Search results

I just got 90 pills (5mg) for $5 copay at Walgreens--my insurance is pretty good.

Don't know if your buds would be into it, but how about a road trip somewhere cool with your closest family or friends? My girlfriends and I rented a cabin in the mountains one weekend before and had a great time just hanging out. It was a good distraction. On the morbid side, I made sure my...

DOn't know about all that, but in my experience taking a daily vitamin with K2 in it has made my INR much more stable.

What a great idea! I might try that to reduce some of the beta blockers, too. I'm a daily Zantac taker as well.

Love your hair cut, Deb. YOu look great. Thanks for sharing. What antidepressant did they put you on for 6 months? I've been struggling with the blahs (1 year post op now), but hestitate to add any more meds.

I can say that coumadin has not been nearly as troubling as non-cardio doctors/nurses would have you believe. I had a small procedure on Friday to remove a cyst that had been bothering me for a year. The doctor said he could remove it in his office, but that I would have to come off coumadin...

I experienced pounding at night right after surgery for several months. I think it was because the heart beat like I had the bad valve (very strong). 12 mos post op pounding is gone. Definitely get it checked out.

Awwee, I'm sorry you are still feeling yucky. Hopefully, they will figure it out. I would suspect the meds are a contributing factor. Your stomach must really be irritated, too. I finally quit taking the hydrocodeine for pain--just wasn't worth the nausea it caused. Tylenol did just fine...

Thanks for posting, Allison- I had surgery almost 12 monts ago. I will say the first 6 months I experienced euphoria from surviving and from feeling better every day. Then the blahs hit . . .so I totally get where you are coming from. I had a to do list a mile long and just had no energy to...

What a dilemma . . .I agree that if your mom can make the decision, it really should be her decision. Her attitude and optimism will be key in her ability to handle and recover from the surgery. How is the longevity of you family? Do you have many folks making it their 90's? IF so, then...

That is sooooo awesome. Thanks for posting your progression pictures. You are an inspiration to us all. I had AVR almost 1 year ago. I actually gained weight after surgery and then gave my self a talking to . . . now I'm down 30 lbs following a diet very similar to the one you are doing...

I was told my scar would be 3-4" for a mini-sternotomy. It ended up being 2 5/8" inches.

Good luck JJ- YOu will be in our prayers. You will have a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving this year!

Sara is correct. I filled out the survey above and got $150 as well (you have to fill part of it out before surgery and then part of it after surgery). I have an On-x ring (this is really cool to show people--it is very smooth feeling) and a "powered by On-X" t-shirt. They were out of demo...

I've had my 23mm ON-X Aortic valve 10 months. I wanted the On-X because of the possiblity of reduced anti-coagulation in the future. THe surgeon I use prefers On-X as well, so it was comforting to know that he had plenty of experience with On-X. The valve is working great. However, my "tick"...

Congrats on making it through to the other side, Paul. I think a funky heart beat after AVR is pretty common. THey cut a chunk out of your heart and put in a piece of plastic, after all. No wonder it's a little miffed. The trauma of the surgery can set up some inflammation response, which can...

My 5 day hospitalization for AVR via mini-sternotomy was $110,000. Insurance adjusted the payment to $87K. I paid $300 outof pocket (not counting meds/copays). My 10 day hospitalization for afib 2 weeks later was $25,000. I paid $300 out of pocket. A bargain.

You know, right after surgery (and before afib) my surgeon set an INR target for me of 1.5-2 (with a daily 325mg aspirin) because I had an ON-X valve. I was thrilled . . until I tried to manage this. I now have an INR target of 2-3 and it is sooooo much easier to maintain. I don't know that...

IF you don't think you want children, you can also get a uterine ablation. I hear it is awesome.

Hi, Tom- Welcome!