Recent content by worktheday

Hello all, Not sure how quickly someone may reply, but I just took my INR at home (have been on warfarin for 8 years - AVR with mechanical, so very familiar with testing, ranges, etc) and I got a reading of 5.9. In my eight years of having blood tests and doing home tests for my INR, I only...

Hello all, Not sure how quickly someone may reply, but I just took my INR at home (have been on warfarin for 8 years - AVR with mechanical, so very familiar with testing, ranges, etc) and I got a reading of 5.9. In my eight years of having blood tests and doing home tests for my INR, I only...

Thank you all for your responses. They have definitely given me a bit to think about. I'm not sure if I'm experiencing any of the "symptoms" any of you have mentioned. I was asymptomatic leading up to my initial AVR (to the best of my knowledge). With some of the other issues I had listed, I'm...

Hey all, As the title says, I'm wondering what some early warning signs or symptoms (physical) may be for someone such as myself, who has had mechanical AVR and may be having a problem with it? I had my AVR about 8 years ago at the age of 31 do to regurge. I have taken my health for granted...

I appreciate your response Bina. I have no other symptoms at all either. I do hv to say again, it's been just over a year since last echo, not that outdated. I do not smoke, never have, but I am slightly overweight.... Could lose about 20 pounds, and also am stressed. Out of work and job hunting...

As stated, I'm noticing very intermittently maybe once every week and a half for two, that when I take a deep breath I get these somewhat dull pains in the left side of my chest what I would consider my heart area. I am 8 years post AVR op. And to the best of my knowledge upon last check...

$300 for an echo and an appointment out of pocket?! I don't know where your paying that but good for you. I'd do that in a heartbeat. In the thousands here just for the echo. Flawed system

Glad to hear your doing well 2 months post op. And also glad you have the insurance coverage you do in Canada. We are much less fortunate here in the States. If we all had your circumstances, this thread probably wouldn't be here, as most of would go, as you stated, because it costs you nothing...

If you go back up and read post #5, I actually did answer all of the questions you asked above. I'm 39, 8 years post op, and no insurance. Also mentioned in later post, First 6 years post op regular (2x/year) echo's, over the last 2 years I haven't had one.

I appreciate all of the responses so far on this topic. As I said, I'm at about the two year mark now (since having my last echo), for the past 6 years prior no indicated issues. With me being someone who also has an anxiety issue, it makes my concern that much more. But as stated, not really in...

I appreciate the responses and detail. I too monitor my own INR (Coaguchek XS) and am relatively on top of it. I'm 8 years post op, 39 years old, always got checked 2x a year up until about 2 years ago. No insurance and haven't been checked since, had me slightly concerned even though feeling no...

so you mentioned "before" your open heart surgery, but after you have been going yearly if I understand correctly? And it sounds like your not in the US now. And when you move back you don't plan on getting regular echos, just monitoring your INR? Thanks for the reply

As the question states, I'm wondering what is the longest some of you out there have gone without having an echo or ultrasound done to check the status of your replaced aortic or mitral valves for any reason, ie: no insurance, laziness, etc? I am not asking for responses for AHA or any other...

Again as I stated prior, I did include others and ANY related conditions with my statement in the middle of my original post.

Well wishes going out to your friend and his family on a speedy recovery!