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Thank you all so much for your support, guidance, advice and prayers. You have made what would otherwise have been a hard journey, bearable. Thanks to all of you, the light at the end of the tunnel was both bright and reachable. Victor

Tomorrow is my first "valvaversary". I cannot believe that a yaer ago I was getting ready for a surgery that had me scared to death. Today I am doing much better and find that I have more stamina than I did a year ago. I am working full time, hiking in the mountains, shooting competitive...

Ross, Yes, they seem to have resolved. I too would hate to get Rocky Mtn Spotted fever or lyme disease, neither are particulary fun. I do use several repellants including premetherin, but you still get one or two now and then. I also seem to get the same reaction with mosquito bites. I...

Ross, not a silly question. I have thought about this issue as well. I am very careful about removing the little blood suckers and while I endeavor to make sure the heads come out, perhaps one was left behind. Still, each bite seems to have a red dot associated therewith.

I shoot competitive field archery. I spend alot of time in the woods. Also, I do camp, fish and hike. It is a nice escape from sitting behind a desk all week. Victor

Ticks and Coumadin Is there any concern with getting tick bites and being on Coumadin? I have had several bites over the last couple of days and the bits spots have turned very red. This is not what I was used to seeing.

I just spoke with the PA at the Surgeon's office. She indicated that my most recent x rays look fine and that it is not all that unusual for there to be some muscular discomfort at the sternum for up to a year. She further indicated that Extra Strenght tylenol and stretching might help. While...

Thanks all for the suggestions. Jeff, How are you doing? Are you racking up the miles on your bike? Now that I have my arrythmias more or less under control I am back to excercising. I have been lifting weights, shooting my bow, walking and weather permitting, fly fishing. I too hope that...

Ross, I don't think it is turning keloid, the pain is more muscular in nature. I will check in with the surgeon.

I had my surgery in September of last year. My recovery has been great, I am excersizing, back to work and getting back to normal activities. That said, I am still experiencing discomfort in the area of my sternum. The discomfort seems muscular in nature. It happens mostly when laying in bed...

I would consider adding that many people who are on anti-coagulation therpay lead normal active lives and participate in a wide variety of athletic endeavors. I for example had valve replacement therapy last September and plan to return to competitive archery this spring. I know people who...

I asked about lovenox but was told that heparin is better. That said, I was given a prescription for lovenox and told to take it if my INR was below 2.0 on Sunday when I arrived home. My INR was 2.3 so no lovenox. Do the veins every truly heal or will I be a "hard stick" for the rest of my life?

I spent most of the last week waiting for them to switch off the heparin so I could go home :) NJean, they do come in every morning at 4 am to take blood. My veins are so beat up that I usually get stuck 2-4 times before they hit paydirt. I would also be stuck at 11pm to get my APTT levels.

Thanks Ross. This is all so new to me. You wouldn't believe how amazed people were that I check my own INR. I would think some education would be very benificial, especially to cardiac caregivers. I am so glad to be away from those vampires. My arm is totally bruised and sore. I don't have...

I returned home on Sunday. Took my normal 5 mg dose Sunday night, and my normal 6 mg dose ysterday.

Ross, My normal does is M-W-F 6 mg; T-TH-Sa-Su: 5 mg. So I can expect to take time to become theraputic again? Do you think I should re-test tomorrow ( I had planned to satisfy my curiosity again) If I am below 2, I will seriosly wonder why I was forced to stay in the hospital for 6 days.

I have a question about coumadin and INR. How long does it take for a dosage to effect INR and how long does the effect last. Background: I had an ablation on February 4. Prior to the ablation, I was given vitamin K to lower my inr (1.3) and put on a heparin drip. Following the ablation I...

Ross, My cardiologist manages my coumadin. I expect a call from him today regarding a revised dosage for today and the rest of the week. Actually, just received the call. Increased, "booster", dosage today then back to my old schedule. I am aware.

This week I am at 1.5. I think this comes from over correcting and the fact that I spaced once this week and forgot a dosage. I do want to thank everyone for their sage advice. This is all new to me. Victor

Al, Thanks for the info. I am not sure what the cardiologist is planning yet. I meet with him tomorrow. I do know they are talking about a 5 day stay in the hospital to get me off coumadin, do the procedure and then get my levels back up. Will know more soon. Thanks, Victor