Recent content by ARGreenMN

Great news! By the way, Dr. Emery was my surgeon! Even though it's only been a year and a half, I'm still alive and kickin' after my surgery (St. Judes Regent valve) and don't feel like that's gonna change any time soon. Dr. Emery rocks!

PS - I was only on amiodarone for about 3 mo (and that was just a precaution that I was on it that long). They said as long as I got off it that quickly, there wasn't much risk of the bad side effects it can cause. Would have gotten nervous if they wanted to keep me on it longer than 3 mo though.

I had a-fib 2 wks after my aortic valve replacement. Amiodarone controlled it, and after one more short episode a couple wks after that (might have been caused by my stupidity - got dehydrated) it hasn't come back since. I remember one of the caridologists telling me he thought the...

Lol Bina, I shoulda figured you'd say that ;) Thanks all! Will try to come back more often!

Just a quick hello to everyone on here. Yesterday was my one year valveaverary. I was crazy busy at work so wasn't able to get on here until today. Think of you all often, and thanks again so, so much for getting me through it!!! I'm doing fantastic! I'll try to remember to post an...

Glad to hear it Jackie! I admit it had me a LITTLE worried, but like I said, I just felt like there was gonna be some logical explanation. Glad there was! Now get back to your normally scheduled life and stop scaring us! j/k - scare us again if you need to - just hope you don't need to!

I haven't done my alcohol/INR study yet (but will be soon now that I have a home testing kit). But all indications (from my INR readings at the dr. office after drinking a couple days before) are that it doesn't affect my INR much, if at all.

From Penny's daughter: "My mom Penny was admitted in the hospital today with what they think is an infection on her vavle. She should be out next week sometime but will have to be on IV antibiotics for the next 4-6 weeks. Hopefully it clears up!" Hang in there Penny! And let us know...

Yes, although I'm joking about the clinical trial, I am seriously curious if there's a big affect on my INR from having a few drinks. So I will do some tests before, during and after a drinking session one of these nights. I doubt there will be much impact on my INR, but just want to make...

Now I can start my study on the effects of alcohol on INR lol. Two legs of the study. How many drinks before it affects your INR and how many drinks before you don't feel the finger pokes anymore. Disclaimer - it's not safe to get stumbling drunk while on Coumadin for fear of a concussion...

I think it was Bina (but could be wrong) who pointed out that the Coagucheck XS comes with a groovy travel case. Boy, was she right! I'm sooo excited. Got my monitor and had my training tonight. Went well. I'm gonna be able to do this! The best news is the lancets don't hurt as bad as...

Since Model A Fords haven't been produced since 1931, and St. Jude Master series valves are still in production today, I'm not sure the above is a good comparison. From what I've seen, many surgeons like the proven track record of the St. Jude Master series vs. the relatively short track...

I'm with ya Bill. I did the same w/ my surgeon (questioned everything he told me, researched as much as I could, then questioned even more) and finally concluded he knew a lot more than I'd ever know on the topic. He's been doing this a long, long time and is personally involved or leading...

That's my understanding too Bina. I could be wrong, but when I read things on here that talk about St. Judes in general (like Al's article above on Morbid Event Comparisons) I assume those comparisons are pertinent to the St. Judes Master series, not the newer Regent. If there are any...

Good to hear from you again Pat! Glad you're doing well. I feel great too and am WAY better than I was before surgery - in fact better than I've been in years. Isn't it great to be back to normal?!!!