Carlie's Posts

Hi Carlie! I'm 33 and recently had an AVR in which a St. Jude's mechanical was put in. I've only been on coumadin a few months now but it hasn't given me any problems! I haven't really had to alter my diet (I didn't eat a ton of greens before; I'd say average amount). I haven't experienced any issues with bleeding or being really out of INR range. I get my blood tested weekly and I've been between 1.8-4.0 every time. The ideal range for me is 2.0-3.0 so I've been close if not spot on. My docs told me I could do all activities I like, to just be careful of physical activities. I like swimming, biking, basketball, golf, softball, etc. Unless your husband is a boxer of UFC fighter, I'd say he will be good to go. I hope this info helps. Good luck to you and your husband!

I agree with Kenny. I've been on it for years! I try to eat consistently, including a salad and glass of wine daily with dinner. Helpful tip => I use a weekly pill box so I can carefully track that I took my daily dose each day. Forgetting or taking it twice causes blood clotting problems. My activity level is pretty high, but I have never been a mountain biker, but I use to ski and I travel.

Kenny and Elaine...thank you so much for the comfort!!! My husband had his valve replacement on September 3rd. He was finally discharged from the hospital yesterday :) At the informational meeting on Coumadin was given by the pharmacist, she really scared me! I was content leading up to surgery and after, but once she talked, I was fearful of the drug. She mentioned when to go into the doctor, and she said that if you hit your head on a car door to get to ER for CT scan, etc. I'm like, he can't have anything happen to him without a trip to the ER aND a CT scan? What you said about still being active made me feel much better :) Thanks again! Kenny...I just read your profile! My husband had his surgery performed by Dr. Svensson at the CC as well! This was my husband's 3rd open heart surgery in 8 years, and we needed the "best of the best" performing this one. We were so happy with him, and Matt feels WAY better after this surgery than he did with the last 2 done in Iowa. :) We now live in Tennessee, so we traveled up here with our 2 daughters, aged 6 and 2. We are probably going to get to go home next week :) Staying in a hotel suite is getting a little old ;)

Hi Carlie, I was at CC in May of this year for my 4th OHS (I needed the best of the best also). I got a visit from the Pharmicist before discharge. They do paint a very bleak picture. Now days, I think the protocol is for all, anyone that gets a major blow to the head or chest should get checked out. I try to be careful and enjoy life, but I get bumped and bruises show up later. My best wishes to you and your husband and kids!

It makes complete sense that a patient who is so young would get a mechanical valve. I wish there weren't so many scare stories about coumadin. After the initital stabilisation period you just get on with. I try not to focus on scare stories. It's also scary to have multiple surgeries because of tissue valves that last only 8-10 years in young patients. I have multiple valve replacements and in my perfect world I'd be on no meds, but I'm getting used to it.

Rita, thank you! We had to get a mechanical valve this time around. Like you said, a tissue valve would need to be continually replaced. He is only 31 and on his 3rd OHS, so, we don't want to keep getting replacements if we can avoid them! You're so right about people posting scare stories about it all. That's all I seem to see. I am really happy to have a site like this to be able to talk to real people who are doing well on it. :)

I feel for you and your husband. Sorry he has to go through with multiple surgeries. I was freaked about anticoagulants myself and now am getting on with it. I wish someone had told me that stabilisation takes awhile but that I should just relax and I would get stabilised after a few months and then meds would just become a routine. I haven't changed anything in my diet.