G
Guest
I am really happy that I have found this site. I am 62, Female and come from Australia. I have been a member of other heart sites, as I have had cardiomyopathy since 1999 and have a Biventricular Pacer/ICD since 2006. Over the past 4 years though things have been a bit rough health wise, I got Oesopageal Cancer in 2012, then had my gall bladder removed which was messed up and I ended up with Septicemia. This led to a lot of damage to my heart and it tipped me over the edge. My mitral valve which was never that good was now severe. I went to one surgeon who advised me that I was not able to undergo open heart surgery to have my valve replaced and that I was also not a candidate for a heart transplant because of my other illnesses. However, I was referred to another group here in Melbourne Australia, the Alfred Hospital, and I was offered a place in a trial for Transcatheter Mitral Valve replacement. I was only the 6th in the world to get this valve by this manufacturer and the 1st in Australia. Imagine how special I felt.
http://circinterventions.ahajournals.org/content/7/3/400.full
I went into the procedure with arms open, expecting that it would be a miracle cure I suppose. Has anyone else felt that way??? Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, my valve is working beautifully and efficiently. I recovered from the surgery quickly, but I have now developed atrial issue and have more ventricular Ectopic beats than I have before. I am lucky I have the ICD. Also I am now on Warfarin, and unfortunately it is not stable and has not been so since I have been on it, 12 months ago now. I have had two TIA's this year, and these occur when my INR levels drop below 2, but I am also at high risk of a bleed as I also can get very high INR levels. At the moment, as of a test yesterday I am sitting at 4.2. I am very careful with what I eat, have had all my other meds and supplements checked out by Chemist and Doctor, and they are all fine. It seems to be something that they cannot explain, but I do suspect it has something to do with my metabolism and also the fact that with the Cancer I had 2/3 or my stomach and 2/3 of my oesophagus removed.
I would love to hear from anyone who has had similar issues with Warfarin and INR stability and if they were able to find a way to control it. I find this extremely stressful, over the years I have faced a lot of medical issues but this by far is the worst for the anxiety I am experiencing. Almost makes me regret getting the new valve.
http://circinterventions.ahajournals.org/content/7/3/400.full
I went into the procedure with arms open, expecting that it would be a miracle cure I suppose. Has anyone else felt that way??? Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, my valve is working beautifully and efficiently. I recovered from the surgery quickly, but I have now developed atrial issue and have more ventricular Ectopic beats than I have before. I am lucky I have the ICD. Also I am now on Warfarin, and unfortunately it is not stable and has not been so since I have been on it, 12 months ago now. I have had two TIA's this year, and these occur when my INR levels drop below 2, but I am also at high risk of a bleed as I also can get very high INR levels. At the moment, as of a test yesterday I am sitting at 4.2. I am very careful with what I eat, have had all my other meds and supplements checked out by Chemist and Doctor, and they are all fine. It seems to be something that they cannot explain, but I do suspect it has something to do with my metabolism and also the fact that with the Cancer I had 2/3 or my stomach and 2/3 of my oesophagus removed.
I would love to hear from anyone who has had similar issues with Warfarin and INR stability and if they were able to find a way to control it. I find this extremely stressful, over the years I have faced a lot of medical issues but this by far is the worst for the anxiety I am experiencing. Almost makes me regret getting the new valve.
