Show all posts by user

Re: Can't make a dent in Rochester - 4 days ago

Douglas Packer MD was an EP at Mayo Clinic Rochester that I contacted several years ago when I needed a new EP. I learned of him through the annual STOP AFIB conference. He was the Director of the Heart Rhythm Services and Director of the Translational Electrophysiology Research Laboratory. He is the former president of the Heart Rhythm Society, and a member of their Board of Trustees. Unfo

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: covid vax? - 4 days ago

QuoteDaisy We are talking about the same EP. I had a booster at the beginning of September, arrhythmias got much more frequent, ablation in November, no arrhythmias since. Daisy, your experience is exactly what I want to avoid! I also want to avoid getting COVIID! What difficult decisions to make. After 2 failed ablations, I finally found an EP who knew how to handle my case and I

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: covid vax? - 5 days ago

QuoteDaisy My electrophysiologist advised me not to get any more boosters as he had seen cardiac implications that concerned him. After my last booster, I did have an exacerbation of arrhythmias. So it seems to depend on who you ask. Daisy, we may be talking about the same electrophysiologist. I ask every year to see if the opinion on getting the COVID vaccine has changed and the answer is a

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anesthesia for dental procedure - 7 weeks ago

Daisy, George and Carey, thank you for your comments. The information is appreciated.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Anesthesia for dental procedure - 7 weeks ago

I am going to be having a relatively short dental procedure. I told the oral surgeon that I could not have any anesthesia that would affect the heart. He saw I had a history of AFIB and said he would use 4% citanest plain prilocaine hydrochloride. Any thoughts or experience with this anesthesia is appreciated.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Bed mattress - 3 months ago

Thanks everyone for responding. I appreciate it.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PAC’s And PF Ablation - 3 months ago

QuoteQwackertoo The call is scheduled for while we are in transit to Austin so I’ve planned to stop at least 15 minutes prior so there will be no road noise or traffic distractions. Just an FYI, my call was scheduled while we were driving there and it was at least 45 minutes prior to the expected time. Luckily, my notebook and pen were very easy to reach and all went ok despite being in a m

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Bed mattress - 3 months ago

Quotesusan.d Putting this topic to “bed”…:-) AI Overview No, Tencel fabric itself cannot penetrate into one's bloodstream in the way that, for example, a drug injected intravenously would. Here's why: Tencel fibers are too large to pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream. One source describes Tencel fibers as finer than cotton, but still a size that would interact with th

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Bed mattress - 3 months ago

Carey, just one more thing because I know I should now be posting in the general forum…. A mattress from another company makes their mattress top cover from a fabric called tencel made out of the wood pulp from a eucalyptus tree!! Eucalyptus is a red flag for me because of arrhythmia issues. What are your thoughts on that? If you have not purchased a mattress in a while, you would not believ

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Bed mattress - 3 months ago

QuoteCarey Hopefully I am way “over-thinking” this one as Carey has pointed out to me in the past. I may have thought you were overthinking something in the past, but you're not now. I would never buy any piece of furniture, bedding, etc. that was infused with some unspecified concoction of "essential oils and minerals." Why the hell does a mattress need anything infused? And

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Bed mattress - 3 months ago

Susan wrote: I noticed under my search many hits for green non toxic organic mattresses. mentions: Rest easy knowing your mattress is free from flame retardant chemicals, polyurethane foams, and fiberglass. That’s probably not healthy. Susan, your AI search, was the essence of what I was reading from multiple sites and Saatva was the mattress brand I was interested in. Regarding

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Bed mattress - 3 months ago

Quotesusan.d Maybe they added the oils to block some other toxic stink. I’m on my third pillow from Amazon and just returned the last one. I read Amazon feedback 1 ratings before I buy stuff. You would be surprised how many complaints are about odors. Check on Amazon the mattress in question and read about other complaints about the oils., Susan, thank you so much for your reply. The mattre

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Bed mattress - 3 months ago

At the risk of TRULY EMBARRASSING myself, here it goes!!! After my 3rd ablation and a touch-up (third and touch-up performed by Dr. Natale), I remain on 5 mgs Eliquis daily and at the end of September, I will be three years AFIB free and don’t want to do anything to affect that. So here it goes…..after researching bed mattresses at length, my husband and I chose the one we thought would be

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Melatonin - 4 months ago

QuoteQue Coincidentally found this supplement, which has an NSF seal Thanks for the video and information. I purchased 1mg. Melatonin from Life Extension. I think it has the NFS seal but I will check that again. If you are taking melatonin, have you had any arrhythmia issues?

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Melatonin - 4 months ago

George and Anti-Fib, thank you for responding to my post. I appreciate it.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Melatonin - 5 months ago

I know there have been posts about melatonin, but I could not find anything about anyone experiencing any arrhythmia while taking it. I would be taking a 1mg dose. Arrhythmias are listed on some sites as a possible side effect and that is why I am asking. Any information is appreciated. .

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 'Kay, now it's gettin' spooky... - 7 months ago

You got that right, gloaming!!🥺

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Just checking - 7 months ago

I found this unusual, too! I can always count on you for a good response, gloaming!!

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Telehealth - 9 months ago

There is nothing to stop anyone from paying for the visit out of pocket. If you are his patient, realistically in comparison, if you would drive or fly there to be seen or be treated an out of pocket expense for a telehealth visit is cheaper than what you are willing to pay for travel and hotel. You are right. I will be paying out of pocket for the telephone visit. My intent was to share t

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Telehealth - 9 months ago

You are absolutely right. I just edited my post to reflect that it is for Medicare recipients! Thanks for catching that.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Telehealth - 9 months ago

I am sharing this because I know there are many Dr. Natale patients on this forum. I am an out-of-area patient of his and I have always been aware of what the telehealth coverage is for people who are on Medicare. I thought I was “on top” of that until today when I called his office to schedule my yearly telehealth appointment. His scheduler told me that, as of now, the benefits will be changi

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: I feel anxious.... - 1 year ago

I wish you well with your next ablation, Megan.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

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

QuoteCarey That is the main reason, and you probably heard strokes sometimes being worse than death from me because I like to remind people of that. But keep in mind there are two types of strokes: Embolic strokes, which are usually caused by blood clots and are the type we with afib worry about, but there are also hemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by bleeding in the brain. Brain bleeds

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

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

QuoteJakeL The question that needs to be answered is -- Which option below reduces the risk of stroke the most: 1. Full dose of Eliquis per day 2. Watchman procedure and 1/2 dose of Eliquis per day 3. Watchman procedure and full dose of Eliquis per day 4. Watchman procedure alone Given all of these considerations, I would opt to go with option #3, Watchman and full dose of Eliqu

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

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

QuoteG48 I just got off the phone with Shannon having a preop phone call regarding my 2nd ablation and watchman implant on 8-21 and I queried her about the watchman blood clot protocol. She advised me that the way Dr Natale handles the follow-ups is as follows: 2 months after the implant, the patient will be physically present at St. David's for a TEE. At 6 months, 1 year, and 2 year marks a

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

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

QuoteAB Page 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 m

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

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

QuoteDaisy Yes, I was told that he was doing a final 2 year scan in a consult I had with him about 6 months ago, but I haven’t discussed it with him or Shannon since. I will ask about it on my next consult. If he has seen a few clots, it seems like a good precaution.[/quote Daisy, My 1 year CT was fine. I would not have known he recommended a 2 year CT until I saw your post about that a

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dilitiazem shortage? - 1 year ago

I just called Walgreens for my diltiazem XR refill and asked if they had heard anything about a shortage for this medication. The tech said he had not heard about that but would not be surprised because they have a low supply on their shelves. That response does not confirm much, but I just wanted to share it. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

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

G48, thanks for the response. I look forward to hearing about what he tells you.

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM

Dr. Natale’s Watchman Protocols - 1 year ago

I read on this forum that because a few people have developed blood clots a year after their watchman implant, Dr. Natale is recommending a CT scan at the 2 year mark. Since I am approaching 2 years post watchman, I reached out twice to his office to see what the protocol is and who it applies to. I am getting no response, so I am asking any Dr. Natale folks on this forum if they have been cont

by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM