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Ablation for Afib Completed - 9 months ago

Hi! I just had the Synaptic compliant cryoablation balloon and system procedure for my paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. I am part of a clinical trial study in Phoenix at Banner University Medical Center. I am 2 days post procedure. Overall, I am doing well. I am experiencing the slight tightness in my chest, along with a sore throat and headache (I am sure from the anesthesia). The groin are

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 1st Ablation Scheduled - 10 months ago

Thank you, All. I believe a common sense approach is best but after dealing with the erratic way my heart would beat given my constant need to check my heart rate on my Garmin and then think I was within normal range for the intensity of the exercise, my heart rate would suddenly "shoot up" as if coming from almost nowhere. Mystifying. I would find myself resuming back to a slower p

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

1st Ablation Scheduled - 10 months ago

Hi, All: I have been on this forum for well over a year and recently decided to have my 1st cryoablation. I am actually part of a clinical trial with Synaptic Medical Corporation as recommended to me by my EP for participation in the study. I have paroxysmal Afib. I have been addressing my Afib, first with a change in my thyroid medication to lower the strength due to treatment for hypothyr

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Cancer Radiation Treatments & Afib - 1 year ago

Thank you, Susan. It appears like it is worth a try. I read other posts about calcium and how it impacts Afib. I was taking a magnesium that had calcium and that raised a red flag for me. So, I went back to the magnesium I typically take, to which caused no Afib episode.. Due to the change, it made a difference and so far, today, my heart is in normal sinus rhythm. Let's hope that did t

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Cancer Radiation Treatments & Afib - 1 year ago

Hi, I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer this summer. Fortunately, it was caught in its early stages. I received 15 rounds of radiation therapy as part of the treatment plan (no chemo, thank goodness). The cancer was in the left breast. I believe the medical professionals (M.D. Anderson) were very skilled and knowledgeable and was rest assured by the radiation oncologist that the

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Vitreous Detachment/Macular Degeneration/Xarelto - 1 year ago

Hi, Carey: I spent some time researching the internet and specifically typed in Xarelto and Vitreous Detachment. One thing led to another and this is what I found. It apparently, for some reason, is more common among men but I did enter my information into the clinical study to see if anyone else (woman, my age) had the same results of using both Xarelto and a side effect of Vitreous Detachm

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Vitreous Detachment/Macular Degeneration/Xarelto - 2 years ago

I read taking Xarelto over a period of time can affect your vision. One possible side effect is Macular degeneration, the most common retinal disorder people can have. In a clinical study, men who took Xarelto were also found to develop vitreous detachment another retinal disorder. As a woman who was treated for Afib and prescribed Xarelto as the blood thinner of choice by my cardiologist, I r

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Xarelto-Best Way to Wean Off the Drug - 2 years ago

Thank you, Carey. Makes sense.

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Xarelto-Best Way to Wean Off the Drug - 2 years ago

I was wondering what is the best way to wean off from Xarelto? I was told a baby aspirin is a good substitute once off Xarelto? Are there any particular side effects one should expect while tapering off? I have been taking Xarelto for less than a year, 20 mg 1 x a day. Prior to taking Xarelto I took EPA/DHA capsules daily. The doctor said if I go off Xarelto, to take a baby aspirin. Thank y

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Thank you, Carey, for clarifying that for me. In thinking about both my parents, who are no deceased, they were on anticoagulants but at the time, referred to as blood thinners. Then there is the other one I hear which is don't take anti-inflammatory medications, as well, prior to a procedure. You obviously know a lot about the subject of Afib. I appreciate your moderating this site. I

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Hi, Elizabeth: Wow! Almost 90. Congratulations. I am thin and not overweight myself. Have always been that way, overall. I appreciate the comments you made in response to my questions. I wonder if I will follow in your tracks, regarding Afib. I, too have, paroxysmal afib, or at least that is what it shows on my chart. I learned that one's T3 level can be affected when an i

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Hi, Carey: Often times, certain medical procedures require discontinuing the use of aspirin, blood thinners and anti inflammatory drugs Would an anti-coagulant be included to stop taking? Thanks.

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Many thanks for your perspective on the aspirin v Xarelto discussion. There are side effects with taking Xarelto, aside from bleeding. It really is a blood thinner but noted as anticoagulant. One of the side effects, as I believe I read it on the label somewhere, it can cause macular degeneration. Perhaps in some cases, of course, but not all. And, I wonder the belief by some in the medical

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Hi, Elizabeth: Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I appreciate your comments about your own experiences. As I understood it, after I was diagnosed as having Afib, the role of the endocrinologist was to slowly bring up my TSH levels which included slowly weaning me down from all of the thyroid medication I was taking. My "TSH" level was practically "0."

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Yep. Agreed. My TSH level has gone up to a range of acceptability, per the labs just received this past week. Essentially, my pituitary gland was producing all of the TSH while I was stil l taking the drugs. My body was flooded with the stuff. Then Afib. So, now that has improved but, like a seesaw, my T3 level went down and is now out of the "acceptable range." It is a delicate

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Hi, Carey: Yes. I am no longer taking sotalol. The EP switched me to metoprolol of which I am now discontinuing. Had I not discovered it would affect my blood glucose levels, I would probably still be on it. I was not scheduled to see the EP for another 6 months. I think like many people, the fewer the meds needing to be taken, the better. Obviously, if the idea is to improve one's qu

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Thank you, gloaming, for taking the time to respond to my post. To read that I should not put too much stock into an elevated A1c level while taking a beta blocker such as Metoprolol left me with some relief, given your thoughts on the drug. I have an appointment with the endocrinologist for this week and will discuss her thoughts on whether I should go back on the drug. Honestly, I don't

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

Hi, Casey: Thank you for responding to my post. I felt a bit more at ease with your comments. Believe me, I simply did not know where to go with this current situation I am in. I do believe in hope. I have not had an Afib episode since I went on the sotalol and metoprolol, all very good. Just a reduction of my heart rate, which never really got as high as I see many people report. I neve

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Intoducing Myself - 2 years ago

Hi! I just posted for the first time myself. I am sorry James you had a lot to go through since you contracted the flu and now this. Who would have known your experience brought you here. I hope things work out for you and you remain healthy. I did want to add about Carey's comments and ablations performed by EP's. It seems like doctors are very eager to want to advise the abl

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM

Thyroid and Afib - 2 years ago

This is my first post to the site. I am a new member as of today. Last year I was diagnosed with Afib for the first time. The culprit was my thyroid and having too many meds that caused me to become hyperthyroid (my TSH level was off the chart "low") even though I was being treated for years for hypothyroidism. Given I had been running for many years, I thought the sudden rise in

by Diana - AFIBBERS FORUM