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RandyL
What is the fix for having a blood clot on your valve not letting it close all the way and leaking? Medicine, procedure anybody know?
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oh Randy, I'm not sure, but wanted to say if this is about you, I am sorry it seems you get hit w/ something new everyday , Lyn
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RandyL
Well I went to my Cardio today to get clearance for my back surgery next Thursday. Normal visit EKG, draw blood , etc. After listening to me for quite a while Doc says lets do an echo, it's been 7 months since your AVR.
Okay, no problem. After the test he makes sit in another waiting room for quite a while which is unusal. Finally he comes in and says I think you have a leak, I want you to go over to the hospital and they have a more accurate machine to do another Echo. I said okay and he said I want you to go now.
I went and got my test and tricked the Echo opertor into telling me about the results. Seems my valve is leaking pretty good and is usually caused by a clot on the valve itself. Well Iguess I am not going to get clearance for back operation. Cardio is suppose to call tonight and tell me whats up.
I guess I will know more later and if there are more tests to take, the Echo operator mentioned something about having a TEE. We will see. I feel find except for my back problems, can't believe I might have a clot, hope it stays put for a while.
Okay, no problem. After the test he makes sit in another waiting room for quite a while which is unusal. Finally he comes in and says I think you have a leak, I want you to go over to the hospital and they have a more accurate machine to do another Echo. I said okay and he said I want you to go now.
I went and got my test and tricked the Echo opertor into telling me about the results. Seems my valve is leaking pretty good and is usually caused by a clot on the valve itself. Well Iguess I am not going to get clearance for back operation. Cardio is suppose to call tonight and tell me whats up.
I guess I will know more later and if there are more tests to take, the Echo operator mentioned something about having a TEE. We will see. I feel find except for my back problems, can't believe I might have a clot, hope it stays put for a while.
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Liz
Randy - My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sounds like it was a good thing that you went to the cardiologist and they caught the problem. Keep us posted.
Take care,
Liz
Take care,
Liz
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RandyL
any advice anybody?
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Nan
Hi Randy, I am certainly not a medical person, but I would feel a lot better if you
1) Called your cardio (not wait for his call), to ask about hospital admission for heparin IV if they feel you might have a clot. Too dangerous to just leave it be IMHO.
and/or
2) Checked your INR asap, if you don't home test, on an emergency basis at the hospital or lab or somewhere close to see if you are on the high end of your range (hopefully). And if not, back to # 1 .
Keep us posted.
1) Called your cardio (not wait for his call), to ask about hospital admission for heparin IV if they feel you might have a clot. Too dangerous to just leave it be IMHO.
and/or
2) Checked your INR asap, if you don't home test, on an emergency basis at the hospital or lab or somewhere close to see if you are on the high end of your range (hopefully). And if not, back to # 1 .
Keep us posted.
I think nan is right, i would be nervous w/ waiting for the doc to call you and if you can check your INR.
and once again, I am sorry you keep having to deal w/ things, I know it must be so frustrating, Lyn
and once again, I am sorry you keep having to deal w/ things, I know it must be so frustrating, Lyn
G
geebee
Randy,
In 1982, I was having symptoms that felt like my valve was sticking shut. It took a few echos to "catch" the abnormal valve closing. The cardio thought it was a clot on the valve and put me in the hospital immediately - do not pass go, etc.....
I ended up with a second OHS because they did not want to take a chance it would break off. Turned out to be scar tissue causing the valve to stick but all the choices prior to finding that out was due to the concern of a clot.
Not trying to scare you but it sounds like you should be under close observation and definite intervention of some kind.
I am sorry to hear of this problem.
In 1982, I was having symptoms that felt like my valve was sticking shut. It took a few echos to "catch" the abnormal valve closing. The cardio thought it was a clot on the valve and put me in the hospital immediately - do not pass go, etc.....
I ended up with a second OHS because they did not want to take a chance it would break off. Turned out to be scar tissue causing the valve to stick but all the choices prior to finding that out was due to the concern of a clot.
Not trying to scare you but it sounds like you should be under close observation and definite intervention of some kind.
I am sorry to hear of this problem.
R
RandyL
I appreciate everyone who responded. To answer any ones question about my INR. I am very therapeutic. My last 3 weeks of tests were 2.1, 2.2, 3.0 this past Sunday. If I have a clot it should not of happened in the last 3 weeks and sense I just tested 3 days ago at 3.0 I should be very therapeutic. I hve yet to hear from my Cardio so I am calling him now. He didn't have my number so I am glad I called him. He said he can't tell anything from the second Echo and has scheduled me for a TEE first thing Friday Morning.
K
Karlynn
Randy, if he thinks it's a clot, I'm questioning why he's waiting until Friday to do the TEE. Not to terrify you, but if it is a clot, it could break off and travel, causing a stroke.
Even though you've been in range lately, weren't you doing some bridging for an epidural. Plus, you had some problems right after your surgery. So there could be many reasons a clot formed, if it has.
I wish you the best. Let's hope there's a simple answer to this issue.
Even though you've been in range lately, weren't you doing some bridging for an epidural. Plus, you had some problems right after your surgery. So there could be many reasons a clot formed, if it has.
I wish you the best. Let's hope there's a simple answer to this issue.
Karlynn said:
Honestly Karlynn, (and Randy of course0I was thinking about all the bridging Randy has had to do lately, just getting back to 'normal' and having to start all over.
I don't understand waiting til friday if they think there is a clot, I'm not big on calling the surgeon, but I think this would be a good time to call him and let him know what is going on and ask his thoughts on doing nothing for 2 days, Lyn
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RandyL
I am sorry if I miss led anybody about a clot. If you read my original post I said that the Echo Tech said it could be a clot on my valve because the leak was was pretty bad. While on the phone with my Cardio I asked him and he said he did not see a clot and there was a lot of scar tissue so he wanted to see a Tee to determine the cause and the severity of the leak. He told me he didn't think it was an emergency and trust me he is a worry wart when it comes to things like this. I feel comfortable in waiting till Friday, believe me he has sent me to the emergency room 3 times in the past, if he felt like it was an emergency he would not hesitate to demand me to go.
mtkayak
Well-known member
Good Luck Randy! If it's not a clot then it could be a scar tissue like Gee Bee said. I do remember my Card telling me that one of the slight risk asscociated with mechanical valve replacement is scar tissue growing around the valve hindering it's ability to open and shut.
PJmomrunner
Well-known member
Sorry to hear you are experiencing problems with your valve, Randy. I hope it can be resolved quickly and with a minimum of difficulty.
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RandyL
mtkayak said:
If its scar tissue I wonder what the fix is for that. If they say OHS I think I will run away. I 've already had 2 of them in January and a window, don't think I can get thru another one this soon. I'll have to wait and see what the TEE results are. Maybe it won't be too bad of news.
Randy, I don't have any knowledge to offer inthis any, but I just wanted to pass along my best wishes to you and hope that this will be resolved easily for you.
P
pipersmith
Sorry I have no advice as per your medical condition. I wish you the best - prayers and good thoughts...
