ERP, conversion, apnea, remission - 8 years ago

George, This is very interesting. Would you think converting by exercising shares the same mechanism as holding breath? I converted by exercising for the last two espies, the first episode I ran really hard then converted after stopping for about 1 minute. The 2nd episode, I ran really hard again, but didn't convert, then after resting for a few minutes, I ran again but with a mu

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Afib & Obstructive Sleep Apnea - 8 years ago

QuoteCarey I tested holding my breath for one and half minutes until I felt really really uncomfortable but the SPO2 would only drop to 94%. Now I know how severe 80% is. And now you know the likely cause of your afib as well. But the two nights I got afib while wearing the O2 sensor, it doesn't how a very low SPO2 level before the onset. Both nights were only down to about 88%. But t

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Afib & Obstructive Sleep Apnea - 8 years ago

QuotePompon I bought an O2 sensor (this ), and wore it nightly. It's been about two months now. Occasionally I found my SPO2 would drop to as low as 80% during sleeping. Most of time dropped to about 88%. But interestingly, even when I lay in bed awake, the SPO2 could drop to 92% and trigger the vibration alert. Then I could normally do a few deep breaths to bring up the SPO2 level. If I w

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Afib & Obstructive Sleep Apnea - 8 years ago

Quotemwcf What Carey says. 80% is waaay low. Do all of your AF episodes occur at night?? Yes, only and exclusively at night while I was sleeping. Woke me up every time. However I was able to terminate the last two episodes by exercising. As I tested, my afib doesn’t react to any food or activity I do in daytime. But if I felt too relax before fall asleep that was the time afib happened.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Afib & Obstructive Sleep Apnea - 8 years ago

I bought an O2 sensor (this ), and wore it nightly. It's been about two months now. Occasionally I found my SPO2 would drop to as low as 80% during sleeping. Most of time dropped to about 88%. But interestingly, even when I lay in bed awake, the SPO2 could drop to 92% and trigger the vibration alert. Then I could normally do a few deep breaths to bring up the SPO2 level. If I wear it for cou

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: A quick question, could very fast heart rate in AF induce VF? - 8 years ago

Thanks everyone that gave your information in above. Really appreciate all your answers! Seems like I can try exercising without worrying too much should it happen again. You guys are like lighthouses that guiding the newbies in the dark. Awesome! Thank you!

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

A quick question, could very fast heart rate in AF induce VF? - 8 years ago

In the last episode, I tried exercising to convert. So I ran really hard and heart rate shot up to 228. Kind of scary but I didn't feel anything, no dizzy, no tiredness, no short of breath but just feeling the heart bouncing around. Then I rested for a few minutes and did a slower running which converted me in about one minute. The question is, could the fast heart rate brought up by hard ex

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Stem Cell Cures for AFIB - 8 years ago

Yea. One thing I should be thankful is mine is vagal afib. So I can run and do whatever I want like before without worrying it would trigger afib. Night time is still a bit tough though.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Stem Cell Cures for AFIB - 8 years ago

Quotewolfpack The elimination of panic is Step #1. That should be the goal of any support group, forum and, yes, even healthcare providers! I agree with you. But when I expressed hopeless, frustration, anxiety, depression and fear about afib, I got slapped by some people who may have dealt with afib for too long that have forgotten about the initial emotions and been dismissive. Most d

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How Strange - 8 years ago

That’s like me. About three hours into sleep. Mine never happened when I am awake and not ever triggered by any food. It could be vagal or caused by other things like other people said.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: AF only in wee hours of the morning - 8 years ago

I agree with George. In my last few episodes, I either had extreme emotional stress or physical stress th bday before the onset. The episodes didn’t happen while I was experiencing the stress but when I was sleeping at night. I think when i am awake, my brain is doing its job to regulate heart rate and nerves. Then when I go into sleep, without intervention from the brain, the autonomous nerves g

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

How efficient is ablation on vagal afib? Any first hand experience? - 8 years ago

Would ablation work on vagal afib just as the same?

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Strategy for flecainide dosage reduction - 8 years ago

Karen, I'm 10 years younger than you. I got afib all in a sudden last August. While knowing there's no cure for such condition and feeling frustrated, I'm finding all abnormalities in my body and correcting them in the hope of kicking afib away. Many people would jump right into ablation or will eventually get an ablation after a period of try and fail. I'm working hard to

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Would Kaiser refer to Dr Natalel? - 8 years ago

Thank you Shannon for the detail explanation. Looks like the better option is to switch plan.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Would Kaiser refer to Dr Natalel? - 8 years ago

Anyone using Kaiser and can get them refer to Dr Natale? How can you do it?

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Should I start taking Flecainide daily? - 8 years ago

Looks like everyone mentions Dr Natale had a great success in ablation. I wonder if I should expect to be afib free for at least quite a few years if done by Natale? Down the road I think going to him is the only solution.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Long story.. advice would be greatly appreciated - 8 years ago

Hi Billy, sorry to heart your struggle. So you got your first afib at age 37...I got mine at 36 when having multiple stressful events and anxiety. Through your post I can kind of seeing my not so bright future. I’m sure someone is going to advise you to get an ablation with Dr Natale. But well, you’ll need to get proper insurance first... I jut wanted to know how was your quality of life in t

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Ablation this Friday with Dr. Natale - 8 years ago

How did your ablation go? Hope it was smooth and successful.

by kong2018 - AFIBBERS FORUM