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I have a mechanical valve that was installed 3 years ago in Los Angeles. I'm now working in Paris, (Bastille area) for a year. Any recommendations for a lab to get my INR checked? I notice some labs in my neighborhood that I will inquire about testing. Probably a good time to purchase a...

I've had my mechanical valve for 2 1/2 years now and life is good. I've been meaning to get myself a home tester, as I've been going to the lab every several weeks. I think it's now time I stop putting it off. I'm in the LA area. Any recommendations for a good machine?

Sorry to hear that ****. Sending you my best, and hoping this aneurism doesn't get much larger.

I had my surgery April 1 2016. Once I got my strength and stamina back, I started doing whatever I felt comfortable doing, running, swimming, skiing, weights. You can do all the physical things you did before surgery, just pay attention to your body...For instance I didn't run for a full year...

Good luck! You should be fine, I have had the St Jude since April 2016, doing great! Surgery and recovery was not as bad as I thought and I was 50. Again, best of luck!

I've had my St Jude's valve since April 1st and I'm feeling great. My INR has gone down to 1.5 a couple times. I think it will take sometime for my body to adjust. My warfarin dose is a single 2.5mg pill per day, on Wednesdays I take 2. The clinic slightly increases the dose if I dip to low by...

I believe the worst is behind you, I'm sorry you had to endure that. In very little time you'll be tending the animals, and you'll find yourself able to lift more and more. But really resist pushing yourself to hard. You have the rest of your life to do the things you used to, try to enjoy your...

Get it done when your cardiologist and cardiac surgeon say so. They should know what's up.The younger and more fit you are, the better you'll bounce back. I think if you wait for symptoms to develop, you will begin doing damage to your heart muscle. It is indeed a strange journey but all the...

I'm almost 8 weeks post-op. Feeling great and find Warfarin pretty easy to deal with. I'm not self-testing yet. I'm relying on the clinic. They progressively have increased the time between blood draws. From 3 days a week, after I returned home from hospital, to once every 3 weeks at around the...

Not bragging but we did it 10 days post op (ok, I'm bragging!) We were both a little afraid or should I say careful. My advice: Just do the gentle passion thing. You should insist you'll be fine, because you will!

Surprised: How much I was cared for and loved by family and friends, and how much strength I derived from it. How they have open heart surgery nailed. How great pain management is. Off my pain meds by the time I got home, 5 days. My preference for drugs leans toward the recreational! How...

So I'm two weeks post surgery and feeling really good about everything. I started looking at INR self testers. There's a pretty wide choice and price range. Any recommendations? I like the idea of something portable. I don't think my insurance will pay, I will confirm this soon. I'd like to go...

Looking for good exercise suggestions beside walking. I'm only 10 days post surgery, so currently walking is all I can handle. But what about when I hit a month, then 6 weeks etc. My cardiologist recommended a six month recovery for 100%. No upper body work, then light. Yikes, that's a long time

I also slept like **** a couple days prior to surgery. Don't worry about it. Your sleep will be disrupted for a several days. I'm ten days out now and still wake up in the middle of the night, but don't stress as you can always nap the next day, you'll figure out how to maximize your sleep...

I had my surgery on April 1st. In my case, chest pain wasn't very bad. I was sore and weak and uncomfortable, but each day is markedly better. I dumped (no pun intended!) the laxative and pain meds once I got home. Movement is limited, tough things for me: putting on socks and shoes, getting up...

I'm a week post-op, I can relate how I personally got through this: It's an anxious time leading up to surgery, especially if you're experience with hospitals and doctors was limited and you were feeling little or no symptoms. Give yourself a moment here and there to get emotional, alone or...

Thanks dick0236, I'm going to do just that.....

What did they replace your valve with in 96' and what caused your aneurysm? Pellicle is the AVR guru Also: how do you get your stats to appear at the bottom of every post?

Hey heartburst here, I started this post a couple months ago. Having felt in my gut that a tissue valve was for me, initially, my research on a life on warfarin, durability of tissue valves longterm, my age and reading of all you Valvers experiences on here. It finally lead me to a mechanical...

Thanks for all your responses! I do feel that whatever choice I make, I just have to own it. My cardiologist and surgeon don't seem to have a strong opinion either way. They tell me the pros and cons and are going to let me find my way. They have made me aware of the age guidelines. I'll most...