Adam's Journal

Ann T  I have been on Coumadin a little over 2 years now. I have done really well with keeping it in zone. really haven't had any issues with it being out other than a time or two. I think its just a matter of keeping a consistent diet. I ended up being given a home testing kit, kind of like a glucometer and I check it and send the results in through an app to record them. That's pretty nice. 

Rita Savelis  Everyone's body is different and it can take some time to get used to anticoagulants and to adjust your INR. I've been on coumadin for 8 years (I have 2 mechanical valves) and I have a high target INR because of the 2 valves (3 to 4.5). I eat everything I want. In general most people eat a fairly consistent diet . Some doctors may tell you to not eat certain things, but you will find out that you can dose your meds around the way you eat and there is no need to cut out green vegetables. You can not control your INR through diet even as diet affects it. INR goes up and down - that's what it does - it's not even stable within one day, but at some point you find a dose of anticoagulants that works for you. I have a blood test whenever I want to, about once a month and I dose my own meds. Sometimes different things can change your INR, then you change your dose slightly. I was very worried about anticoagulants during my first year. I thought about them a lot. Then I relaxed and now I barely think of them at all. Like everything one gets used to them. But at the beginning you might be disheartened because it can take weeks to get your body acclimated and find the right dose. This can be frustrating. But you'll get there. I wrote a long post about anticoagulants years ago which you can find in my journal.

Jeff Williams  I'm one of the people with a mechanical valve and ascending aorta. I'm only about 10 weeks out from surgery so I don't have tons of experience. But at 39 years old , I chose mechanical for the "lifetime" factor. I do a good bit of running and working out so that was part of my decision process. 

Warfarin hasn't been an issue so far and with the people I've spoken to doing my research they didn't have issues. 

I have several friends and contacts at Artivion, maker of the On-X valve, and had the chance to really get into the weeds so to speak on the front end. 

Again, not much experience, but I've been very happy so far. 

Adam Gloo  Thank you Jeff! The On-X valve is my option as well (maybe it is for everyone these days?). Have you had enough time with Warfarin at this point to know how hard it is to stay at the correct "therapeutic index"? I'm fairly controlled with my diet already, but in reading about it it seemed potentially difficult to stay "in the zone"

Jeff Williams  Mine has been managed pretty well without much issue. I eat my normal diet and keep my nurse up to speed. 

Still early, but no issues. 

Adam Gloo  Also, wow. I am about to dive into your youtube page today. Every detail of your surgery is what I'm counting as my top option right now. Props to you for documenting that

Jeff Williams  Thanks, it's amateur hour video, but I learned a ton from others that did the same. 

I'm already amazed at how much more energy I have now. I was pretty much asymptomatic before other than fatigue, so it's great. I already did some running this morning and cut my grass and I still feel like doing more. The hardest part is forcing myself to go easy and not overdo it. 

Adam Gloo  In terms of that precision in INR (2-3 vs. 1.8-2.2) - is that not as precise/easy to move as it seems? Sounds to the lay person like an extra spinach serving would push you out of the zone  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jeff Williams  I don't worry about that personally. It may dip a little one day, but on average it stays pretty consistent. You could always get a home monitor if you wanted to keep an eye on it. 

Sean Adkins  I had almost decided to go with the On-X valve until the Inspiris Resilia with the VFit technology came to my attention. My procedure is Oct 20th and I'm pretty sure that is the way I will go. This video is pretty lengthy but provides a lot of clinical trial data. https://youtu.be/0__V1hMErSY?si=O3lN0ltCShPq5kKF

Sean Adkins  Good luck with whatever choice you make! I'm thankful that we live in a time where there are some really good options to consider

Robert Miller  Can't comment the Ross procedure but check out this link: https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php