I just had the procedure and now hopefully I will be able ditch the Eliquis. Just wanted to share with others who have AFib and are taking blood thinners. You really need to do something if you have the condition. Of course do it at a major Medical center with a Doc who has done a ton of them. I was almost back to normal after 24 hours but I do have restrictions.
Just Had the Watchman Procedure For my Heart
- Thread starter Al
- Start date
For the audience, the Watchman device seals off the left atrial appendage, where thrombus can form. This prevents strokes. Allows one to come off the constant blood thinners.
The Watchman procedure does not treat or prevent the atrial fibrillation. Just the stroke/thrombus risk.
The Watchman procedure does not treat or prevent the atrial fibrillation. Just the stroke/thrombus risk.
I have mitral prolapse and that was diagnosed. The AFib was "officially" diagnosed 1.5 years ago by EKG
My layman's understanding is that due to Afib, there is a little pocket in the heart that doesn't fully empty on each heart beat pump. This can lead to blood pooling in the pocket which can lead to a clot. The Watchman fills in this pocket so blood can't collect there.
That is the left atrial appendage.
Had this procedure about a year and a half ago. I simply wanted off the Eliquis (due to AFIB) because of the high cost. Everything has been fine.
After the procedure I was switched from Eliquis to Plavix (dirt cheap) and 81mg aspirin.
Had two "ultra sound" scopes done as follow up to make sure all was going as expected. One at about 6 months, and the other at 1 year.
After the 2nd scope I was taken off the Plavix, and now only take the aspirin. I'm thrilled to be off the Eliquis, and everything is fine. The success rate for this procedure is ridiculously high.
PM me if you would like. Bet you will do great!
My elderly mother had this done a couple years ago because she refused to take blood thinners. No issues, I had never heard of it at the time.
No AFIB here. Arrythmia, yes. Pacemaker on board. My Cardiologist/Primary is a pitbull and no doubt saved my life by diagnosing the Arrythmia, leading to the Pacemaker.
I had Zero Symptoms of the Arrythmia. While asleep, heart rate drops to 32. I could easily have died in my sleep.
For those of you guys that ¨Don´t Go To The Doctor¨ Wise the Hell Up!
Much to be Thankful For!
I had Zero Symptoms of the Arrythmia. While asleep, heart rate drops to 32. I could easily have died in my sleep.
For those of you guys that ¨Don´t Go To The Doctor¨ Wise the Hell Up!
Much to be Thankful For!
I know that feeling!
Even though I see a cardiologist regularly. 2022. It wasn’t all that uncommon for my heart rate to drop into the low 30s. It would wake me up and I would feel it. Turns out I had a massive amount of PVCs taking place only when I was in bed at night.
An ablation in November 2022 took care of that. I still drop down into the low 40s sometimes, mostly the 50s though. I have had every test on my heart possible and it’s healthy.
However, your post made me check recently and I see some 40s in there
This was 2022 below. My heart rate at night would go bonkers and this was almost every night of the week for a year in the middle of the night all the time
My Pacemaker dials the home office in Berlin at 3AM.
Periodically, Cardiology visits, they connect to ¨The Device¨ to check proper operation.
Every time I hear ¨The Device¨ I cannot help but thinking about a bomb.
Life is Good.
Periodically, Cardiology visits, they connect to ¨The Device¨ to check proper operation.
Every time I hear ¨The Device¨ I cannot help but thinking about a bomb.
Life is Good.
Had specialized scans at 45 days after my Watchman procedure. These were sent back to the "Watchman" manufacturer. They certify that blood leakage is within levels that the patient can cut his Eliquis dose in half. I was certified!!!! Without further testing I get off Eliquis on July 27! I am required to do a baby aspirin daily>
Pfft, a heart rate of 32/min. Mine was 28/min when I presented to the emergency department. I have to admit I didn't feel very well with that rate though.
A long story but mine started off as rare bouts of SVT almost 40 years ago. Got to be a problem about 5 years ago leading to 2 ablations (cautery and then cryo). The second one worked, but a few months later I developed bouts of asystole (with sudden onset of bouts of weakness and even LOC, dramatic reduction in exercise tolerance, and frightening dreams).
Now have a pacemaker and all is well. No phone calls from Berlin - so far. I understand my pacemaker reports daily on both its status and my rhythm in the past 24 hours.
I don't think I would be alive without the pacemaker. Thus the need for monitoring and daily reporting. Modern technology can be good.
A long story but mine started off as rare bouts of SVT almost 40 years ago. Got to be a problem about 5 years ago leading to 2 ablations (cautery and then cryo). The second one worked, but a few months later I developed bouts of asystole (with sudden onset of bouts of weakness and even LOC, dramatic reduction in exercise tolerance, and frightening dreams).
Now have a pacemaker and all is well. No phone calls from Berlin - so far. I understand my pacemaker reports daily on both its status and my rhythm in the past 24 hours.
I don't think I would be alive without the pacemaker. Thus the need for monitoring and daily reporting. Modern technology can be good.
My mom fell March 23rd, hit her head that caused a bleed. CT scan showed an older bleed, likely due to Elequis. They stopped the blood thinner (standard procedure for a fall bleed). We were going to meet with her neurologist and cardiologist to restart a blood thinner, but it was too late. She had a massive stroke April 18th and lost her left side function.
She has been in and our of a few hospitals and rehabs, but hopefully stable now. She has been on Pradaxa since the stroke, and hopefully Monday starting to talk about a watchman procedure.
Another anecdote for readers to consider. My mom has endured incalculable suffering, take care of your health.
She has been in and our of a few hospitals and rehabs, but hopefully stable now. She has been on Pradaxa since the stroke, and hopefully Monday starting to talk about a watchman procedure.
Another anecdote for readers to consider. My mom has endured incalculable suffering, take care of your health.
Perhaps you should name your pacemaker "Trinity".
I like it. I ike it A lot!
Have to be careful w thinners. Super glad you had this, others as well and ate coming off or off already. My mom had afib and didn't take her meds right and threw a clot to one of hers eyes. Only had faint peripheral vision after that but smoking and CA got her 2 yrs ago.
Definitely have to take care and educate ourselves.
Definitely have to take care and educate ourselves.
