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  1. C

    Cautionary tale Re holiday caffein!

    I am 1 year 5 months out from AVR surgery with an On-X mechanical valve and, up until last week, had pretty well zero issues. While on vacation I had been indulging a bit more than usual in alcohol ;) and particularly regular coffee. On a road trip to visit some friends the lady of the house...
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    Tissue vs. Mechanical - terrified and confused

    On the subject of ticking! On the subject of ticking! I have an On-X and very occasionally hear/feel it when lying on my left side. However, I sleep on a fairly firm pillow. I am on vacation and at my Sister-in-law's house I am sleeping with a softer, puffier pillow and CANNOT hear/feel my...
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    3 days post-op!

    My brother the veterinary surgeon gave me the best piece of advice I ever got re recuperation - he told me that the first recovery is the best recovery - so don't do anything to set you back, you have plenty of time to heal! Cameron
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    Surgery Before Symptoms

    I'd like to second what Nancy said i.e. symptoms are sneaky, can be interpreted as other things, and can come on so gradually that you forget what "normal" actually is. I also walked in to the hospital feeling what I had considered to be "good", but now, 15 months post surgery my new "normal"...
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    Should I be Concerned?

    Freddie, Last year I had a terrible blood draw and my arm had a bruise all over the bend in my elbow, probably 3-4 inches in diameter and a beautiful set of shades from dark purple to yellow and green. It was summer and we were driving down to the States in our convertible. Once the border...
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    Small hard lumps along scar? Any ideas?

    I am 15 months out from surgery. For the first 3-6 months my scar was pretty flat with no obvious bumps. Since then I have developed a couple of bumps and a short length of what I believe is referred to a keloid scarring where the scar tissue is a bit raised. The top bump is about half way...
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    Cause of Rash?

    Thanks everyone, I will start a logbook to try and correlate the flare up of the rash with something in particular. Reference to spinach intake was a joke :D - just one of the many things that might be a contributing factor :confused: (dairy, sunshine :cool:, lack of sunshine, sunblock, nuts...
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    Cause of Rash?

    After about 9-12 months on warfarin I have developed a rash on my forehead that comes and goes :(. I have not been able to pin down what makes it flare up e.g. no direct correlation to spinach intake :p. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Doctor was not sure and gave me some...
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    How Do You Like Your On-X Valve?

    Hi, I've had an On-X 23mm in the Aortic position for 1 year 2 months. I have had no issues and hardly think about it any more. I feel completely back to pre stenosis normal - not what was passing for normal before the surgery. 99% of the time I do not hear it (only an internal tick when lying...
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    Horrilbe bruise....help!

    Mileena, After surgery and the start of warfarin I noticed that I tended to bruise more easily. Some of these bruises included a hard centre similar to what you are describing. Mine went away sometimes with the bruise and sometimes the hard part would go after the bruise. I don't worry about...
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    How soon to use stairs?

    Hi JiminMI, Before you leave hospital they should have made you walk up and down a set of stairs. The trick is NOT to pull on the bannister and to take baby steps up and down carefully i.e. one foot down (or up) then next foot to same step. As long as you are careful you should have no...
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    One Year and Still Ticking!

    Time flys when you are having fun :D - can't believe it has been a year. Thanks to all on the site who provided information and support before, during and after the surgery. Particular thanks to all those who provided information on home INR testing and demystified the dosing issue so that I...
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    cannot believe this :(

    I was "bumped" twice, once just before Christmas and then again in the early new year. The third try my date was actually moved UP to a Friday from a Monday, which meant we did not have the weekend to worry! The only solace I can give, and what kept me sane, is that they would not bump the...
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    I think my strips are expensive...

    Still in Canada but on the west coast in Britsh Columbia. I can only buy six packs. Paid CAD$49.99 at London Drugs for 6 or CAD$199.96 for 24 to equate to the previous posts. Cameron
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    Exercise Stress Test

    The treadmill stress test I took at around 6 weeks post surgery was based on what they refer to as the Bruce Protocol (just Google that and you will get all the info). It is based on an incresing incline/speed process. I did not wear a mask but was hooked up to an EKG machine. The test goes...
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    Started with two but turned into more questions?

    John, My wife has bionic ears and is also bothered by ticking clocks, however, she seems to have adjusted to my valve and doesn't hear it too often. It might help you to make a pro/con list on mechanical versus tissue valves to determine what the main issue is for you i.e. ticking, re-surgery...
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    Please allow me to introduce myself.

    Hi John, I am in Vancouver and had an On-X mechanical aortic replacement in January of this year when I had just turned 56 (details of where and who below in my tag line). I chose mechanical as I did not want to face such invasive surgery again, and I had no real issues with taking warfarin...
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    Easy bruising while in range

    I take 81mg asprin and am running at around 13mg/day of warfarin. I have noticed that I am bruising more easily and seem to think that that started some months after my surgery. I mostly keep in a range of 2.5-3.5 on the advice of my cardiologist, which is higher than some with aortic...
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    My 4 Year Valversary is Today

    Happy anniversary and Thanksgiving, eh!:D Hope you didn't overdo the turkey thing:p - not sure how all those dopamines react with the warfarin:eek:!! Congratulations on 4 and best wishes for many more. Cameron
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    Anybody out there on a Statin?

    Hi, I have been on Lipitor for some 5+ years (started at age 50) at 20mg/day and recently changed to Crestor 10mg/day as Crestor is supposed to be better at raising "good" cholestorol numbers. I have never had any issue with joint or muscle pain, but I do get blood tests periodically to check...
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