Search results

I believe "no-warfarin with On-X" is still being investigated under FDA approved study. It would be an exciting day when that happens! However, until it is really well proven, you would want to follow exisiting protocol. EJ

My wife's surgeon set the range for her St. Jude aortic valve at 2.5 - 3.5 which is fine. If he set it to 2.0 - 3.0, we would've managed it to 2.5-3.5 anyway because we would like it to be high for a margin of error/safety. EJ

Both my wife and I were golden-retriever. Laid-back, that's me! Then I tried the second time and I am a Great Dane :confused: EJ

I also agree with 6 mg / day. I remember your surgery was pretty recent. My wife took 2 mg /day for a few weeks after the surgery. As she recovers (better diet, more activity), we found we had to keep increasing the dosage. You will probably find it to be the same with your dosage. 4 months...

As Lyn said, the need for the step stool depends on the height of your mattress. We have tall mattresses. In terms of the pain management, one thing that really helped was to lie on your side. There is a limit to the amount of pain med they can give you and, on top of that, my wife did not...

Step Stool Step Stool W e found that sometimes you need to be firm with doctors (while still being nice). Just remember you and your family have a "slightly" more stake in this... If you do not have a step stool, get one when to go to get a scale (pump-head :p ) It makes it much easier to...

Get an accurate scale Get an accurate scale Hi, Michelle, I am one of proverbial husbands often mentioned in this thread :D The good news is that I've come a long way to become a pretty good nurse for my wife, all thanks to this forum. My seemingly wife went from a diagnosis to the emergency...

Dear Nancy, When I saw the title, I said to myself, "Not Nancy's Joe"! Like another member said, what a battle the two of you fought! Both you and Joe have been a big inspiration to me and my wife who became a valve patient only 6 months ago. We are sending you our deepest sympathy and...

I ordered Al's chart and use them all the time. :) I also consult the following chart from time to time. http://www.aafp.org/afp/990201ap/635.html EJ

Double Dose may not be a good idea Double Dose may not be a good idea Al can tell you for sure. But what I read is "doubling up the dose" does not really brings INR up any faster. In fact it can do a harm, either bleeding or paradoxically, clotting due to hypercoagulable state. See article...

I would not change it either especially since it is above the range (and only by 0.2)

lance, What is your target INR range? I thought with MVR, it is either 2.5-3.5 or 3.0-4.0. In that case 3.2 means you are in the range. Why is your clinic asking you to lower the dose? EJ

"don't want to raise it too much..." We heard that too ofen before, especially when my wife's INR was below 2.:mad: http://www.aafp.org/afp/990201ap/635.html Here is the chart we used that worked well (the chart is about a halfway down). aafp has more recent chart, but I like this old one...

My wife got the flu shot a couple of weeks ago. We have not noticed any significant change in her INR. Deana, I rememer reading about your stroke. That was when I came to VR.com for the first time. My wife's cardio office's GROSS coumadin mismangement dropped her INR to 1.3 I was doing the web...

CoaguChek XS approved for Professional Use only CoaguChek XS approved for Professional Use only Gina, According to the info. I received from Roche about a month ago, CoaguChek XS is FDA approved for only the professional use. They plan to release it to the professional market (such as Al's...

You are definitely at the right place You are definitely at the right place Al, I am EJ. My wife never had a heart problem all her life. Only time she ever was in the hospital was to have our kid 7 years ago. 2 months ago, my wife went to see a cardiologist to check out a mild chest...

Here is yet another chart. http://www.aafp.org/afp/990201ap/635.html Older than the chart from PJmomrunner's link has but has some nice overview of ACT. I also ordered Al's chart and I like it...:D

I thought I saw a past thread on Vitamin E at VR.com but could not locate it. Google returned following links. As Al stated in his article, there seems to be some conflicting info on the effect and magnitude of effect of Vitamin E on INR. I am sure some members are taking Vitamin E. Would you...

Kim, Glad you are doing better. 7 years ago, my wife had her C-Section incision infected. 1 week after the C-Section, Dr. cut the inicision open and the wound needed to be cleaned (cleaned and packed with strip gauze twice a day for a month). In the beginning, home nurses came twice a day and...

Just received an e-mail from Roche. CoaguChek XS has NOT been FDA cleared for the patient use yet. So FDA clearance in my previous post applies to professional use. They plan to launch CoaguCheck XS in 1Q 2007 to professional market first. Don't know when they will make it availble to...