Living with a Watchman device

Posted by fergie01 @fergie01, Apr 14 9:46am

I’ve had paroxysmal a-fib for about 15 years, I’m 70. Since I had a bad bleed while on Xarelto my doctor took me off it and I had a Watchman device inserted. Not too long after the Watchman was inserted, I had the worst a-fib I had ever had and after 30+ hours was shocked successfully. Because of my device, I do not have to take blood thinners. If you haven’t already, it’s definitely worth discussing it with your doctor.

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Profile picture for fergie01 @fergie01

I got my Watchman a few years ago. Had a very long bout of afib after it was put in place and formed no clots. I am not on blood thinners. I'm happy I got mine.

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Thanks. I just made an appointment to have an ablation with watchman.

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Profile picture for fergie01 @fergie01

I got my Watchman a few years ago. Had a very long bout of afib after it was put in place and formed no clots. I am not on blood thinners. I'm happy I got mine.

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What was your recovery like? I just had the procedure 5 days ago. I thought that once your heart was back in sinus rhythm you would feel fine. How long did it take t recover from ablation and watchman? Some one mentioned 3 weeks .

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Profile picture for sport67 @sport67

What was your recovery like? I just had the procedure 5 days ago. I thought that once your heart was back in sinus rhythm you would feel fine. How long did it take t recover from ablation and watchman? Some one mentioned 3 weeks .

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@sport67
How exactly do you feel post treatment?

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Profile picture for daphne17 @daphne17

Don't you still have to take a baby aspirin daily after the Watchman is implanted? The Watchman has been suggested for me because of an internal bleed. I haven't had another episode in the past 2+ years so I'm still on the fence regarding the implant.

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@daphne17
How was your internal bleeding identified?

@fergie01
What bleeding issues did you have on a blood thinner?

I’ve avoided blood thinners so far out of fear. Will be having a consult for ablation with an EP soon. I not only fear an ablation but don’t like that I’ll have to go on blood thinners for a while. I have some additional risks for both, but my afib episodes have become so long and frequent they are really impacting my quality of life in additional to being risky. Just wore a heart monitor for 9 days and went into afib twice for 30+ hours each time which is typical so that should give them lots of data. Will discuss those results and echo results next week with my cardiologist and then EP. My cardiologist was happy to see I’m still alive since I’ve avoided him for the last 3 years. Yes, I know how bad no treatment has been. I was hoping to eventually eliminate all triggers and stop AFib on my own but that plan isn’t working and it’s progressing. I also fear an ablation fail after taking the risks.

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Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan

Hello @fergie01, having an episode of AFib that lasted for 30+ hours must have been both physically and mentally taxing. It is good to hear that the device did its job in this case.

Blood thinners have many benefits, but it sounds like your experience with a bleeding episode is one of the drawbacks when on blood thinners.

I'd like to invite @johnnoregon, @daphne17, @mannism, @kcpdohn3333 and @gdcm to this conversation as well as they have all been living with a Watchmen or have been candidates for the procedure in the past to share what they ultimately decided to do or how they have been getting on since having the procedure done.

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Sorry for the delay. I was diagnosed with afib in 2019. I was put on Eliquis and flecainide. In 2023 my hemoglobin dropped to about 6.6. After testing (endoscopy) I was diagnosed with bleeding ulcers. I required a blood transfusion. I had to stop my Eliquis until I healed and my hemoglobin got back in the normal range. The Watchman was strongly suggested for me. I went for a second opinion (Cleve. Clinic). I'm a bit anxious to go thru the Watchman procedure. Bottom line--I'm keeping a close watch on my blood count. As long as it stays normal and I have no bleeds, I'm waiting, but I know another bleed will mean I will need the Watchman. I just wonder if the baby aspirin will also put me at risk for internal bleeding.

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Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

@daphne17
How was your internal bleeding identified?

@fergie01
What bleeding issues did you have on a blood thinner?

I’ve avoided blood thinners so far out of fear. Will be having a consult for ablation with an EP soon. I not only fear an ablation but don’t like that I’ll have to go on blood thinners for a while. I have some additional risks for both, but my afib episodes have become so long and frequent they are really impacting my quality of life in additional to being risky. Just wore a heart monitor for 9 days and went into afib twice for 30+ hours each time which is typical so that should give them lots of data. Will discuss those results and echo results next week with my cardiologist and then EP. My cardiologist was happy to see I’m still alive since I’ve avoided him for the last 3 years. Yes, I know how bad no treatment has been. I was hoping to eventually eliminate all triggers and stop AFib on my own but that plan isn’t working and it’s progressing. I also fear an ablation fail after taking the risks.

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I got a bleed after being scoped to see my kidneys. My doctor wouldn’t stop my Xarelto so I started bleeding bad afterward. I formed blood clots in my right kidney which blocked the ureter. I got a stent to drain the clots and was take off blood thinners. I got my Watchman after that.

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Profile picture for fergie01 @fergie01

I got a bleed after being scoped to see my kidneys. My doctor wouldn’t stop my Xarelto so I started bleeding bad afterward. I formed blood clots in my right kidney which blocked the ureter. I got a stent to drain the clots and was take off blood thinners. I got my Watchman after that.

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Wow, yikes. I thought it was routine to briefly stop blood thinners before invasive procedures. Sorry you went through that. Glad the Watchman has you off the blood thinner. Thank you for your reply.

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Profile picture for sport67 @sport67

What was your recovery like? I just had the procedure 5 days ago. I thought that once your heart was back in sinus rhythm you would feel fine. How long did it take t recover from ablation and watchman? Some one mentioned 3 weeks .

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You’re recovering from a procedure so it will take a little time to recover. I’ve never had an ablation, just the Watchman. I feel like my recovery was not too long, but longer than 5 days.

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Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

Wow, yikes. I thought it was routine to briefly stop blood thinners before invasive procedures. Sorry you went through that. Glad the Watchman has you off the blood thinner. Thank you for your reply.

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It is usually common to stop blood thinners but I had a stroke after my Takotsubo event and my cardiologist didn’t want to risk my having another stroke. It all worked out and everything is good.

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