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I found that my valve quieted down quite a bit over time. When it was first implanted the surgeon told me that as the chest heals--a gradual process that can take quite a while--the tick would quiet down, and it really did. At the outset I heard it constantly and assumed others did, too, Now I...

After my first AVR I was stuck in bed since there was no recliner in the room. Constant back pain/spasms. The second time, there was a recliner next to the bed. I had them put me in that rather than the bed as soon as they brought me to the room, and I lived in that for my entire stay. It was...

My situation was a bit more extreme. I had auras followed by migraines for perhaps ten years prior to my first AVR--a couple per month. Immediately following the surgery I began to have them daily--and over the next year I probably had 5-6 per week. Sometimes I would experience the aura twice...

Thanks for the helpful replies, everyone. Happy to follow my cardiologist's rec now that I've heard you thoughts.

I am almost at two years post surgery, when I received an On-x aortic valve that seems to be working just fine. My cardiologist suggested I don't need an echo this year (had one at my one-year anniversary, and all looked good). Question is, have others with the On-X valve gotten different advice...

pps: failed to address your insurance issue. The Mayo insurance office was very easy to work with--much easier than with PSL or UCH. Here is some contact info: Phone: (800-660-4582). LInk: http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/insurance/faq

ps: I should have added: I had the second surgery at the Mayo, where the level of care was off the charts. Better than my first experience in every way.

I live in Denver. Had my first procedure (medtronic mosaic aortic tissue valve to replace BAV) here in November 2013, at Presybterian St. Lukes. The valve began to leak during the first year, and by last spring (a year ago: about 2.5 years after the surgery) I learned that the new valve had to...

Congratulations, JulieMoon. Am guessing about now you're feeling like you have the flu (weak, general discomfort, achy all over---my back was the worst, very easily winded). But those symptoms melt away gradually, one by one, so that you will find yourself thinking, "Hey, I haven't had that...

Justin: Would be happy to discuss by phone, but here's the short answer: I moved from a cardiologist at Pres St. Lukes after first aortic valve replacement surgery (that valve failed in 2.5 years) to UCH, where I've found a wonderful cardiologist by the name of Dr. John Carroll. He's an...

You'd have to be an automaton not to feel jumpy. That final week before surgery is the worst part of the whole ordeal. I actually found showing up the morning of the surgery to be comforting. FINALLY I was going to get well! Do try to focus on that aspect--that good health is just around the corner.

I now realize (now that I have to pay attention to it) that I eat a lot of K, and that's presented no problems at all. Am guessing from my own experience and from all I've read here that you'll be able to maintain whatever level of K you want to, and that you'll learn to dose your diet. For now...

Flor1: Wonder if your surgeon mentioned the Medtronic Mosaic Porcine valve as an option. Some research indicates early failure of these valves. In my case I needed re-surgery in less than three years. See for instance this report: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629165554.htm...

Tojomiami: My situation was identical to that of jwinter. My medtronic mosaic porcine valve (installed November 2013) began leaking almost immediately, and had to be replaced in less than three years (this August). Went to Mayo this time for consultation and ultimately for surgery. They advised...

This describes my experience exactly: porcine tissue AVR in November, 2013, which began leaking almost immediately and had to be replaced this August. First vavle was a Medtronic Mosaic porcine valve--which I NOW know had generated concern (even before my surgery) among researchers owing to...

Thanks for the replies. Called Coaguchek yesterday, and they quoted a price even higher than the price from Alere. Will do my due diligence and buy off the web. Will report back with any useful findings.

Sorry to hijack this thread. Switching to self-monitoring after 4 months of trips to a hospital-based INR clinic. I’ve been studying the many threads on home monitoring and Pellicle’s blog posts on the subject (about to dive into his videos)—all very helpful. I’m so grateful for all of this...

I had this same reaction (constant, shallow coughing) to metroprolol (a beta blocker). Cough ceased as soon as I came off the drug.

Dear Pellicle, Just a quick note to thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the community of folks (like me) who have faced or will face the vexing decision regarding valve choices; and to all those who must come to terms with a life on warfarin. My wife came across your blog and then...