checking in - and INR questions

Granbonny · Jul 15, 2003

P.S. Barbara

P.S. Barbara

I bet you feel depressed..because your son is getting married. and you feel guilty..about not feeling up to par.I was depressed because I could not go down and watch my grandson play his Little League Ball.Finally, they drove me down at about 4 weeks. Never been so cold in my life.

Wind off the lake. but at least he saw me there.

I think depression from VR comes because you cannot get into the swing of life again..for a long time. I'm like Ross..at least 3 months. Then, you will notice a small difference everyday... For myself..I think it is the 1 year mark..when you are completely your old self again...

Bonnie

Georgia · Jul 15, 2003

Depression

Depression

(I beleive I've posted this before)

The physiologist I saw in the hospital said that if he had anything to say about it, everyone would be put on mood elevators after ohs. Depression is so common and is detrimental to recovery that he thinks it should be treated very aggressively - kindof like GERD.

Don't let it go on long; call your doc. Your hormones and chemicals are all screwed up and medicines help a great deal.

John S · Aug 10, 2003

Ticking

Ticking

Barbara,

I have a mechanical mitral valve (1999) and my INR is supposed to be 2.5-3.5, but I was recently hospitalized with internal bleeding. No cause was found, but the vitamin K shot they gave me in the ER really knocked my INR for a loop. I'm still trying to get it back up to a respectable 2.5.

In re: ticking. I wondered how I'd feel about that. My uncle who also has a mechanical valve was asked if he minded hearing the ticking and he joked that he'd more concerned if he .[couldn't hear it! When I first heard it I thought the bathroom faucet was dripping. Now I think it's really neat. It's a great conversation starter, confounds other people and lulls me to sleep at night. During one visit to my primary care doctor, he brought a med student into the room and told him just to listen...I don't think the student understood.

Have a wonderful trip!

John S

Marcia · Aug 10, 2003

depression

depression

After the surgery I had 2 things to contend with, getting better and staying smoke-free(which I am for 5 mos.} I was not happy with the mechanical and alot of things you mentioned so I called the Dr. and now are on Zoloft. Has helped tremendously. I have a St. Jud mitral and the Cardio wants the INR between 2 and 3. Been running around 4 and then down to 3.3. Will be tested Thurs. The trip to Japan sounds great but remember to take it easy. It just gets better.

Granbonny · Aug 10, 2003

John S.

John S.

Your post got my attention..4 years.post op..What was your INR..when you were admitted to the hospital for internal bleeding? How often do you have your INR checked? Do you home test? I home check with my Protime..and even when my Clinical nurse says to call back in 4 weeks..I do it every 3 weeks. Home testing is wonderful. Hit a perfect 3.0 yesterday ( had been camping and taking care of a bunch of age 11 year old boys

) If you do not have a Protime. please check under our QAS for one...Clicking. 16 months post-op..never hear it.

Good to see you posting. Bonnie

John S · Aug 11, 2003

Still ticking...

Still ticking...

Hi Bonnie,

I don't remember what my INR was when I went into the ER, but it wasn't too high--probably around 3.0. Ordinarily I check it once a month at the hospital lab, but for the past few weeks my primary care guy (who monitors my coumadin) has had me in his office once a week to check it. Last week I was 2.1. I've seen the home testing things on the web--you really like yours then, I take it. I don't mind going to the hospital lab for a test. It doesn't cost me anything and I like the people there. In the doctor's office I waste an hour and half waiting for a five minute test.

BTW, The gastro guy I met in the ICU diagnosed me with ischemic bowel (sp?), but my primary guy isn't so sure that that's what it was. They looked for blood clots and bacteria, but couldn't come up with a cause. I finally got the colonoscopy that my doctor had been after me to get for the past couple years!

Thanks for your post.

John S.