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Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: November 10, 2016

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Stephen Phayre posted an update

8 years ago (November 7, 2017)

Just had my INR checked and it was 6.9. No Warfarin for me for the next few days until we try to figure out what is going on!

Elaine Cutri

Has your diet changed? Did you inadvertently take an extra dose? My INR is very sensitive to what I eat and drink, e.g., an extra glass of wine or not enough greens. I depend on a 7 day pill holder to help me take one and only one dose of... Read more.

Meredith Bray

No wine and extra spinach for dinner! LOL How long since your surgery? My levels went haywire for the first 5-6 months.

Noreen Kitchen

My levels fluctuate too. I find my activity really causes it change. I am pretty careful with my diet and drinking any alcohol. Hope you can get it figured out.

Stephen Phayre

I think that the Warfarin dose was wonky. We sort of reset and started again. Things seem to be settled back to what they were before - thanks for the feedback!

Kelley Turnbull

I'm having an issue too. I'm very careful about my vitamin k intake but my INR has spiked a few times. Last week it was3.9 and yesterday 5.2.

Stephen Phayre posted an update

8 years ago (October 6, 2017)

Ok - 10 months out from surgery and all has been going well. Still a little discomfort when I sneeze or cough but nothing terrible. Recently however, I've started to have an odd squishy feeling around my incision. It feels like it's between the sternum and my skin but I... Read more.

Gerald Poulton

Hi Steve, I would def talk to your cardiologist, I am 2 months post op and no pain when I cough, I do avoid big sneezes but no pain with my smothered ones either. All I can think of with the sternum would be fluid buildup or an infection which... Read more.

Amy Steele

Like Gerald said, be sure to follow up as soon as you can with your cardiologist and/or surgeon. You shouldn't have a squishy feeling in your sternum.

Stephen Phayre

Thanks guys - I've been to my cardiologist and we've done x-ray and CT but we're not seeing anything! I know something is wrong but I am not sure what the next steps are. I'm seeing my cardiologist again next week and we'll put together a plan.

Stephen Phayre

The plan is just to wait for 3 months to see how it plays out...

Stephen Phayre posted an update

8 years ago (August 1, 2017)

Hey all. It's almost been 8 months since my open heart surgery to replace a defective aortic valve. I'm 42 and am recovering well. I wanted to see what the consensus from the community regarding ongoing sternal discomfort when stretching, coughing, sneezing, etc. When I sneeze or cough, I'm not... Read more.

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Catie B

Stephen, I can't say it's normal, but I have a spot up high that still hurts when I cough and when I roll over at night. Mine may be permanent--I'm 10 months out. I had full sternotomy.

Rita Savelis

I still have an awareness/tightness in my sternum 2 years after OHS. It's not pain, just an awareness. Hard to describe. I was under the false impression that once my sternum healed (6 weeks after OHS) I would no longer be so aware of it. That I wouldn't feel it... Read more.

Marie Myers

I have a tiny spot at the bottom of my full sternotomy incision where some of the wires either begin or end. It sometimes feels a little peculiar, especially when doing yoga. Otherwise no other strange feelings/ sensations. I am 4 months post op.