J
joey
My aortic valve needs to be replaced soon. Every option has its problems. The more I read this website the more confussed I get.Can someone out there please tell me how bad is the medication Coumadin.
Joey
Joey
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
B
Birky
coumadin
coumadin
I had taken Coumadin for 7 years prior to my surgery with no lifestyle changes and now are taking it again since I have a mechanical valve. I really don't find it a problem except going for the blood tests. I am a little more careful than before so I don't cut myself. I have gotten a few and it just takes a little longer to stop bleeding. I am 56 - how old are you?
coumadin
I had taken Coumadin for 7 years prior to my surgery with no lifestyle changes and now are taking it again since I have a mechanical valve. I really don't find it a problem except going for the blood tests. I am a little more careful than before so I don't cut myself. I have gotten a few and it just takes a little longer to stop bleeding. I am 56 - how old are you?
Nancy
Well-known member
Hi Joey-
Welcome to the site!
My husband's been on Coumadin for 25 years, since he was 47. It is just another pill he has to take. He has a very good doctor monitoring it. He gets tested, takes what the doctor tells him to, and that's it until the next test.
When he was a younger man, he was very active, so it didn't hinder him at all and he really didn't miss too many opportunities.
He's never had a major bleeding problem that can be attributed to taking Coumadin.
It does fluctuates a lot due to different circumstances within your own body. Right now, Joe is a little high, probably because he also has a little bout of CHF going on, with some liver congestion, so he has an adjustment to the medication, but it will be back to normal soon.
I think the most aggravating thing is that we are all used to taking one dose of medication and it doesn't vary from year to year, unless there's a problem, but with Coumadin the dosage can change frequently. It's not what we're used to, but you can learn not to get too hyper about it.
The trick is to have someone monitoring you that knows about Coumadin. Most of the problems occur with bad monitoring.
Welcome to the site!
My husband's been on Coumadin for 25 years, since he was 47. It is just another pill he has to take. He has a very good doctor monitoring it. He gets tested, takes what the doctor tells him to, and that's it until the next test.
When he was a younger man, he was very active, so it didn't hinder him at all and he really didn't miss too many opportunities.
He's never had a major bleeding problem that can be attributed to taking Coumadin.
It does fluctuates a lot due to different circumstances within your own body. Right now, Joe is a little high, probably because he also has a little bout of CHF going on, with some liver congestion, so he has an adjustment to the medication, but it will be back to normal soon.
I think the most aggravating thing is that we are all used to taking one dose of medication and it doesn't vary from year to year, unless there's a problem, but with Coumadin the dosage can change frequently. It's not what we're used to, but you can learn not to get too hyper about it.
The trick is to have someone monitoring you that knows about Coumadin. Most of the problems occur with bad monitoring.
Johnny Stephens
Well-known member
For me, it's not nearly as bad as the stigma that seems to follow it. Don't get me wrong, it's a big deal and requires some of your attention, and I surely would rather not have to take it.
That said, I think about it for about 1 minute per day, when I'm making sure I'm taking the right dose for that day. Cuts or nosebleeds do last a little longer, but they do stop.
I like to think of Coumadin as a "good" drug...without it I likely wouldn't be here typing this response!
That said, I think about it for about 1 minute per day, when I'm making sure I'm taking the right dose for that day. Cuts or nosebleeds do last a little longer, but they do stop.
I like to think of Coumadin as a "good" drug...without it I likely wouldn't be here typing this response!
Hi there Joey,
Coumadin is really no big deal after it is stabalized. I see it as taking a 'pill' for the heart. I take my Coumadin as soon as I get up and this has been the easiest to remember for me.
Coumadin is a drug and needs your attention at all times, so no fooling around. But I do what I did before my surgery, and it is not a problem.
I also home test with the Protime and it truly is a blessing not to have to go to the lab anymore. In the beginning, I at times had to go 2 - 3 X a week, and they were drawing blood from the arm. I soon had enough of that, because scar tissue became evident and the nurses told me they would have to go to other places to draw blood. Not a good thing to look forward to, and this would be for the rest of my life. That's why I bought (Insurance refused to cover) my own Protime so I can test whenever I want to and I can be in charge. I test once a week.
Hope this helps you.
Coumadin is really no big deal after it is stabalized. I see it as taking a 'pill' for the heart. I take my Coumadin as soon as I get up and this has been the easiest to remember for me.
Coumadin is a drug and needs your attention at all times, so no fooling around. But I do what I did before my surgery, and it is not a problem.
I also home test with the Protime and it truly is a blessing not to have to go to the lab anymore. In the beginning, I at times had to go 2 - 3 X a week, and they were drawing blood from the arm. I soon had enough of that, because scar tissue became evident and the nurses told me they would have to go to other places to draw blood. Not a good thing to look forward to, and this would be for the rest of my life. That's why I bought (Insurance refused to cover) my own Protime so I can test whenever I want to and I can be in charge. I test once a week.
Hope this helps you.
J
joey
Coumadin......thank you ..
Coumadin......thank you ..
Chritina, Johnny, Nancy and Birky . Thanks for the info on Coumadin. The problem with me is I am 63 and sooooo undisiplined . My sergeon sugested I consider the Tissue valve I have about three weeks to decide. If you are interested I will keep you all posted.
Thanks Joe
Coumadin......thank you ..
Chritina, Johnny, Nancy and Birky . Thanks for the info on Coumadin. The problem with me is I am 63 and sooooo undisiplined . My sergeon sugested I consider the Tissue valve I have about three weeks to decide. If you are interested I will keep you all posted.
Thanks Joe
Johnny Stephens
Well-known member
"Undisciplined" and Coumadin are two words that don't go well together. It requires some of your attention every day, and every 2 - 4 weeks for a quick blood test. If you can live with the potential for another surgery in 10-ish years, perhaps the tissue valve is for you. Sorry to be blunt, but I want to paint a realistic picture for you. Valve choice is a very personal journey, and what was best for me or someone else may or may not be the best answer for you.
Yes, we are very interested in how it goes for you, so please stick around and join in! Ask lots of questions.
Best of luck
Johnny
Yes, we are very interested in how it goes for you, so please stick around and join in! Ask lots of questions.
Best of luck
Johnny
J
joey
Coumadin
PS.....Sorry I fogot to mention my doctor has informed me that there are new drugs being developed like coumadin that will make life easier. Is there any one who has some knowledge on this. Christina , the Protime do you have to draw blood from the finger or arm I have veins that are hidden always a painful battle to find one.
PS.....Sorry I fogot to mention my doctor has informed me that there are new drugs being developed like coumadin that will make life easier. Is there any one who has some knowledge on this. Christina , the Protime do you have to draw blood from the finger or arm I have veins that are hidden always a painful battle to find one.
J
joey
Coumadin
Thanks Johonny , all these chats reminds me of a poem I once read can't remember who wrote it .
This bridge will only take you half way there
To those mysterious lands you long to see
And moonlit woods where unicorns run free
So come and walk a while with me and share
The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known
But this bridge will only take you halfway there-----
THE LAST FEW STEPS YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE ALONE.
Thanks for your help Joe
Thanks Johonny , all these chats reminds me of a poem I once read can't remember who wrote it .
This bridge will only take you half way there
To those mysterious lands you long to see
And moonlit woods where unicorns run free
So come and walk a while with me and share
The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known
But this bridge will only take you halfway there-----
THE LAST FEW STEPS YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE ALONE.
Thanks for your help Joe
Nancy
Well-known member
Hi Joey-
Of course we're interested, that's what this site is here for. Please DO keep us up to date on what's happening with you. Do you have a date yet?
As far as the new drug being developed for anticoagulation, go to warfarinfo.com and look for Exanta.
It is being used now for some types of anticoaguation, but has not been approved yet for valve anticoagulation.
Johnny is absolutely correct that you have to pay attention to Coumadin. If you can make an effort to be organized in this one area of your life, then Coumadin would work for you.
By the way, even with a tissue valve, some patients have to be on Coumadin for other issues. So just something to consider.
Heart problems have a way of making you be compliant with all of the medications you might be put on, so you can count of having to get organized with your health. Unfortunately, it's just the way it goes with these health concerns.
Loved your poem, sounds like Robert Frost.
Of course we're interested, that's what this site is here for. Please DO keep us up to date on what's happening with you. Do you have a date yet?
As far as the new drug being developed for anticoagulation, go to warfarinfo.com and look for Exanta.
It is being used now for some types of anticoaguation, but has not been approved yet for valve anticoagulation.
Johnny is absolutely correct that you have to pay attention to Coumadin. If you can make an effort to be organized in this one area of your life, then Coumadin would work for you.
By the way, even with a tissue valve, some patients have to be on Coumadin for other issues. So just something to consider.
Heart problems have a way of making you be compliant with all of the medications you might be put on, so you can count of having to get organized with your health. Unfortunately, it's just the way it goes with these health concerns.
Loved your poem, sounds like Robert Frost.
A
alok
aortic valve replacement requires anticagulation. one has to be careful otherwise it could lead to bleeding. i have lots of peoblems with anticoagulation . my INR varies a lot. u should lread and learnm alot about this issue. I recently had my valve changed in London . if u like u can send me mail directly
K
Kevin M
Joey, your age allows you to be considered for either a mechanical valve or tissue. At different ages, there sometimes is a preference for one over the other. For example, young women who want to have children will often be given a tissue valve because the bleeding risks of coumadin are very high.
The main benefit to the tissue valve is that you do not have to take coumadin and you do not have to alter your lifestyle. Of course, it's always a good idea for us to take the opportunity to improve our eating habits and physical fitness, but tissue valves allow us to continue living as we always have.
For some of us less disciplined types, a tissue valve works well for us.
The down side is that these biological valves wear out pretty fast. In persons around your age, it is typical for them to last 15 and sometimes up to 20 years. Calcification of the valve is one of the main causes of these things wearing out. The older we get, the slower the calcification process. Younger people with tissue valves tend to wear them out after 10 years or so.
Although successful valve replacement surgery is far more common than it was 30 years ago, it is still serious stuff. Risks increase significantly with subsequent surgeries.
Mechanical valves usually last far longer. If you went this way, you likely would not require another surgery in your lifetime. I can't say from first hand experience, but there are more mechanical valve people here than tissue and there are very, very few who sound unhappy or concerned about their coumadin use.
My doctor originally painted coumadin as a very bad drug and influenced me heavily to go towards a tissue valve. In hindsight, I probably still would have, but it was a real eyeopener as to the influence of the surgeon on me.
Joey, the main thing is that no matter which valve you choose, you will enjoy a very full life, not much different than you do already.
Good luck with making your decision. It's not an easy one, but I always say listen to your instincts... it knows which alternative is best for you.
Kev
The main benefit to the tissue valve is that you do not have to take coumadin and you do not have to alter your lifestyle. Of course, it's always a good idea for us to take the opportunity to improve our eating habits and physical fitness, but tissue valves allow us to continue living as we always have.
For some of us less disciplined types, a tissue valve works well for us.
The down side is that these biological valves wear out pretty fast. In persons around your age, it is typical for them to last 15 and sometimes up to 20 years. Calcification of the valve is one of the main causes of these things wearing out. The older we get, the slower the calcification process. Younger people with tissue valves tend to wear them out after 10 years or so.
Although successful valve replacement surgery is far more common than it was 30 years ago, it is still serious stuff. Risks increase significantly with subsequent surgeries.
Mechanical valves usually last far longer. If you went this way, you likely would not require another surgery in your lifetime. I can't say from first hand experience, but there are more mechanical valve people here than tissue and there are very, very few who sound unhappy or concerned about their coumadin use.
My doctor originally painted coumadin as a very bad drug and influenced me heavily to go towards a tissue valve. In hindsight, I probably still would have, but it was a real eyeopener as to the influence of the surgeon on me.
Joey, the main thing is that no matter which valve you choose, you will enjoy a very full life, not much different than you do already.
Good luck with making your decision. It's not an easy one, but I always say listen to your instincts... it knows which alternative is best for you.
Kev
G
Guest
Warfarin has a way of teaching you to become disciplined - blood running out of your nose is a good reminder.
The easiest people to manage are the mildly retarded who follow the same routine daily.
Street people are the hardest - they never know what the next hour will bring.
The easiest people to manage are the mildly retarded who follow the same routine daily.
Street people are the hardest - they never know what the next hour will bring.
D
DANIEL
New thought
New thought
Al,
Thanks. Your email puts this discussion into a new light for me.
Rgds
New thought
Al,
Thanks. Your email puts this discussion into a new light for me.
Rgds
