Louise - you may want to check on the Pradaxa...it seems to be that both Xarelto and Eliquis are favored over that. I'm not sure just why, but I know Shannon is quite negatie about Pradaxa...and Dr. Natale doesn't seem to like it either. Sorry..don't shoot the messenger ~ Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
HI Louise - I had a phone conversation with Dr. Natale yesterday, who was following up on my recent TEE results. I had my ablation last September, and needed to go on a blood thinner, due to the extensive ablation that was needed in my LAA. I was hoping to get off of the blood thinner, but can't do that yet...I did express my concern to Dr. Natale about being on Xarelto because of its lackby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Enrique - I had vagal Afib for over 10 years, and went to an acupuncturist quite a few times for other reasons. I never had any relief or experienced any difference in my episodes from Afib at all.... maybe more helpful for those who are adrenergenic, as they seem to do better in relaxing, calm environments? Also, I don't think my acupunctuist was aware of the Neiguan spot.... Would beby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
HI Shannon - thanks for that warning. I didn't think about how it might affect ablation scars.... As it might also work on blood viscosity, I'd be hesitant for that reason too, as a possible conflict with Xarelto... May just hold for now and keep my eyes and ears open as to when or if to consider this. ~ Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Nancy...as I'm on Xarelto also and considering these same enzymes, I would be interested to know what you learned re: possible interactions. Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie - I read your recent post to Duke, who is new to our Board. You provided a link in your reply that had a discussion on cardiac fibrosis, with suggestions to consider enzymes (sorry..forget the type..pro..something). I'm wondering if there is any downsize to trying these. I apparently have a fair amount of fibrosis in my pulmonary veins, and if this might help to reverse that situatby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well I had it done today, and in spite of the fact that I didn't realize I wasn't going to be knocked out, it wasn't too bad. I was nervous because the nurse kept telling me what they were going to do, and that i would be awake so I could swallow for them, but that I would be basically out of it at the same time. I guess I was, because I have no recollection of them actually puttby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
OK thanks, Shannon I was just a little nervous about this until my sister mentioned bringing in my health care proxy, and since I know she's a big internet searcher...I thought maybe she read something concerning and it was a bigger deal than I thought. Appreciate the reassurance all. You can see that I"m clearly not the bravest person in town, which is why it took me so long to finby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ah that sounds more like what I'm hoping it will be...thanks, Betty My sister was scaring me by saying that she thought I should consider bringing a health care proxy with me..! That's how it was during my colonoscopy..I remember thinking, "did they really DO anything?". Anyone else have a similiar experience? Would like to meet up with my sister and do something fby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am heading off to NYC for my 6 month+ follow up TEE for my ablation last September. A little nervous as I hate any kind of anesthesia...am hoping they just do it like they do when you get a colonoscopy...you hardly know you were out and you feel fine almost right afterwards. What has anyone else's experience been with this? Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon. I know Dr. Barrett is going to read the report probably tomorrow...not sure if he sends it or discusses it with Dr. Natale or will I need to do that? If the LAA is pumping well, then I'm thinking there might still be a chance to get off of Xarelto...but will have to wait to see what the final report really says. Keeping my fingers crossed. Glad also that they didnby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks George. It's now a little over 6 months since my ablation, so I would think the "temporary" part of this should have resolved itself by now. According to the TEE results, there were no clots in there, and the blood flow is good. So I'm not sure what the consequence of a "stunned atrium' is, and if it might get better with a little more time...lots of questiby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Had my TEE today, and it basically went smoothly. EKG and Echo from my cardiologist were all normal. Ejection fraction normal. Blood flow good. But my left atrium is "stunned", as Dr. Barrett put it. At least, that's what the drs. that perfomred the TEE told him. He's going to review the test and call me in a few days after he's had time to go over it. He said theby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just curious McHale...why are you still using a monitor? Your own choice or did Dr. Barrett or Dr. Natale suggest it? Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've been on Xarelto since last September and have no known side effects or problems. I have an appt. with Dr. Barrett on April 8th and will see if he has a different opinion or newer information that might make me rethink that - but for now, I"m doing fine with the Xarelto. (of course, I"m hoping that I might be able to get off of blood thinners once they get the results ofby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Shannon I'm guessing the higher heart rate is why I find myself winded a little more easily when climbing and brisk walking, etc. Will be happy to have that quiet back down. I had an Echocardiogram on Friday, from my cardiologist. Just stopped the 7 day heart monitor, so next step is the TEE, which will be on April 8th. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed! ~ Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon - could that really be from skipping the beta blocker when I was only taking 12.5 mgs? If so, I'll be sure to not forget again anytime soon. I AM glad that if it was going to happen, it was caught on the heart monitor. I changed my appt. for the TEE from this Tuesday to April 8th, as I didn't have anyone that could go with me or meet me in the city this Tuesday. (they wby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have had a 7 day halter monitor on since last Sunday, with a few hiccups and blips here and there, but nothing of significance, that I noted anyway. Later yesterday, and last night, I was feeling like my hearbeat was kind of fast and not real strong, and was concerned. When I went to bed, it was definitely feeling fast. I realized that I had forgotten to take my Atenolol that morning - but oby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon - that was an excellent and impressive presentation! Thank you for putting our concerns and issues into powerful words and helping to ensure that the medical community has a better understanding of this from multiple perspectives. You managed to fit a lot into the short time they gave you, and the fact that you are so knowledgeable at good at communicating surely made those with a "by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
HI Chris - glad to hear you were in the right place at the right time, also! Such a relief to get the Afib beast quieted back down, isn't it? I also had a Natale ablation, and also had to have my LAA isolated. No flutter, just Afib for too long.... I am now at the 6 month mark and scheduled for a TEE next week -although I am trying to get it rescheduled to the following week. I am curreby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks everyone - she is still OK and lucky that nothing came of it, other than dizziness and some vision problems for a few hours. I definitely learned my lesson! We got on the program, but just as audience members, not contestants. While that would have been great, it was still alot of fun. Drew Carey was terrific, entertaining and very personable, and it was just fun to be part of the crby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
In an effort to consolidate some of the many supplements and pills I take, I put a few things together in one of those Monday-Sunday pill holders, when we headed off on vacation last week. When my 22 year old daughter asked for some Tylenol for a headache, I reached in and took out 2 oval, thin, white pills, assuming it was the Tylenol. After a little while she said to me that she felt dizzy,by tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon - if I have any at all, it will be with very little alcohol and rarely. Your story did indeed give me pause... Glad you are feeling so well, Dennis! Now back to packing...still much to do! See you all back here soon ~ Barbby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hey Dennis - I was thinking that if the ablation basically "cured" our Afib, then we should be able to have at least 1-2 drinks on ocassion.... I will probably not have another one for a very long time, but I was picturing myself sipping a Pina Colada down by the water...and it felt good Maybe I can ask for one with just a little bit of rum...... How are you feeling at this pointby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am not a big drinker, and basically haven't had ANY in years, due to it kicking up my Afib when I did. However, I am heading off on vacation and would really love to be able to have one Pina Colada, or one White Russian a few times during the week. Has anyone who's had an ablation found that they can do that now, or are we done with any drinking forevermore....? And I truly am justby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Shannon for your great support and encouraging words You are of course right - I have had a pretty easy time of it since my ablation. Other than a few blips here and there (especially if lying on my left side), things have been good. And I am very thankful that I found Dr. Natale - through this board - as I completely trust him and know he is one of the very best in the world. As itby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi McHale - No, not having any issues, other than the fact that there are a few supplements that I really want to take, but can't, as they have "blood thinning tendencies". One is an excellent one for endothelial function and blood pressure, including keeping the arteries more elastic and blood from getting 'sticky". I am a little afraid to take it wiht Xarelto as it haby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon - every time I read or hear about "all of the scarring and fibrosis", it scares me. I feel like my heart is in tough shape, and I might have other troubles down the road because of all of that....hoping that's not expected.. I don't believe Dr. Barrett is doing the TEE himself, as I am scheduled to have it, and then see him afterwards. The nurse practitioner saidby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon. Dr. Barrett actually just called me back and they are scheduling a TEE for me after all, on March 25th. I did mention that I'm hoping I can get off of the blood thinner, and he replied with something like, "well, that's a difficult thing with the LAA isolation". Didn't you say that there's about a 45-50% chance that I might be able to? I know theby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am at my 6 month mark after having an ablation with Dr. Natale. As he isolated the LAA and did some other work in the right cornoary sinus, I had to go and stay on a blood thinner...in this case, Xarelto. I was under the impression that I would be getting a TEE at this point, to see if I needed to stay on Xarelto. Yet when I spoke with Nurse Practioner there to schedule an appt., she said shby tobherd - AFIBBERS FORUM