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Re: Has anyone had a bad reaction to the metals in a Watchman? - 2 years ago

Thanks all for your helpful replies. I will check with Orthopedic Analysis to find a doctor/lab that will help with this.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Has anyone had a bad reaction to the metals in a Watchman? - 2 years ago

Yesterday I saw my new EP for the first time to discuss implanting a Watchman as well as a possible ablation for my atrial fibrillation. I told him about my sensitivities to metals in connection with the Watchman as the Watchman contains both nickel and titanium. He said everyone is sensitive to nickel to some degree; just like touching poison ivy, we will all react. The only testing he does i

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Hi Carey, It's definitely not bruises because the purple and the numbness in the fingers go away when my hands warm up. However, I've never had this problem when the temp is in the 60's like it is now, so I'm wondering if the Eliquis is making my blood thinner, thus causing the problem? I'm currently 73. I didn't have this issue when I was on Xeralto, but that

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Speaking of side effects, I have been on Eliquis for about a week now and I've suddenly developed a purple coloration on my knuckles, and about an inch above and below the knuckles on both hands. I've had some numbness in my little finger of my left hand and my index finger of my right hand. And my toes get numb and cold as well. This happens off and on when I'm cold. And why a

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How to prevent blisters from EKG electrode adhesive? - 2 years ago

Well, we picked up the Cavilon barrier film wipes from the pharmacy to use under my Body Guardian event monitor, and it seems to be a success. It took us about an hour to figure out how to measure where the electrodes were on the mini adhesive patch that the monitor slides into, then cut out some masking tape the size of the electrodes, put that on my chest the correct distance apart, put more t

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: What Procedures Available to Isolate LAA other than Watchman? - 2 years ago

Susan, Did you contact the Orthopedic Analysis Lab in Chicago, , to find out what they have to offer in a metal allergen test for the Watchman? If so, what were your concerns about their testing? Thanks!

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Considering a LAA Occlusion Closure? Watch Out for Nickel Allergy - 2 years ago

That article at tmj.org was very helpful. I went to the website of the metal testing company, Orthopedic Analysis in Chicago, , and read all about what they offer in the way of test kits. I then emailed them at info@orthopedicanalysis.com with my questions about how

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How to prevent blisters from EKG electrode adhesive? - 2 years ago

Thanks to all for your help. Not sure what a Zio is, but the Tagaderm seems like an option if the Cavilon skin barrier doesn't work, which should be in later today at the pharmacy where we ordered it. Will keep in mind that the electrodes with the gel need to be able to be in contact with the skin or they won't work, per Carey. Will try to figure out how to do this by not put

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How to prevent blisters from EKG electrode adhesive? - 2 years ago

My husband found this product on Amazon. We read the reviews and it sounds like it creates a barrier to protect the skin from irritation from adhesives and still allows the adhesive to stick well. We ordered some from our local pharmacy and it will be in tomorrow. Will let the Forum know if it works and whether the heart monitor can still detect the heart beats through the Cavilon barrier.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

How to prevent blisters from EKG electrode adhesive? - 2 years ago

I received my BodyGuardian ECG in the mail yesterday. It has about a 6" mini strip acrylic adhesive that holds the monitor in place. I have multiple chemical sensitivities, including to electrode adhesives, and I am supposed to wear this monitor for 4 weeks in the same place. I phoned the company and they don't seem to have any solution other than to mail me a Bridge mini strip with

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

What Procedures Available to Isolate LAA other than Watchman? - 2 years ago

Are there other procedures to isolate the LAA other than the Watchman that don't involve devices that contain metal? Is the procedure still done that isolates the LAA by just sewing it shut? I really don't want to put anything metal in my body as I have multiple chemical sensitivities already and don't need even more problems in that area.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Considering a LAA Occlusion Closure? Watch Out for Nickel Allergy - 2 years ago

Wow! This Melisa blood test that has to go to Germany and be read within 48 hours seems overwhelming to me. Isn't there some place in the US that does this that is reliable? This process would be very stressful for me.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Considering a LAA Occlusion Closure? Watch Out for Nickel Allergy - 2 years ago

Hi Susan, Your post is very helpful, but I am confused about this statement: "Melisa Labs that does this test but it’s not worth the stress because they need the blood within 48 hours and that’s not easy post pandemic even with UPS courier services." So are you saying that I should not use Melisa Labs to get my metals tested because of the high cost and the need to get the blood there

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Considering a LAA Occlusion Closure? Watch Out for Nickel Allergy - 2 years ago

Thanks, Carey. I'll be sure to ask my EP about testing and what the newest metals content is of the Watchman. As you say, perhaps things have changed, and they've taken the nickel out of it by now.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Considering a LAA Occlusion Closure? Watch Out for Nickel Allergy - 2 years ago

I had been thinking about getting a Watchman implanted, but an Afibber friend sent me this article in which it is explained that part of the Watchman is made up of 50% nickel and 50% titanium. It also states that 15-20% of women have an allergy to nickel, and I believe I am one of them. And I may also have an allergy to titanium. If that is the case, one cannot get a Watchman. I don'

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Good to know, Carey. Guess I'll see what the EP, Dr Gidney, recommends and evaluate it then.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Thanks, Carey. I'll definitely be sure to get an anesthesia if I decide to do this. Getting a watchman is far more complicated than I thought, so I'm not sure if I want it done. If I need to be on a 1/2 dose of Eliquis after the ablation anyway, or something like it, I may reconsider.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Thanks, Carey. This is very helpful information. What is a Tee? How is that procedure done?

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

"He told me that I could opt for - baby aspirin, 1/2 dose of Eliquis, Plavix, or nothing at all. He said that there is not enough data at this point to definitively determine whether any closure options are a guarantee of stoke prevention for life. So now it is my personal choice. ChadVasc score of 1 - based on age in a few years according to the scoring I would be a 2." I've re

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Interactions of DHA and Eliquis - 2 years ago

I found this article by Dr Stephen Sinatra, a well known cardiologist, and thought others would be interested in what he has to say. "How to Safely Take Fish Oil and Blood Thinners" So back to our original question: Is it safe to mix fish oil and blood thinning drugs? I believe it is, as long as the dosages of all drugs (including fish oil) are managed properly. Modest amoun

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Interactions of DHA and Eliquis - 2 years ago

Thanks, Carey. That is very reassuring. I definitely didn't want to stop taking it if I didn't have to. I would have asked my cardiologist who prescribed it for me, but he doesn't seem to know much about supplements.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Interactions of DHA and Eliquis - 2 years ago

Thanks for your reply Carey. But I made a mistake about what Dr Natale said. Evidently, I got that mixed up with some other supplement. He never commented on fish oil to my friend taking 1/2 dose of Elliquis. Do you still think it is safe to take the DHA? I have been taking 1000mg per day. Thanks for your help.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Interactions of DHA and Eliquis - 2 years ago

I'm trying to find out whether it's okay to take DHA, not fish oil, with Eliquis. I went to Drugs.com and it didn't list DHA, only EPA. There was an interaction of moderate with EPA and Eliquis. Then I went to and it said that there was no problem for humans with DHA and Elliquis, but still rated the interaction as moderate, which doesn't make sense to me. Interaction

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Vitamin K2 and Eliquis Interactions? - 2 years ago

I will be starting to take Eliquis and want to be sure there are no interactions between it and my supplements. Does anyone know if there is a contraindication between Eliquis and Vitamin K2? I take 180mcg per day of Vitamin K2 MK7 to go with my 2500iu of vitamin D3. According to Drugs.com, there is no problem between the two. Other articles I found don't differential between K1 and K2,

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Thanks for everyone's help. Yes, Jackie Burgess told me that Natale has an works out of Thousand Oaks. That's about a 1.5 hour drive from where I live, but I'm sure Natale is booked solid and I wouldn't be able to get in to see him for a long time. At this point, I haven't done the Event Monitor yet so don't know if I need a second ablation, but I do want to g

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Hi Carey, No, my cardiologist is not an EP. However, I asked him for a referral to our local EP and so I will be making an appointment with him with the idea of getting a watchman so I don't have to continue taking Eliquis for the rest of my life. The EP is Brett Gidney. He works out of Santa Maria, CA at Marian Hospital. I asked my cardio about Gidney, and he said he does 10 Watc

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Thanks, Californiagal. I did go to my appointment day and the doctor prescribed Eliquis. I had taken Xarelto many years ago before and after my 2014 ablation, but have never taken Eliquis. Will see how it goes.

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Thanks, Mark. That is very helpful. Do you have any other side effects from taking Eliquis?

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Thanks for your prompt response, Carey. I greatly appreciate your information. I took the CHAD test and my score would be 2 due to the fact that I am 73 and I would most likely be considered to have vascular disease as I had varicose veins, which were ablated back in 2015. Interesting that there is no point added for having had afib and an ablation for that, unless I'm not reading th

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM

Recommendation for Anticoagulant - 2 years ago

Hi! This is my first post since around 2014 when I had a successful ablation for afib. Up to about a year ago, my heart has been doing fairly well -- some PACs but no afib that I knew of. Then I had some sessions with a laser detox specialist for insomnia, GERD, and leaky gut. All hell broke loose after that. I became off balance, nauseated at times, lost weight, exhausted, and the list goes

by Nancy M - AFIBBERS FORUM