Carey, it wasn’t Medicare that paid for my Watchman. I realized you didn’t see the “supplemental insurance.” For me that was Blue Shield.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Before I had my Watchman I asked my EP about exrays, MRIs, mammograms, etc. snd he said it would not be an issue.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Barb, My sister’s father-in-law is in his 90s and not in good health. He has had AFIB for many years and had a Watchman procedure a couple of years ago and is doing great. Like Carey said, it is a rather quick procedure and the recovery is minimal. If the doctors don’t think the anesthesia is an issue the stroke prevention seems worth it. However, none of us are there. From your descriptby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, George. I will check them out.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I should have said persistent. There was also a post on here about having it so long; but I’d be hard pressed to find it now. I have rarely heard of anyone having “one and done” and since I’ll be 70 in June it would be a bad time to have a “first” one. Also, from my perspective, I would still be on blood thinners and most likely still have AFIB , so it wouldn’t really change my life to have anby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Does anyone have a phone app for heart rate that you really like and believe is accurate? Thank you.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, my husband just told me that the Dr had to get it approved. I don’t remember the conversation, but I have a hard time remembering details when I go to the doctor. I don’t know what the criteria was but I do remember him saying I wasn’t a good candidate for an ablation based on how long I have been in permanent AFIB. I honestly don’t remember all the questions.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Barb, I made the decision precisely to get off Xarelto. I hated taking blood thinners at all. The procedure was nothing. Really, I came home the same day ( I begged my Dr for this and he scheduled me first one of the day.) I really don’t think it’s necessary for anyone to stay overnight after a few hours unless they have other issues or complications— I think the hospital wants the money —by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
No worries, Kate. We’re all sharing here — how I interpret things is not the responsibility of the poster! Good health to you. 😁by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
After my last post I did a little research on several sites. It seems that HDL over 100 “could lead to higher incidents of heart attack or death.” Naturally that is not good news for me. But I then read that the risk is not that great when LDL and Triglycerides are under 100. Still food for thought and something I will definitely ask about. I have not seen my EP since my Watchman proceby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Joe and Kate, Your questions only confirm my ignorance! Joe, I don’t even know the different measuring tools you are referring to. I get a complete blood test every year and then the results. So I guess whatever is “standard.” Also I pulled my records since 2014 and realized I misstated my results due to relying on memory! I got years mixed up in my head. As of October 2018, my totalby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I thought I might be having a heart attack today, but now think I just panicked. I was driving and got what felt like (and most likely was) indigestion. My chest felt tight and like my bra was too tight. I had recently read about the actress Susan Lucci’s heart attack and stent due to a 90% blocked artery. The tight bra was what she had described. I then started sweating lightly on my face,by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I’m taking Plavix and aspirin post Watchman. I also have bursitis in my shoulder. Can I take ibuprofen occasionally? I know Tylenol would be recommended but it does not have any anti-inflammatory benefits..by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, I had mywatchman put in January 31. I have the follow up TEE on May 27. I am taking aspirin and Plavix right now. It’s only after reading the latest report on aspirin and all of the posts here that I’m nervous about taking them both. It seems the possibility of bleeding is worse than Xarelto. Also, like Xarelto, there is no antidote if I have an injury that causes bleeding. When I saby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
One more thing, Quote: What should happen is both will become endothelialized, or covered with your own tissue, after a period of time (about 6 weeks for Watchman, not sure about stents but probably similar). Once that happens you won't need the aspirin anymore. The trouble is, there's no way to know with certainty if it has happened and if it's complete. So the recommendationby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I wasn’t told by my doctor that the reason for aspirin was to keep platelets from sticking to the Watchman device. I thought aspirin was just a “mild blood thinner.” It’s only reading the various posts here that I’m wary of aspirin and internal bleeding (which is why I had the Watchman in the first place — because I feared internal bleeding from anticoagulants.). Also, I will be 70 in June. Soby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
If anti-platelets are effective for 5-7 days, why take them every day? There is absolutely nothing to reverse this should you have a bleeding injury. I’m with a Elizabeth for natural remedies. I take lots of fish oil, vitamin c, vitamin B6 and am adding Vitamin E. In Hans’ latest book, he says: “...two large studies carried out at the Harvard Medical School concluded that people who haby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
How many days before oral surgery should I go off 81mg aspirin?by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I really wasn’t aware that the Watchman had any metal on it. Isn’t the purpose of the follow-up TEE to ensure my own tissue has grown over it? Are you saying that sometime, even a few years from now it could “break through?” This procedure isn’t doing anything for my AFIB or heart rate — the absolute only reason I had it done was to go off blood thinners. I’m sure Dr. Doshi will tell me to juby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had asked on another post but haven’t seen an answer: I had my Watchman procedure 1/31; saw the nurse practitioner on 3/13 and was told to stop Xarelto and start on Clopidogrel (I had already started 81mg aspirin upon discharge along with the Xarelto). I cannot wait to get off the Clopidogrel but can’t see the Dr till 3/24 for a “conversation,” and then a TEE on 3/37. I’m wondering (even bby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my watchman procedure 1/31 and saw the nurse practitioner yesterday. She gave me a prescription for generic Plavix. Why is this? I have been taking Xarelto plus 81mg aspirin since the procedure and was told I would be off blood thinners (except aspirin) in 45 days. Wondering why I’m taken off one and put on another. Also she called in a prescription for 3months but told me to take it for 6by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I’m very ignorant — what is the difference between LAA isolation and the Watchman? Why would one be done rather than the other?by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my watchman procedure 1/31 and saw the nurse practitioner yesterday. She gave me a prescription for generic Plavix. Why is this? I have been taking Xarelto plus 81mg aspirin since the procedure and was told I would be off blood thinners (except aspirin) in 45 days. Wondering why I’m taken off one and put on another. Also she called in a prescription for 3months but told me to take it fby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
It seems like the side effects from red wheat rice are about the same as statins for lowering cholesterol. Does anybody have a strong opinion or experience either way?by Louise - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Thank you for the clarification Shannon!by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM