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Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 2 months ago

QuoteEricY Yes Daisy I know you had mentioned that. I did call the facility in Thousand Oaks. I don't remember what her name was but she didn't seem to know much and was in hurry to get off the phone. I suppose I should try calling the facility in Texas. I just want to know if they would provide an estimate or maybe they can't since ablation can require more time in some cases

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 3 months ago

Quote Unless they would accept previous tests I have already had like ECG's, holder monitor, echocardiograms, etc, etc. from Kaiser? They should accept your Kaiser tests if they are recent. They accepted all my medical records, but Natale wanted me to get a more recent echo which my local EP provided and sent. Please see my earlier post and if you are interested in going to Natale, spe

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 3 months ago

QuoteEricY Yes, our stories are similar Daisy. Are you off of all meds now? Yes, except I choose to continue with a half dose of Eliquis to help prevent the 10% of stokes that come from clots formed outside the LAA—but I am a lot older than you are!

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 3 months ago

Did you speak with Norma? She arranges Dr. Natale’s ablations for those traveling from out of town. If you did not speak with her, I can give you her contact information if you’re interested.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 3 months ago

Echoing Carey's post, my ablation with Natale was an index ablation but he did do mapping and then ablated the most common culprits to no avail. Afib and Flutter kept alternating and appearing in different places. In the end he traced it to the LAA so he did need to isolate it to put an end to the arrhythmias. Erik, our histories are quite similar: I had had Afib for about 10 years, was

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 3 months ago

QuoteEricY On a good note, happy to hear you had a successful ablation. I have heard that name Dr. Natalie a few times on this site. Unfortunately I have Kaiser so unless I want to spend thousands on going out of network, I have go through Kaiser One thing I think most all of us experienced patients here agree on is that the most important factor in a successful ablation is who does it. I don&

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 3 months ago

QuoteEricY Before I had popped the 1st Flecainide pill I had read about all of the nasty side effects, even death. I had a similar history with Flecainide and my EP did not take into consideration my weight when increasing my dose even though I really questioned taking 150 mg BID when I only weighed 125 lbs. Result--complete heart block which could have killed me had I not already had a pacema

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Had my pvc ablation! - 3 months ago

QuoteLos Robles insisted we used two finger pressure upon sitting and standing. Every nurse after each 6 procedures insisted. I had an angiogram, 4 ablations, and a watchman and each time I was instructed and policed to apply pressure. Perhaps it’s a Los Robles protocol to do. It isn’t an Austin thing so it must be a Los Robles protocol.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dealing with Nasal Congestion - 4 months ago

I find that a nasal spray with Propolis helps quite a bit. The one I have is made by Beekeepers Friend. While Flonase doesn't bother me, it only seems to help if I use it intermittently.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Any thoughts on CBD and Delta 9 THC - 4 months ago

QuotePoppino I use a small amount of delta 9 gummies. Bout 1/5th of recommended dose And now wonder if its causing me brief episodes of ? Tachy that last 3-10 mins self terminating I only use at night for sleep. Now itll be outlawed by next Nov I asked about taking THC for sleep and Natale's nurse checked--he recommended CBD instead. THC (even in very small amounts) had given me arrhyth

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Off of blood thinners - 4 months ago

Good news! Did they suggest a baby aspirin every day or every other day? When I was cleared after my Watchman he suggested I take 2.5 mg of Eliquis OR a baby aspirin every other day. Wonder if his recommendation has changed in the last couple of years?

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PFA Ablation by Dr. Natale in December - 5 months ago

QuoteThe worst about an ablation, now having had two? Lying flat on your back and being discouraged to even raise your head for the three hours after you awaken back in your cubicle. And you won’t even have to worry about that with Natale as he closes the venous puncture with a collagen plug. As I remember, I was in recovery for about an hour and then could sit up shortly after they wheeled me

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: taking Eliquis & Curcumin daily - 5 months ago

I asked my local EP and also my internist and both said it was fine to take them together—particularly as we are taking a half dose of Eliquis. I take both daily and have not noticed any increased bruising or bleeding. Good luck.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Resource for finding doctor? - 5 months ago

QuoteGeorgeN It is one reason Natale would be my ablating EP choice if I wanted an ablation. Yes, he does everything himself.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: covid vax? - 5 months ago

QuotePixie 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 i

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: covid vax? - 5 months ago

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.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Dr. Natale - TCA - St. David's - Austin - 6 months ago

Congratulations! And thanks for sharing your story. I woke up with that bandage on my neck after both my ablation and my Watchman--jugular vein I believe. At least they take if off in the hospital. QuoteQwackertoo I really had no idea I was at this level / condition with the Afib. I had progressed from once every 3 months or so to about once a month, almost like-clockwork schedule. Weird. Col

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: New Member and Really Hoping............... - 6 months ago

QuoteGeorgeN I want to make clear that flec is NOT a med to expoeriment with higher than recommended doses. I'm a bid fan of "minimum effective dose." The standard max dose/day is based on weight and is usually 200 mg/day (or for an on demand dose) if you weight 154#'s (70kg) or less. 300 mg/day if you weigh more. I want to second that from personal experience. My EP sta

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anticoagulant/Cancer Question - 6 months ago

QuoteCarey A TEE is the usual route but they must have a reason for wanting the CT. I would give the PA a call, express your concerns about radiation, and ask why they need it. When this came up for me, I was told that TCA had a method of enhancing the CT through equipment from Boston Scientific that they had there….or something like that! So when they receive your CT they take another step to

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Advice on electrophysiologist in Florida - 6 months ago

A lot of us here have traveled to have an ablation with Natale. Everything was very smooth and St. David’s hospital and the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute are great—wonderful care. My ablation was complex but Natale got me back into rhythm. Very glad I traveled to him. They have also arranged discounts at several Austin hotels.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: New Study - 7 months ago

QuoteCarey It has been uncommon but it's becoming increasingly common. However, if the ablation is going to touch the LAA, it's generally avoided because the mouth of the LAA where the Watchman fits can be swollen, so choosing the correct size would be hit or miss. When the swelling goes down, you could end up with a leaky Watchman. I think this is still Natale‘s policy as I know some

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anesthesia for dental procedure - 7 months ago

QuotePixie 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. I do fine with unpleasant dental procedures (like a root canal or extra

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Watchman/TEE - 7 months ago

QuoteAgain.....the level of care, professionalism and friendliness at TCAI and St David's is off-scale!!! Yep, that was exactly my experience too. And the hot breakfast and coffee was so thoughtful and welcome,

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Persistent Increased PACs after ablation? - 8 months ago

I waited too long for my ablation--about 9 years after diagnosis--because my EP didn't believe in them and convinced me to just stick with medications. In the end I self-referred to Natale, my ablation was complex, but I have not had a problem with PACs afterwards.

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Injuries reported during Watchman implantation due to improper ventilation - 8 months ago

Anyone know more about this?

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Probiotics ? - 8 months ago

QuoteI haven't been assigned my nurse in the AF clinic @ TCA just yet but should be in next couple of weeks with pre-op and post-op instructions. You may well have a different nurse giving you pre-op instructions than the nurse-navigator who will be assigned to you post-ablation. Nurse-navigators are like angels (at least mine was!) always available for about a year after your procedure, p

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PAC’s And PF Ablation - 8 months ago

My experience was the same as Pixie's--the time for the call is not set in stone as Natale makes the calls between procedures and he can never predict exactly how long a procedure will take. If you have an iPhone you can request a Facetime call--better in my opinion as you can see his facial expressions. Also, his Italian accent is pronounced and I asked if I could record the call and he was

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: AFib & Aura Migraines - 9 months ago

A number of us have had auras after an ablation, and the consensus seems to be that this is a result of the necessary puncture of the atrial septum. I experienced this after two procedures where the septum had to be punctured, but the aura dissipated and disappeared over the next few months as the puncture closed. Another question is: have you considered going to one of the top EP who does abl

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: New Pulsed-Field Ablation Device Found Effective at 1 Year - 9 months ago

Quotegloaming It would be good for me to see a paper on this, Daisy. Would you happen to recollect when/where this might have been posted? I found this (arguably dated now): This looks like a similar article to the one that I found earlier, but I don't have the reference at hand to my earlier research. The reason I was researching this is because pre-ablation, I had very high vagal

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: New Pulsed-Field Ablation Device Found Effective at 1 Year - 9 months ago

QuoteCarey the skill and experience of the practitioner, is what counts most if you're looking for successful ablations. I think that statement is 100% correct and it remains correct if you change "ablations" to any other medical procedure. All the top EPs are using PFA now but they're mostly all still using RF too because PFA can't address every area of the heart a

by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM