Comments on: “What Is Life Like On Coumadin?” Asks Mary Anne

By: Jerry Lemons

Jerry Lemons — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:37:36 +0000

I am 62 years old and in July 2011 became sick with what I thought was food poison. Went to a local ER and was told I had Acute Bronchitis & Atypical Chest Pain. 2 days later went to see another Physician for a second opinion and was admitted to the hospital for 3 days with Congestive Heart Failure. After further testing it was also decided that I had Severe Aortic Regurgitation and was sent to see a physician @ Oklahoma Heart Hospital Valve Clinic and was scoped and found out that I had an infection on my Aortic Valve. I was placed in the hospital for 6 days in October and was then sent home with a PICC line and IV antibiotics 2 times per day and was then seen by my Cardiologist on November 18th, 2011 & he scheduled for me to have my Aortic Valve replaced. I went into the hospital the evening of Thanksgiving to have my surgery the next day. I was unable to have the surgery then due to I was running a fever. Who would of thought after being on so much Antibiotics already, someone would run a fever. So I was scoped again after having another Heart Echo and found out that my Mitral Valve also had an infection on it along with my Aortic Valve. My Cardiologist told my that due to being healthy and age 62, he was going to give me a Mechanical Valve. I had my Aortic & Mital Valves replaced on 12-1-2011. I have done extremely well, having home health nurses out to check my INR every week. My INR is 2.6 this week & I have to get it to 3.5-4.5 due to having 2 Mechanical Valves. My life is getting back on track, still get alittle tired and weak, but otherwise my Coumadin ranges between 6-10 mg/daily. The TICKING of my valves is not a problem at all, I don’t hear it but my wife can hear it when she is laying beside me. But she is also a nurse, so she is able to detect it better.

By: Richard Bond

Richard Bond — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:51:21 +0000

I am 65 and suffered a stroke from atrialfib, have been on coumadin 12 months with only the usual minor inconveniences.
My question is – how long before the warfarin kills me? in the long run??

By: Mark Spurling

Mark Spurling — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:42:09 +0000

I have just survived Endocarditis (from a routine dentist visit) I am 47 years old and am now being told that I need a replacement aortic valve. I am originally from UK but live in Fiji where the medical facilities are less developed. The comments from everyone above have been very helpful to me and I guess there is a lot of thinking to be done….not least of all where best to get the operation done!
Mark Spurlong

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:49:15 +0000

Thank you so much Adam for this site. I have my evaluation with a cardiac surgeon on Jan 10th and this helps me form so many questions for him. I have severe aortic stenosis, I am 45 and 3 yrs post gastric bypass. I assumed I would be likely to get a mechanical valve but so many of these posts are making me think about a life on coumadin. I am a nurse and know what the risks are, I have so many decisions to make.
Thanks for your posts everyone. They are very helpful.

By: Becky Mack

Becky Mack — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:38:08 +0000

Hi Adam,

I had a mechanical mitral valve surgery 10 years ago. I’m doing great and have learned to live with Coumadin. 2 years ago I got a home INR tester and that has made all the difference! No more driving to the lab, waiting, getting poked and prodded. It’s been an enormous benefit to me. It took some getting use to, but I’ve got it down and now it’s routine. I can test when it’s convenient for me-within the confines of what the Coumadin Clinic gives me. Got plans early Tuesday? Fine, I’ll test Wednesday. Worried about diet? I can test earlier than scheduled if I want.

It took a while to get used to what I need to regulate, and learning what things you might not expect to change your numbers are. Cranberries? Grilled onions VS raw? Who knew? I do, now. Now it’s routine, and I only have to give it a passing thought.

I knew that this was a choice I made when I decided on a mechanical valve. But I was young enough that the thought of having possibly three pig valve replacements didn’t appeal to me. Bovine wasn’t an option at the time.

When I get to feeling sorry for myself, which occasionally happens, I just think of the feeling I had when I heard those famous words from my Doctor: “Six months to a year”. I would, and did, every thing in my power to live way, way past that and see my three young boys grow up!

What is, is. There are people in the world with real problems I tell myself!

By: lorna

lorna — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:34:50 +0000

Has anyone had pulmonic valve replacement? I am about to have it in Boston, Ma would like to know if anyone has had this done and is Boston one of the best places (Mass. General Hosp)

By: robert chung

robert chung — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:06:57 +0000

Hi, My wife had a StJude Regent 19mm mechanical put in around Aug 2010. I believe if one has small aortic root, a tissue may be difficult to implant unless we do root enlargement which adds to complications. If one is on the obese side ie with a large body surface area, a small tissue valve can be a problem.

By: Dawna Wickdahl

Dawna Wickdahl — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:43:57 +0000

Hi Adam:

First off… Thanks for the book. It really helped me.

I am having aortic valve replacement, actually, my surgery was scheduled for today. Right now. As we speak i should have been on the table…. Now i have to wait till the 24th.

Anyway, my question is… I decided, at the time, to go with a mechanical valve. I am 48 and in good health, beside this one little problem. I was okay with my decision on the valve. and the warfarin. But now i am thinking, is it the right one for me. I don’t want to live in a bubble. I don’t want to be afraid to do something, just in case i might fall and bleed. I am not the most out-going person, but that might change after the surgery. I do ride a motorcycle. Will i have to give that up?

I choose the mechanical valve because i don’t want to go through this again.

I had open heart surgery when i was 8. In laymens terms, I had a narrowing of the aortic. My scar is under my left breast around to my back. It’s pretty big. But i don’t even notice it. I also have two scars from two surgeries. I had a grapefruit tumor removed and the other was a hysterectomy. But, the surgeon was excellent. So, with this scar down my chest, I will be connected… LOL.

So i am a little confused now about my decision. My surgeon said I can change my mind up to the time I am wheeled into the operating room. I just want to make the right decision for me. Thanks for listening.

I am from Vancouver Island, Canada.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 12 May 2010 02:53:22 +0000

I had AVR at 58 in April of 2009. I bruise more easily than before, but have not experienced any major bleeding issues, although I bike ride regularly, and am on a moderate weightlifting program. The monthly testing is inconvenient, but a lot less of a hassle than another surgery. I have an occasional beer and have not really changed my eating habits. All in all if you are under 65, it’s probably the right way to go.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:11:00 +0000

Thanks To ADAM!!!!!!!
Your website has been very informational and definetly a comfort to me and to many other valve replacement recipients.Thank you again. Sincerely, Eileen