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Any new meds added recently? I also have a pacemaker, subsequent to tissue AVR almost 13 years ago. Sometimes, when my pain clinic doc injects steroids for inflammation management, the steroids force me into afib. Since I have a tissue valve, I am not normally taking an anticoagulant, but...

We keep a stack of reusable shopping bags in the cars. When we travel, we take them (a few) with us. I do keep a stock of the "disposable" plastic store bags up in my home office, as the bin there is specifically built to use those bags for tossable trash. As popular as the reusable shopping...

Two things from me: Immediately after my valve surgery, I took warfarin for the first 90 days. I kept a medication diary (still have it, but don't maintain it), and my wife supervised my medications. I am fairly certain I never missed a dose or over-dosed. Still, through the entire 90 days...

I guess I make the fourth ham to speak up this "cycle." Back when I first joined this board, it seems that we had 3 or 4 hams active then, too, just not the same ones. I guess that was a couple of sunspot cycles ago. 73

If you remember that I was the "poster boy" for post-op complications after my AVR, you realize that I, too, will be very careful about planning my next surgery.:eek:

@dick0236 - Good to see you, old friend! Glad to hear you're still here, giving it a good go. I think one of the more important things for any valve patient (or maybe just for any patient) is to have an effective two-way dialog with any doctor who is going to be on your care team. I've been...

@ChuckM and @jeffp -- I currently run a Kenwood TS-590SG, with a 590S, some antique Yaesu separates and a Drake 2B in the storage closet. My "active" rig and shack is very minimalist. No space for a room full of glowing tube racks. . .

I should clarify my interest, too, Chuck. I have a tissue valve, so I am not on regular anticoagulation. I do, however, have paroxysmal afib (episodic issues), and if I have an episode that is over 4-6 hours long, my electrophysiologist will recommend that I re-start Xarelto for 30 days until...

@ChuckM and @ValveAdmin -- This past weekend the bands were the "nicest" I have seen in many, many years. I spent a few hours on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. In all cases, the atmospheric noise (QRN to us OT's) was the quietest I have heard in a long time. My 100 watts and a stick...

I'm still only "semi" retired. I work just one full week each month, and then take the rest of the month off. In my spare time, when I am not on one internet forum or another, I spend time on: Ham Radio (been licensed over 60 years) Reading Amateur Bocce player (recreational, not tournament...

I came home from AVR with a pacemaker, an armload of meds (including amiodarone and metoprolol) and paroxysmal afib. I am now 12 years post-op. Prior to surgery (at age 63) I was running 3-4 miles daily, 5 days a week. Now, at 75, I still exercise 5 days a week, but at lesser intensity. My...

If I could only hear 3Y0J! Will they ban me (a member of over 20 years) if I admit to running Kenwood rigs for the past 10-12 years with the Yaesu Twins stored in a closet?

Hey everyone! Glad to see so many familiar folks still doing well, too. John - weren't we going to try to meet for coffee before Covid shut the world down?

I've had a few bouts of afib, and was taking Xarelto for a while. My electrophysiologist recommended that I look into the Watchman, if the afib returns, as the anti-coagulants conflict with other meds I take for other issues. (NSAIDS for arthritis)

I've been "away" for a while, dealing with a couple of other issues. Getting old is a bummer, but it sure does beat the alternative! In case you don't remember, I've named my Edwards Bovine Pericardial Aortic Valve "MOO." Moo was implanted on February 28, 2011, in a really rocky journey. At...

I've been up here in my second floor "radio shack" connecting with ham operators all over South America and Western Europe today -- and listening to the 40-50 MPH winds trying to blow the storm windows off the house. We are under no storm watches or warnings, but it is far windier than even...

I guess one might differentiate between "new" and "radical" treatments. My cancer treatment was considered "new" - having only 9-10 years of results history to evaluate. Some actually refused to consider the treatment as being "too new" for them. I took it, and for me, it has worked out well...

A lower pulse rate is good, as long as it supplies enough blood to your body and as long as it can increase with demand. Where it becomes a problem is when it is out of synchronization between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, as mine is at risk to do without the pacemaker.

I find the "radical" new valve prostheses a lot like the newest cancer treatments. Sometimes you just have to make a decision based upon the best information available because by the time the long-term studies are out either the patient has died or that treatment has become obsolete. I...

I guess I spoke too soon about the nice weather. Today we are back in the low 30's (F), with a blizzard and snow accumulations of 3 inches or more expected. At least there is still gas in the snow blower. Glad I didn't wash the car.