Living with a Watchman device

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.

I had the watchman installed in April 2024. I stayed on blood thinners for 6 months afterwards then had a TEE(same procedure one has before an ablation) by EP to determine (they can see it with scope) if the Watchman was still seated and properly attached. It was. At that point the blood thinner was stopped and prescribed Clopidogrel 75mg (generic for Plavix). I had short course of 81mg aspirin, discontinued after 3 months. I’ve had no problems with the Watchman and like being off the blood thinner. My EP is conservative so we seem to go slow.
My ablation is different story. I’ve had 2 in last 6 years and I break through but the heartbeat is very low AFIB. I’m scheduled for another Ablation on May 1 with the new Pulse Ablation machine that is more effective for EP’s and easier on the patient. I’m hopeful that will take care of the AFIB for good. I also have Pacemaker for about a year and with all these internal appliances my quality of life is good, I feel good and I’m now on the Plavix and BP meds and occasional Metoprolol when AFIB kicks up. I had been on blood thinners (Xarelto) for 15 years. Heart problems run in my family, my sister and daughter have a similar history. Genetics are hard to avoid as we age.

I’d love to hear from as many as possible. It’s so nice to be able to communicate with others with similar issues.

I’m so glad you got off the Xarelto and got a Watchman device. I’ve never had to have an ablation but have been cardioverted once. My mother was always going into afib when she was alive and I’m the only one of my siblings that has it. I hope you continue doing well and that your upcoming ablation is a success. I’m really happy with the Watchman device and feel more confident about not getting blood clots when I do have afib.

Yes, I agree. I’m also very confident About the Watchman device catching clots. I will post eventually about the results of the new pulse ablation machine. I’m hopeful it can take care of my resident intermittent AFIB.

Last month, I completed the 6 month point following my Watchman procedure done at the Mayo Clinic. I had issues taking blood thinners, and was unable to use Meloxicam/NSAIDs to treat my Psoriatic Arthritis while on blood thinners. Everything has gone well with my Watchman; I’m very happy to no longer be taking Eliquis or Plavix. I am on a baby aspirin only, and can restart taking NSAID drugs as needed. My A-Fib is intermittent and at infrequent. At this time, no other treatment has been recommended. I feel like my life has returned to normal now!

I am told that my Watchman does NOT prevent afib, only helps prevent blood clots from forming.

That’s true. It prevents blood clots from forming, which is the biggest issue with a-fib.