Search results

I asked by surgeon and was told there was no need to bank a pint of blood for my AVR. Ask your surgeon that question. They will know. I eat what I want but don't binge. Per garlic, cayenne pepper and ginger, no problem. Dose the diet, don't diet the dose :) My cardio wants me to tell them...

You deserve a good vent. Best wishes for the next surgery.

Good luck Gail. If I recall correctly you are a flautist. I was one once. Poulenc's Sonata is one I like to return to as well as the Mozart concerto.

You need to get in touch with whomever is treating your depression As Soon As Possible. Try to remember that life is a gift and seeing the sun rise or set is a pleasure given only to the living.

Congratulations. Don't sweat the valve deuteriation issue. Each person's body chemistry is different, that's why tissue valves don't last the same length of time in every patient.

My post-op recovery was uneventful. I was offered cardiac rehab and did about 10 weeks worth about 2 times a week. That was very helpful. You saw a nurse each time and had the opportunity to ask questions about anything from INR to wound healing. I did the exercises for ~10 years until I...

My eye doctor has told me that warfarin does not effect your eyes or sight. As I get older I have gotten a variety of new eye problems including Posterior Vitreous Detachment or PVD. It went away as I was told it would but it occasionally comes back but not as bad.. Here's some info...

I first learned about the lower range for St. Jude on this board. I asked my surgeon and he said he thought it had been lowered, but I should ask my cardiologist since that's their specialty. My cardiologist told me that 2-3 was now 2-2.5 for my model and valve position. I've had 2 different...

I have had 3 procedures dropping my INR to 1 w/o bridging. This is due to my St. Jude aortic valve being able to withstand a low INR w/o clotting. My cardiologist said this was due to the "robust performance of the St. Jude aortic valve over a long period of time (>25 years.)"

I have experienced the same with skin cuts and bruises. Takes longer to scab and to heal. However, this also comes with age too :) For surgery, when I had prostate surgery, a TURP, my urologist said that scabs form internally on the prostate and they can break open and bleed a little during...

Chuck C, St. Jude reduced their suggested INR range for their mechanical valve in the aortic position from 2-3 to 2-2.5 about 10 years ago. My cardio dropped me from 2-3 to 2-2.5 with aspirin and it's worked fine for at least 10 years. The utility of a mechanical valve accepting a lower INR...

I've been told the same thing by my internist. My cardio echoed it as well. It's because NSAIDs can cause ulcers and you don't want one when you are on an anticoagulant. My cardio said I could take ibuprofen or naproxen at no more than the over the counter dose for no more than 2-months. He...

I am not sure where you got your info, but alcohol, cranberry juice, green tea and thc are not contraindicated if you are on warfarin. You can have grapefruit, but in moderation. Antibiotics are not required before "any procedure" just some. There is no need for "constant monitoring anything...

Congratulations! I don't remember my anniversary anymore. To me that's a good thing.

In that case, going home may speed up your recovery. Just don't lift a heavy bag.

Fifteen days after surgery I was doing fine, no complications, just started cardiac rehab. However I certainly would not have wanted to leave home except for in my home city. Your body is still healing from major trauma. I guess it depends upon why one has to leave home, e.g. elective...

There are several "side-effects" of anti-coagulation making one's clotting ability 2-3 times less effective.. If one goes off warfarin for a surgical procedure there is a risk of stroke. Once one is back on warfarin it can complicate recovery since the person on warfarin can suffer small...

Congratulations, may you have many more anniversaries and birthdays.

Rebecca got 12 years out of her first valve. At 67 now, she may never need a third replacement.

In general there is not a magic pill, exercise plan, diet etc. to make tissue valves last a long time and the subject has had a lot of research over the years. You are very lucky to have gotten 20 years.