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Watchman schedule - 8 weeks ago

Hello to everyone. Been offline for a while. I am scheduled to have the Watchman Procedure March 17. Had a telehealth with Dr. Natale. Due to some issues I am having, I need to be off blood thinner. It’s Dental work and back issues. I will be the 1st to go that day. I have to be there at. 5 AM. I am nervous; anxious about this. He will also do touch up if needed. It’s a 8 hour trip but no one a

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My Sister sent me this last night - 2 years ago

She is currently on 25 mg metoporol tartrate 2x a day. She should seek out a EP right? Dr. Scott Wiggins in Shreveport has the most experience in this field that is fairly local. He does on average 2 ablations a day and also installs the Watchman. I know he is not Dr. Natale but he is the highest recommended EP in our area.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

My Sister sent me this last night - 2 years ago

My sister who is 57 sent me this message last night. We live in a very small town of Farmerville Louisiana. Shreveport is 100 miles west. Austin is 8 hours. Looking for recommendations etc. Thanks David aka smackman p.s. She works in a Doctors office as a receptionist I didn't want to worry anybody but I had to go to the ER on Friday, March 31. I was at work sitting at my desk

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

Colonoscopy done. My heart had no issues. This was the 1st time being put to sleep after 2016 Ablations. Anyway, all was good. No polyps etc. I did white coat which is something I struggle with. 170/101. Second time 5 minutes later 150/100. After Colonoscopy 1 hour later 140/90 which for me is good. White coating BP started after my struggles with persistent AFIB. I cannot shake it.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

In 2016, I had a TEE done 6 months after LAA was isolated. Anyway here is the Conclusion of my TEE. This was performed in Austin. Summary: Complications: None Conclusion: 1. Normal left ventricular systolic function. 2. Normal left atrial appendage emptying velocities. 3. There is no evidence of A waves on mitral inflow. Continue on Eliquis. 2.5 mg 2x a day. This was Dr. Natale on t

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

My dosage is 2.5 mg of Eliquis 2x a day. I do not know if that changes anything with explanations above where gloaming used 5 mg as an example for his explanation. I will take 2.5 Thursday morning and stop the aspirin Monday morning. I called my current cardiologist and he did not have an issue with me stopping the aspirin 5 days before this Fridays colonoscopy. He believes after 10 years of havi

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

Quotegloaming smackman, why have you discounted what I have explained to you rather clearly....twice now? I'm going to guess that it is because you are not familiar with the concepts of 'bioavailability' and of 'half-life'. Or, maybe you're just squeamish about using those concepts as indicators of the effects of a drug. I assure you, as will others who have done

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

Actually IMO I am not trying to complicate the Colonoscopy. You are saying what you believe Dr. Natale is saying. I have not talked to anyone at Dr. Natale practice in Austin. I do understand what you are saying within reason. When the nurse ask me next Friday when I last took Eliquis and she/he will, what should I say? I am not trying to make a mole hill into a mountain. I just do not want to

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

My Colonoscopy is scheduled for 8 am Friday morning. If I take Thursday 8am dose of Eliquis, It will work till 8 pm Thursday night. 8 pm Thursday night to the scheduled 8 am colonoscopy on Friday at. 8 am is only 12 hours off Eliquis which is 1/2 of a day. Right? Not 24 hours I anm only doing math. IWhat am I missing here? Yes, It bothers me to be off Eliquis at all but I have no choice if I

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

QuoteCarey I agree with gloaming about stopping the night before. But I don't think substituting aspirin makes sense with a colonoscopy. The whole point is that if the doctor needs to snip a polyp, you don't end up with a prolonged bleed, and aspirin does a fine job of prolonging bleeding. I don't think I've ever heard of an EP or surgeon recommending the protocol with asp

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

LAA is isolated (2016) and No Watchman. I tried one time in 2019 for watchman but did not get approved. Anyway, It is what it is. The process and BS to get approval in 2019 was big time stressful and time consuming.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Colonoscopy procedure scheduled - 2 years ago

Dr. Natale said I could be off my Eliquis for ONE day. I take my Eliquis at 8 2X a day. My colonoscopy is scheduled for 8 AM On a Friday. When do I stop my Eliquis? I am thinking I will have to stop it after Wednesday nights dose. For some reason it’s confusing and my Anxiety is ramped. I cannot do the cologuard due to family history making me “risky”. Thanks for the help.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Supporting Afibbers.org II - 2 years ago

I donated back in August 2022. I could never thank the people of this website enough. Shannon helped me like I was a friend he has always known. He was even in Austin when my first Ablation was done. I will not even try to name all the individuals who helped me with a positive attitude and to the right EP. Dr. Natale is the best IMO. God bless all of you.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Scared to be on eliquis ! - 2 years ago

Susan, Are you on Medicare Part D? I do not believe you are so your price is misleading. IF you are on Medicare Part D, which one is it? I have been on Eliquis for many years. I went to Medicare in 2016 and use the Part D plan. You cannot use coupons with Medicare Part D. Please do not be misleading someone

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Eliquis interactions - 2 years ago

Never had an issue with this. I been on Eliquis and beta blockers since 2016

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy directions from Austin - 2 years ago

I misspelled cologuard but it was obvious I was talking about Colon testing. Anyway…..

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy directions from Austin - 2 years ago

Well, all went well with tooth extraction. It happened last Wednesday. It was ROUGH. 😂 I am a big ole baby. I was off Eliquis for one day. Took Approximately 8 hours to get it to finally clot. Colonoscopy appointment in late November. They want to see me before they give me the “bowel cleanser”. It has to be something about blood thinner. They might reject me but I will see. If they do, I will d

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Colonoscopy directions from Austin - 2 years ago

The dentist just called me back. Dr. Natale said one day off Eliquis for tooth extraction. My appointment is Wednesday at 9 am. I will stop Eliquis after 9 PM dosage tonight. That will be approx 24 hours for 9 AM extraction Wednesday. I am nervous about stopping Eliquis but Dr. Natale gave the orders. Thanks for all the help. This tooth has to GO!!!!

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Colonoscopy directions from Austin - 2 years ago

Dr. Natale said I could be off Eliquis for ONE day only. My Gastrointestinal Doctor has a written statement signed by Dr. Natale. Now I have a tooth that has to be extracted. It is a bad tooth under a 30 year old crown. It took 2 weeks toget an answer for the Colonoscopy. This damn tooth hurts and I cannot wait 2 weeks. Anyway to get a speedy answer to my Dentist? Thank you

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: FOR MEDICARE PART D SENIORS - 2 years ago

Quotesusan.d I use Eliquis so I don’t know. They have a free return policy so if you don’t like it, return it within 30 days. I looked at the 20mg Xarelto photo. Yes odd shape. Get your dr to write a rx for 10mg twice a day instead of 20mg once a day. The 10mg is round. That does not help. Twice the amount will double the cost and it probably would not be approved. I have a retiremen

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: FOR MEDICARE PART D SENIORS - 2 years ago

QuoteLoisA Since you stop Xarelto 2 days prior to most surgeries, I figure your blood is suffiently thinned one day after taking a pill. So I skip a day ( or two) a week. Makes Xeralto last longer with same effectiveness. I think for someone like me who has had his LAA isolated AND told by Dr. Natale not to stop blood thinner, that is playing with fire. I am catching Hell trying to get a Colono

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: FOR MEDICARE PART D SENIORS - 2 years ago

Quotesusan.d I use Eliquis so I don’t know. They have a free return policy so if you don’t like it, return it within 30 days. I looked at the 20mg Xarelto photo. Yes odd shape. Get your dr to write a rx for 10mg twice a day instead of 20mg once a day. The 10mg is round. That does not help. Twice the amount will double the cost and it probably would not be approved.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: FOR MEDICARE PART D SENIORS - 2 years ago

Quotesusan.d I use this. It’s perfect. Align the pill exactly in half where the letter is. I can also quarter my drugs. Have you halved a 20 mg Xarelto? Look at a picture of one if you have not. If you have, did you have success? This is a Pricey pill cutter so I need more input before I purchase one that price.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: FOR MEDICARE PART D SENIORS - 2 years ago

Quotesmackman ALERT: Eliquis is moving to Tier 4 on many Part D plans. This basically means is your plan will pay for only 50% of the cost of Eliquis AFTER you have met your $505 dollar deductible. Check your plan to see if you are affected like this. ON most plans, Xarelto is Tier 3. That is a big difference in money. Now I said 50% but that is just a close figure. This has happened before.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

FOR MEDICARE PART D SENIORS - 2 years ago

ALERT: Eliquis is moving to Tier 4 on many Part D plans. This basically means is your plan will pay for only 50% of the cost of Eliquis AFTER you have met your $505 dollar deductible. Check your plan to see if you are affected like this. ON most plans, Xarelto is Tier 3. That is a big difference in money. Now I said 50% but that is just a close figure. This has happened before. If you are on

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 6 years AFIB FREE! - 2 years ago

QuoteLLA Congratulations Smackman! I’m hoping for a similar outcome even though it’s only been 6 weeks since my ablation with Dr Natale. Wondering if you have less side effects, such as bruising, since you went on the lower dose of Eliquis? Also if it’s safer to take any supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, etc. while on 2.5 Eliquis?[/quote The only supplement I take is magnesium. I stil

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: 6 years AFIB FREE! - 2 years ago

I did start off on 5 mg 2x a day on Eliquis. After my TEE with my 2nd Ablation, I was reduced to 2.5 mg dosage by Dr. Natale in Dec 2016. My LAA was isolated on 2nd Ablation.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

6 years AFIB FREE! - 2 years ago

Went to my Cardiologist yesterday for a yearly checkup. He did a EKG. All is good. I go to a Cardiologist yearly for a checkup and to get my Eliquis. I have been AFIB free for 6 years. Last ablation with Dr. Natale was in June or July of 2016. I A BIG THANK YOU to all who helped me down this journey on this beautiful forum. Shannon, A BIG thank you from me and my family. I am on Eliquis (half

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Is alcohol OK if you haven't had AFIB in years? - 3 years ago

I had 2 Ablation’s with Dr. Natale. The last was Summer 2016 with LAA isolated. I have been doing really good. Just hate to brag (superstitious) 😂 I drink bourbon 🥃 in moderation. I like 2-3 oz of Makers Mark or a descent bourbon 🥃 on the rocks. I drink fairly often and have had no issues but I am a bourbon man. Now, that’s my experience. I be am not endorsing alcohol 🥃 but it calms me down.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Do you wish you had never done an ablation? - 3 years ago

I have had 2 Ablations. 2014 and 2016. LAA was isolated in 2016. I have been in NSR since 2016. No regrets. I accidentally stumbled on this Forum in 2013 and it was a Godsend. Dr. Natale did both ablation’s in Austin. Shannon was such a mentor for me and my wife plus many others on this Forum.

by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM