I met with Dr Natale about the Watchman device. He thought it would be good for me. He said they would try to get insurance approval. I have Aetna in California, PPO group plan. Insurance considers the Watchman experimental and nvestigational. They will only approve under strict criteria, which includes being in a study. So it looks like this option is out. Funny, on Aetna’s policby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I think part of the problem with this topic is a forum is a poor vehicle for an in-depth debate. I wonder why the EU has standards for human EMF exposure. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-01-1190_en.htm I personally think EMF and EMR can effect health. I think it is dose dependant, exposure period dependant, and frequency dependent. X-ray exposure is cumulative. Microwaves vibraby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey I believe it would be foolish to say all frequencies and levels of RF have no biological influence on our cells. Certainly our environment does affect our cells. I agree, but claims are being made here that RF actually causes afib when no evidence has been presented to support that claim. RF causing afib would be a stretch. I wouldn’t want to live under a cell phone tower, afibby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting article in Scientific America titled Could certain frequencies of electromagnetic waves or radiation interfere with brain function? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/could-certain-frequencies/ I believe it would be foolish to say all frequencies and levels of RF have no biological influence on our cells. Certainly our environment does affect our cells. Here is an inby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is an interesting topic. I like to use an old smart phone to listen to podcasts at night while falling asleep. I put the phone in airplane mode to avoid the EMF. I did notice a couple morning when I woke up with the phone up against my body I felt arthritisy. I made a point to make sure I move the phone a few feet away from me before I fall asleep. It seems to make a difference. In fact Iby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
As far as afib and flying, checkout AOPA, they have good summary details. Basically if you are in afib, stable and stroke risk is addressed, you can get a waiver with several tests. This is a big pain you won’t want to go through every 6 months. If you have an ablation and are afib free for 3 months, FAA views it as cured. I heard the military is allowing pilots with afib to fly transport,by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is great news for us who saw Dr Natale at Scripps! Thanks for the news Shannon. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Shannon and George. That is good news. I was also wondering about the nickel. Though I seem to be allergic to nothing, my reaction to Eliquis after two years of use makes me more conscious about a long term exposure to a foreign substance. Especially when it is inside the heart! The Watchman is looking better and better for us with a slow LAA. Now if we could get insurance to coveby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am wondering if anyone knows if a device such as the Watchman attracts bacteria? For example when having dental work would a person need to take antibiotics as a precaution? I think with other foreign objects such as mechanical valves, replaced knees, etc, you do need antibiotics during procedures that tend to allow bacteria into the blood stream. I was listening to Doctor’s Radio on Siriusby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
All very interesting. I suppliment magnesium and potassium. I now add sea salt to the mix and that it what made the difference for me. I think the fact I avoid processed foods and do not add salt to food, is what caused me to be low on sodium.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yep. The podcast also mentioned this. He recommended Redmond Real Salt because it is from an ancient sea bed and it has a good level of iodine.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting. My last routine blood test had my sodium on the low side of the normal range. This podcast also talked about magnesium and magnesium testing.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I hesitated in making this post. I know this goes against conventional medical guidelines. After having a dramatic effect on my personal health, I decided it may help someone who listens to the podcast. About two years ago my wife and I started eating much healthier. We try to eat organic, fresh, unprocessed, foods mostly. We cut way back on meat, and red meat especially. We still eat out 2-3by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was planning on having a Watchman installed last month. But insurance wouldn’t cover.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had a second TEE 2 years after my ablations. LAA function was unchanged. I was on Eliquis since the ablation. Then had side effects I couldn’t tolerate. I am on Pradaxa now. Also hoping the Watchman pans out. I am 53..by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
One thing I appreciate about DrJohn is that he presents his opinions in the public space and opens a debate. He recently has been taking this side of the debate at medical convents in a debate with an opposing view presented by another medical professional. This latest article has been published in a peer reviewed medical journal. This was not just a Medscape article. As patients we hearby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
http://www.drjohnm.org/2017/10/left-atrial-appendage-closure-does-not-prevent-strokes/by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Yes, Don... as George mentions, if you have hemochromatosis, then you need to have blood draws and testing regularly until you are in the 'safe' zone. At the phlebotomist, they typically just discard the blood so it's not like someone is going to receive it .... or that's the way it is in Ohio, at least. Jackie Thanks Jackie, That seems like an easy fix - Nby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteGeorgeN Don, I live at 5600' MSL (and spend a lot of time at 10-13,000') and don't have that issue. Have you been tested for hemochromatosis? In any case the advice to donatend blood is the easy answer. All men and postmenopausal women can accumulate iron. It also depends upon your diet. For example meat or taking vitamin C before you eat green leafy veggies can increaby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had some routine blood tests. The results show my Hemoglobin and Hematocrit were slightly above average. My Hemoglobin was 17.3H (normal range 13.2-17.1). My Hemotocrit was 51.0H (normal range 38.5-50.0). I do recall 5 years ago the Hemoglobin was slightly elevated. Doctor commented I may need to give blood occasionally. (Although I don't think anyone want blood with Pradaxa in it.)by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I finally heard back from Dr Gibson's nurse at Scripps. She said based on Aetna's policy, insurance would not cover the Watchman device. Took her weeks to read the fax I sent her with Aetna's policy. Great. Good thing I checked Aetna's policy. I would have had a large bill. They had me scheduled for the procedure and told me not to worry, insurance would probably cover iby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Agree with Mike. And thanks for the personal touch! Much appreciated. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sept 3 it will be three years since my Dr Natale ablation for left atypical flutter. I havent used my Alivecore since the ablation. Thanks Dr Natale! Today I had heat exhaustion. No fun at all. My heart was racing, I was light headed and dizzy. My muscles were shaky, my legs hardly would work, yet no afib or flutter. Took me about two hours to recover. I am still sensitivety to heat and haveby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, The good news is I switched from Eliquis to Pradaxa and I feel pretty much back to normal. I have been on Pradaxa for 5 days now. The brain fog and cotton in my head feeling is gone! I was on half dose Eliquis for the last two months. Even at half dose it was bad. I guess after two years of Eliquis my body said no more. I am hoping I don't have bad side effects start with Praby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Update on Watchman device procedure insurance approval process. Today I called Scripps to see if they received the fax I sent last week with Aetna's policy on the Watchman and ALL LAA closure devices and procedures. The second person I spoke with said Dr. Gibson's nurse didn't have time to review the fax yet. She also stated that if Aetna's policy stated the Watchman wasby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Looks like I am not having it done- Just had a call from Scripps to schedule the Watchman device. They submitted for prior authorization to Aetna. Aetna responded with no prior authorization needed. Procedure will be evaluated at time of claim for medical necessity. Scripps says don't worry it will most likely be covered. After 3 hours on the phone, Aetna emailed thier policy to me.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just had a call from Scripps to schedule the Watchman device. They submitted for prior authorization to Aetna. Aetna responded with no prior authorization needed. Procedure will be evaluated at time of claim for medical necessity. Scripps says don't worry it will most likely be covered. After 3 hours on the phone, Aetna emailed thier policy to me. It states Aetna considers all lefby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am seriously considering having the Watchman device procedure (I have a date scheduled). If you have had the Watchman device procedure, could you please respond with how was your experience and how are you now doing? It would be greatly appreciated! Feel free to PM me if you are concerned with privacy. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
In the coming years, we can blame our PAC's, PVC's, and arrhythmia in part on the lack of solar activity. If you have an ICD and take a trip across the north pole, perhaps your ICD may have its programming updated. Cosmic radiation induced software electrical resets in ICDs during air travelby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting research paper entitled Left Atrial Diastolic Dysfunction following Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5153005/ Keep in mind this is a small minority of patients. It would be more likely in patients with repeat ablations. In my opinion it is also why you want a top ablation EP doing your ablation procedure. Short quote fromby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM