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I was finally able to reach an incredibly helpful person at Biotel. She resolved all of my issues! Crossing fingers for the future but for now, my billing problems have been handled, and I must give credit….this manager provided outstanding customer service.

No, I didn’t buy strips from eBay. I need the claims to go towards my ridiculous $4k deductible ($8k if considered out of network). I still have yet to get the billing correct though and it’s been frustrating. Reading about difficulties finding strips and machines on every scares me (I would...

So I am the OP. Still having massive problems with Biotel. Has anyone switched to another company and if so, which one? I now have BCBS insurance so it’s been a nightmare.

My TEE was in 2014. Wasn’t fun, I think surgery was almost easier! I was 41, almost 42 for my surgery. It’s been 7 years, and I’m totally normal. As everyone said, this is fixable! I have a st Jude aortic valve conduit. Bentall procedure.

Although not bridging was the norm. It wasn’t because my INR was high. In fact, they didn’t even ask. They just said be off for 3 days.

I can check, but I recall it was over 3 (not ideal, a weird blip).

For my recent colonoscopy, they did not have me bridge. 3 days without warfarin. My INR was 2.1 still the morning of….I did not have any polyps. my surgeon said she would have been comfortable taking them if she found them (I used a surgeon, not GI dr, just in case).

I was on metaprolol briefly after AVR. It caused my hands to crack, bleed and peel, almost like a hard clear shell was covering them. My blood pressure was 70/50, although weirdly, I didn’t feel anything. Due to my reaction, my surgeon took me off it after about 4 weeks. I’ve had no issues. I...

I use this company. Same experience, except I pay $101 every 4 tests (so the entire negotiated rate), until I hit my crazy deductible of $5k. I also received a letter about prices going up and they could tell me nothing. Said I won’t know new price until January. Incidentally, they charge it as...

Asking for my sister, who also had AVR and takes warfarin but isn’t on this board. She had a root canal recently, but then just cracked the tooth this morning. Of course it’s a weekend! Wondering whether she should take amoxicillin just in case. She seeing doctor on Monday (prescheduled appt)...

Well interestingly, they did a retest and the ALt level went from 49 to 16. Normal. Weird! I am however very anemic. Ferritin level of 6.

I just received the results from my annual blood test, and it looks like I may be anemic with high ALT levels (related to liver). The ALT levels have increased over the last 4 years when I look back at records (my surgery was 6 years ago) but highest change this past year. I don’t drink and...

I do. St Jude 21 mm. I only hear it when I’m trying to sneak up on my kids lol! It’s actually peaceful.

I’m only reading this in my phone so confess I did not read through the entire thread. However, I think you mentioned you are in CT. So am I - my surgery was done at Yale, Dr. Elefteriades. He is amazing. I have a St Jude valve conduit, had a sinus of valsalva aneurysm. I was 41. Mass General is...

I had my cath on a Monday and surgery on Thursday. The only challenge I had was they tried the IV so many times, in so many places that I was pretty black and blue in my arm by the time of my surgery. I think my left leg hurt a bit after the cath but not much.

In the us, most insurance companies make you wait to home test. I think it was 3 months post surgery I did not use a shower chair, but holding my hair dryer was a bit difficult for a few days. It’s surprisingly heavy lol! I did not need anyone with me overnight at the hospital. The hospital had...

I suggest you read some articles by Dr. Elefteriades at Yale. This is not medical advice. He researched weightlifting with aneurysms. From what I have read, bicuspid valve already puts you at a greater risk of dissecting at lower levels, potentially under 5 cm, and weightlifting would have a...

Everyone has given you great advice so far. I don’t recall worrying about my period so I guess I must not have had it at the time of surgery. Random tip - get a very light, not tight jogging bra that opens in front. Like a $5 one from Walmart. You will want to wear one so you will have a better...

I hit my head about a week and a half or so ago. No loss of consciousness, hurt for a minute but then okay. It was the top of my head, as I opened my garage door while carrying my dog I misjudged the distance and thought I had cleared it, but hadn’t and stood up while right under it. Now I have...

We all feel that way upon hearing the news. I encourage you to read the many posts on this site and you will read about everyone who continues to have a full life. I was 41, just shy of 42, with a 6 and 8 yr old. I had a thoracic aortic aneurysm (sinus of valsalve aneurysm). I now have a st...