6 week post ablation...

[glenpointe]

I had a follow up with my EP yesterday. He said everything looks good. He told me to stop all meds and just take a baby aspirin once a day. Very happy. Just wanted to share my good news. Have a good day to all.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sounds good news apart from the aspirin which here in UK is no longer recommended.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

I agree. I'm in the US and some docs are beginning to move away from the 'baby aspirin' thinking. I believe it's more like a pacifier for some of them, Comforting but not a good life long habit. Over here the post Watchman protocol is after my TEE/TOE and getting off the coumadin, the next step is about 4 months of Plavix and baby aspirin. I stopped Coumadin in March and I will finish the Plavix phase July 29th and then the plan is just baby aspirin ad infinitum. On my own I have stopped the baby aspirin and am just taking the Plavix. I also don't see the need for the continued baby aspirin esp as research outside the US is in favor of not using it. On July 29th I plan to go to bat for myself about not taking the baby aspirin. I don't believe it is as innocuous as many docs would like to think. As Bayer products are a big moneymaker here one wonders who benefits more-patients or Pharma. Cynical me believes that as we never know what new research will discover how can anyone say something must be taken for the rest of our lives! Just my opinion. I really don't plan to take it even if I do it on my own. I will tell my EP and I'm pretty sure he will support me.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

There is a growing movement here in UK Irina questioning the amount of drugs we are all prescribed, especially statins and blood pressure medication. And this includes many doctors. The cynics may say that having sorted out drugs for the sick people the move has been towards getting well people on to drugs thereby maintaining income. Hence the constantly moving goal posts regarding what constitutes good BP.

There is no doubt that life style choices are the best medicine in many cases but not everybody has that luxury. I do NOT include anticoagulation in these comments nor some anti-arrhythmic drugs where AF is concerned as I have seen the evidence in their favour. My own GP has long ago decided that she can discuss drugs with me but that I will make up my own mind if I am to take them.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Thanks. I agree with too many drugs for well-people. It's under the guise of prevention. Bull----! It's more income generated. They do the same thing here-move the goalposts to include healthy people to increase income by lowering lab norms where meds are deemed necessary. I agree about the AF drugs and anticoagulants. I am just someone who my EP says seems to not handle drugs in general well. This has been the case most of my life. If I need them I will put up with side effects but try other solutions first if I can. Now statins and antihypertensives are being pushed on very healthy younger people 'just in case.' I am also lucky that my EP will also discuss meds and give his advice but also listens to my thoughts and the choice is mine. I still would like to stay off the aspirin after July. I understand that 'no aspirin' post Left Anterior Appendage Occlusion is the protocol in the UK and patients are doing fine. Is this the case? If so I will add to my information arsenal. I read an interesting news story last week about medicare being possibly tapped out by 2026. That's not far away. It will be interesting to see how Big Pharma decides to get more money if this lucrative cash cow is no longer available. Possibly some of these current changes are a last ditch effort by Big Pharma to get all they can while they can.

[RoyM in reply to Hidden]

I am due to undergo an Anterior Appendage Occlusion in the near future. My Thoratic surgeon and EP both agree that this procedure simply reduces even both the chance of suffering a stroke....but the need for anticoagulants will continue. I must admit I was disappointed, I did hope I could have come off the Anticoagulant after the surgery. Roy

[Hidden in reply to RoyM]

Hi Roy, I'm confused why you would need to continue on anticoagulants after your LAA closure. Perhaps you can provide more info. Are you having perhaps more surgery than just the Left Anterior Appendage Occlusion? Could they have meant you must remain on anticoagulants for a period of time after the procedure.?There is a weaning off process post operatively. Also I'm not clear as to why there is also a thoracic surgeon involved. This makes me think there might be more they plan to do other than the LAA closure. This is usually done by the EP. Can you provide more info? I will be happy to try and answer your questions but I need more information. Also what country are you in as procedures can vary. I am in the US. If I can help you understand more about your upcoming procedure I am happy to try. Take care. irina

[RoyM in reply to Hidden]

Hi Irina. I am in the UK and with respect I do understand my condition. I will be undergoing open heart surgery for a dilated Aorta....hence the Thoratic surgeon. He will be assisted by my EP I will also undergo the gold standard of Ablation which is of course done while the surgeon is fiddling inside my heart. It is the view of my EP AND the surgeon that the Anterior Appendage Occlusion procedure simply reduces even further the risk of stroke but still doesn't bring the risk to a "normal level pre- AF. Hence the need for continued Anticoagulant. Thanks for your reply. Roy

[Hidden in reply to RoyM]

I thought there might be more to your situation. Then you will be better covered on the anticoagulants. I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible for you with your surgery. Take care. irina

[Quilafizz in reply to Hidden]

Hi Irina,

I’m curious what criteria you had to meet in order to have the watchman devise placed. I am interested in doing this.

[Hidden in reply to Quilafizz]

Hi Quilafizz. Will send you a PM (in about an hour) with all the details. I have written about it here so much especially right after having it done and don't want to bore people who have read some of my previous long posts. Pm coming up. irina

[jennydog]

Baby aspirin upset my stomach badly. And did you know that there is no antidote for aspirin?