Bridging

[TammyM]

I am having my first bridging experience. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy Tuesday morning. Ironically, I was told I needed to have a hysterectomy 3 years ago, but put it off because I was TERRIFIED of surgery. Now, after AVR, a hysterectomy seems like nothing. lol

 

[Bridgette]

Hey Tammy, all the best for your hysterectomy - it is nothing compared to OHS, speaking from personal experience
I had a hysterectomy done last July five months before my mitral valve replacement - for years I had REALLY heavy periods and finally had had enough. I did not want to still be having them when I began Warfarin as that would have made things even WORSE
I should have had the hyst years ago, I feel SO much better since I had it done
Anyway, this is not helping you with your bridging question - but I just wanted to wish you luck.

Bridgette

 

[Ross]

Tammy what is the bridging plan? Schedule?

 

[TammyM]

6/22/07 No Coumadin
6/23/07 No Coumadin
6/24/07 Start 120 mg Lovenox every12 hours
6/25/07 Lovenox only in morning - INR check at clinic afternoon
6/26/07 Surgery: Begin Coumadin at night
6/27/07 Continue Coumadin at night. Begin Lovenox 24 hours after completion of surgery and continue every 12 hours until seen at clinic for INR check on 6/29.

Should I be scared????

 

[Ross]

Looks about right to me.

 

[Karlynn]

Best wishes on your procedure and the bridging!

 

[geebee]

Tammy,

I went through a hysterectomy eight years after starting coumadin. Best decision I ever made (the hysterectomy that is - not doing it after starting coumadin) . I did hospital bridging so yours sounds a bit easier. It also sounds like they have you on a perfect schedule.

I wish you all the best and I am sure you will do just great.

 

[TammyM]

Thanks for the reassurance. Had I known three years ago what I know now...lol
I wish I had gone ahead and had the hyseterectomy before coumadin, but of course I had no clue that there was even a problem with my heart then, so I put it off and now here I am!
I will only be in the hospital one night and back home, so it should be pretty easy. I am SOOO looking forward to the benefits of being uterus free! LOL

Thanks again!

 

[catwoman]

Tammy:

Good luck with your hysterectomy.

I had mine at age 34. Spent a full week in the hospital back then. Took 6-8 weeks to recover. It's much easier now.

 

[TammyM]

Thanks! I am 35, by the way, so almost the same age as when you had yours.
My doctor still says 6 weeks for recovery, but I only took 5 off of work. I think that will be fine. And I am only planning for 2 days of pain! lol The rest is for FUN! hehe

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Sounds like a reasonable plan to me.

When I had a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, they started the Lovenox after 1 day of holding Coumadin. I guess it all depends on how fast your INR drops (which could be tested...)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[baradonai]

I'm guessing you're doing the lovenox yourself at home?

I'm guessing you're doing the lovenox yourself at home?

Since you're in M'boro what hospital are you having this done? Sounds like they know what they're doing.

-Marty
Smyrna

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I *assume* you've had your hysterectomy by now Tammy.

Hope all is OK.

I'm sure others are also wondering how you are doing.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Karlynn]

Al, I was wondering the same thing as well and sent an email to Tammy.

 

[TammyM]

Hi Marty,
I had it done at the MTMC. Donald Bradley was my surgeon. I didn't know I had a neighbor on here!

Hi Al & Karlynn,
I am sorry! I should have updated. The surgery went well. Recovery has been a little tougher than I thought. I ended up with a nasty bladder infection and had a lot more pain/bleeding than I expected. But it has been 3 weeks today and I am now feeling pretty normal again. I go for my post-op appointment and an INR check tomorrow, so hopefully I will get good reports on both accounts.
Thanks for asking!!!

 

[Karlynn]

Glad you're doing well and that it's past you! Wishing you a good appointment.

 

[Birky]

bridging

bridging

Good luck on your bridging. Yours sounds so much easier than being in the hospital with the heparin. I found all the blood draws for 11 days got more painful since they were running out of veins in which to get them. For some reason my cardiologist does not want me to use Lovenox. I could have set it up at the local hospital to get the shots if I needed to. I had my hysterectomy at 34 and felt much better after. Didn't have the St. Jude then so things were different.