Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?

Hi Mary. Tee went good yesterday. Off eliquis. Now on plavix and baby aspirin for four months. Then just. Baby asp

Hello 1943,

Thanks for updating and sharing this news. You are on your way to living with A-Fib without the problems associated with blood thinners. My follow-up treatment was a tad different from yours. I was only on Eliquis for 6 months after the implant and then I switched to the low-dose aspirin. I'm been on the aspirin since March 2018 and doing well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I've been seeing more and more requests for information on the Watchman.

Tresjur

@tresjur, can you help understand your miraculous recovery by telling us what a TEE is? How about TER? Feel the need to know before I get interested!! Martin

I had the watchman implanted 7-21-18, as had terrible bruising and nose bleeds constantly while on xeralto. I had been referred to a specialist for the watchman procedure when I was diagnosed with A Fib. I had a chad score of 5 and MRI evidence of a stroke, fortunately without any symptoms or resulting problems. I was considered an excellent prospect as I am very active, skiing, tennis, biking, hiking and gardening, therefore blood thinners but me at great risk for problems as I did not want to give up my active life style. Long story short after 5 years on Xeralto at age 82, I bit the bullet and had the procedure done. It was a walk in the park, as was the TEE 6 weeks later. The only problem is I am still on a blood thinner plavex until after the next TEE in January. I do still have bruising but it does seem to fade an doesn't leave as much of an iron stain, and the nose bleeds are less frequent. So my fingers are crossed that in January I can say by by to all blood thinners and bruising. Hope you do as well. Sincerely Kathe

Martin, a TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiography) is a test that produces pictures of your heart. A small thin tube passes through your mouth and into your throat.

Kathe626,

I was on Eliquis instead of Xeralto following the implant. The six months of Eliquis went by quickly without problems for me and I have been on the low dose aspirin since March of this year. For me, the implant was the right thing to do. Great hearing you are doing well and that you can maintain your very active life.

Tresjur

@predictable Yes, @tresjur is right.

It is like an echocardiogram only from the inside of your body, not the outside. Very good tool for looking at the heart valves and other potential problems.

Hi everyone. I go in the 17th of April 2019 for my watchman procedure. I'm very scared. Back story is this. On November 12th 2017 I had a stroke. I had a heart loop monitor put in and found out I have A fib. In March 2016 I went through a cardiac ablation because of very long bouts of SVT for 21 years to the month. I was put on warfarin but it was changed to eloquis because the warfarin wasn't getting dialed in. Went to the eye doctor later and found out I was having blood bleeds behind my eyes. Dr immediately took me of of the the eloquis and that has been going on just over 2 weeks. Oh I forgot, when I had my stroke CT showed I had a previous one without the side paralization. Any words to calm my fears?

Hello @lyndalk and welcome to Connect. It sounds as if you have had a number of problems related to stroke and I can understand both your concern about the Watchman procedure as well as the need for it. We have had other members who have also had bleeding problems with blood thinners and went on to get the Watchman in order to deal with the possibility of a stroke. I would like to introduce you to @tresjur and @kathe626, who have also had the Watchman.

@kathe626 How are you doing? Did you have the TEE in January as planned? I hope it went well. I would love to have an update from you when you have a moment.

@1943 I hope you are doing well. Do you have any updates you would like to share?

I have the watchman implant. Almost a year now. All I take is a baby aspirin a day. Glad to be off blood thinners after two major bleeds