No worries. In reality I'm not overly concerned. My brain's been scanned. I have no aneurysms or other risk factors for the genetics.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteHere it's usually 3 months. Are you sure Dr Natale would apply this protocole to any ablated patient? That's what his nurse told me. QuoteBeing Apoe3/4 (double normal risk intracranial bleed) I really don't want to be taking ACs any longer than I absolutely have to before and after an ablation. I'm Apoe 3/4 also! I didn't know about the bleed risk.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Here it's usually 3 months. Are you sure Dr Natale would apply this protocole to any ablated patient? That's what my nurse said!by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all, Just curious about the scoop on stopping the blood thinner after ablation. Dr. Natale's protocol is to take it for 6 months after. I've heard others say 3 or 4 months. While I don't want to question the master and certainly don't want to risk stroke, I hate taking it, have some minor side effects and am wondering about using something more natural after 4 months sinceby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
You might consider eating more toward a whole food plant-based diet. The key is lots (lots!) of green (and other veggies). Doing this my blood pressure went from borderline to 106/64 last week, on no meds. It will up your potassium and magnesium and possibly take care of your blood sugar and weight issues too.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
One can tell PCE by EKG if it's severe enough that there are electrical alternans. Also, if the effusion comes on slowly you wouldn't necessarily have prominent/significant symptoms. PCE can be life threatening. You'll want to investigate. Please don't let anyone belittle the situation. Echo is the best test. I don't think X-ray is helpful. The others are helpful, but Iby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJPeters no anti-coagulent "breaks up clots" Patients with clots are put on heparin and/or coumadin and the clots dissolve over time. I'm sure I just don't understand the specifics clearly, but how exactly does that work?by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Libby - Just curious, is there a way to measure in the blood if Eliquis is working or not? Carey - No. If you're taking it as directed, it's working. JPeters - Only one way I know of is to be in a situation where you have a clot that you are monitoring.... could see it (Eliquis) wasn't working after 4 TEE's. So if Eliquis works the same for everyone, why have some pby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
mjamesone, I'm very satisfied with my outcome so far. I'm nine weeks out from my procedure, off the anti-arrhythmics and have no issues! As far as discussion beforehand, my understanding from him was that he would hunt for all causes of my rhythm issues. I was at a point that I needed to just trust him and let go to de-stress. I didn't question a lot.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all, In the past I have documented sinus tachycardia, SVT, and a-fib. Now that I think this through, a right sided EP study was done in Minneapolis last summer. The EP said he thought I had SVT that degraded into a-fib. I went into a-fib easily, but he couldn't induce SVT so he aborted the procedure because he said we hadn't discussed the risks of going to the left side. I was superby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
So sorry, See, just an example of how my brain doesn't work right! Just curious, is there a way to measure in the blood if Eliquis is working or not?by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, I've had both SVT and a-fib. I was told that SVT can degrade into a-fib. I'm not sure if this was my case or how they tell this, but I'm guessing in this case one would treat the SVT. I just had an ablation with Dr Natale and both were addressed. So far, so good! I don't know any docs in your area, but some here have recommended a doc in Pennsylvania. That's not tooby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
My 2 cents about conversations above: Elizabeth, so sorry to hear of your stroke and struggles to recovery. So happy you are getting stronger every day. I understand your frustration. It can be isolating. I had a brain infection in your same area and can relate to your struggles with cognition. Know the brain does have some capacity for growth and repair. You will keep getting better! It'by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good to hear, Ken! Thanks all for your input!! I've had anxiety about stopping, but I never felt good on the drug. I babysit my grand puppy in a couple weeks and hope everything is quiet.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Love it, Wolfpack!! And, Carey-I just meant flush as an expression. Wouldn't really flush. I agree, not good for the environmentby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm just wondering if the time-frame was 2 months for all of you too, and did you have problems sooner, later, or not at all when you stopped? I'd like to flush the Flecainide too, thanks for the visual I just got a refill a week ago. They usually give me a months worth, but I got home and they had given me 3! I decided to keep it in the medicine cabinet. I'm afraid if I dump itby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all, I'm coming up on two months post ablation and was told I could stop the Flecainide. Wondering about others' experiences? How long before you felt comfortable stopping? I haven't had any big problems. Sometimes I feel "something", but when I feel my carotid everything feels fine. The Eliquis gives me GI issues and I burp a lot and have heartburn. I think this is wby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peak emptying LA appendage velocity was 58.5 cm/sec in Feb. of 2015. Then it seemed to be 32 cm/sec on Sept 2015 from a TEE. Then I had an Echo in May 2016 and it was 60-65%, "by visual estimation" - and same comment of 60-65% on the Echo done in 2017. 60-65% by visual estimation sounds like an ejection fraction and not LA appendage velocity.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Carey! The EP said to stop after two months and I asked if I could cut it in half after 6 weeks for the last two. He said fine. When I looked online there were folks that said they had to taper slowly, but like you said, I was under the impression that one could just stop. I'm not sure why my heart feels a little different sometimes. I'm worried about sick sinus syndrome, whichby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was on Flecainide 100 mg twice a day before my ablation. Beginning this past Monday I am down to 50 mg twice per day for two weeks and then going off (hopefully for good). Now and then throughout the day I feel a little off, like my heart rate is slightly higher or lower than my body wants it to be (like trying to run on a beta blocker), but when I feel my pulse everything feels totally fine. Dby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Barb! Just my 2 cents. I know some, but wouldn't call myself an expert. I would first gather information: 1) "pneumonia" "mild pulmonary hypertension (PHTN)" Did they do a CT for pulmonary embolism? Do you have a coagulopathy like Factor 5? Have you had lung issues in the past or have a smoking history or sleep apnea that would influence PHTN? 2) A TEE might rule oby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks everyone, This weekend has been restful and my heart has quieted.by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for your support!! I hate taking pills and haven't taken added supplements. What's the basic amount helpful and what can I get using food only?by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all, Monday will be 4 weeks since my ablation. First four days - normal rhythm. After traveling home (long day), next three days with palpitations mid morning. The next two weeks - totally normal. I went back to work last week. Worked three days. One day off. Worked 8 days. Now I'm having more ectopy. It seems like PAC's and PVC's. I know they say it's normal, but I couldby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've had very faint red patches since starting the Eliquis also. Mine don't itch much. They're in similar spots - between my eyebrows, cheekbone area and thighs. I've been on Eliquis about two months. Some days I notice them more and others not so much. I have had eczema in the past, but it was itchy. I did read that Eliquis and the other non-warfarin anti-coagulants have lactby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
i have cured cardiac ischemia and Lupus, with 100% clinical proof, using nothing more than the methods learned from anecdotal reports from alternative medicine. "Placebo" does not scrape your arteries squeaky clean in months, from 40 years of lousy diet and lifestyle habits. Inspiring!! Tell me more about cleaning your arteries. Did you follow the diet from Caldwell Essylsten, Joeby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Scary, so sorry. I'm glad you're better. Was that post ablation or was your atrium big?by libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
My first Doc told me three days. With Dr. Natale I was told five, but I bargained for four and went to Austin after the first day without since I didn't want to get on a plane unmedicated. I also looked up pressurepoints for anxiety and heart rhythm (I had taken a class in the past) and used them when I felt a premonition about rhythm issues. This worked well for me. I was shocked I didnby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Tracey, So sorry you're feeling down. Your story sounds so similar to mine. I initially had mostly SVT, in fact it started happening every night in the middle of the night. I was afraid to go to bed, babysit for my son... Months later I had some episodes of short-lived a-fib... I totally understand where you're coming from, but things can get better and we're all here to sby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had four TEE's spaced several weeks apart while on Eliquis, and it did almost nothing to remove the clot. Switched to warfarin, and it was gone. That's scary! Was it an atrial appendage clot or somewhere else? I've been on Eliquis for 6 weeks now. I've had headaches and puffy eyelids (especially in the am) from it. The first 10 days the headaches were difficult, but it hby libby - AFIBBERS FORUM