Ross
Well-known member
andrew would you please start a post in the New Advancements forum from which to track with you? Thanks.
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
sknydave
Well-known member
Does taking Plavix carry certain restrictions such as those associated with coumadin? I've been searching and I can't find anything.
Thanks
Thanks
Ross
Well-known member
Nope, but it should. There is some danger when it and asprin are combined. The thing of it is, half or more of the Coumadin restrictions are just CYA material and not practical. You shouldn't jump out of airplanes if your on Coumadin either, but you can't tell the webmaster that.sknydave said:
http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?vi...fault.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskJrNdxdCBNGSvGacH4qR8g8&
CLOPIDOGREL (in Plavix) may interact with ASPIRIN
Although the mechanism is poorly understood, it is believed that when aspirin and clopidogrel are used together in some people, the risk of severe bleeding is increased. Platelets are cells in the blood that are partly responsible for forming blood clots that stop bleeding from injuries or other types of damage to the blood vessels. Clopidogrel and aspirin are both known to decrease the platelets? ability to clot. So, when taken together, clopidogrel and aspirin can increase the risk of excessive or otherwise dangerous bleeding. Your doctor may want you to have more frequent blood tests to make sure that your blood is clotting properly. If you are currently taking clopidogrel and have recently suffered from a stroke or heart attack, you should avoid taking aspirin unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Ask your healthcare provider about these drugs and this potential interaction as soon as possible.
This interaction is well-documented and is considered major in severity.
Last Updated: August 2006
MikeHeim
Well-known member
I know some people (Ross specifically) have had a lot of issues with Plavix. I took it for about six months after my valve repair and didn't have any issues at all. Plavix functionally is very similar to aspirin, which is possibly why there are interaction issues. It is NOT an anticoagulant but rather inhibits platlet aggregation. In a practical sense, it makes the platlets "slippery". I had absolutely no restrictions when I was on it.
Wise
Well-known member
My mom used to take Plavix. She bruised a lot, all the time. Since she was taken off Plavix, and put on Coumadin, she bruises much much less.
G
Guest
Karlynn said:A thread mentioning cars and words related to sex (or lack of).....I figured Cort would show up sometime!
*grins*
Hot dang ... ya'll DO know me ... much TOO well
. he heCars and sex ... 2 of my favorite topics, even if I ain't gettin' one of 'em
.thecoolkid17 said:
Oh my goodness ... this is new thread material ... a bit shocked I hadn't thought of it myself. Then again, my best vacation spot is "on the road", road trippin' ... and not going to anywhere in particular ... which isn't _exactly_ "best vacation spot" material
.Examples:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/0410/0410.html
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/0508/0508.html
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1106/1106.html
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/200711.html
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Love is a stranger avoiding me" ... Richard Marx ... 'Chains Around My Heart'
sknydave
Well-known member
Thanks for the info!
Bad Mad
Well-known member
andrewg said:
At the time I was considering which mechanical to go for, I remember asking my Cardiologist about the ON-X, and what he thought of the trial which had patients on Plavix and aspirin rather than warafrin/comaudin.
My intrigue was the whole contact sports (angle), which he told me was still a Non-runner as aspirin and plavix together still carry an increased risk of bleeding. Thus ruling out contact sports.
Just thought, having read Luke's posts, it was important to mention this
Ross
Well-known member
This whole Coumadin restriction thing to someone not taking it is scary. Fact of the matter is, excercise common sense, protect your head and go live the life you love. We are not eggshells that spontaneously bleed all over and that is exactly what people make it sound like. Your only as restricted as you restrict yourself. Your talking about a drug that allows you to bleed a few seconds longer then normal. You stop bleeding the same way, pressure applied to the cut. If it's not stopping, then you have a cut that wouldn't matter if your on Coumadin or not, you need medical attention. As soon as everyone gets on the same page and realizes it, how to manage it properly and so forth, much of this nonsense about it will disappear. The largest single factor to this dilemna is lack of education in the medical field or failure to keep up with evolving trends.
harleygirl528
Well-known member
Hi Luke,
I just read through all 4 pages (whew!) and I too am impressed by your maturity and the grasp you seem to have on your situation! It is very difficult to digest that you need OHS, let alone all the choices involved concerning surgeon, valve selection, etc. This forum is an excellent place to land while you are in that process.
I am one of those who also had an aortic aneurysm (4.9 cm) and a BAV. I am 9 weeks post op today and am thrilled with the fact that I had a valve repair! I am not sure that the information you are getting on valve repairs is necessarily accurate and the only reason I say that is that I was also told by the chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Univ of Washington that I was NOT a candidate for a valve repair and he wouldn't even consider it. His rationale was something along the lines of why leave in a valve that caused the problem to begin with. As Oaktree pointed out, this is antiquated theory and we know now that aneurysms and BAV are likely caused by a connective tissue disorder.
I, like you, had surgery primarily for my ascending aortic aneurysm but since they were "in there" they did address the valve as well. I had regurgitation that was fairly minor and some slight calcification on one leaflet. I did have a back-up plan in the event my valve was not repairable but it was! There are a few others on here who also had repairs.
I flew back to LA to see Dr. Raissi for my 6 week follow up visit and at that time I had another 64-slice CT scan where the valve was visualized extremely well and it turns out that it is functioning perfectly with no leakage and Dr. Raissi thought it would last a couple decades (originally he gave me a 10 yr estimate). This is great news since my back up plan was a bovine tissue valve and I likely would not have gotten 20 years out of that valve.
Remember, your surgeon is going to give you advice based on his skill level in certain procedures....what I am trying to say is that if he doesn't do valve repairs than of course he isn't going to recommend them...but it doesn't mean that you aren't a candidate.
I am forever thankful to the folks on this forum for my success....first of all Ross, for urging me to get surgery sooner versus later even though a couple very reputable surgeons here in Seattle told me I could "wait and watch" ......and Oaktree, for referring me to the best surgeon I could have ever dreamed of finding, Dr. Sharo Raissi at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. He is a world-class surgeon and about 30% of his aortic valve surgeries involve "repairs". In the hands of a skilled surgeon, there is really nothing better than native valves, if possible. My repair just involved making a small stitch to tighten it up and did not present any increased risk of infection, etc. My root was left intact as it is naturally stronger tissue due to the arteries that run off of it and the dacron graft was attached to the root. I don't want to start any controversy, but I will share with you that my surgeon also recommended tissue in the event the repair was not possible (but I am just a little older than you
I am not saying a repair is the way to go....just saying look into it because it is another option, particularly if your valve function is fairly good at this point.
Good luck Luke and we all look forward to following you through your journey and supporting you with whatever decision you make!
I just read through all 4 pages (whew!) and I too am impressed by your maturity and the grasp you seem to have on your situation! It is very difficult to digest that you need OHS, let alone all the choices involved concerning surgeon, valve selection, etc. This forum is an excellent place to land while you are in that process.
I am one of those who also had an aortic aneurysm (4.9 cm) and a BAV. I am 9 weeks post op today and am thrilled with the fact that I had a valve repair! I am not sure that the information you are getting on valve repairs is necessarily accurate and the only reason I say that is that I was also told by the chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Univ of Washington that I was NOT a candidate for a valve repair and he wouldn't even consider it. His rationale was something along the lines of why leave in a valve that caused the problem to begin with. As Oaktree pointed out, this is antiquated theory and we know now that aneurysms and BAV are likely caused by a connective tissue disorder.
I, like you, had surgery primarily for my ascending aortic aneurysm but since they were "in there" they did address the valve as well. I had regurgitation that was fairly minor and some slight calcification on one leaflet. I did have a back-up plan in the event my valve was not repairable but it was! There are a few others on here who also had repairs.
I flew back to LA to see Dr. Raissi for my 6 week follow up visit and at that time I had another 64-slice CT scan where the valve was visualized extremely well and it turns out that it is functioning perfectly with no leakage and Dr. Raissi thought it would last a couple decades (originally he gave me a 10 yr estimate). This is great news since my back up plan was a bovine tissue valve and I likely would not have gotten 20 years out of that valve.
Remember, your surgeon is going to give you advice based on his skill level in certain procedures....what I am trying to say is that if he doesn't do valve repairs than of course he isn't going to recommend them...but it doesn't mean that you aren't a candidate.
I am forever thankful to the folks on this forum for my success....first of all Ross, for urging me to get surgery sooner versus later even though a couple very reputable surgeons here in Seattle told me I could "wait and watch" ......and Oaktree, for referring me to the best surgeon I could have ever dreamed of finding, Dr. Sharo Raissi at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. He is a world-class surgeon and about 30% of his aortic valve surgeries involve "repairs". In the hands of a skilled surgeon, there is really nothing better than native valves, if possible. My repair just involved making a small stitch to tighten it up and did not present any increased risk of infection, etc. My root was left intact as it is naturally stronger tissue due to the arteries that run off of it and the dacron graft was attached to the root. I don't want to start any controversy, but I will share with you that my surgeon also recommended tissue in the event the repair was not possible (but I am just a little older than you
I am not saying a repair is the way to go....just saying look into it because it is another option, particularly if your valve function is fairly good at this point.
Good luck Luke and we all look forward to following you through your journey and supporting you with whatever decision you make!
K
Karlynn
harleygirl528 said:
Excellent point! If he says he does repairs, the next question is how many he does a year. If there's a possibility that you are eligible for a repair you want a surgeon who does a lot of them a year.
Lorie - it's really great to read that your repair looks so pretty.
Earthsciencerocks
Active member
Hi Luke! We all made our decisions too.
Hi Luke! We all made our decisions too.
Hi Luke,
Wow I just read all 4 pages. Lots of interesting stuff!
I am from Spokane Washington.
I am 40, married and have 3 children, 18, 10, and 1yo. (Quite the spread!)
I had my Aortic valve replaced in June of last year.
Mine was attacked by bacteria and had to be replaced.
After talking with my cardiologist, I was all set for a mechanical valve. But when I talked to my surgeon (Dr. Leland Siwek), I was surprised with the response of options leaning towards tissue valves. My cardiologist was pushing one option only, mechanical valve choices. UUUUGH!!!! What do I do???? (I did ask my surgeon what he would choose for himself or his children. He said "pig-valve" without blinking.)
I did tons of research online, and asked as many friends as possible, who have had this surgery, about their choices. I was surprised that I know about 4 people who have had AVR done. (friends of friends, or parents of friends, etc.) Two chose mechanical, and two chose tissue valves. Ultimately, after MUCH prayer, I went against the recomendation of my cardiologist. (That was very hard!)
And I chose the "Medtronic freestyle" (stentless pig valve).
It's been 9 months and I am back to "normal".
I am an active 6' tall 235lb-er.
I'm jogging and coaching softball, wrestling and baseball again. No drugs except 81mg of aspirin daily.
I figured I want to live as free of drugs as possible until my 1yr old is in college. That will be the time that I will have to start thinking about options again. I pray longer, but time will tell.
I am praying for you and your family!
Remember either choice you make is better than not being able to make a choice. Fifty years ago our conditions were a death sentence. Now we hem and haw about which type of valve is best. Reality is that there is no perfect choice yet. You will become comfortable with either one in time.
Remember God has nothing but good plans for you and your family.
First car was a 2 door automatic 1968 Mercury Montego. $750. I bought it in 1984 when I was 17. I got my first speeding ticket one week later.
Best vacation spot; My entire family took a 2-week baltic sea cruise in July, 3 weeks after my surgery. My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary at the same time, same cruise. I told them I would repay their generosity by taking them on my 50th wedding anniversary cruise. (They are in their 70's and I have been married for 13 years.) They still laughed. They are great!
May God bless you and yours!
-joshua-
Hi Luke! We all made our decisions too.
Hi Luke,
Wow I just read all 4 pages. Lots of interesting stuff!
I am from Spokane Washington.
I am 40, married and have 3 children, 18, 10, and 1yo. (Quite the spread!)
I had my Aortic valve replaced in June of last year.
Mine was attacked by bacteria and had to be replaced.
After talking with my cardiologist, I was all set for a mechanical valve. But when I talked to my surgeon (Dr. Leland Siwek), I was surprised with the response of options leaning towards tissue valves. My cardiologist was pushing one option only, mechanical valve choices. UUUUGH!!!! What do I do????
(I did ask my surgeon what he would choose for himself or his children. He said "pig-valve" without blinking.)I did tons of research online, and asked as many friends as possible, who have had this surgery, about their choices. I was surprised that I know about 4 people who have had AVR done. (friends of friends, or parents of friends, etc.) Two chose mechanical, and two chose tissue valves. Ultimately, after MUCH prayer, I went against the recomendation of my cardiologist. (That was very hard!)
And I chose the "Medtronic freestyle" (stentless pig valve).
It's been 9 months and I am back to "normal".
I am an active 6' tall 235lb-er.
I'm jogging and coaching softball, wrestling and baseball again. No drugs except 81mg of aspirin daily.
I figured I want to live as free of drugs as possible until my 1yr old is in college. That will be the time that I will have to start thinking about options again. I pray longer, but time will tell.
I am praying for you and your family!
Remember either choice you make is better than not being able to make a choice. Fifty years ago our conditions were a death sentence. Now we hem and haw about which type of valve is best. Reality is that there is no perfect choice yet. You will become comfortable with either one in time.
Remember God has nothing but good plans for you and your family.
First car was a 2 door automatic 1968 Mercury Montego. $750. I bought it in 1984 when I was 17. I got my first speeding ticket one week later.
Best vacation spot; My entire family took a 2-week baltic sea cruise in July, 3 weeks after my surgery. My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary at the same time, same cruise. I told them I would repay their generosity by taking them on my 50th wedding anniversary cruise. (They are in their 70's and I have been married for 13 years.) They still laughed. They are great!
May God bless you and yours!
-joshua-
T
thecoolkid17
hey sorry this thread got so long just a lot of information and a lot of opinions all of which have been amazing. Ummm my surgeon is a repair guy also but his primary speciality is obviously tissue, my cardiologist was the one who deterred my away from repairing because of bacteria and calcification and whatnot. They both heaviled agreed on tissue though over mechanical for my lifestyle and age.
Josh, thanks a ton for your input i agree with you 100% on your reasoning and wish the best of luck to you also. And going on a cruise 3 weeks post op gives me a ton of confidence in my future recovery, i was hoping to milk this out for all its worth, shoot. I won't be able to get my disability from UPS as long as i had hoped.
my first car was a 92' astro van ext AWD, aka pimp mobile, family bought it new for 24K
favorite vacation spot, at 21 i have been to: france, DC x2, florida x5, vegas, hawaii, western caribbean cruise, myrtle beach x2, philmont NM (hiking), grand canyon. Best for landscape:hawaii Sites: France
just a lot of information and a lot of opinions all of which have been amazing. Ummm my surgeon is a repair guy also but his primary speciality is obviously tissue, my cardiologist was the one who deterred my away from repairing because of bacteria and calcification and whatnot. They both heaviled agreed on tissue though over mechanical for my lifestyle and age. Josh, thanks a ton for your input i agree with you 100% on your reasoning and wish the best of luck to you also. And going on a cruise 3 weeks post op gives me a ton of confidence in my future recovery, i was hoping to milk this out for all its worth, shoot. I won't be able to get my disability from UPS as long as i had hoped.
my first car was a 92' astro van ext AWD, aka pimp mobile, family bought it new for 24K
favorite vacation spot, at 21 i have been to: france, DC x2, florida x5, vegas, hawaii, western caribbean cruise, myrtle beach x2, philmont NM (hiking), grand canyon. Best for landscape:hawaii Sites: France
Smiley2000
Well-known member
Hi there. I am 32 and pre-op. Going to have my Mitral valve replaced or repaired on the 31st of March 2008. I am not all to happy about the prospect of taking life-long meds to prevent clotting, but I can't imagine it being fun to have more than 1 OHS in my life! I know that there are people that have had 3-4 OHS and for those I have a lot of respect.
So if they can not repair my valve, mechanical for me please
Thank you for adding this message to your post:
"I want to be remembered for not having put more years into my life, but rather more life into my years"
-- that is MORE than enough reason for me to go through with this...
I know that it is not a very easy decision to make, but write down the pro's and cons and make an educated decision. All the best! hugs
So if they can not repair my valve, mechanical for me please
Thank you for adding this message to your post:
"I want to be remembered for not having put more years into my life, but rather more life into my years"
-- that is MORE than enough reason for me to go through with this...
I know that it is not a very easy decision to make, but write down the pro's and cons and make an educated decision. All the best! hugs
Smiley,
That's a really cogent post. I want to wish you well on your upcoming surgery.
And CoolKid, you likewise. Don't be apologizing for the length of this thread. It has been a very interesting and thought-provoking one. I want to congratulate those who have offered opinions on the various sides. Valve Selection has been known once in a while to generate much heat. This one has generated more light than heat -- and that's good.
Smiley makes a great suggestion. After you have gotten all the information you can, make a list of all the pros and cons for the choices before you. Then make the best choice for yourself and be happy with it.
That's a really cogent post. I want to wish you well on your upcoming surgery.
And CoolKid, you likewise. Don't be apologizing for the length of this thread. It has been a very interesting and thought-provoking one. I want to congratulate those who have offered opinions on the various sides. Valve Selection has been known once in a while to generate much heat. This one has generated more light than heat -- and that's good.
Smiley makes a great suggestion. After you have gotten all the information you can, make a list of all the pros and cons for the choices before you. Then make the best choice for yourself and be happy with it.
Mike C
Well-known member
Coolkid....if not already done, make sure others in your family have been screened for BAV and aneurysms, especially mother and father. It has a genetic link and identifying an anerurysm could save someone's life.
Also, I only skimmed posts but remember your lifestyle may change as your tissue valve wears down.
Mechanical valve lisfestyle changes will only be minor, mostly around contact sports, but im also not sure I would be doing contaxt sports with a dacron graft in me anyways.
also, at 4.5sm i assume you are starting to take it easy, dont blow a gasket before surgery.
Also, I only skimmed posts but remember your lifestyle may change as your tissue valve wears down.
Mechanical valve lisfestyle changes will only be minor, mostly around contact sports, but im also not sure I would be doing contaxt sports with a dacron graft in me anyways.
also, at 4.5sm i assume you are starting to take it easy, dont blow a gasket before surgery.
Earthsciencerocks
Active member
The good and the bad of "cruise life" after surgery.
The good and the bad of "cruise life" after surgery.
The good:
I was forbidden from carrying any luggage.
The bad:
I couldn't pick up my 1yr old.
The good:
The weather was beautiful
The bad:
I sunburned my scar
The good:
The food was awesome!
The bad:
I gained 8 lbs.
The good:
There were no chores to do
The bad:
I got used to not doing chores.
The good:
I had a sweet scar that started lots of conversations
The bad:
I had a scar that started lots of conversations
The good:
We got a free upgrade from two seperate rooms to a family suite
The bad:
My wife and I shared our room with our 18, 10, and 1 year olds.
(very little romantic times)
The good:
I didn't get seasick once. Not even in rough seas
The bad:
The rest of my family got violently ill for 2 full days.
God blees you all!
josh
The good and the bad of "cruise life" after surgery.
The good:
I was forbidden from carrying any luggage.
The bad:
I couldn't pick up my 1yr old.
The good:
The weather was beautiful
The bad:
I sunburned my scar
The good:
The food was awesome!
The bad:
I gained 8 lbs.
The good:
There were no chores to do
The bad:
I got used to not doing chores.
The good:
I had a sweet scar that started lots of conversations
The bad:
I had a scar that started lots of conversations
The good:
We got a free upgrade from two seperate rooms to a family suite
The bad:
My wife and I shared our room with our 18, 10, and 1 year olds.
(very little romantic times)
The good:
I didn't get seasick once. Not even in rough seas
The bad:
The rest of my family got violently ill for 2 full days.
God blees you all!
josh
Great thread coolkid..
Great thread coolkid..
Sounds like you've done your homework and I just wanted to wish you all the best when you have your tissue installed.
First car = 1964 Mustang, paid $2,700 brand new -- dang, wish I still had it.
Favorite vacation spot = probably Machu Picchu, but Capetown would be a close second. No wait, Sweetwaters Tented Camp in Kenya....no wait, Mt. Kenya Safari Club......hold on, Mala Mala in South Africa...yep, that's it...Mala Mala. Well, snow skiing in July near Christchurch....hmmmm, hard to choose?
You'll have a great time on your cruise...we love cruises too..! Love your analogy ESRocks..
Great thread coolkid..
Sounds like you've done your homework and I just wanted to wish you all the best when you have your tissue installed.
First car = 1964 Mustang, paid $2,700 brand new -- dang, wish I still had it.
Favorite vacation spot = probably Machu Picchu, but Capetown would be a close second. No wait, Sweetwaters Tented Camp in Kenya....no wait, Mt. Kenya Safari Club......hold on, Mala Mala in South Africa...yep, that's it...Mala Mala. Well, snow skiing in July near Christchurch....hmmmm, hard to choose?
You'll have a great time on your cruise...we love cruises too..! Love your analogy ESRocks..
R
ruth
knightfan2691 said:LOL! But, Ruth, do you still HAVE your first car? I do
Sigh, no, I kept it for 10 years and 125K miles. Then a friend drove it for another 10+ and another 100K and gave it to another person. I think it finally retired in the past few years, I lost track.
G
Guest
ShezaGirlie said:
Ahhhh...darlin' ... I'm not much of a Ford guy, but dangum ... think how much that '64 Mustang would be worth TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ruth said:
.See...that's what I love about still owning my first car ... I know what all has happened to it (except, of course, the umpteen years or so before I bought it).....
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Wondering...why I even care" ... Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ... 'Modern Day Romance'
