An alternative to ON-X ?????

[Gnusgal]

Several years ago DH and I went on a cruise and as it happened the man in the couple who dined with us had a mechanical valve. Apparently he had a hunting accident (he was shot) and that resulted in the valve needing to be replaced (I didn't ask for details). At any rate, he started out taking warfarin, but after awhile "didn't see the point" (or something along those lines) and took himself off of it. Nathan and I were both shocked. Of course, he seemed like the type that would play Russian Roulette if given the chance too.

 

[dick0236]

Several years ago DH and I went on a cruise and as it happened the man in the couple who dined with us had a mechanical valve. Apparently he had a hunting accident (he was shot) and that resulted in the valve needing to be replaced (I didn't ask for details). At any rate, he started out taking warfarin, but after awhile "didn't see the point" (or something along those lines) and took himself off of it. Nathan and I were both shocked. Of course, he seemed like the type that would play Russian Roulette if given the chance too.

I have not always been a very good patient regarding valve issues. However, warfarin management is one area that I play pretty much "by the book" ever since the stroke I had a long time ago. I went off the drug for not more than 4-5 days while on a fishing trip (I forget the drug). That was long enough to cause a stroke that left me 50% blind and cost me a career. It may have only been a coincidence that I had the stroke while not taking warfarin, but I doubt it. I have gone 34 years without any more "incidents". For me, the price for playing around with ACT is definitely not worth the risk. If you are not willing to commit to maintaining an ACT regimen, don't go on warfarin.

On the plus side, getting out of the first career because of the partial blindness was one of the best things that has happened to me. Over time I have adjusted and few people have any idea I have a vision problem. When one door closes, another door opens

 

[bvdr]

I have not always been a very good patient regarding valve issues. However, warfarin management is one area that I play pretty much "by the book" ever since the stroke I had a long time ago. I went off the drug for not more than 4-5 days while on a fishing trip (I forget the drug). That was long enough to cause a stroke that left me 50% blind and cost me a career. It may have only been a coincidence that I had the stroke while not taking warfarin, but I doubt it. I have gone 34 years without any more "incidents". For me, the price for playing around with ACT is definitely not worth the risk. If you are not willing to commit to maintaining an ACT regimen, don't go on warfarin.

On the plus side, getting out of the first career because of the partial blindness was one of the best things that has happened to me. Over time I have adjusted and few people have any idea I have a vision problem. When one door closes, another door opens

Dick, I never knew the story associated with your stroke before now. It is because of stories just like yours that patients that are "hit or miss" with their warfarin need to pay close attention to in order not to have a story of their own. Your advice is priceless.

I was on aspirin for over 30 years for my joints. I was put on it when I was still a teen. I took an average of 3 grams a day without any incidents whatsoever. I reluctantly quit it when I started on warfarin about 5 1/2 years ago. Sometimes I think that all that wonderful anti-inflammatory aspirin probably spared (or at least delayed) many problems with my body. I will always look on aspirin as a wonder drug. I'd never quit my warfarin but I sure do miss my aspirin. I'm sure the quantities of aspirin this patient took was a major factor in his not developing a thrombus. Incredible isn't it.

 

[Guest]

There are other sporadic reports from places like Turkey of people going for many years without warfarin with a mechanical valve.

One young woman went for pre-natal care and they heard a mechanical valve in her. She was questioned about it and had no recollection of what happened. Her parents had evidently died. She did not know what warfarin was. She did not know if her parents misunderstood, couldn;t afford warfarin, lived too far in the boonies to get more, thought she only needed to take until she ran out or what. So they knew that she had gone for more than 20 years with warfarin and did not have any problem.