Sameer's Journal

Denise Campbell  Hi. I was wondering if you take warifin. And how much? My surgeon said they only worry about taking out sternum wires if they start to bother you.

Emily Rowley  They leave the Sternum wires in to keep your bone and rib cage together and you may have inner dissolving ones too. Only taken out if there is a problem. There was a young lady on here who did have her Sternum wires taken out.

Steven A Husted  yes i think they leave them in unless they give you a problem some patients dont have wires there incision is gluded back together or stapled back together my cousin had his re wired because they were bothering him

Barbara Adams  I would like to know also. I am 5 months post surgery and still have some chest discomfort..tightening and pulling. My surgeon is taking await and see approach. He said there are cases of discomfort caused by wires but he would not want to remove until a year out.

Iloka Wickremasinghe  5 months is not enough time to feel completely better. I am 11 months after surgery and only now feel my insides don't hurt ...

Wanda Mroz  Sternum wires stay in unless they cause issues. I'm 10 months post op and still feel some tightness now and then but it's getting better.

Sameer Khan  thanks a lot Emily, Denise, Steven, Barbra, Iloka and Wanda for your help.I guess I will be fine with it.
@Denise Campbell, I responded to your earlier query with detail on my last post, I shared. But for your convenience I will re-share it:
"yes I take coumadine regularly (5mg three days a week, 7.5 mg four days a week) but it depends on your diet and blood too. once you got adjusted, there will be absolutely no issues as I have no issue except Purple toe syndrome (in which my big toe became purple and painful in winters but its okay now by itself). monitor your INR regularly and your dose too. whenever you find your INR perfectly normal with specific dose, then keep taking that dose. monitor (limit) your vitamin K (leafy greens, green tea etc) intake and painkillers as it affects coumadine effectiveness. avoid any hard hit on your body specially around your head and neck area as it could cause hemorrhage (just a precaution). Do not miss and do not overdose, otherwise, I don't see any sideffects.
I hope it helped :) "

  Mild pain bit not too bad for me. The drainage tube was worse, not because it hurt, but because it made a nasty slurping sound. Good luck!

Denise Campbell  Hello. How are you? I also have a mechanical mitral valve. Do u take Coumadin? How have u adjusted over time.

Sameer Khan  yes I take coumadine regularly (5mg three days a week, 7.5 mg four days a week) but it depends on your diet and blood too. once you got adjusted, there will be absolutely no issues as I have no issue except Purple toe syndrome (in which my big toe became purple and painful in winters but its okay now by itself) which is very uncommon. monitor your INR regularly and your dose too. whenever you find your INR perfectly normal then keep taking that dose. monitor (limit) your vitamin K (leafy greens, green tea etc) intake and painkillers as it affects coumadine effectiveness. avoid any hard hit on your body specially around your head and neck area as it could cause hemorrhage (just a precaution). Do not miss and do not overdose.
I hope it helped :)