I am in a similar situation as you. I just had the Watchman approved by my insurance but decided to not have it done because of the life long aspirin requirement. Dr Natale also first recommended the AtriClip but later recommended the Watchman. My understanding of the reason for his change in the recommendations is because he was concerned the AtriClip may form a small dimple like pocket thatby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Larry, I am on Eliquis. I occasionally take ibuprofen. What your doctor told you is pretty standard advise. I think the real risk is with long term use. If it was me, I wouldn't worry. I would use it short term only, like your doctor advised. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, That is probably a good idea to talk with Dr. Natale. I know with a low LAA velocity I need to be on anticoagulation, or have the LAA clipped or plugged. I will stay on anticoagulation until I have the LAA taken care of. Thanks for all the time and information you have provided. It sure has helped. I think I am going to wait and see how the Watchman does over the next yearby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Jackie, Yes I read that. Thanks for posting. My impression is the Watchman is just too new with too many unknowns at the moment. Im sure in a select group it is beneficial. For others it may be trading one problem for another. On the other hand it seems the Watchman patients in the studies were on the high risk for health problem side. Perhaps in a young healthy group resultsby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Shannon, Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. It was very helpful. I think at this point I'm going to hold off on the Watchman for a while. I'm still not sure I wouldn't be trading one problem for another. By the way, Scripps was able to get the approval for the Watchman device from Blue Shield. It looks like perhaps insurance is starting to pay forby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great Watchmen and other LAA information at the 2017 ISLLA symposium. 2017 conference link. http://www.islaasymposium.com/islaa-highlights-2017/by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Jackie, Thanks for the reply. What adds to the frustration is the one size fits all standards. It would seem quite reasonable to have a patient have their blood checked for factors that relate to clot time. As you have posted many times, this is a consideration when evaluating how to best proceed. Good luck trying to find a doctor who will do this and help decide if anticoagulant is neeby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
In September 2017 I had an ablation that slowed the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) blood flow velocity. I had a TEE to measure the LAA flow 14 months after the ablation procedure. After meeting with a doctor at Scripps in California who does the Watchan device a few weeks ago, we decided to check the LAA flow again to see if anything changed. Yesterday I had the TEE repeated. The results, no chaby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Shannon for your replies to this post. I can say as a patient, this is a frustrating and confusing topic. The information available to patients is limited. The opinions of doctors seem to be all over the spectrum. The research seems to not be clear as to benefit. My understanding is after a Watchman implant, the patient must be on Aspirin life long. My understanding is Aspirin haby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I got to see and handle an actual Watchman device. Cool looking little umbrella. The part that has me concerned is the part that protrudes from the center. It would seem to create a spot that might create turbulent flow and thus a clot formation point. Just spectulation on my part. Talking to different doctors it seems some think the Watchman is a good device in specific situations. Someby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/clc.22639/abstract Correlation between cardiac rhythm, left atrial appendage flow velocity, and CHA2DS2-VASc score: Study based on transesophageal echocardiography and 2-dimensional speckle tracking. Interesting study.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Is it true that asprin therapy is needed life long after having the Watchman device placed? If that is the case, then those with bleeding problems have a similar problem as when on Warfarin or NOACs.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am wondering how you will get your insurance to pay for the Watchman? Or are paying for it yourself? Being 55, you are not on Medicare. Im 53 and my Blue Shield PPO will not approve the Watchman.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would do what Dr Natale's nurse said. They are very good at what they do. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jakie, Have you ever tried Pradaxa? Maybe less side effects. I guess you never know how your body reacts until you are on a medication for a while. I was on Eliquis for almost two years before I started really noticing side effects. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon, I recently had a condition that made apparent the side effects of Eliquis. Mainly brain fog, dizziness and fatigue. I went on half dose of Eliquis for a week. I felt much better. Then back on normal Eliquis dose. I sure can tell the difference. Im thinking of trying Pradaza. The big problem I have run into is not many doctors are aware of the need for anticoagulants after Lby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had a health incident recently. I was flying with my wife and when I landed I noticed my ears were ringing loud. I didn't think a whole lot about it after that. Over the next few days the ringing became worse and I started having some vertigo. My wife just had a cold virus the previous week and I thought perhaps I caught the virus and it was effecting my ears. Going forward a few more dby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Has anyone had a TEE to check LAA velocity after two years or more to see if velocity has returned? I had a consult with Dr Gibson. He said they don't know if LAA velocity changes after an ablation slows it longer term because they don't check for that. He said a TEE might be a good idea to check for changes. So, I am going to have another TEE. Dr Gibson said he and Natale starteby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks to all who posted. I am looking into having the Watchman device "installed".. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is part of dealing with this disease for many with it. The way I deal with it is to know I will die, it is just a matter of when. My faith as a Christian helps because I believe the best is yet to come. It is still a disruptive source of stress that you can learn ways to deal with. Perhaps talk with your doctor for a referral for mental health help. If the doctor doesnt listen, findby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for your post.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have an appointment later this month for a consult on the watchmen device at Scripps. It sounds like insurance will probably deny it. I'm still not sure if this is the right way to go. Being 52, I don't think it's a good idea to stay on Eliquis long-term. Recent visit with my local EP (FHRS), he said I do not need to be on Eliquis. He said it is not the standard of care.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Very interesting. Thanks for the posts. I think many of us will need to learn more about the LLA closures options. Now that I have my LLA velocity slowed due to an ablation, it seems there is not much I can do about it. Most non expert EPs don't know much about this new situation of patients having the LAA slowed. As lay people we don't have access to information about all thisby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I will just add that after changing my diet, eating much less processed foods, and not adding salt to my food, I noticed after a while that I was lacking salt. After doing some experimenting I noticed that a glass of water with some sea salt, would stop my skips. I also noticed that over the long term, my need for magnesium changed. Meaning that I seem to need less magnesium now than before.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sorry to hear about the afib. That is disappointing. I notice if I take a large amount of vitamin D or Coq10, I get skips. Hopefully your a fib will just be a one time occurrence. Best of luck!by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon for your help. I posted a reply a while back from my phone and I guess it didn't post. My EP says he will prescribe Eliquis and I can come by for some samples since I will run out before my appointment with him. I hate the idea of needing a pill to stay alive! O'well it could be worse. Hoping at some point LAA closure will be an option. Donby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Comparison of the ATRIA, CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc Stroke Risk Scores in Predicting Ischaemic Stroke in a Large Swedish Cohort of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. The ATRIA stroke risk score (ATRIA) was developed and validated in two large California community AF cohorts. We compared the performance of the ATRIA, CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in a national Swedish AF (SAF) cohort. Mby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
I wonder if these measurements can change over time, better or worse.by gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, Been meaning to write back and say thank you. I appreciate your help and will take you up on the phone call offer in the next few months. I have an appointment with my local EP and they say they will refill my Eliquis. I have a referral from Dr Natale for the Dr at Scripps that does the Watchman. I will see him in February. I will post what I find out for others facing this LAAby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks very much Shannon. This is sad news for us that have had Dr. Natale and his staff available out of Scripps in California. I have been with Dr. Natale and Linda since my afib first started 7 years ago. Having Linda available for an occasional question or some guidance was a real help. Nothing lasts forever. Linda gave me a 12 month prescription for Eliquis that has 1 refill left. I guesby gmperf - AFIBBERS FORUM