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  1. Alistair

    Alere issues 'Voluntary Urgent Correction' regarding InRatio tests

    I was hoping to find an update on this subject of finding test strips for the Alere InRatio meter. I was getting them from eBay at $200.00 for a box of 48. Now, that will buy you 12 if you're lucky enough to find them. I was unaware of this recall drama. I've had my meter since early 2008 and to...
  2. Alistair

    How good should you feel?

    Four years later (after my surgery), my routine is to awake at 6:00AM, coffee, dress and walk to bus stop by 8:00, get off bus and walk to work. Work 9:00 to 6:00 running on my feet all day as Pharmacy Tech. Walk to bus stop, walk to market (everyday) walk home. At home, I do all the chores I've...
  3. Alistair

    Surgery Scheduled for April 24th...next Tuesday.

    The anticipation was far worse than the actual event. Good luck!
  4. Alistair

    I think I made a decision...

    I never really considered the use of warfarin in my decision. What appealed to me was the likelihood of a permanent solution a mechanical valve offers rather than facing replacement surgeries with tissue valves. Coumadin use quickly became second nature.
  5. Alistair

    Is surgery really necessary?

    I too had entertained putting surgery off because of an upcoming planned family event however; my Doctor's sense of urgency frightened me and so I canceled those plans in lieu of surgery. Good move. With only mild symptoms and a lifetime of unrestricted activity, surgery revealed that the...
  6. Alistair

    Coumadin and " romance"

    Not true. I too had my surgery at age 46. That was four years ago and I'm about to turn 50...with all systems Go!
  7. Alistair

    Pradaxa

    I've been fortunate to experience only minimal complications and/or changes since my surgery and therefore feel I have very little to add however; I was curious when first I heard of this new drug. I've never been one to take medication and could never remember to take even a multivitamin with...
  8. Alistair

    Ventricular Tachycardia aka V-Tach

    Since my Valve Replacement (8.8.08) has been uneventful, I've had nothing to add to this site but find it a plethora of collective information from all who add to it. I just had an episode which I wanted to run by you all. I was cutting grass just before Thanksgiving in preparation for...
  9. Alistair

    Brass Tacks on Coumadin/Warfarin

    Truer words have never been spoken. I did just that, was bombarded with information which made me apprehensive. I'm approaching my one year anniversary and the whole ordeal has been uneventful. My INR was a roller-coaster at first but after six months both the dosage and my reading have...
  10. Alistair

    Weight Flunctuations and AVR

    I'll be interested to see the responses on this one. I gained 25 pounds shortly after my surgery and can't seem to get it off though I haven't gained any more.
  11. Alistair

    Possible cause of endocarditis?

    Wow, I always thought of bacterial endocarditis in direct relation to dental work and cleanings and nothing else. I'm going to have to read up on this. I must admit; I also home test and haphazardly use the alcohol wipes but I do wash my hands with dish soap and warm water (helps the blood...
  12. Alistair

    Where to get an INR testing unit

    Hello, I tried to visit the website mentioned by AgilityDog but got nothing. A search for QAS PT INR brought me to www.qualityassuredservices.com/INRatioPromo.aspx Is that the proper site? Also, someone had mentioned an invaluable guide that one user had for sale with regard to Coumadin...
  13. Alistair

    Hugging benefits fractious chimps

    Let me guess, you didn't inhale either.
  14. Alistair

    First Post and Many Questions

    Hello Jane; I too wanted to say welcome. You certainly have stumbled on the right place for information and support. It has been a great resource and comfort to me. My Surgeon opted for (and I agreed to) a mechanical valve because of my age (46). I had my surgery on 8.8.08 and today I feel...
  15. Alistair

    Passing our heart problems on to our kids

    Exactly right AaronJ. This was the advise my parents received upon my diagnoses in 1966. From that point on, I was aware of the situation but was never limited or treated any different than my brother or other children. At 17, my Parents had me examined one last time before being removed from...
  16. Alistair

    Probably my last post

    I'm the new guy and I think I somehow missed the whole story here. :( I'm quoting WayneGM because like Groucho Marx on "You bet your life", he said the magic word (camaraderie). ;) We all share a common adversity and that is what bonds people (us) together to form that camaraderie. (We) should...
  17. Alistair

    An interesting (scary) walk

    Fantastic video. Breathtaking scenery. It amazes me the things that have been built in bygone years and are still usable today albeit in serious decay. I'm a little too fond of solid ground. Perhaps in younger years I would have attempted such a journey. If I were to embark on this walk today, I...
  18. Alistair

    IN hospital 7 days waiting for INR to go up

    I had pretty much the same experience as your husband. I had my surgery on a Friday and by Monday evening, I wanted to go home (my recovery was fast and relatively painless). But they kept me until Thursday trying to get my INR to its proper level. I left the Hospital on Thursday evening and had...
  19. Alistair

    thanks to all of you here . . .

    I think the key here is being selective, objective; have some reservation and a little skepticism. This site however has been invaluable to me. -Alistair
  20. Alistair

    Five days off Coumadin for Cortizone shot

    Had I not read Dick0236's story of his three day fishing trip forgetting his Coumadin, I might would have thought the same. Should an INR reading become higher than the goal, would skipping one day or half dose be enough to correct the situation? Who best determines the risk vs. benefits...
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