So much in this thread I can relate to and my ordeal started with bad teeth breaking below gum and becoming infected. 2021 for me. Sinus infection that would not go away concerned doctor because I'd had 1 heart attack in 2014. Infection and a bad heart is bad news as Tucker has shown.

I had all my remaining teeth pulled and implants installed. Was a considerable ordeal as the work was done at height of covid restrictions and several different doctors were involved. Turned out great.

Nov 2025 I have trouble doing 6 minutes on treadmill during annual stress test. Doc is old school cardiologist and he knew I had problems. Calls for cath scan, too blocked for stents so Nov 19th I have a 5 way bypass. Afib kept me from getting out of the hospital as soon as they expected but with drugs afib was controlled and they released me. I'm taking metropolol and a few more meds but nothing major and I'm noticing no side effects. BP has varied but been stable and in range for the last few weeks. Pulse 55 to 65. I feel pretty good, down about 15 lbs from start. I'm not running races at 75 but I'm doing what I want to do. I did follow doctor's orders and skip the January National Gun Day gun show, first show I've missed setting up in about 20 years.

Two ablations for me in past 3 years. Simple in and out and last one went home same day. On the last one, the Electrician really fried the heck out of the heart to block the bad signals and so far so good. And he put me on Tikosyn to better control heart rhythm.

Have you looked into the Kardia device? It is a good home ECG device my Plumber recommended and use it to monitor my situation since I am asymptomatic.

I don't know if this helps but....My 90 yo mother takes Xarelto 20mg of her AFIB. So no generic for her, it's expensive. She was diagnosed about 10yrs ago. No issues since meds. 2 years ago her cardiologist suggested a consult for the Watchman to take her off the blood thinner. Only suggested it to help her be off blood thinners in the event of a fall. Doc did a great job at explaining and demonstrating what it would do. In the end she decided to stay on blood thinner and not risk doing an invasive procedure at her age if she didn't need it but was a choice. Cardio doc was good with her reasoning and didn't push the procedure. Good luck with whatever you choose and I hope it all works out for you. The Watchman seemed like a good alternative to meds but you still have to take meds for awhile after the procedure, you don't immediately come of blood thinner. It's not a one and done thing.

I agree with the Amiodarone comments, it's tough and can cause false readings on things like thyroid and liver counts. I had to take it immediately following my second cardioversion for a while before my ablation surgery. That aside, I had to have two ablation procedures neither of which was unduly uncomfortable (especially after being introduced to my new friends versed and propofol) or problematic. I think I saw the phrase piece of cake being used, and I will agree it's pretty easy. My biggest issue was I had to take something called Sucralfate for a month or so, and they were the biggest pills I ever took. Hard to get down. But if that is the worst of the procedure, I consider myself lucky I guess... And I also have an email in my profile should you need it.

I had the ablation a couple years ago. My AFIB was horrible. I couldn't walk from the parking lot into work without stopping to catch my breath.
Dr. Shedd saved my life, I'm pretty sure. No complications, and still in good rhythm two years later with no heart medications needed.

I had left branch done; it worked for a while, now they want to do right branch, as I have afib, but am otherwise asymptomatic.

Email me if you want gory details. I'm also happy to do a call.

I haven't done the right branch yet because the left scared me so much. I woke up on the table, and felt the wire in my heart moving around, all while the operating crew was screaming "BREATHE BREATHE BREATHE" because my blood O2 was low.

They did not give me enough Special K to forget, and the experience still gives me the shakes.

A

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
I had left branch done; it worked for a while, now they want to do right branch, as I have afib, but am otherwise asymptomatic.

Email me if you want gory details. I'm also happy to do a call.

I haven't done the right branch yet because the left scared me so much. I woke up on the table, and felt the wire in my heart moving around, all while the operating crew was screaming "BREATHE BREATHE BREATHE" because my blood O2 was low.

They did not give me enough Special K to forget, and the experience still gives me the shakes.

A

wholly crap! My sympathies are with you. THINKING about the procedure gives me the willies and mine went textbook.

I had ablation done almost a year ago to correct atrial flutter, so far so good. It was surprisingly not a big deal at all.

Well the procedure was today. Everything went smoothly, enough that I was able to come home the same day. I would like to thank everyone for their input and advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Tuckerrnr1:
Well the procedure was today. Everything went smoothly, enough that I was able to come home the same day. I would like to thank everyone for their input and advice.

Glad to hear it. Best to you.

Glad it went without any drama. I hope the first one is your last.

Congrats. I love it when a plan comes together.