I have 2 pill organizers. One is a 6 day, the other is small for daily use. The 6 day has a seal on it. A gasket seal. This eliminates issues such as this and unfortunately I take a lot of prescription medications for other issues. I also have my phone to tell me every 12 hours to take my Eliquis since it is so important. Most pills at pharmacies are not in air tight containers either. I know thby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey Yeah, we're kind of similar. The P wave was a factor for me as well. Both of us are off-label judgement calls by Natale. I'm good with it. My only concern is cost but they are working with me on that. They have cut my cost in half with a $2 pill cutter which I already have. 😁by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey 5 mg is the normal dose for afib. The 2.5 mg dosage is used for: ● Age ≥80 years ● Body weight ≤60 kg (132 lbs) ● Kidney dysfunction ● Prophylaxis against DVTs I take 2.5 mg off-label as a substitute for aspirin (I have a Watchman and the Watchman protocol is aspirin for life). There are exceptions. I am 62 and definitely weigh over 200. My LAA is isolated resulting in no Pby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just call your Insurance Company. Surely by now you understand that it’s YOUR obligation to know if you are covered or not. You will have nobody to blame except Self if you are not covered. Please find out what you need to know straight from the horse’s mouth. When it’s all said and done, YOU will be the responsible party. Have a great night and God Bless.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecirenepurzalot Carey, in regards to this. .... would they decide to open a case before approval? Or can they do it afterwards? Sounds like they can only do it before, according to what you said. I just dont know if I fall under pre-existing or not, as they define. Here is my 2 cents worth. I would talk to my insurance company and make sure I am covered. I never rely on anyone toby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth Smackman: You said you have had more than one ablation, did he ablate your LAA? You said you are on Eliquis, that gives problems like trying to get a colonoscopy, or any kind of surgery. I want to get off bloodthinners, probably an ablation won't do that for me, only a watchman, at this point I don't know if that will be possible, I see my EP this next Wed. I had 2by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
After 6 Cardioversions in 2 years, I made the decision to do Ablations with Dr. Natale and have zero regrets. Will it hold forever? Who knows but beside the Eliquis NSR is nice. You do what your heart is telling you.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Could someone give me a condensed version of the protocol for my personal reading? One of the biggest issues I have had is my local Cardiologist not giving approval even for stopping aspirin. I have not been back to this Cardiologist in 2+ years because of his out dated beliefs. This was for a upper GI in early 2016 I had to have before my second ablation in June or July of 2016. At that time I wby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Can you comprehend me trying to get a rural gasterologist on board with this? I have already had a “ fallen out” with my Cardiologist over going to Austin for my Ablations instead of using someone local in Monroe, Louisiana. Not everyone lives in a highly populated area. I will try this but I feel it will fall on deaf ears. Honestly I am not trying to be difficult but understand it’s not as simpby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteKen I don't recall your issue, but why are you one Eliquis? And if you were off it for three days, what could happen that could cause a stroke. I had afib for 5 years (didn't know it) with over 100 episodes, but it was misdiagnosed and I wasn't of any blood thinners. Seems the stroke risk was pretty small for me. Having cancer of the colon seems like a bigger issue tby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
My LAA was isolated on my second Ablation by Dr. Natale. I am on Eliquis for life. It is the smaller dosage of 2.5 mg 2x a day. There are negatives to being on anticoagulants for life but like Carey said I would have been on Eliquis if I chose to remain in AFIB. I have been in NSR since my second Ablation and I would choose this way again. I just have to find a work a round for procedures, surgerby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
It is time for my colonoscopy. As most know, I am on Eliquis for life. They want me off for 3 days. What is the answer to this? I definitely do not want to drastically up my chances of a stroke. I have had one colonoscopy done where one polyp removed 10 years ago that was one stage from cancerous. Also my Daddy has cancer of the transverse colon so bad family history. They will not budge on theby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey, You got the watchman basically free right? If I would of had that opportunity I would have jumped on it like stink on a skunk. You also say your cost for eliquis is minimal. That’s not the case with me and many others. What if I need surgery in the future? That is just one of my concerns that you really do not have to consider. You can get off Eliquis without having to worry about a strokby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was in Persistent AFIB from the first time I was diagnosed with AFIB. The ONLY way I could get back to NSR was the Paddles of joules. Nothing chemically would convert me and I spent many days in the Hospital. I have had 2 Ablations. One in Jan. 2014 and a second in July 2016. My LAA was isolated on the second procedure so I take 2.5 mg Eliquis 2X a day due to no P wave. 😒 I have considered theby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
My only issue with Pradaxa is when I swallowed one without enough water. It hung in my throat and it burn’t my throat. Pradaxa is highly acidic so make sure you do not have swallowing issues and no problems with acid reflux. Best to Google Is Pradaxa acidic.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteThe Anti-Fib Carola: Wow, thats horrible side effects just for taking an Anti-Coagulant. They should give out samples to try, but maybe they didn't have any, Salvasa is not used very much, at least in the US. I got tired of the whole AFIB thing, so I decided to stay in NSR for awhile, (no Ablation). Sine I am mostly Persistent, it got to be to much of a burden, Drugs to controby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Before I had to be on a anticoagulant “for life” I stopped Pradaxa cold turkey. I also stopped Xarelto cold turkey. No rebound effects; No issues.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuotePompon I'm no scientist at all and mostly ignorant in medicine, but I'm fighting afib and ectopics since Nov 2015. It's not a long time, I've read about people here knowing afib for far longer than me, but it's enough to rot my life, considering I've just had my 300th afib episode two days ago, not counting all the days I've had to bear thousands of ectopicby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am on Medicare and use Silverscripts as my Part D prescription drug plan. NOAC like Eliquis and Xarelto now have a $285 deductible before they payout. For the many on a NOAC for Afib or whatever this is a big financial hit. Congress needs to get off there Arse and get something done besides the all consuming “crap” for the last 3 years that will fail in the Senate trial. It is a MAJOR problemby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth Smackman": The dermatologist wasn't in today, I will call tomorrow, get this checked out. I know I read that Eliquis can give some a rash, it could be caused by something else, it just is at the same time that I am taking this drug. Are you in still in AF? Liz No I had 2 Ablations with Dr. Natale with the last one in July 2016.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
I looked up 5 prescriptions I take and Rash and swelling were always mentioned. I think it’s just a generic statement on most prescriptions. I have taken Eliquis for years with no issue except easy bruising etc.Here is Valsartan; A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash,by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth Susan: I don't think there are any mom and pop drug stores around, at least we don't have any. We don't know how long drugs are sitting in drug stores before use. I have 3 Mom and Pop pharmacies around my house; All locally owned. In Rural areas in Louisiana, The Local pharmacies are plentiful and extremely competitive with the big boys plus you get that home tby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
From my experience with having Persistent AFIB, I would not even consider running for Alderman of my small town much less The Leader of the Free World. I am not trying to scare anyone but when I saw 218 bpm and the way I always felt drained etc. I had 6 ECV,s in 2 years and spent many days in the Hospital. After my 2nd Ablation in mid 2016, I have been doing good.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth Smackman:: Some people like their posts short and sweet, some don't care, so why not carry on as before. If you look into this phorum you will find longer posts than what Steve Carrr posted, his post was mostly his words, many of the other posts of which I am speaking were copied. I liked Steves posts and hope he continues. Liz Quote or not, Way to long IMHO. Anyway Liby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just my 2 cents; When someone writes a Book on a Forum it becomes very hard to follow,read, comprehend etc. This has been addressed before and I understand why. Get to “your point” without writing a book. Just my opinion. Keep your post short, nice and in layman’s language. This is basically a layman’s forum.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey My doc, Steve Gundry, is in your camp on the PPI's causing all sorts of havoc. Is there an informed doctor anywhere who isn't? PPIs have their use, but short-term is almost always a part of that. I guess my Gasterologists are not well informed because many are on PPI’s 24/7. I do what I have to do to get relief. My Family is a Gerd family. It seems to be in our Genby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteGeorgeN Too bad they can't figure out what is causing AF and cure it, everything is slash and burn. How to slow or stop progression has been a question I've asked myself for over 15 years, even though I created a program for myself that has very low AF burden following a 2.5 month episode in the beginning. I've never stopped tweaking and looking at what else I could doby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth I have Silver script for prescription drugs and Medicare. I will probably have to go on blood thinners (yuk), I understand that Eliquis is very expensive could someone tell me how much it is? All I am taking now is synthroid. Liz Eliquis is a Tier 3 drug. Starting in 2020, There is a $285 deductible on Tier 3 and above. You will have to meet this deductible which you will onby smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was put on multaq in 2013. For me it was useless and dang expensive. No big side effects but not effective for my AFIB. Stopped taking it 6 months later and went on Solatol which did help. My biggest help was my 2 Ablations with Dr. Natale. AFIB free since July 2016. I was in persistent AFIB.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoe Smackman, your back pain goes away when you sleep on an A/C electric blanket? I do not sleep on a Electric Blanket. I use a Tens Unit during the day for temporary help with chronic back issues in my lower Thoracic and Lumbar. Major Wreck in 2003. Had a T11- L1 Thoracic Anterior Corpectomy in Early 2006. Look up Tens Unit.by smackman - AFIBBERS FORUM