I changed my insurance coverage last year to see Dr. Natale. I have AARP Medicare Advantage Open Plan 2 (PPO). The premium is $33.00 a month. There are copays for some services but no deductible. What appealed to me is it has a maximum out-of-picked of $4,200.00, something alot of plans do not have. I was happy with this coverage when I saw Dr. Natale after 2 failed ablations by a prior EPby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good luck, Gloaming. I will be looking forward to hear how it went.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey Good catch, Daisy. Informed patients are patients who stay alive. I certainly agree with you, Carey. I do look up drug interactions, etc. I am learning so much through this forum. I consider myself fairly versed, but am not familiar with CYP2D6. Now I have to research that. Being our own advocate overwhelms me at times! I am glad this was mentioned in Daisy’s post.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteGeorgeN Assume you meant fentanyl? I just realized a did not spell fentanyl correctly in my post. Sorry about that.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for responding . gloaming, I am sorry to hear about the cardioversions you had last week.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteDaisy I am getting cataract surgery on January 20th and most likely will be given the same medications for conscious sedation. I have had them several times before and, as far as I know, there are not problems for Afib. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine (Versed) and fentanyl is used for short anesthesia (tiny dose, no worries). I have a clearance from Dr. Natale (required because of my recentby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am going to be having cataract surgery in February (aging is so much fun!!). I just inquired about the anesthesia I will be getting. It is an IV sedation of fetanol and midazolam. I am doing so well after my last touch-up ablation that I do not want to do anything to affect this wonderful normal sinus rhythm. I intend to send a messenge to my EP team, but, with all of the knowledge inby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I,too,very much appreciate this forum. I learned about Dr. Natale in 2016 when I was first diagnosed with AFIB. It was through this forum that I learned how important it was for me to seek help from a top tier doctor. Thank you, Shannon and Carey, for the expertise provided and for personally encouraging me through this process. Thanks for staying with me, Carey, as my anxiety did (and does)by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good to hear your take on this, Susan.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey I'm not sure I understand your question and I think you're probably overthinking it. No, there's no reason that doctor doesn't do his own TEEs. Like I said before, remember that all EPs are cardiologists first. The specialty of the doctor doing your TEE isn't particularly relevant. Bottom line is if Natale recommended someone I would trust that recommenby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey Just click this link and enter your location. This will give you a list of centers in your area that do Watchman implants. Centers that do Watchman implants will have cardiologists who do Watchman TEEs. Visit their web site and choose one yourself, or just call them and ask. Carey, Dr. Natale referred me to one of the doctors on this list for my second and third tee. As you say,by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just another thought because my anxiety has just increased about a decision I made and was comfortable with until now………I know it is best to have the first and second TEE done in Austin. There was a great response to that post previously. Dr. Natale did refer me to someone in the Midwest for my second and last TEE per my request. Carey, you responded that you would feel confident doing that beby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for the responses. Reading the adverse effects of the Watchman are daunting. This further proves to me that choosing a top EP to do my ablation and watchman implant was the right decision. I usually do my research and can’t believe I did not know some of these outcomes before the procedure. BUT, decision was made, the EP is a “top tier” and today I wam doing well.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was just reviewing information I received after my WATCHMAN implant. One was the card I should carry in my wallet and the other was information from Boston Scientific regarding the website that was for the “Directions For Use” DFU for this product. I printed the 8 page PDF and was not very happy when I found on page 5 “potential harmful events which may be associated with the use of the Watchby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJDfiB "As an aside, I am still unsure about getting the bivalent booster after talking with Dr. Natale" was the original statement "As aside Dr. N is still not supporting the bivalent booster". is what was quoted. I am wondering if he actually said that he didn't support it, because the quote is not accurate. I realize this is off the original topic but but itby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey Carey, I want my second and third TEE done close to home and the films sent to Austin. How would we know that a doc on the list would be acceptable for Dr. Natale? If the technical part is flawed he would not use it. Or, are you saying just have it taken and read by one of the docs on the list and leave Dr. Natale out of the loop? I'm definitely not saying leave Natale outby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJayBros I had my six month post Watchman TEE in August and Dr. Natale said I could have the 12 month on done by my local cardiologist. Originally, back in 2017, my local cardiologist, has done many TEEs declined to do the one six months after my second ablation. His verbal reasoning was that even if Dr. Natale sent him explicit instructions on what he would be looking for in the TEE results,by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey You say to just call a large medical center & ask for a cardiologist experienced with the Watchman. How exactly do I do that? Just click this link and enter your location. This will give you a list of centers in your area that do Watchman implants. Centers that do Watchman implants will have cardiologists who do Watchman TEEs. Visit their web site and choose one yourself, oby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuotePavanPharter Get some strong gum when you start taking Paxlovid, it has your mouth feeling like you're eating aluminum foil. Thanks for the tip. Did they have to adjust any of your medications for the 5 days?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Madeline, I just sent a PM. Let me know if you don’t get it.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Adding this information in case someone else may be asking the same thing. My first reply when I asked about this was to stop the diltiazem if I start Paxlovid. The second reply had a different take on it. That person was not finding any issues with Diltiazem and Paxlovid. The study said these are ok together but monitor for individual side effects. This helps me make a decision that is rigby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
My main complaint with my Covid symptoms is the cough and a tremendous sore throat. I can barely swallow and eating is an issue. This came so soon after my TEE, I am wondering if one can get this throat issue a few days after getting a TEE. I don’t know. It is just a thought.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am posting this in this forum rather than the General Health Forum because it pertains to AFIB. I know there has been discussion about Eliquis and Paxlovid, but I don’t recall anything about diltiazem. I have been so careful about Covid issues for the last three years! I was in Austin on 11/30 for my first tee. I think my husband and I were the only ones wearing masks. Well, on Saturday Iby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Madeline, your post is so timely. I had my first ablation with Dr. Natale February 23, 2022…..Previously had 2 failed ablations with a local EP. September 29 I had a 12 minute touch-up ablation and a Watchman was implanted. He was very insistent that the first 2 TEEs needed to be done there. On November 29 I had my first TEE and the watchman was sealed with no leakage. He said to come backby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Susan, a person at Blink Pharmacy told me to use their pharmacies in my zip code. There are several. I can call those pharmacies and have the staff there check out the drug and manufacturers and have it filled there for me to pick up. No mail order, etc needed.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
GeorgeN, my husband and I just listened to Peter’s podcast. It is amazing what we learned. For insurance purposes, most of our meds are generic. I will be going through each one to try to find out which are manufactured in India and will be switching the ones I find. I found a great website for the generic manufacturer AMNEAL. It lists each drug they have and the country of origin. Easy to uby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
[quote Daisy My report from Natale on my ablation from a few days ago says “moderate atrial scarring.” I was surprised as my Afib had been pretty well controlled by drugs until recently. What are the implications of the scarring and is there any evidence that it could be reversed? Daisy, I am wondering if Dr. Natale talked to you about this or if you just read it on the report.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Pompon and gloaming, I think not resting after a meal will be my plan. Whatever I do to make that happen will be better than doing nothing!by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for your response, George, I always learn so much from reading your posts.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Another quick question for the Walkers after Meals; If a short walk within 60-90 minutes after eating (when it is known that blood sugar is most likely to spike) is beneficial,are you finding it most effective to walk right after eating, or just anytime within 60 to 90 minutes?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM