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I too use the same lancet many many times. If I had to guess I’d say 10 - 24 times. I test twice a week. Probably change the lancet every couple months? I don’t even know. I’ll set a google reminder to make sure that I change it every 2 months. Never had a problem with infection. And using...

Good point! Lol. I’m not sure where I would go. Hmmmmmmm.

I got my meter PRIOR to surgery and experimented with testing before surgery. Of course, my INR was 1.0. Lol. But at least I knew the meter was reading 1.0 correctly. Lol. Also, it gave me a little bit of practice before having surgery. With that said, I did NOT take it to the hospital. In...

Same here. I eat whatever (except the small list that Chuck mentioned). If you can, find an experienced mentor to assist you with self-managing. It makes all the difference in the world. My INR tends to run around a fair amount 😂🤣. Lots of people tend to report that their INR is super...

That is correct. Not the overall size, but the actual open area … the orifice as you say :-)

I’m an On-X aortic valve guy. Installed in 2022. I maintain a “normal” INR range and not the lower one that Artivion says you can use (makers of On-X). For me, personally, I would never run that 1.5-2.0 range. The On-X and St. Jude’s mechanical valves - so far - appear to provide the same...

You truly are an inspiration Dick. Thank you for sharing your life with us and for all of your help and encouragement to us mechanical newcomers.

I have an On-X aortic valve. I self manage. I target 2.8. My personal acceptable range is 2.3-3.3. That said. I no longer get anxious when I see 2.0 or 4.0. Just make an adjustment based on maths and move on. My INR yesterday was 3.4. I made an adjustment. And I moved on.

From the article … “Two years after the operation, only 5.8% classified their valve sounds as 'quite' or 'very much' disturbing. Age <60 years and being female were statistically significant factors for persisting unease caused by valve sounds. Without one of these factors, severe disturbance...

I’m not sure why you insist on spreading misinformation? It’s disastrous for other people that will read your post. The recommended daily intake of Vit K here in the USA is 100mcg. Notice the “c”. That’s miCrograms. I take 60mcg in my multivitamin. I take 100mcg in a supplemental vitamin. Then...

Hi Caroline, We have opposite views … and that’s totally ok. That’s one of the reasons that this place is so awesome and valuable. You laughed at my post. I didn’t take any offense to that. I laughed at your post. I don’t see any issue with that 🤷‍♂️. You find mine funny and I find yours...

The best posts here to pay attention to regarding adjustment of warfarin based on INR are those posts by @pellicle . He’s a guru when it comes to that stuff and I have learned an immense amount from his posts. Perhaps he’ll chime in here with some magic. Some things to keep in mind …...

Ultimately, how do I do it? The answer for me is quite easy. Because I’m blessed beyond compare. Dude. I’m alive. Seriously. Read that again. I’m alive. I should be dead. All of us here would probably be dead if we lived 70 years ago. It’s that simple. For me, this is all “extra” time that...

I wanted to say Thank You for sharing this and being honest. Specifically, “In hindsight, I wish I had chosen a mechanical valve last time around already.” I think that type of honesty and transparency … along with the “why’s” are super important here on this forum. So many docs are pushing...

I’m fairly new to this. Mech valve put in about 14 months ago. I work on vehicles a lot. I work on my house a lot. I go shooting a lot. I handle saws and sharp objects (lol) Yesterday I got carved up by a stray cat I captured. Truly, warfarin hasn’t affected me much. I manage my own...

I have 3 machines. Three (3). I highly doubt they’re all wrong and the lab is right. Wait. There is no “doubt” anymore. I’ve had another test and this time the lab agreed with my machines. Next time the lab might not. Or it may. Who knows. Just depends on what’s happening at the lab that day...

My surgery was ~14 months ago. I have NEVER missed my warfarin dose. Ever. Like pellicle, I have a multilayer system in place to ensure this doesn’t happen. And no, that’s not the only meds I take … Synthroid Amlodipine Livalo (Pitavastatin) Warfarin Aspirin Magnesium (twice a day) Potassium...

I take 180mcg of K2 (MK-7). My multivitamin (Centrum Men 50+) has about 60mcg of K1. Does it affect my INR? Maybe. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I know that’s not much help. But, I wanted to at least share that I’m taking K consistently and not having any issues.

1. Good Choice 2. In my opinion, your reasons aren’t valid. People like to throw around On-X being a “next generation” valve. Compared to what?! Lol. If so, then the SJM is a “next generation” valve too. The On-X is not lenient on INR (IMHO). It’s just marketed that way to get people to use it...

I know that you say 0.4 is insignificant, but I, personally, don’t agree. What if you’re one of those people following the On-X lower INR recommendation and you’re only using a clinic? Contrary to what we do here on this forum, the majority of people here in the USA use the Coumadin Clinic...