No kidding!! His cardiologist wants him on an anticoagulant for four weeks before performing the procedure. I don't know if that's typical or not. I've never heard of that. He's had a couple of heart attacks through the years. Maybe that's a factor? I couldn't believe they were making him wait.by Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Plot thickens! Apparently he is experiencing a gallbladder duct obstruction. That's probably what he was suffering from with his initial hospital admission a couple weeks ago. That's when persistent afib was dx. It became a cardiology issue so the obstruction was not discovered. He has a procedure scheduled this morning to clear the obstruction. He has yet to be seen by or speak withby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you so much for your information! It's very helpful. We now realize Scripps coordinates for Kaiser patient care...specifically cardiology. Since posting my father-in-law has been admitted to the Kaiser hospital for internal bleeding. We're wondering if he is experiencing poor side effects from his current medication regiment, We're very concerned the initial strategy was to pby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
It's been awhile since I've posted! I'm looking for help for my San Diego area father-in-law. He needs a good EP. He was recently dx with " persistent" afib. His cardiologist prescribed Amiodarone and Eliquis. He has a cardio version scheduled in June. He feels much worse than he did when first diagnosed. He's pretty much bedridden. Having had a successful ablation wby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great news John! Kudos to Dr Natale and his staff for reaching out to you once the right people became aware of your problems!by Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Montos, I had the same issue and concerns. My resting hr following my Natale ablation was plus 90 bpm. Like you, I was concerned. Like you, I posted to the group. Shannon gave me a very similar response which was quite reassuring. As promised, at about 10 months out the rate began to slow quite rapidly. Once it started to slow it happen quite quickly. With-in a couple of weeks of it slowinby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello JPearre, Your story sounds quite similar to my own. I too reside in the Idaho panhandle in a resort community. The various cardiologist I have seen in our local region were all over the board regardinng drug treatment vs ablation. One common denominator, they all know of Dr Natale. After being in and out of the hospital several times I finally decided to self refer to Dr. Natale. Boy amby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi again Shannon, I had paroxysmal afib. I was very fortunate that Dr Natale performed a straight forward PVI ablation as a first course of treatment. I had only been on Xarelto a few days prior to the procedure, Dr Natale found no reason to isolate the LAA during my index ablation. The only possible risk factor incolves that odd incident I experienced a few days following the ablation. I wasby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, Thank you for your detailed report. It brings up a question for me. I got the all clear to discontinue Xeralto after a holter review at 6 months post ablation. However, I did not schedule for a TEE. I feel pretty darn good with no afib. I do have occational palpitations but thats it. Do you think it would be best to schedule a TEE? If so, I would follow your recommendation and scheby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, I'm glad to read things are going so well for you. I great when the good guys do well! Enjoy you conference! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ken, Thank you so much for your detailed report. It is certainly helpful to learn the experiences of others. You have made a very wise decision to move forward with Dr Natale. As you can imagine he is a very busy man so I strongly suggest you be well prepared for your consultation with questions that are important to you. He was only able to spend about 10 minutes with me. However, other membeby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
My doc also mentioned the tennis ball trick to stay off your back,. He suggested two or three tennis balls in a sock. Then safty pin the sock to a t shirt...or Pj's. It won't take long to unlearn sleeping on your back. I have very minor sleep apnea. It only presents when sleeping on my back. Good luck! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great news Shannon! Now for a seemless recovery for Magdalena! Happy New Year! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Travis, My experience with Dr Natale was very similar to yours. I learned of him through this group. I did additional research and liked what I read about him. I calledhis Austin office and spoke to a few different people. I was given slightly different information about how quickly I could be seen by Dr Natale and how soon I might expect the ablation...if it was necassary. They were verby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just received the results of my 6 months post ablation report from Dr Natale's nurse. No flutter or afib. Xarelto is no longer indicated so I will be coming off. I've asked for clarrification from Dr Natale regarding a tranistion period. I've read it can be dangerous to stop Xarelto cold turkey. Any suggestions or information? Thank you! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, As with the others I wish you and your wife the best going forward. Magdalena is fortunate to have you in her corner. I too have recently had a family member dx with kidney cancer. About six weeks ago my sister had the effected kidney removed. She is almost back to her normal onry self now. I will pray that this is resolved quickly for you with absolutely possive results! Prayersby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is an interesting and timely thread for me. This morning we saw a neurologist for my wife. She continues to suffer the effects of a "minor" concussion she sustained in August. She fell as she was draging a small tree that was blocking a gravel driveway. In the process she hit her head and blacked out momentarily. The doctor says her concussion is now considered complex because it iby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Etjim, I'm curious if you don't mind sharing, with all his experience with RF why did Dr Lee suggest cyro ablation. Thanks Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
I more or less keyed in on a different statement made in this article. The author claims the March 2014 Guidelines now list ablation as a " first line" treatment. I'm confused. On another group this was discussed and it was pointed out as an inaccurate statement. Drugs are stilk first...at least in most circumstances. I looked at the guidlines and I didn't see where abkation hby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is a good read about ablation as first line treatment. Also good comparison of the pros and cons of medication vs ablation. Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've never had either. The flu vaccination has always concerned me. It seems to be controversial. So now with afib and the recent ablation I wonder if I should change my position and have the flu and/or pneumonia vaccination. My reseach really didn't help. People are all over the board. Some say its important to take the flu vaccination to protect the heart from the effects of the flu.by Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tom, Good report. Thank you for sharing! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Shannon for the detailed report on your experience. I've read the newletter and It raised a question. If I understand the circumstance acurately the lariet suture loosened at the LAA. This rssulted in a hole in the center of the " gunny sack" thus the leak. A plug device was placed and the " gunny sack" was tightened around the plug....thus eliminating the leak?by Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Oh my gosh Shannon.....no need to oppologize! Your circumstance was well up on the priority list! Actually, I was blown away by how fast I got into Dr Natale. He is obviously one of the best cardiologist in the world. It took me a whole two weeks from my intial call to his Austin staff to ablation! Unreal! I expected it to take many months before I could even get a consult. His staff bent over bby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm just past the three month milestone since my ablation with Dr Natale in Austin. The best we can tell I have been in continuos NSR since the procedure! I have not worn the Holter yet. I have discontinued Metoprolol but remain on Xeralto. My resting HR continues to be elevated but has slowed a bit. I'm at about 85 bpm down from 92 bpm. Prior to the ablation I was in the low to middleby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Looking forward to the read Shannon. Take care of yourself and be well! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, I don't mean to hi jack Smackman's post but just wanted to wish you well on your recovery from your most recent procedure. All n' all it sounds like it went well for you in La Jolla. Good deal! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have a friend with afib looking for a good EP in the Seattle area. Any recommendations? Thank you Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM
All I can saw is wow! Beyond impressive! He had me at 9 years of post Natale ablation NSR....but his daily activities and work our regiment...that's awe inspiring at ANY age. Way to go Denver!! Thank you for the inspiration! Craigby Craigh - AFIBBERS FORUM