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Heart Rate - 9 years ago

May have an issue. My heart rate increased last night from a normal range of mid-eighties to over 100 and up to 130,,,,.my diastolic pressure is abnormally higher as well (90-100), It usually is in the mid-80 range. I had an ablation in March 2011 with Natale and have been completely issue-free since. Know that an ablation is not necessary a "cure" so need some advice. Questi

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Coffee and pop - 10 years ago

After diagnosis for arrhythmia I attempted to identify the trigger(s) for my events.....caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, chocolate, excessive exercise, body position.......all without success. My local EP cardiologist said I would go crazy trying to learn the cause. During my first visit with Natal I asked him and he basically said it was genetics. Since my ablation in March 2011 have been event

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: We Want Your Feedback! What Do You Want in the New Website? - 10 years ago

My only suggestion would be to have the most recent activity be listed first....in other words if there is a recent comment to an older topic have it move to the top of the lists.. s

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Ablation - 10 years ago

I had an ablation with Natale in March 2011 and have not experienced any issues (I'm aware of) since......continue to take magnesium and potassium but otherwise live my life normally. Reading the recent experiences of others has started to make me somewhat nervous. Have I been lucky so for..... but am I on "borrowed time". My question.....other than actual arrhythmia are there

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year All! - 10 years ago

Late to the party but all the best as well!!!! Steve

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Ablation - 11 years ago

Good to hear it went well for Wayne.....was thinking about him as I remembered that his surgery date was in March as well. Had I not found this group that story could well have been about me. I had discussed an ablation with my local EP cardiologist.....would have been performed at St. Lukes Heart Institue. It is interesting that while they have a world-wide reputation for excellence in c

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Ablation - 11 years ago

Yesterday (March 10) marked four years since my ablation with Natale in Austin. As I have said previously no issues and the only medication is a 325 mg aspirin daily, I continue to take both potassium and magnesium supplements. Was able to return to normal exercise and daily activites immediately after the procedure. I will confess that I was apprehensive about the exercise program as arrh

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: What's The Best Way To Recover from an Ablation? - 11 years ago

My ablation was March 10, 2011 Have been problem-free since If arrhythmia ever recurs......will be headed to Austin immediately! Other than the aspirin was not required to take any anti-arrhythmic medication. s

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: What's The Best Way To Recover from an Ablation? - 11 years ago

Travis.....had a Natale ablation on a Thursday, came home Friday (Houston from Austin) and back to work on Monday.. Maybe I was unique but the there basically was no recovery period. My only side-affect was a sore throat for a day or so from the trach-tube. Was put on warferin for 90 days post procedure.......then a 325 mg aspirin per day. Natale told me I could resume my exercise progr

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Not Happy with Dr. Natale - Looking for Alternatives - 11 years ago

Travis, Had a Natale ablation in March 2011 (Austin) that so far has been successful. Learned about Natale on this site and echo all the prior comments. However, want to share an anecedote......I am a testicular cancer survivor. When diagnosed was referred to a very highly regarded oncologist here in Houston. We waited for over 2 1/2 hours for the initial appointment.....was not happy an

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Alas, some tough news that will demand most all of my time for immediate future - 11 years ago

Cancer has impacted me and my family in many ways. It is difficult to know how you will react when you or a member of your family hears the words "you have cancer". Regardless, I am a firm believer that having the right mental attitude is key to winning the battle. Even with the small amount of interaction I have had with you.........confident that will be true with your family.

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Arrhythmia hat trick - 11 years ago

Grady, Also in Houston, Short version....paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and have had a Natale ablation in Austin. My procendure was in March 2011 and have been problem free since. In the event that I begin to develope issues wanted to establish a relationship with an EP cardiologist in Houston (did not want to go back to my original ep cardiologist)......didn't want to make the tri

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Percentage of Afibbers who end up getting an ablation - 12 years ago

Anit-Afib Want to explain my situation. Not sure when I first experienced arrhythmia but from diagnosis to alblation was under three years. With the exception of the stroke, my situation is similar to McHale's. Had I not learned about Natale through this website not sure where I would be today. I progressed from "pill in the pocket" to daily medication during that time

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Percentage of Afibbers who end up getting an ablation - 12 years ago

McHale.....I too was adamant that I did not want anyone burning my heart. However, I also did not want to be tetherred to the damn anti-arrhythmic medication!! It was not only expensive but it did not completely stop the episodes. Also, did not want to completely alter my lifestyle....exercise and eat farily healthly....but enjoy socail drinking when I want. Consequently, I reclutantly opte

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Ablation date set for October 3rd w/Dr. Natale. I have many questions. - 12 years ago

Duke It was probably a couple of days......the sore throat was from the "tracttube" not the actual ablation. I have had numerous orthopedic surgeries and always get a sore throat from the tube. s

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Ablation date set for October 3rd w/Dr. Natale. I have many questions. - 12 years ago

I had a Natale ablation in Austin on a Thursday, came home on Friday and was back to work (non-physical) on Monday. Other than a sore throat from the "trachtube" I had no problems from the procedure. Per Natale I waited three weeks before I resumed my exercise prrogram. I will confess that I was apprehensive when I started to exercise again as I had started to experience arrhythmia w

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Rythmol experiences - 12 years ago

When I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was prescribed Rhythmol as a "pill in the pocket" with no issues or side affects. But as my arrhythmia progressed I began twice-daily medication with Rhythmol (tried both SR and regular)......believe it was 325 mg. My experience was absolutely horrrendous.....had just about every side-affect listed for the medication!!!!

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: History and one month Natale ablation report - 12 years ago

Gary, Your journey is quite simiilar to mine.......found this website while trying to learn as much as possible about arrhythmia after my diagnosis for paraoxysmal atrial fibrillation. I too learned about Natale here and ultimately had an ablation at St. David's in March 2011 ( I will never forget my night in the hospital as it was when the tsunami happened in Japan.....I could not sleep

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My Dr Natale Experience - 12 years ago

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 imm

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My Dr Natale Experience - 12 years ago

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 alcohol

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Natale Ablation Thursday Flew Sunday Pain While Swallowing Monday - 12 years ago

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 proced

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Definition of success? - 12 years ago

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 f

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Closet aFibbers? - 12 years ago

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 absol

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Natale Ablation - 12 years ago

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 actua

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Natale Ablation - 12 years ago

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. H

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Ablation Recovery time needed question - 12 years ago

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. Steve

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My Consultation with Dr. Natale - 12 years ago

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, the

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: My Consultation with Dr. Natale - 12 years ago

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 elimi

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: MSM - 12 years ago

I have taken MSM (1500mg) daily for many, many years.....aging athlete!! Steve

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM

Re: Passing the torch - 12 years ago

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 this

by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM