Craig, After my Natale ablation in Austin all my follow-up was through a nurse educator that was assigned to me prior to the procedure. I did not have any issues post-procedure so did ot have to return to Austin to meet with Natale. During the past three years have had several questions that I posed to Natale through the nurse and received very prompt replies.....in some instances almost immby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Duke, Had a Natale ablation In Austin three years ago March and have been problem free. Other than warferin for 90 days post-procedure was not required to take any medication other than an aspirin per day. While I try to eat somewhat healthy have not changed my diet (have what I will call a very normal diet) or activites since the ablation. I also continue to be a social drinker of alcoholby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Susan, Had an ablation with Natale in Austin three years ago March. He advised me to not begin my exercise program for 2-3 weeks. I have to admit that I started again with quite a bit of anxiety as atrial fibriillation had began to occur during my workouts!! No problems when then or since. Other than a sore throat from the "trach tube" I had zero after-affects from the procedby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
John, Wanted to share my ablation experience as I benefited greatly from the guidance and experience from others on this site. Here is a summary of my situation and thought process that led me to a catheter ablation with Natale. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation about six years ago......not sure how long I actually had a problem prior to diagnosis but definitely had arrhythmia fby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Will share my opinion as well…..67 years old and work in a quite stressful profession. I have never viewed arrhythmia as a disability…..rather an obstacle to be overcome. It has been no different for me than any other physical ailment……have always been very physically active (played collegiate athletics) and have suffered from arthritis. I battled arthritic knees for many, many years and absolby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, Thanks for the comments. You accurately described my procedure per the ablation report!! > The average complete PVAI for paroxysmal AFIB as > performed by Dr Natale and all he has mentored, > and which including isolation of the posterior > wall and in many occasions isolation of the SVC > (Superior vena cava) as well takes from 32 to 40 > minutes of actuaby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Three years ago today I had an ablation with Natale in Austin. I have been problem free ever since!!! I was required to take warfarin for 90-days post procedure, but otherwise the only medication he recommended was a 325 mg aspirin daily. After my diagnosis for atrial fibrillation I progressed from a “pill in the pocket” to daily medication (Multaq eventually) over a brief period of time. Hby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my abllation on a Thursday in Austin, came home (Houston) Friday afternoon and was back in the office on Monday. Quite frankly, post-ablation was not much of an issue for me. Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon Had I not conducted research on atrial fibrillation after my diagnosis would not have found this site. Otherwise, may have ultimately had an ablation with my ep cardiologist or someone else in Houston since I hated being on the anti-arrhythmic medication......or may have continued to struggle along. The results may have been just as successful.....but maybe not. However, theby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Smackman, Seems you have already made your decision but thought I would share my experience with you. Found this website after I was diagnosed with atriall fibrillation and quickly learned about Natale. As I progressed from "pill in the pocket" to daily anti-arrhythmic medication I suffered almost all the side affects on the medication. Switched to Multq in May of 2010 which elimiby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have taken MSM (1500mg) daily for many, many years.....aging athlete!! Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
As many have stated this site has had a tremendous impact on my situation and more importantly my life. Found this site about four years ago in my research efforts on atrial fibrillation and have learned an incredible amount abount this problem from others here. Most importantly, not sure where I would be today as I was adamantly against an ablation until I learned about Andrea Natale on thisby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Had my hip replacement surgery November 20.....typically after joint replacement surgery you are given blood thinners (either orally or via injection). I had LOVENOX injections for several days with both knee replacements and had one injection in the hospital with my hip. However, my doctor prescribed 325 mg aspirin twice daily (morning and night) post-hospital rather than LOVENOX. sby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Don't care about the specific reasons why Natale left the Cleveland Clinic. Bottom line.....the result was he moved to Austin and that was a windfall for me!!!! Based on my experience with Natale.....should I ever require a follow-up ablabtion and he no longer is in Austin....will go to where he is located!!!! Steve Spring, Tx.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Have a question about on-going usage of aspirin.....appears to be a difference in opinion on this forum as to the benefit or potential harm from daily aspirin dosage. The only medication recommendation I received from Natale after my March 2011 ablation was to take one 325 mg aspirin daily.....which I have done until just recently (stopped in August due to a series of ocularplastic reconstructby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am now confused on aspirin!! The only recommendation I received from Natale after my March 2011 ablation was to take one 325 mg aspirin daily.....which I have done until just recently (stopped in August due to a series of ocularplastic surgery restrictions).. Now that I almost finished was about to re-start. Prior to stopping I contacted his office and explained my situation......they reby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Karen, I do not participate here very often but have gained tremendous knowledge and guidance from the people on this site. When I was initially diagnosed with atrial fibrillation it occured very infrequently and didn't last very long.....in fact was more of a nuisance than a problem. When an option of a catheter ablation was presented to me I was adamently against any type of surgery iby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mike, Will share my opinion.....had a Natale ablation in Austin a little over two years ago (March 2011). Prior to committing to the procedure I was adamantly against an ablation!! However, I also hated the thought of being on daily anti-arrhythmic medication on a long-term basis. Intereestingly, in my initial meeting with Natale he told me that atrial fibrillation usually gets worse overby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
John B, I had an abllation in Austin a little over two years ago (March 2011). From my first appointment with Natale I was assign a "nurse educator" who was my contact point. Once I had a surgery date I communciated through her all the pre-surgery procedures and requirements.....she directed me to any other individuals with whom I needed to communicate. Post surgery she oversaw alby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
McHale In early 2010 when I went from "pill in a pocket" to daily anti-arrhythmia medication was on Rythmol. The side-affects were brutal....including arrhythmia!!! After three months switched to Mutaq and eliminated the majority of the side-affects....however it did not completely comtrol the atrial fibrillation (neither did Rythmol). At my first meeting with Natale I asked hisby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
McHale, I had a Natale ablation in March 2011 and have been problem-free since!! Prior to the procedure I was adamently against an ablation.....however my paroxysmal,atrial fibriallation was gradually getting more frequent (even though it lasted only for a few hours). The side-effects of the medication fthat I took was almost as bad as the arrhythmia. and my quality of life was deterioatby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Had an ablation with Natale March 2011 in Austin. My procedure was on Thursday morning and checked out of the hospital on Friday morning then home to Houston.....back in the office on Monday. Natale told me that I could resume all activities after two weeks which included my exercise regime. I bascially had no difficulties what so ever. Most likely they have reveiwed the monitoring progby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had an ablation with Natale on March 10, 2011 in Austin. It has always been my impression from Natale that an ablation was not a cure but a preventative for arrhythmia. I have been problem-free since the procedure and have resumed all activities....especially my exercise regime. Also, have not required any anti-arrhythmia medication other than an aspirin per day (continue to take magnesium aby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
There is no doubt that my success thus far is primarily due to the expertise of Natale in conjunction with the staff and procedure at St. David's in Austin. Also, continue to be able to pose questions when they arise to the staff and get immediate responses. Steve Spring, Tx.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
It has been two years (March10, 2011) since my catheter ablation with Natale in Austin. While I know that it is a prevention and not a cure…..had no issues since the procedure and have resumed all normal activities including my exercise programs!!! Additonally I am not required to take any medication other than a daily aspirin (continue to take potassium and magnesium as well). Unless I amby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
George, Found your reference to Body by Science quite interesting. Being in good physical condition has always been important to me but gradually had problems with arrhythmia so I stopped my exercise programs....had bilateral total knee arthroplasties within the past five years and was just getting back into full participation in any physical activity when the arrhythmia problems began to deby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon.....sent you a PM Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Found this discussion interesting as I have low testosterone levels and have been interested in a possible connection with atrial fibrillation. In 2003 was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had an orechiectomy. Subsequently,my levels have been either below nomral or the lower range of normal. For several years post-surgery experienced some symptoms of potential low testosterone and discby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, My arrhythmia appears to be differerent from yours but thought I would share my experience that led to an ablation. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation about six years ago (in my late 50’s)….not sure how long I actually had a problem prior to diagnosis. My atrial fibrillation initially almost always occurred on the golf course (or soon after)….in fact I had a problem during a tournby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM