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
QuotePoppino George i guess ive watched you here for years and you’ve managed it. I know no cure but the tweaking etc is pretty amazing I agreeby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am in Austin after having an LAA and coronary sinus ablation on Wednesday. I feel I was in the best place, having one of THE top doctors performing my procedures. I just want to focus on healing and and not adding stressors during this time. Although Dr. Natale told my husband while I was in recovery that things went well, I did not have long to speak with him because of his schedule, but Iby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been thinking of you all day, Susan. I am so glad it went well!by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been making a few calls about the following drugs: Rosuvastatin (generic Crestor), Metoprolol Succinate ER and Diltiazem extended release CD. I was not very successful finding a manufacture that was not in India.. This is so frustrating, isn’t it? I need refills soon. Any help on these 3 drugs would be appreciated. Rob, I don’t completely understand what the Drug Information Speby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoe I got early symptoms and treated right away (3x over 21/2 days) . Got almost full relief within hours and i'm still fine. Joe, what treatment did you receive over the 2 1/2 days? Glad you are better!by Pixie - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
I have been wondering about mail order pharmacies and the temperature controls they have in place when transporting/delivering drugs. I am specifically thinking about the efficacy of drugs if the standard temperature control is not followed. I just got off the phone with Bristol-Myers’s Squibb, the manufacture of the Eliquis I take. It is manufactured in Switzerland. The person I talked to tby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for responding. Hearing from others helps me.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I read a few posts from folks who have upcoming appointments in Austin. I am one of them. I am wondering how you are handling the psychological impact of traveling during Omicron.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hang in there, Susan! You have the temperament to beat this, too!by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
My insurance changed this year and I was just going to sign up for OptumRX as my mail order pharmacy. Diltiazem is a drug waiting for me to receive. After reading your info, Susan, about receiving drugs during summer and winter months, I am wondering what to do. I would save 30.00 for a 90 day supply having it mailed rather than picking it up at the pharmacy. More things to wonder about…….by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have another question about an LAA and a TEE. It was not on my list when I talked with Dr. Natale and I did not ask Carey when we were discussing this topic. I had so many other things to ask, It appears I will have an LAA when I have my procedure with Dr. Natale. My question is will I have to return to Austin for a TEE or can I have that done in Madison?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sorry, my post probably should have been a new topic.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ok, Carey, I will be anxious until my procedures with Dr. Natale are completed. He told me he would do 2 ablations: LAA and coronary sinus. I know we have talked about the LAA in the past, but, would you tell me again why most EPs won’t ablate the LAA. Thank you for your continued patience with me.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I made a decision to travel from Wisconsin to see Dr. Natale. I am waiting for my third ablation to be scheduled. I have a telemed/consult call with him on Wednesday. I will be compiling my list of questions. Please let me know if you have any questions I should be asking him. Thank you!by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Here I am again. Since June 17 I have been in asymptomatic Afib/AFlutter.. I thought I had a plan and found a top EP who said he would do a redo PVAI on me. He has my medical records, so should know I am persistent. My problem has always been high heart rates . I was told it was ok if my rates stayed under 110. Sometimes they are higher than that even though my rate control meds have beenby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had an interesting article sent to me about the vein of Marshall alcohol ablation. I never heard of this, but after googling it, there are many articles written about it. I am turning to the expertise in this group to see what you know about this type of ablation and your thoughts on it.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks everyone for responding. Great points have been made. Tom, your point about the anxiety is right on. It is hard to deal with at times. Like me, I am sure you are trying to handle it as best as you can. I do get impatient with the “road blocks” that some of us face. I do not have a general cardiologist even though I asked 2 years ago if I needed one. My EP told me at that time she wouby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
They should have it, Tom. I left a message for Norma last evening. Thanks for the advice.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I was diagnosed with AFIB in 2016, I learned that I had mitral valve regurgitation/leak. I had yearly echocardiograms and it remained the same. Yesterday I received the results of the echo I just had and it showed it has worsened. I am awaiting a call back from my EP today. Not knowing how this will affect my AFIB plans, I feel so awful about this unexpected news,by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey,what about flying during the Thanksgiving rush? Still less risky than driving?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I received a call this morning from Dr. Natale’s office wanting to schedule my procedure with him in November. They gave me three dates. The one that worked best for us was November 24. Although it will be a long road trip, my husband would rather drive than fly. Those of you who read some of my past posts, know I am concerned about the covid situation. Although we are both vaccinated, I stiby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Susan, thinking of you as you and your medical staff work things out.by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon sent a list of Some EPs trained by Dr. Natale. Thanks for doing that, Shannon. I was interested in Dr. Lakkireddy because he is located closer to me than Dr. Natale is. I was looking at both doctors on Healthgrades. Under treatments, this appears for Dr. Natale: Ablation for Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias and there is a line starting at High Frequency as related to similar proby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am still not understanding all of this. There is a clinical trial, the aMAZE Trial (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02513797), that uses a device called the Lariat to electrically isolate the LAA in those with persistent and longstanding persistent afib having catheter ablation. The study is expected to be completed in December, with results reported soon after that. Is this thby Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
GeorgeN, you mention that many fellowship programs do not train EP's to isolate the LAA. Do you think that is because of what my EP said about differing EP opinions in the community because of the risks?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Wolfpack. I knew the right side was easier than the left. Have you had an ablation for AFlutter, particularly the left side?by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks T, I sent you a personal message,by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM