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Re: Virtual Second Opinions for a fee - 6 months ago

Hi Carey - for me personally I like the idea of not having to travel to these locations - the only way to get Medicare to cover would be an in-person visit. I also like the idea of having someone else pull all my medical records (even though it is not a big deal to do so myself). I am also finding that it takes up to a year to get an appointment to see a top tier doctor in person. (My own EP is b

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Virtual Second Opinions for a fee - 6 months ago

I was doing some research on second opinions recently and discovered that there is such a thing as concierge service fast-tracked 2nd opinions at 'blue chip' medical centers. These are all virtual and generally not covered by insurance. Prices start at $590 (for CA residents) at Cedars-Sinai (LA) to $1890 at Cleveland Clinic. Stanford, UCLA and UCSF also offer at prices from $700 - $900

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Multaq and kidney/liver problems? - 8 months ago

My liver function tests were off the charts just a few days after staring Multaq - no other symptoms that I can recall. Needless to say I stopped immediately. Same tests were normal a few days later.

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Medications thoughts and next steps - 9 months ago

Curious indeed. I wonder how propafenone will work for you. I started out with 225 ER a few months but lowered to 150 mg short-acting twice a day - lots of GI side effects. That worked until last week when I had break through afib which turned into flutter and went back and forth for a bit with rates in the 140 range. So I am now on 150 x 3 while waiting for 325 mg ER to arrive from the mail orde

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Left atrial size - does it matter? How much? - 10 months ago

Megan - that is indeed interesting except that I did not find any references to left atrial pressure or measures of LAP anywhere on all my echo reports. A little frustrating. I do see PASP (is that the same?). Further research revealed that LAP is a calculated measure, perhaps that's why. There is a whole bunch of acronyms in the measurements area of the report: LVEDVI, SVESVI, LA A/P, RVOT

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Left atrial size - does it matter? How much? - 10 months ago

I agree that the dilation can reversed but in my case it was quite substantial.I had mitral stenosis so over time that together with afib dilated my left atrium from about 70 ml to 111 ml (normal female atrium tops out at 52) . I had multiple valve replacements in 2016 and in 5 years it was actually in the normal range (35 ml). since then it has fluctuated between normal and moderate. Not sure

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Left atrial size - does it matter? How much? - 10 months ago

I have been doing a deep dive into left atrial size in relation to afib and how it affects the ablation procedure itself and the outcome. I have learned a few things since and wanted to hear what others have read or experienced. I have had annual echos for a good 30 years or so and my understanding is that at one time having a severely enlarged left atrium did not bode well for a successful abla

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Valvular Afib Questions - 10 months ago

I know I am a little late here with my comments but I was wondering if you got any more clarification on Tikosyn? I agree that it is very odd for the doctors to stop a medication without a clearer explanation. I have some experience with Tikosyn and all the others (AAD) out there and each time there was always a clear medical reason why I had to stop it, anything from elevated liver enzymes to p

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PFA vs RF ablation - 10 months ago

Any thoughts on the findings of this study that suggests that non-PV triggers play a bigger role? Paradigm shift in ablations from PV to non-PV triggers

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PFA vs RF ablation - 10 months ago

Carey - For some reason this and other posts did not show up for me. I had to search for it. I wonder why?

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PFA vs RF ablation - 10 months ago

Carey Thanks for pointing me to this and other studies I found through the link. It seems to be that PV ablation is the holy grail for many so I went back to the notes of my 3 ablations to figure out what was done. As you can imagine they use a lot of acronyms in their procedure notes so it was difficult to decipher. I believe they focused on both PV and PW areas in all 3. The first one failed

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: PFA vs RF ablation - 11 months ago

Carey - You mentioned success rates of 75 - 90% for elite EPs in the post above and I was wondering where you found these numbers. Mary

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Post ablation chest "tightness" - 1 year ago

Agree with the others that any discomfort in the chest is inconsequential if at all present. That said, it is possible to experience other discomfort or pain. Long before I actually had an ablation one of the EPs described it as being hit by a truck! I was quite relieved it was nothing like that and wondered why he would describe it as such. My first ablation was over 10 hours and I did end up wi

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Difficult choices: another ablation or stay on drug - 1 year ago

Daisy - I had no idea there were so many options in dealing with the LAA surgically. I am pretty sure the surgeon removed it completely during the surgery but unclear if the tissue problem still exists. I read through the notes of the ablation and found no references to LAA isolation. Will have to bring it up with the EP next time.

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Difficult choices: another ablation or stay on drug - 1 year ago

Daisy - my LAA was taken care of during the open heart surgery. Less tricky then I would imagine. I am getting a better understanding of my situation and why my EP, skilled as he is, was somewhat reluctant to do another ablation. Since I have had 3 (not counting the Maze) they know exactly what is going on. Unfortunately, each time they induce flutter, it jumps around and doesnt stay long enough

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Difficult choices: another ablation or stay on drug - 1 year ago

Thanks Jim - I did have both procedures done when I had open heart valve surgery to fix/replace multiple valves 7 years ago. The maze didnt help and of course I have to be on blood thinners due to the mechanical valves.

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Difficult choices: another ablation or stay on drug - 1 year ago

Hello all I am having a difficult time trying to decide on which path to take. My last ablation (#4 done in Feb 2020) finally gave out a month ago, a total bummer. I was asked to take propafenone which is actually working but with bothersome side effects. I have tried so many other meds in the past and none was suitable so the only other drug left is amiodarone which I would prefer to avoid for

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Diltiazem as PIP? - 1 year ago

Curious where you did the PFA as it was only recently approved. Was it part of a clinical trial? I am trying to find out who has it in California. Mary

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Book - 1 year ago

This might be too obvious but I stumbled on a list of recommended books here. Link below. Recommended books

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Propafenone - 1 year ago

A bit late here but I did take propafenone for many (7 I think) years for paroxysmal afib and it worked very well. Until it didnt. I don't believe I tried it as a PIP nor was ever advised to do so. When it stopped working I tried sotalol, dofetilide and dronaderone and they either did not work or caused major side effects. The only drug that worked then was amiodarone but it also stopped wor

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Will LA reduce and should I get this Maze procedure - 1 year ago

I agree you are in excellent hands. I have read very good things about Dr. Chikwe. All the best. Mary

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Antarctica Cruise - 1 year ago

Thought I would weigh in here as someone who thrives on travel but have been forced to put that on hold for 8 years because of major surgery, afib, pandemic and now more afib. I agree that if one is asymptomatic and if rate control works it should be fine. You did say that you were able to convert with PIP which is great as well. I am wondering though if anything will change between now and Decem

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Will LA reduce and should I get this Maze procedure - 1 year ago

I know first hand what it's like having to deal with valve surgery and trying to decide on a multitude of things and getting conflicting opinions. I will try and address each one and hopefully it will help. First, will the Maze procedure work and what are the chances? My surgeon was keen to do it as it adds no time and no additional risk. He gave it 90% which turned out to be far too gene

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How to deal with paroxysmal Atrial flutter - 1 year ago

My EP said it was sinus with a few atrial tachycardia runs...He does believe that I am probably going in and out and the ECG just did not capture it.

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How to deal with paroxysmal Atrial flutter - 1 year ago

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did find it eventually at a mail order that I use for a fraction of the price. It is Mark Cuban's cost Plus. About $30 vs $592 for a 3 month supply at local Safeway. So outrageous. I have Medicare Part D which has the drug at Tier 4. No insurance required for Cost Plus. It didnt work 4 years ago, in fact, made it worse. So I am not very hopeful.:-( I do ha

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: How to deal with paroxysmal Atrial flutter - 1 year ago

Hi Gloaming - yes I did. Not exactly confirmed as opinions were all over the place. Am sending the strip. Also my EP finally got in touch and has decided that I should try propafenone again even though it did not work last time. He thought it might after the ablation. Problem is no one seem to have it. I've tried both Safeway and Walgreens. Trying a few others. Also super expensive at $600

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM

How to deal with paroxysmal Atrial flutter - 1 year ago

Hello all, I have a long history of afib going back 30 years or so and flutter which came on after my first ablation in 2017. Tried a whole bunch of anti-rhythmics - some of which worked for a while. Finally had 4 ablations, last of which was about 4 years ago. All good until about 2 weeks ago when my heart rate would go up from 50s typically to 90s in the evening and persist off and on until I

by NoTrigger - AFIBBERS FORUM