I went to Austin in February and will need to go back. I took Carey’s suggestion and purchased KN95 masks. My husband and I preferred the ear loops rather than the head straps. We did a lot of research on them. I did not want one of the numerous counterfeit masks that are/were in circulation. Here is a tidbit I learned: When purchasing a KN95 make sure the mask is stamped with both the comby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, that is positive news for me!! I am glad you responded! Thank you.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey I don't understand what you're asking. Are you asking if people think the drugs could be at fault? Yes, I am asking if the drugs could be at fault.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Today I started taking 10 mgs of Fluoxetine (generic Prozac). Before doing this, I spoke with one of Dr. Natale’s RNs. He said there would be no problem….a lot of folks with AFIB are on this drug. At the same time I am weaning off of lorazepam….that will take several months. So, to the point. Today, I have had one Kardia reading that showed normal sinus rhythm, 2 that showed Possible Afiby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotebettylou4488 one other option that I have found helpful is a cardiology focused pharmacist. When I was in the hosptial getting on dofetilide 3 years ago there was one on my case. I took her name, email phone etc.. and have called her maybe a dozen times in the last year. Maybe Team Natale has someone like that. But I totally get what you mean. I had a blood thinner question recently andby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am experiencing a little twist of this topic. I have been on the drug lorazepam for anxiety for years. I do not think it is working and I want to wean off of it. had a telemed call with my primary doctor just know. She told mean to stop it slowly and told me how the monthly reduction should be done. I don’t want to get personal, but depression and anxiety, etc. has impacted me because oby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey I have more to add to my recent post. The EP I had for several years performed 2 ablations on me. Both failed and she did not consider my case complicated. I find that extremely ironic. That's like saying, "I couldn't solve the two problems I was given but I don't consider the problems complicated." So what is she saying, that she can't solve easyby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJAYHAWK Had a Natale ablation in 2011. I live in the Houston area and with assistance from Shannon got the name of an experienced EP cardiologist from Natale. Saw this doctor to establish a point of contract. This was not the same doctor I used prior to my ablation. Steve Spring, Tx. I live in Madison WI and have tried for a year to get a name of a good EP in my area. I had my Natby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have more to add to my recent post. The EP I had for several years performed 2 ablations on me. Both failed and she did not consider my case complicated. She told me I did not have to go to Austin…..many people just live with it. This was said during the time I was in persistent AFlutter and needing more medication to keep my heart rate in normal range. Shortly before my ablation with Drby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
[quote=Carey As long as everyone understands that immediately prior to the ablation and throughout the blanking period you are Natale's patient, there should be no issue. If there are issues during the blanking period and beyond would one still be Dr. Natale’s patient?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteAfibber20 My AFib or AFultter is very sensitive to Calcium or Vitamin D supplement. My episode can be triggered by a Calcium-fortified milk or a dose of Vitamin D 1000 IU. Regular milk seems ok. I would not take any Ca supplement. Not sure if Vitamin K2-MK7 can help stop the AF flare up triggered by Ca, since Vitamin K2-MK7 shuffles the Calcium from the heart blood vessels into the bones, wby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, thank you for your response. Susan, thank you, too. No beta blocker was mentioned.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my ablation on 2/23. I started 80 mgs of sotalol twice a day on March 4. I was doing well with a heart rate usually in the 60’s. On May 3 I started weaning off the drug by taking 40mgs twice a day. I stopped the sotalol on 5/10. I did fairly well that week. But then, once off of it, my heart rate started to climb to the 70’s and 80’s. My sinus rhythm was normal. This morning myby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, I had sent a prior post related to Mac’s. If the tissue does not grow over the leak and seal it, is there surgical intervention? I will be having a watchman and this topic remains on the top of my list. Sherryby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey It's under 5 mm so I don't think it's concerning, but it's something they'll want to watch, which is probably why they're doing another echo. They probably want to verify the previous echo. What they'll hope for is that endothelial tissue will grow over that leak and seal it. I am curious to know what is done if tissue does not grow over the leaby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey How long is the support from Dr. Natale and team there for us?? In general, as long as it's needed. They're not going to manage other issues unrelated to your ablation, but anything directly related they should be perfectly happy to help you with a year from now. They still automatically renew the Eliquis prescription they wrote for me in 2017. Sorry, this is aby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
It is unclear to me how long Dr. Natale and his team will manage the patient from afar. I was told frankly by them not to use the local EP I had because of the attitude, etc. How long is the support from Dr. Natale and team there for us?? I was told by the team to use the cardiologist I have, but the first time I called the local nurse line after hours to look at an EKG readinby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
CaliGuy, I had my ablation February 23.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCaliGuy When did have your ablation? I'm going to ask about the drug. Thanks! It was done by Dr. Natale at St David’s Medical Center in Austin. I was given sotalol after my ablation. I did not need an overnight hospital stay for the monitoring. I started it when I returned home after the ablation and needed an EKG 3 days after the start day to check for QT prolongatby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was given sotalol after my ablation. I did not need an overnight hospital stay for the monitoring. I started it when I returned home after the ablation and needed an EKG 3 days after the start day to check for QT prolongations. It is working well for me. It was not given to me for long term at this time. Today was the day I was told to start weaning off it it. In a week I Iwill stop it aby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I, too, had an ablation with Dr. Natale recently. I hope the tachycardia episodes have subsided. I know the anxiety issues like this can cause.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Isn’t Moderna supposed to be coming out with a booster that is to respond to new variants better? If so, when? Daisy, I wish I would have had the opportunity to have the second booster before my ablation. Unfortunately, it had not been approved yet.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, George. Unfortunately,I just found out Dr. Natale is out of the country for several weeks. I think I will get in touch with my contacts there and hope they are well versed on Covid and vaccine effects,by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, thanks for responding. I start weaning off of sotalol May 3. After one week, I will be off of it. We will see how that goes. Maybe it would be better if I stayed on sotalol until after the booster. That is probably a discussion I would have to have with the team in Austin.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, George and Carey. Carey, wouldn’t it be wise to wait until after the blanking period? Also, I had 2 cardio versions in the past and one worked for about a week and one for 2 days. I don’t t know if I had a reaction to the first booster because I was already in AFIB most of the time.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my ablation with Dr. Natale on February 23. I had a few AFIB episodes following the ablation but no one mentioned that I am not doing well during this blanking period. On May third, I start weaning off the sotalol and will see what happens when I stop that. Those with anxiety know how I am feeling!! I will be going back for a watchman and touch up if needed. That date has not been set.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Oh, I want to stay on it longer, also. I think 3 months would be better than two………or forever?? Glad to know someone had the same fear. I am so glad to hear about the success you are having. Sherryby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the encouragement, Carey and Tom. When I was told to take my heart rate only twice daily, I thought that would be impossible for me to do, but it is working…….just breath in and out, right? There was a lot of activity in my LAA and he suspects there might be 4 spots that may need a touch-up. By, the way I an not even reading the posts about the watchman. It is another new stratby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had an ablation with Dr. Natalie on February 23. Several days after the ablation, he put me on sotalol. Things have been fine during this period. It is the plan for me to stop the sotalol on 4/21. Frankly, I am already doing something I should not be doing ………thinking ahead and wondering what will happen when this drug is stopped. I have had 2 failed ablations and can’t help but think aboby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Geocappy, I am one of those anxious people and have spoken or written to Carey and Shannon many times. My medical records were sent for Dr. Natale’s review during one of the peak covid times. My husband and I had a telemed visit with him after he reviewed my records. He told us exactly what he thought he would need to do during my ablation. I will never forget that conversation…..his confiby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM