QuoteCarey My memory is fuzzy on this but I believe Natale has panned the device as too crude of an instrument. It's basically like doing a cryo using RF instead of cold. I beleive you are correct. When I first spoke to Shannon ealier this year we discussed the many short commings of Cryo ablation as that is what I had had done in January. I will say that the touch up that was done in Jby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuotePompon From a single ectopic to runs of afib, I feel everything. I just record some events to show my Doc I'm not joking, because when we meet, I'm usually in NSR. Im exactly the same. I'm very symtomatic and have always felt every little blip of my heart. It's been both a blessing and a PITA.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Its been a week since my cardioversion and 4 weeks since my ablation with Dr. Natale. Heart has been in steady rhythm since friday. No PAC's or PVC's that I have noticed. Heart rates have been ranging between 54-62 bpm. My BP was 100/60 the other day at the doctors office. I'm feeling really good, except for the sciatica which is unrealated and at times unbearable.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotebolimasa When I read Dr. John's blog, he makes the recovery sound like a nightmare. Recovery from ablations is a breeze for most people. It's a few days of a lifting and exercise restriction, some mildly tender insertion sites, and perhaps a little fatigue. I've had far worse head colds. Mandrola is a self-promoting writer who makes a practice of making a fool ofby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Yes, when you go into constant afib it wrecks your heart. It did the same with mine, which is why I opted finally for an ablation. When you get back in rhythm, it will most likely go back to normal. This happened to me the week leading up to me changing meds back in April when I went in to continuous AF for 6 days before I could get cardioverted. During the TEE they noted possibleby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
How long is the typical recovery time, and what are the stages (if any)? I'm in my mid-40s, in reasonable health, exercise frequently (though usually just in the form of 1 hour brisk walks). :Everyone is different so far as recovery goes so its not easy to put a hard number on it. Following my ablation back on January 6 I had allot of chest discomfort. On January 19th I went to DC to parby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was having runs of pac’s and pvc’s for a little over a week leading up to last Friday. Last Friday was 21 days since my ablation with Dr Natale so I am stil on flecanide and metoprolol. I actually ended up in flutter last Wednesday and was carioverted Friday morning. Being only 21 days in I’m not surprised. And you just being past the blanking period, like others said, I would not be worried.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Maybe there should be a digoxin thread.😁 Anyway, I appreciate the passion of this site along with the knowledge and people’s inherant desire to help complete strangers with solid information. I’m also a proponent of advocacy. It really is something a person needs in today’s medical climate. Not all Medical professional’s are created equally.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Main advice was not to exacerbate inflammation with too much exercise during the blanking period, and keeping the pulse rate down with diltiazem for the near term. I couldn't be more pleased with my choice EP's. I haven't done much of anything since my ablation. My sciatic nerve pain has kept me pretty sedentary since July 20; Taking 50 mg metoprolol and 100 mg Flecaby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteSocalsteve However, I can almost guarantee that continuing to push while you are getting things sorted are probably going to make your situation worse instead of better. Please tell me what you mean by this? . My point here is that to continue to forgo any means to keep your heart in rhythm is probably going to lead to making the afib worse. The key is to keep your heart in rhythm soby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteSocalsteve Bottom line is that I am a cyclist. It’s my passion in every sense of the word and while on metropolol, I cannot enjoy cycling. There has to be other choices. I do think I will need a touch up ablation, but my hmo is making me go the meds route first. They did my ablation 7.5 years ago and I was afib free for the entire time. Same doctor is still there. I will make sure he doesby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteSocalsteve Just got off the phone with my regular cardiologist. He told me to stop taking the metropolol and digoxin and he prescribed flecanide 50mg x 2 daily as a start. Also said to take more if I feel an episode. He also ordered a Zio patch and a referral to the EP department of my HMO. I think I’m headed for another ablation. I have no problem with this at all. I actually welcome it.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Arrhythmia is hereditary. I was diagnosed with afib in my early 20’s. My mom developed persistent afib in her 70’s, many years after my diagnosis. My lifestyle most likely led to the early onset. Afib and arrhythmia’s aren’t deal breakers and can be addressed.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteSocalsteve Wow! Thanks! I do believe the digoxin was more recommended while I’m having a long term afib episode as opposed to daily usage. The way it was explained was that the metropolol would lower rate and the digoxin will keep me from the rate jumping all over the place and making me more comfortable . I was going from the 70’s to the 130’s during my episode. The metoprolol should coby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteSocalsteve Will someone please point me to the area that talks about quantities of Magnesium, Potassiumand Taurine needed. Thank you so much! Steve Everyone’s needs are different. Be sure to get high quality supliments. I uses chelated magnesium and high quality potassium. Not sure about the taurine as I have never used it. For the magnesium I continue to raise the amount I take toby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters What about Digoxin do they not like? It worked well for me, but some had reactions and there are studies indicating increased mortality rates. Digoxin was the very first drug I was put on when I was first diagnosed. It made me feel terrible along with making my afib worse.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sorry to see your having issues again. Could be you just need a touch up ablation as jpeters mentioned. I’ve had 2 touch up procedures this year . One by the same EP that did my first ablation back in 2009. Then a more comprehensive ablation done by Dr Natale mid July. Following my ablation in 2009 I was afib free for 5 years then used flecanide and metoprolol as a PIP for the years that folby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters I got some of those yesterday (connected with my ablation on July 19ty). Thought it might be afib, but after sending in a report was told it was just some normal flutter. I'm not feeling much in the way of symptoms. It's interesting that if the pulse goes up, systologic pressure goes down to compensate. I notice them when they happen. I’m very symptomatic. Interestinglyby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Great!! Welcome back.[/quote Thanks!! I had been having some of runs af PAC’s and PVC’s this week and was wondering if one of those runs may throw me into afib or flutter. Yesterday was exactly 3 weeks since my ablation so I’m not the least bit concerned. The folks in the EP Lab said not to take it the wrong way, but they didn’t want to see me again. 😁by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Cardioversion went well. Was in flutter. Met a new cardiologist as well today. My TEE experience was as it should be as well. Uneventful. Didn't even know I had one done. Dr.Voigt was top notch as usual. He went over my ablation report from Dr Natale with me and we discussed how things went in Austin.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Best wishes for your cardioversion tomorrow. Dr Voigt looks like a great guy, and I'm sure you'll be well taken care of. Hang in there!!! Thanks Jpeters. Im hanging tough and staying positive. Dr. Voigt is exceptional. He actually called and talked to me this afternoon.to discuss my ablation with Dr. Natale as well as tomorrows festivities with me. As usual the paby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just a quick update. Heart has been pretty good only acting up occationally throwing a bunch of PAC's and PVC'S until Tuesday afternoon when I went out of rhythm for a few hours. It came back but then went out again Wednesday morning and has been out ever since. Im not sure exactly what's going on becasue it really does not look like afib or flutter but the rate is high. Dr. Nataleby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Digoxin was the very first drug I was ever put on. Was prescribed by cardiologist #1 in my 20's. Doctor half listened to what I was saying. Had his script pad out not even 2 minutes into our conversation. Handed it to me then left. Took it for about a week. Made me feel like crap and seemed to making my episodes worse. Back in those days my affib was very sporadic in nature and the digby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
I really saw nothing wrong or argumentative from any of the comments. I think that there is a misunderstanding of the passion of this site. Many here have dealt with this for a long time. Some as long as 30 years or better. So there is a wealth of experience and concern for those who are new to it and don’t fully understand the nuances of their newly diagnosed condition.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey II give the groin a week to heal and then I return to all normal activities, including 50+ mile bike rides in hilly terrain, which is definitely an intense workout. This is what I'm talking about when it comes to myself. My third ride post ablation was 7 months later and was 100 miles. Had my 6 month post ablation 24/7 event recorder on that day. I have zero self control. Herby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Following my first ablation I waited 3 months before starting back to light spinning. In the interim I did allot of walking. I was told I could start sooner but I’m not real disciplined to go easy at things so I thought it best to wait. I figured what’s 3 months in the grand scheme of things. Doing the same thing this time around. I’ve already given up 8 months of what’s normal living for me.by rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters And then some unknown comes up after they're approved, requiring a recall, and the process starts all over again. They need to be subsidized, not taxed. Normally I would agree with your subsidizing statement. But having worked in the field for many years I saw products that were both subsidized either directly by government (DARPA) or through research grants. This was actuallyby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotevanlith How long before you get off flec....i am thinking oct. at the latest when your blanking period ends.. This would be my guess as well' My wife was looking at my strips from my Kardia and she said that the recordings I though were possibly affib were runs of PAC's and PVC's. SO that's a bonus. I had a nice conversation with shannon yesterday. We went over myby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters It's not hard to see why the BSX is trading at a PE of 413.95 and EPS of .08. Success amounts to hoping that the latest round of tests shows much lower embolization rate than before the recall, approval by the FDA, and then acceptance by the insurance industry....and if they need to change anything, repeat.... Think I'll stick with consumer staples. The medical implantby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM
I thought the reason for the second trial of this device was because the original study was heavily weighted on the female persuation. And that this trial would be mostly or entirely men. So far as it being done in several different locations would be due to random data collection required by the FDA and or including the European equivalent (EMA) . I'm not sure as to how many implantby rocketritch - AFIBBERS FORUM