Motorcycles and Heart valve replacement

[AaronB]

In January I am having my Aortic valve replaced with a St. Judes mechanical valve. I love going on road trips with my friends during the summer now I am afraid that because I will be taking warfan it may be to dangerous. Doctors in general don't like them anyway does anyone on here like to ride as much as me? Maybe I am just over thinking it.

 

[Guest]

*ponders*

Well, I can't speak directly to the motorcycle issue, but I CAN speak to the road trip issue....

*pauses for others to agree with me *

You see....I LOVE to take road trips. Each year, I go on one long one.... In 2004 (actually, exactly 2 months ago this week ), I traveled through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas & Arkansas. And, in 2005, I plan to go east, going through Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania (maybe a side trip to NJ), Ohio, Michigan & Indiana.

As far as being too dangerous, only if you are not careful. I see way too many motorcyclists without a helmet and other protective gear. A fellow co-worker (who also happens to own a 1981 MC as well...he he he) is an avid motorcyclist and makes sure that he always wears a helmet and other protective wear.

Not sure if that helped you at all.....


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72/'6/'9/'81/'7, train/models = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[geebee]

I agree with Cort. Years ago I worked in a motorcycle shop. The only injuries I saw were the folks who rode without helmets or in t-shirts and shorts. If you ever saw what the road does to someone who drops a bike and rolls on pavement, you would never ride without protective gear again.
Also, you can get just as hurt in a car. I recently cut my finger pretty badly on a defective car door handle and, being on coumadin, it was quite an experience.
Just be careful and smart and you should be just as fine after surgery as now (or even better).
Smiles,
Gina

 

[Gemma]

Hi Aaron,

My boyfriend Jim, who's 27, had his aortic valve replaced with a mechanical a year ago. He is crazy about motorbikes. He's practically got one for every day of the week, in every category you could think of - trials, road riding, sprinting, motocross, classic trials, etc. (Yes, they do take up a lot of room and time - I'm a motorcycle widow without even being married!!). Right now he's fixing his shed roof to keep his bikes dry - we are supposed to be Christmas shopping!!!

Basically if you wear the right gear (helmets are a legal requirement here in the UK - cannot imagine anyone being crazy enough to ride a bike without - and as for clothing, it makes me shudder when I see teenage boys wearing shorts and trainers, with their girlfriends on the back of their 50cc mopeds in tiny skirts and high heels like a helmet will protect their knees!), there's no reason why you shouldn't carry on riding.

The one thing Jim did notice at first was that he could hear the clicking of his valve echoing in his helmet, but that's just something you have to get used to I suppose - he's been doing more trials than road riding lately (too muddy to be riding on the road in winter over here, and he's currently rebuilding a bike for use next spring) and has found that concentrating on what he's doing has taken his mind off the clicking!

I guess it's a matter of experience from the doctors' point of view - Jim's surgeon's registrar is a keen motorcyclist so when Jim asked if he could carry on riding a bike while on warfarin he said "sure, no problem" - I suppose doctors/surgeons who aren't into it themselves may be more reluctant, as they only hear the bad statistics about how many accidents there are. If you know what you're doing on a bike, no reason you shouldn't keep on doing it .

Gemma.

 

[Harpoon]

I joke about getting myself a Harley, have always wanted to ride really but never got the chance, though I'e come close a few times.


I've seen enough motorcycle accidents to say that if you are involved in one, being on coumadin would be the least of your worries.

Wear protective gear, leathers and a helmet are usually standard fare and I think they look cool too, even sexy if on the right persuasion....

If you ride a motorcycle, you ride knowing the risks at hand and that you are wrapped around the vehicle as opposed to a car or truck where the vehicle is wrapped around you and usually first to take damage in an accident.

You're an adult, you know what happens if you take a spill. Be smart and drive safely and I'm gonna shut up now, starting to sound like a friggin' public service announcement....

 

[tobagotwo]

In eastern Massachusetts, helmets are either not required or not enforced. I have not infrequently seen unhelmeted bikers there riding down the dotted white line between lanes (and cars) at 80+ MPH. In NJ, we call that the Process of Natural Selection, both appalling in its toll and dazzling in its Darwinian accuracy.

I agree with Harpoon. If you become a smear on the highway, it is entirely immaterial how fast the smear clots in the sun.

If I rode, and then got a mechanical valve, I would be trying to ride again in six to eight weeks for sure. It doesn't change who you are. Just remember how much "chest" a bike can take, and be sure your sternum is fully healed before you go out on that motorcycle. And wear the gear. You need it regardless.

Best wishes,

 

[Ross]

Short answer:Ride, Love it, Enjoy life!

Why is everyone this week thinking they have to stop life because of Coumadin? Rob I think these folks need some guidance or we should've stopped using chainsaws, one or the other.

 

[Gemma]

Bob, that's a good point about the weight of the bike - Jim's selling his 500lb plus Suzuki GS1000 because like he said, if it was to fall over he'd just stand there and laugh at it!! He's now got a GSXR600 - much lighter, easier handling and yet it still has a nice comfy pillion seat for yours truly .

 

[Jean]

Everyone ahead of me summed my thoughts up pretty good...wear sane protective clothing and helmet and ride smart. For really hot days, we wear the Draggin' Jeans with Kevlar in strategic places plus a heavier denim overall. Or wear leather chaps ... when you fall off a bike you mostly slide on your thighs and or knees. I always wear my leather jacket. My husband wears a Joe Rocket mesh jacket with racing protection pads in important parts. I can't find one small enough for me. Also ALWAYS wear your gloves and helmet.

My surgery was in Jan. and by spring I could ride fine, but had to keep moving shoulders and chest around on long rides as it would cramp my sternum up. And the time I bent over to check something and whacked my chest with the mirror really bit!

Basically, as someone said, "Don't forget we are still alive."

Have fun, but ride smart! Too many dumb car drivers out there.

 

[Harpoon]

I agree with Harpoon. If you become a smear on the highway, it is entirely immaterial how fast the smear clots in the sun.

Blunt, but eloquent nonetheless....