Show all posts by user

Re: Potassium intake - 2 months ago

There's a reason why people with ectopic beats and/or Afib turn to these sites because their Dr. may test their serum potassium and/or magnesium and highly likely will come back as normal and say there's no need to supplement. So, a person may turn to these sites like this one and hear stories of people who had great success with supplementing with extra magnesium and potassium. I rem

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Potassium intake - 2 months ago

Has anyone asked their Dr. if there is a test to determine your potassium and magnesium levels at a cellular level? This is something I have not done myself but am going to because I believe that is more accurate than just checking your serum levels. I also supplement with extra potassium and magnesium and my serum levels also don't change but I definitely notice I have less ectopic beat

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Post ablation questions - 2 months ago

Yes, I should have been more clear on how long I was on those meds. There's a part of me that's not too hopeful I won't need to either go back on the meds either sooner or later. This is probably a stupid question but would they say the ablation is successful if I go years without Afib but while still on the meds? I bet the EP could think it was since I had many episodes of Afib

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Post ablation questions - 2 months ago

I should have mentioned earlier I have been on both Metoprolol and Flecainide for over 10 years. Over the years, the Flecainide was increased from the starting dose of 50mg twice a day to most recently to 150mg twice a day in January 2025. The Metoprolol has only increased from 25mg to 50mg. I have gone several days without Metoprolol before and I remember feeling anxious and my heart felt lik

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Post ablation questions - 2 months ago

Hey everyone, I am currently at 5 weeks post ablation and I had some questions for you all. I was advised to continue with the Eliquis for 90 days post op which would put me around July 7th and was also recommended I continue taking the Flecainide (150mg) 2x a day and Metoprolol 50mg once a day for the same amount of time before I can stop those. This was my first and hopefully only ablation

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 3 months ago

Hey everyone. Sorry, I haven't posted in a couple of months but I am scheduled for an ablation next Tuesday and I will admit I am starting to feel anxious about it. Unfortunately I was told I will be the last procedure of the day so most likely will have to stay a night in the hospital. The EP also said I will need to continue Eliquis for about 90 days post op and recommended staying on

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 5 months ago

Thank you Susan for taking the time explaining all of that. I had no idea Kaiser even had a PPO plan. Unfortunately, I live in the Sacramento area which is over 500 miles away from La Jolla and my plan is an HMO

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

Well at least you are off of the Flecainide. I was told I would need to continue that or whatever I will end up switching to prior to the ablation. I will be discussing that with the cardiologist tomorrow. I am going to ask to switch to Eliquis as well. I have been on Pradaxa since Jan 1st and I think it is causing stomach issues.

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 5 months ago

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 Yes, I w

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Does a List of the Top EP's for Ablations Exist? If Not, Why Not? - 5 months ago

I am curious if any of you have gone to Dr. Natale or another top notch EP from that list for an ablation but your insurance would not cover it. I have Kaiser so I have stay in network or pay a ton of money or at least I assume it would be a ton of money with all the labs and tests they would need before even having the procedure plus the procedure itself and assume an overnight stay in the h

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

Yes, our stories are similar Daisy. Are you off of all meds now?

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

Well, I hope with it only going to be my first ablation and not considered a risk of a stroke and somewhat still young (53) I hope they don't just do the minimum and call it a day. Being that they are booking procedures 6 months out they may hurry up mine. I just want to be done with the meds. I don't know how you all feel about taking meds but I feel they can be annoying to always h

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

When I end up having my ablation, it will be my first one so not sure what they will find. It definitely has progressed since being diagnosed 12 years ago. When mine first started the EP was quite sure it was triggered by the vagus nerve as it would start going crazy as soon as laid down and nothing I did would stop it until I self converted on its own before meds. Now the Afib will just occur

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

Thanks for that info. Those are all questions I will be asking. With the prevalence of Afib increasing every year you would think these EP's would want to be using top notch mapping and techniques although with Kaiser I have my doubts. Seems like they prefer to write a script for everything. I'm really hoping to be off the meds this year

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

At this point I will have to go through Kaiser for the ablation. They also prefer you be in NSR prior to the procedure. I definitely will demand to meet with the EP who will handling my ablation. Kaiser has using the PFA technique which isn't exactly considered new anymore. I read about all of the types Dr. Natale uses and created which is very impressive. I see why patients travel out o

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 5 months ago

Thank you for that info Daisy. I'm going to contact the Thousand Oaks facility and see what they say. I live in the Northern California area so it would be a short flight. Since I haven't even been scheduled for the ablation with Kaiser yet and was told they are booked out until June/July, I need to find something sooner. I just had a 3.5 hr episode of Afib last night and that'

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 6 months ago

Sorry you experienced that. You certainly would think an EP should know correct dosing. I started out on 50mg twice a day and I am 225lb man but that dose only sufficed a short time before they upped it 100mg twice a day which mostly kept my Afib at bay. I would have maybe a half dozen of episodes lasting between an hour to 4hrs a year until early in 2025 where the episodes occurred weekly so

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 6 months ago

Thanks for your replies. Yes, it seems like it's all a trial and error. Before I had popped the 1st Flecainide pill I had read about all of the nasty side effects, even death. Lol but after 6 straight days of 8-10 hr episodes of Afib I decided to take it and said a prayer. I had already been on a low dose of Metoprolol 25mg just once per day to treat the Pac's/Pvc's which never

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 6 months ago

Thanks for sharing. That's great that combo of meds and pacemaker are working for you. Does the pacemaker keep your resting pulse above 60bpm? My cardiologist doesn't seem to be the least bit concerned that my pulse will dip into the 40's but I don't like it Sounds like Sotalol might be the way to go and reduce or stop the Metoprolol. I will find that out next week. App

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Anti-arrythmic meds - 6 months ago

Thanks for your reply and congrats on having a successful ablation. Yes, I have read about the side effects of Amiodarone as well and that does not sound pleasant. I have been lucky with my tolerance of Flecainide for the most part but with now at the max dose, I have noticed a decrease in my exercise tolerance and with the twice a day Metoprolol, my resting pulse will dip into the 40'

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM

Anti-arrythmic meds - 6 months ago

Hey everyone. I'm new to this site. I was diagnosed with Afib back in 2013 after years of dealing with PAC's and PVC's since I was in 20's. I am currently 53 years old. I was put on Flecainide to use a pill in the pocket which did seem to work but was then told I would need to take it twice a day at 50mg. Over the years I have had to increase the dosage and about a year a

by EricY - AFIBBERS FORUM