McHale, thank you. When I had first discovered this site, my doctors had failed to give me any confidence in their attitude and treatment of my afib. I saw The Strategy and was determined to "do it myself!" There was never any real interference with my lifestyle having afib, so I thought I could at least keep it the same forever! Anyway, it hasn't really changed. I think theby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
If you want to sign up for an eheart study you can get an AliveCor monitor for free. I did and have one. The results go directly to the study, but you don't get an analysis unless you pay for it ($2-11) approx. The study questionnaire is quite lengthy, but easy and you can start and stop until you complete it. The link is www.health-eheartstudy.org The results of each ecg are saved onby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Neil and Shannon so much! Yes, Neil, I have also come to the conclusion that my chances of stroke are greater than a major accident. Your story certainly reinforces my decision. I believe I have made some "rose colored glasses" decisions because my afib has never been debilitating or even very noticeable. I have never been to the emergency room and have never had to stayby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, I so appreciate your dedication and concern and I am listening to everything you say. I was only going to the UCLA appointment because it is under my insurance at this time and I was kind of anxious to get an echo cardiogram and echo stress test to see how much "worse" I was from last year. I IN NO WAY have made any decision to have an ablation there and am, right now,by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I checked and Dr. Natale does take Medicare; however, neither of the plans that Scripps takes are available in my area. Since I am now accepting the fact that I will need an ablation (preferably within the next year) I am now needing to research the very best in my area. For many reasons it is, unfortunately, not possible for me to travel to anywhere very far to get the ablation -- I suppose Iby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, Shannon. I'm not planning a specific time for an ablation at this time. I will be going to UCLA because that is what my insurance dictates at this time. I have never seen ANY EP before, just cardiologists. So I want to get a "consultation" and see what they might recommend first as possible medication just to somewhat regulate my heart rate right now, get an echo carby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Don't worry about getting shot Barb -- I actually agree with you! The only reason I'm going back on Pradaxa starting tonight is because I have a prescription that I put on hold and I can get it immediately. When I go to the EP I am going to ask for Xarelto. Although I have been relying on nattokinase for nearly a year, I had "sudden fear" after my discussion with my doctorby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you ALL so much. Yes, Shannon, I'm afraid I was "determined to beat this" and not very realistic. My experience with doctors has been so negative since I was diagnosed with afib I guess I wanted to do it without them! My appointment will be at the UCLA Clinic of Cardiac Electrophysiology. I don't know which doctor yet, so if anyone is familiar and knows anyone there,by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Jim and Jean. Both of your posts are most encouraging!by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've tried to find information on any progress in developing an antidote for Xarelto or Pradaxa. It seems to me that something was in the works late last year, but I cannot find any evidence that anything has been developed yet. Does anyone have any information on this -- I admit I am not the best researcher; not that I do not know how, but perhaps do not know where to look. I am currenby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ahhh, Barb, too many pills are "small white and oval." I once took an AMBIEN instead of my estradiol BEFORE going out to dinner and having a drink! I slept through dinner. I thought there was something in my drink -- my husband just thought I was tired!! Fortunately I had him and my friends to get me back to our room (we were at a resort.) Now I always keep pills in their prescriptby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks you guys! I don't care for Mrs. Dash, Spike, etc. They just don't do it. I have never heard of pickling salt -- where do I get it? Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, Liz. You are all so intelligent and educated about all this -- I need to re-read all the posts and then research most of the terms! I appreciate you sharing what you have learned and experienced! Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
In an effort to improve my diet, one of the first things I've tried to eliminate is salt. I am one of the many who has used salt all my life and find many foods without it unpalatable. I have tried herbs and spices (the store substitutes, i.e. Spike, etc. are awful in my opinion). I saw that Dr. Brownstein (of iodine research fame) recommends unrefined sea salt, so I did a little Googliby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, Jackie. My initial question was about taking the supplements together, so I did not state dosages. I am currently taking 1000 mg fish oil 3 x daily. I have been considering upping it to 4 anyway to further increase the "slippery" platelet effect, since I take Nattokinase 3 x daily as well, but no anticoagulant. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, Shannon, as always, for your detailed response. I will "study" Free T3 and Free T4 to understand more about total thyroid function. I must admit I am very intimidated by doctors and when they ask why I request tests or more information, they are usually insulted that I learned something online that they haven't mentioned to me! I will try to educate myself properly soby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you both. No, Liz, actually T3 and T4 are not shown on my lab report. I will continue with 1/2 tab for awhile and see if there are any changes and the next time I have blood tests will specifically ask for T3 and T4. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon YOU ARE PSYCHIC! I realized after I posted (and left the house so I couldn't edit) that I forgot to say that I JUST STARTED taking Iodoral last week Thursday after reading many, many posts and links to Dr. Brownstein. This is because I also have cold hands and feet and I haven't had to shave my legs for years and just learned that all these things together could be thyroid issby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I know some supplements are to be taken with food and some without. I'm wondering if I'm taking the right supplements together, or if it matters. Obviously, the most important thing is that they are getting absorbed properly. The supplements I take without food, but at the same time are: Nattokinase (3 x day) Taurine (2 x day) (I know there is different opinions about taking thby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Smackman, I am ill-equipped to be giving advice because I am also a relative newbie; but just a couple of thoughts I had while reading your post. I was on Multaq for about a year and it didn't seem to do anything about my irregular heart rate -- so after reading about it and the possible side effects, I quite taking it. I don't have afib the way it is described here (I'veby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you all for your input. Mine never have any long "high" points. There are tiny "v's and upside down v's" which are beats I assume, but in between it looks like a drawing of different height hills. No sharp points. I don't think it is NSR, since my heartbeat is always irregular; but at the same time I never feel afib the way people describe it here.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
I received one free as part of the eHealth heart study. I use it regularly, but it is really not helpful to me because I cannot read it! I've looked at the Education feature, which shows examples of atrial flutter, PVC's, etc., but my recordings never look like any of them! Whenever I use it the results go directly to the study, but they are not allowed to give me an analysis.by Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
All of this sounds like a recipe (pun intended) for insanity. With all the diet books that have come out in my lifetime (I am 64), I truly believe in "everything in moderation," unless, of course, you have a specific disease like diabetes or a condition or allergy (Liz, I also see where "everybody" is all of a sudden allergic to gluten!). I think anyone would agree that aby Louise - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Smackman, I don't know if you work at home or if you are just alone because your spouse works, etc. If you have that much time alone (not working) just to "think," I can see where the anxiety would build. Do you read? It is a great, relaxing escape and I strongly recommend, during this cold dreary weather, reading "The Power of Now," by Eckhart Tolle. It is exactlyby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I was taking Pradaxa I was told it only lasted 12 hours with no half life, so I would assume what you suggest is correct. You can always call your pharmacist to confirm. Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Smackman, Compared to most of the people who post here, I am a relative newbie. I am not even considering an ablation at this time because my afib (I have an irregular heartbeat 24/7, but not sure what that means) doesn't effect my lifestyle at all. Just going the improved diet and Strategy routine for now. However, I don't know what's down the road for me and I always follby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
GeorgeN, So glad to see your post. I also signed up with eHealth Heart Study in November and have yet to receive my monitor. I FINALLY got a response from AliveCor (the people at eHealth don't respond to my emails) and was told I would get my monitor in "the new year." Louiseby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans, everything has pretty much been said above, but I share the appreciation for everything you have done and also wish you the very, very best in your retirement. And Happy Birthday! I'm so glad you started your post with "passing the torch," so it was immediately obvious the site wouldn't be closing; and thank you to Shannon for taking over. Hans, please DO check in oncby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, Jackie. What is your concern about drinking ginger tea before lying down? I had been taking Jarrow taurine and it was to be taken with food. I switched to NOW brand and it says to take it between meals. I take NK 3 x a day, so I just take them together. Do you know if there are absorption problems with supps that should be taken on an empty stomach and liquids, like ginger tby Louise - AFIBBERS FORUM