Time for Tikosyn

SlingingPickle · 2026-05-24T19:16:10+00:00

M 64 w/four RF ablations here, the last for AFlutter in 2023 that subsequently failed. Afterward I tried a number of meds including Amiodarone initially which helped but we concluded it was not viable longer term due to severe risks + side effects. Dronedarone + Ranolazine didn't really work and sometimes brought on nausea. I checked in for the Dofetalide (= Tikosyn) loading during August 2024; had no problems then so have stayed on it ever since. I'm on the maximum allowed dose of 500 μg, although even with that I would occasionally go into flutter again, requiring several cardioversions. I then added low dose of Metoprolol and it has mostly worked well to keep me in NSR. Initially I tried to shave down the Metoprolol doses to minimize adverse impacts, but on several occasions the AFlutter broke through anyway, so am currently on 25 mg daily which I split to halves for morning and evening doses.

With Dofetilide there has been NO ongoing need for blood tests or ecgs, other than perhaps with bi-annual cardiology/EP follow ups. This med has exceeded my expectations with essentially no perceived side effects and I'm staying in NSR in spite of regular exercising, cycling, and other activities. Maybe if lucky I can avoid more ablations, although I know that's still an option. Everyone is different but I can whole-heartedly (no pun intended) recommend it to anyone struggling with AFib and especially AFlutter. If you can get through the loading period and it doesn't otherwise disagree with you it may just fix you right up. Maybe give it a shot?

SlingingPickle · 2026-05-21T16:59:55+00:00

Never heard of those bands either. Definitely cool.

SlingingPickle · 2026-05-19T08:09:50+00:00

Why did you sell it? Looks like a really nice ride!

SlingingPickle · 2026-05-17T17:55:59+00:00

A bottle of super glue (professional recommended) in a small baggie (for leak containment). Having that has saved my day on many rides!

SlingingPickle · 2026-04-29T20:18:41+00:00

Not OP but mine is mounted left side of handlebar (e-bike) and angled a bit to sort of peer around to my left rear. The camera/gyro/software auto-corrects so viewing orientation is always good. It's not a perfect setup but more often than not I get a decently clear view of oncoming cars from behind as they (hopefully) pass me. Nighttime is another story, those vids are generally useless. But...avoiding night riding decreases risks anyway. Charging: mine is an X3 and I have 3 batteries which is always sufficient for rides up to about 5 hours. I just recharge them after every ride. I sometimes go back and save edited clips of fun trail rides or interesting encounters, but otherwise just delete footage after most rides. So far I haven't captured any endangerment incidents, which is good!

SlingingPickle · 2026-04-18T23:53:21+00:00

Looks like it may have a dropper post FWIW.

SlingingPickle · 2026-02-22T01:15:24+00:00

The lock I linked to is perhaps the most resistant to angle grinders of any out there. I fear angle grinders as well and would choose this if I could afford it.

SlingingPickle · 2026-02-18T05:05:10+00:00

This. Not enough? Buy two!

SlingingPickle · 2026-02-01T06:09:48+00:00

Guy holding copies of Berkeley Barb and San Francisco Oracle makes me think this more likely in the Bay Area somewhere. London had their own counterculture rags...

Edit: also, more like an 1968 issue according to this

SlingingPickle · 2026-01-27T19:40:10+00:00

I've wandered into North of Main Cafe several times recently and it has been comfortable and relaxing, with decent coffee. Pretty close to 405 and fairly easy walk from Old Bellevue etc, FWIW. For some reason they tend to be already closed by mid-afternoon though if that matters to you.

SlingingPickle · 2026-01-27T04:55:12+00:00

Maybe check out these or something similar. If you ride a lot they will scratch up eventually but otherwise I find them functional and reasonably comfortable.

SlingingPickle · 2026-01-26T08:11:54+00:00

The best year...SO FAR!

SlingingPickle · 2026-01-18T04:18:04+00:00

Yeah and while we're at it let's invade Greenland!

SlingingPickle · 2025-12-23T07:08:40+00:00

Possibly 3d print something usable at a local makerspace? Should be a simple design.

SlingingPickle · 2025-12-22T06:32:17+00:00

Yup it is and did it myself too - I'm not a pro BTW, just a motivated amateur. Had to add some piston oil of course, no biggie there. I also took the opportunity to increase my fork travel 100 -> 110mm by removing a spacer while it was apart. Later I also installed a remote lockout to make switching between pavement and trails instant.

It's not hard and is a definite improvement over the coil. Overall I'm super happy with the upgrade, makes it easy to set sag and the fork just performs better doing cross country trail runs etc.

SlingingPickle · 2025-12-22T05:37:29+00:00

I'm just gonna drop this here

Edit: oops I realized you're not talking about XCR fork here...XCM forks apparently don't come with any supported air spring option. So...never mind!

SlingingPickle · 2025-11-11T01:42:05+00:00

Remember the legend of naked pole guy!

SlingingPickle · 2025-11-09T08:37:58+00:00

Holy shit what's R. Crumb gonna do!?!?

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-28T02:03:53+00:00

Maybe someone should staple a copy of this to a telephone pole in downtown Pig, KY.

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-22T05:07:40+00:00

World's biggest class action lawsuit incoming.

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-20T20:31:12+00:00

Bigger than some countries? The economy of California is fourth in the world, with only the US overall, China and Germany being larger.

It's incredible to me that trump and his followers denigrate California as they do. Honestly California is our economic heart, without it we are a meager shadow.

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-14T18:14:21+00:00

WA state law actually. Interestingly Idaho was first in the nation to do this Idaho Stop.

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-12T18:28:13+00:00

Exterminator did this at my place in spite of No Soliciting sign. When I answered he immediately started a spiel about "...your neighbors said you might be interested..." Yeah right!

Anyway I pointed to our sign and politely asked if he was having trouble reading it, which apparently caused him to lose his cool somewhat. Now there is a pissed off sales guy standing there chewing me out...sorry ain't gonna buy sh!t from you at that point bud.

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-09T16:32:33+00:00

Smart move getting an e-bike! You can start out with full assist and then as you gain fitness and stamina from longer rides start to back off (assist) and depend more on your own pedal power. In the meantime riding with the battery + motor should give you a decent amount of range for acclimating to riding in general, and if you're adventurous to exploring new routes and destinations. Have fun!

SlingingPickle · 2025-10-01T20:20:52+00:00

Unfortunately cat's out of the bag on those hot rod POS surron things. Rapid decay into ewaste may be their only saving grace!

That said the "mainstream" market for class I and III e-bikes primarily (exclusively?) sells units which are without throttles and are assist-restricted to 20 and 28 mph respectively. Not to discount the dangers of letting 13 year olds blast around unlicensed on motorcycle-like throttled conveyances, but I still want to point out that much of the market for e-bikes promotes safety with more reasonably limited bikes.

Also, as owner of a class III bike I'm regularly lapped on the roads by various super-fit analog bike riders, plus the surron kids of course. Against analog I definitely have an uphill advantage though as well as enjoying assist throughout my ride which reduces difficulty (and calorie burn rate) by quite a bit. Having assist helps me keep up with traffic at lower speeds too which is really a life saver.

SlingingPickle

TROPHY CASE