I am in UK but have many friends in the US. Would be grateful for help answering questions from one of them. 1) Are there any really good electrophysiologists in the Detroit area? 2) Where would she need to travel for ablation by Dr Natale? Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Haven’t posted for ages but had to jump in here… Prof. Haïssaguerre did my ablation for long term persistent AF in January 2003, followed by a touch-up 3 days later because AF recurred. He thought it was going to be a gap in one of the lines but in fact it was a very toxic focus in the coronary sinus which was extremely difficult to find and ablate. I think a less skilled and experienced perby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
1. Is there any known reversing agent? 2. How does Nattokinase compare with Eliquis (Apixaban)? If you have a choice what are the things to consider? Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have taken Doctor's Best Nattokinase 2,000FUs successfully as an anticoagulant for many years. It is often not available in UK so my daughter who lives in the US brings me supplies whenever she visits me. Because of my advancing years my EP in London recently started me on Eliquis (Apixaban) so I now have 4 pots of Nattokinase that I no longer need. Would anyone in UK be interested in buyiby Gill - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
For Bordeaux the person to contact if you are in UK is now secretary Nathalie Fortin. Her email is: sec.patient.etranger@chu-bordeaux.fr For Professor Ernst in London you need to contact her secretary at: carby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ventolin (salbutamol) is a a short-acting β2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It is widely prescribed in UK for asthma. One of the listed side effects is arrhythmia caused by potassium depletion. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I seem to remember reading that obesity is a recognised risk factor for AF. I found this: Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Before my successful ablation in Bordeaux I couldn’t exercise and was so miserable that I gained a lot of weight. Prof. Haïssaguerre said that it would help if I could lose 10 kilos so he obviously thought it made a difference. I actually lost more than that, and after the ablation I continued to lose so am no longer overweight. Being free of AF meant I had my life back, could exercise againby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi BettyLou After many years of highly symptomatic paroxysmal AF and 18 months of persistent AF, I had ablation in Bordeaux almost 19 years ago when the procedure was still in its early days. AF recurred after 3 days so they did an immediate touch up. The EP was Professor Haïssaguerre, the European equivalent of Dr Natale - I paid extra to have him do it himself, and it was well worth it.by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
David L 3½ each per week? It takes a lot more than that to become skilled at this procedure, which is one of the most difficult that EPS have to do. To get the best results you need someone who has done thousands. Gill (female, pronounced Jill, ablation in Bordeaux for long term persistent AF in 2003, nsr since then)by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I tried Accupuncture in Australia many years ago while my AF was still paroxysmal. I saw a top accupuncturist (he treated the Aussie Prime Minister). He wasn’t hopeful because, he said, I'd had AF for so many years. He was right, it didn’t help at all with the AF but I did feel good after each treatment. Gill (female, pronounced "Jill", nsr since ablations in Bordeaux 200by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I agree with ggheld, I’m quite surprised that warfarin is still being used. I was on it for 18 months before my ablations 18 years ago and was very diligent about getting frequent blood tests and checking my INR but it was very tricky. My guess is that most people on warfarin are not at the correct INR most of the time. The new ACs are much better. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Prior to my ablation in Bordeaux almost 19 years ago I was not anxious at all, just desperate to get rid of my AF. At that time very few centres would even attempt.ablation for long term persistent AF. It recurred 3 days later so they did an immediate touch up. I am still in nsr. Best thing I ever did. Hope this gives you some encouragement. Gill (pronounced Jill, female, in London UK)by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been in nsr since ablation in Bordeaux in 2003 for persistent AF, but I get many ectopic beats, almost 8000 on a 24 hour ecg. I take magnesium, potassium d-ribose and taurine every day which dampens them down so I hardly notice them. If they ever become really uncomfortable I take 1.25mg (occasionally 2.5mg) bisoprolol and that always calms everything down with no noticeable side effecby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ken When my AF was paroxysmal I sat out many dives until it stopped, but once it became persistent I couldn’t dive for a couple of years. Four months after my Bordeaux ablation I was on a liveaboard in the Maldives! I miss it a lot but don’t fancy Sandals or any all-inclusive type operations. My favourite places to dive are a long way from UK, mostly in the South Pacific - Papua New Guineaby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
George Sad to say that I did my last dive 4 years ago at age 79, after diving for 25 years and doing about 600 dives. Once underwater the diving is relaxing and effortless but lugging the gear to remote locations via several airports and overnights en route was getting to be too hard. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ralph When I had my RF ablation in Bordeaux in January 2003 I asked about the longterm results. The professor answered "You ARE the longterm!" Gill (still in sinus rhythm 17 years later)by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I seem to have posted the same message twice, don’t know how to delete it so have edited to this. Sorry!by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Susan A few thoughts.... This study was done here in UK. I get the impression, sad to say, that we are behind the curve in the treatment of AF (and many other conditions) because over the last 10 years our government has cut spending on health care, and we now spend less per head than most other European countries. The study was looking at mortality rates after AV node ablation and paciby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been in normal rhythm since ablations in January 2003, ie over 18 years. I get a lot of ectopics every day, almost 8000 on a 24 hour Holter several years ago, but magnesium, potassium, taurine and d-ribose dampen them down so I hardly notice them. That works most of the time but about once a month they are uncomfortable. EP says they are a nuisance but not dangerous so I take 1.25mg oby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Over the years I have read here of many many attempts to stop AF via other means. Sadly very few of them have made any difference. Cause and effect can so often be confused - just because X happens after Y doesn’t mean that Y caused X. Seems to me that AF is capricious and random. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
PS. If you decide on ablation go to an expert. Many EPs do them, very few are experts. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Chiming in here TarHart! Many years of highly symptomatic paroxysmal AF, episodes becoming more frequent and lasting longer as time went on, then 18 months of 24/7 AF, felt as though my life was over. Ablation in Bordeaux January 2003, another 3 days later because AF recurred. Since then normal rhythm though I do get a lot of ectopics. That is over 18 years (and counting) of having my lifby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Carey, I didn’t know that half-life and physiological effects were different things. So if someone had a bleed would it be better for them to be on Eliquis? And what is the state of play on reversal agents? Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carey - if they both have similar half lives then why is one a single dose and the other a twice-a-day? Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I recommended to my husband that he take Eliquis. My reasoning was that if it is 2 doses a day it must have a shorter half life so could be less dangerous in case of a bleed. He is diligent about taking his meds so I knew that missing a dose was not going to happen, and I knew that either of them would work. I did no research to test my theory and I realise that it was possibly (probably?) wby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Aldona, good to hear from you again. I’m so pleased that this 3rd ablation has worked well, sending good wishes and hopes for continued success. My Bordeaux ablations done in January 2003 are still keeping me in nsr, can’t believe my luck! Don’t know of many that have lasted so long. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mine was done in 2003 by Prof. Haïssaguerre in Bordeaux and is still working after 18 years. The most important thing is to go to a real expert. There are many EPs doing ablations who don’t have the experience and skill to be successful - it's a very difficult procedure to do well. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would be very interested to read the article if anyone can find a link. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM