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I was diagnosed with BAV with regurgitation at age 52. I was in the “waiting room” of monitoring for 6 years. I chose a mechanical valve with proven history, St Jude’s. I am on Warfarin and am tested every 5 weeks with a quick finger prick at my local clinic. I have bridged off the warfarin for...

I had a BAV replaced with a mechanical valve 11 years ago at age 52. Also had the Aortic Arch replaced. I was surprised by the volume of my valve clicking. If he has a bio valve, that wont be an issue. I am on blood thinners forever, and that is not an issue, I get tested every 5 weeks. Again...

Age 15, in 1975, I had a high school football physical and Dr heard a murmur. Failed me and sent me to a Cardiologist. He listened and had some tests done and said it was a nuisance murmur, nothing to be concerned about. 33 years later I had a transient amnesia incident I believed was tied to...

On 1/11/2022 I will have my 10 year anniversary of a St Judes Mechanical Valve and Aortic Arch replacement. I just turned 62 yesterday. My valve has worked flawlessly, including a trip to the ER after getting infection after Prostate Cancer surgery. When I arrived at the ER my Resting Heart Rate...

I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced with SJM 9 years ago. Only issue I ever had with Coumadin was after Prostate cancer surgery I had some bleeding g in my bladder, likely due to an improperly placed(kinked) catheter. The good news is that I had a major infection a week after the cancer...

SJM mechanical aortic valve and graft due to calcified valve and stenosis, 9 years ago. I am now 61. 3 years ago I had radical prostatectomy for Prostate cancer. Several weeks later I walked for into the ER not feeling well. Heart rate was 204 bpm and had infection. Antibiotic and Sotalol to...

Diagnosed with BAV with calcification at age 46. At age 52 (2012) it was time. Spent 6 years researching and still was not sure. Decided to roll the dice with Mechanical to reduce the odds or reoperation later in life. Had great insurance and good health. Did a St Judes Mechanical, due to long...

I was not thinking. I will do that next time.

Thanks Greg. Feeling is that of a pulled muscle, that when I move a certain way it jabs me. Could have done something the other day when I was drilling a hole and driving a screw in with my cordless drill. It was an odd position and I had to exert some force to get the hole drilled. I See the...

Cool Jordan. I just saw my chest x-ray but they could not send a copy to me. I would sure like to have it, makes a good conversation piece! Any tips on how to get a digital copy of my xray?

Today I am 4 weeks post op getting a mechanical aortic valve and graft. Everything was going wonderful and yesterday I started getting pain in my neck and left shoulder blade. I had to take Percocet to sleep and once again in the morning. I had stopped taking them 10 days ago and was doing fine...

My INR Clinic told me I have an 8 hour window from my schedule, 4 hours each side of my normal time. If I wait longer than 4 hours after, just skip that dose and take the next days dose as scheduled. That seems like you could change from evening to morning in about 3 days. Keep in mind that...

I agree with Tom. When my surgeon saw MRI's that indicated I might need a conduit, he said St Judes was his recommendation. When he opened me up, he confirmed that I needed a conduit and I got a St Judes Masters 33mm with a dacron aortic graft. I hear the valve very clearly at certain times and...

I was wheeled into OR about 8:00 am. I remember nothing after being shaved and IV started. Surgery was about 6 hours. My wife and sons were allowed to see me later in the day and they recall me squeezing their hands when they spoke to me. I have no recollection of the tube in place. However, the...

Thanks for the posts. In the last few days my "feeling cold" times are greatly reduced. I have found that if I am eating or drinking something cold I should wrap it in a paper towel or use a sleeve around my drink. I began taking an antihistamine again to get some solid sleep. Still only need...

You got lots of good advice here. I agree that you should find a surgeon that you are comfortable with and discuss pro's and con's of waiting. I was in the waiting room for 6 years. My cardio did ultrasounds every 6 months. I never had symptoms but in November he told me it was time. Once I...

Thanks for asking. I am resting quite well. Last night I only slept 2.5 hours but attribute that to taking my evening meds too late, around midnight. Before that I was getting my normal 6 hours. I took a 90 minute walk yesterday and felt great. Just about out of the painkillers so I hope Tylenol...

UPDATE:I have now been home for 1 week and I do not feel colder than normal. But when I hold a cold drink my hands never warm back up. I have to wash them under warm water for a minute or stick them into my pocket. No big deal, but my wife constantly says, "your hands are freezing".

I too had 1 chest x-ray about 4 days post op. Wheeled me down to x-ray, front and side view, enjoyed the ride and getting to see different people. Told me it was to check lungs and sternum.

I am only 12 days post op but the valve noise is not bothersome, although I do hear it. To me it is my "white noise". And it makes a great conversation starter "want to hear my heart valve?". First time I walked into the bathroom at home I checked both the lav faucet and the tub faucet for the...