Sally's Guestbook

Roberto Haddad  Barry - that is really good to hear.  I am essentially in the same boat as Sally, so I hope you don't mind me asking some questions.  

How do you manage your diet with warfarin?  is it hard to maintain the proper INR ?   

Have you had any accidents or bleeding incidents that have caused complications? (i.e. falling, hitting hand, etc.)

Do you hear your valve and does it bother you?  Does it hamper your ability to relax, or lie down and sleep? 

Barry Brasseaux  Hi Roberto.  I have not had any issues maintaining my INR.  I have a portable INR check kit that takes a blood sample from my finger and I am able to easily adjust if needed but it usually remains fairly consistent.  I do include dark leafy vegetables as part of my diet because it is healthy and I have slightly adjusted my Warfarin to accommodate.  I have never had any bleeding complications but I don't go water skiing or snow skiing where it might be difficult to get help.  I do actively run and ride my bike (carefully).  I am very active.  I do hear my valve but it is not loud.  It is comforting to hear it and has just become part of my life.  My wife sometimes says she can hear it.  My heart surgeon at Hopkins said if he had a choice he would choose mechanical valve.  It has never caused me issues with sleeping or trying to relax.  All in all it has been a blessing.  I will say it does not come with some concerns.  When I had minor surgery I did have to come off the Warfarin and take a heparin bridge.  It was only for a short period of time.  I did cut my leg about a 2 inch cut last year and was able to slow the bleeding, get to the ER and have them stitch it up after waiting 3 hours.  Warfarin is a serious drug to take but you can still live your life with making good decisions and being reasonably safe about your choices.  I have taken my Warfarin the same time each night at 9p for the last 36 years.  You have to be consistent with diet, taking it at the same time and no alcohol ( or very limited).