Ross
Well-known member
I was shocked when I first heard this, but it's becoming more and more common place now. It is NOT following recommended guidelines though.Lynlw said:
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
Andy:
I had GERD about 2-3 years pre-op. Bad, bad pain -- rolling, collicky pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes nausea & vomiting.
My PCP prescribed Prevacid; if it didn't work, he said he'd order an upper GI series.
It worked.
I took Prevacid for maybe 4-5 months. I stopped taking it one day. Have not had any recurrence.
If the GERD returns, then I'll take appropriate Rx and just adjust my warfarin dosage. I'll deal with things as they develop.
I had GERD about 2-3 years pre-op. Bad, bad pain -- rolling, collicky pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes nausea & vomiting.
My PCP prescribed Prevacid; if it didn't work, he said he'd order an upper GI series.
It worked.
I took Prevacid for maybe 4-5 months. I stopped taking it one day. Have not had any recurrence.
If the GERD returns, then I'll take appropriate Rx and just adjust my warfarin dosage. I'll deal with things as they develop.
A
Andyrdj
thanks so far
thanks so far
Well, as you're all in the know, I'll describe my symptoms.
GERD started Sept last years, was put on 30mg lanzaprazoule (a proton pump inhibitor) and was fine as soon as I'd had it. Went a month with it, Doctors tried me to see if I could manage without, wasn't comfortable and so was on 30mg every alternate day. Had very few problems with this
Well, this was fine for a while, though I think I got a little complacen- for oone thing, I've always drunk my tea steaming hot, and eaten food too hot to stay in my mouth!
Well, anyway, christmas approached and I went out on the 23rd and enjoyed some good beer and good company. On the 24th the next day, I should have taken my medication in the morning but forgot, gulped down some hot soup and drove to my dad's house.
Anyway, around 3pm I had the most dreadful burning indigestion and realised that there were no antacids at my dad's. So I drunk some cold water, braved the drive home and eventually took my medication.
Went to the pub that night, but felt a little sore and sipped a single pint.
Felt better Xmas day and enjoyed food, wine, and festivities (including a scotch or two), Later on it started getting more and more steadily sore and uncomfortable.
So anyway, since then I've had bouts on and off with the discomfort. It's not acid reflux, exactly, more like several sore patcheds from near the top of the sternum to down below the rib cage.
Most food doesn't seem to aggravate it, but a drop of tea or even a few swigs of beer makes it pretty sore and uncomfortable.
I've tried ulcer treatment remedies (cabbage juice, DGL licorice extract) and they seem to help the symptoms, but my poor old esophagus is still sensitive to tea, alchohol, and chillies!
Well, I'm tested wed am for H. pylori infection, hope it is that to be honest as at least it's something that can be combatted.
But I hope the experience is useful to those of you worrying about chest pains when you're feeling energetic and can't make sense of it.
thanks so far
Well, as you're all in the know, I'll describe my symptoms.
GERD started Sept last years, was put on 30mg lanzaprazoule (a proton pump inhibitor) and was fine as soon as I'd had it. Went a month with it, Doctors tried me to see if I could manage without, wasn't comfortable and so was on 30mg every alternate day. Had very few problems with this
Well, this was fine for a while, though I think I got a little complacen- for oone thing, I've always drunk my tea steaming hot, and eaten food too hot to stay in my mouth!
Well, anyway, christmas approached and I went out on the 23rd and enjoyed some good beer and good company. On the 24th the next day, I should have taken my medication in the morning but forgot, gulped down some hot soup and drove to my dad's house.
Anyway, around 3pm I had the most dreadful burning indigestion and realised that there were no antacids at my dad's. So I drunk some cold water, braved the drive home and eventually took my medication.
Went to the pub that night, but felt a little sore and sipped a single pint.
Felt better Xmas day and enjoyed food, wine, and festivities (including a scotch or two), Later on it started getting more and more steadily sore and uncomfortable.
So anyway, since then I've had bouts on and off with the discomfort. It's not acid reflux, exactly, more like several sore patcheds from near the top of the sternum to down below the rib cage.
Most food doesn't seem to aggravate it, but a drop of tea or even a few swigs of beer makes it pretty sore and uncomfortable.
I've tried ulcer treatment remedies (cabbage juice, DGL licorice extract) and they seem to help the symptoms, but my poor old esophagus is still sensitive to tea, alchohol, and chillies!
Well, I'm tested wed am for H. pylori infection, hope it is that to be honest as at least it's something that can be combatted.
But I hope the experience is useful to those of you worrying about chest pains when you're feeling energetic and can't make sense of it.
M
Mary
Andy,
I've had similar symptoms since my "night on the town" about 8 days ago. I drank way too much wine on a Saturday night, and spent several hellish days dealing with pain at the bottom of my sternum. Sore to the touch, as in your case. I take 325 mg of enteric coated aspirin every day, so I should have known better. Live and learn--Mary
I've had similar symptoms since my "night on the town" about 8 days ago. I drank way too much wine on a Saturday night, and spent several hellish days dealing with pain at the bottom of my sternum. Sore to the touch, as in your case. I take 325 mg of enteric coated aspirin every day, so I should have known better. Live and learn--Mary
hensylee
Well-known member
you wrote: Well, I'm tested wed am for H. pylori infection, hope it is that to be honest as at least it's something that can be combatted.
MY DAUGHTER became very ill and in great abdominal pain, was hospitalized overnight. a week later she had the same pain, only worse. took her to a different emergency room where they found H. pylori. She was there most of the night, given a prescription for the h. pylori. It cured it. It is a package all in one that has several things, one of which is bismuth (as in peptobismol) and apparently is a help with ulcers. after she finished the package she has been ok.
I hope they can find your problem and it's simple to cure.
MY DAUGHTER became very ill and in great abdominal pain, was hospitalized overnight. a week later she had the same pain, only worse. took her to a different emergency room where they found H. pylori. She was there most of the night, given a prescription for the h. pylori. It cured it. It is a package all in one that has several things, one of which is bismuth (as in peptobismol) and apparently is a help with ulcers. after she finished the package she has been ok.
I hope they can find your problem and it's simple to cure.
Andy:
When I had GERD, I couldn't stomach (sorry for the pun
) alcohol at night. And if I had a cup of coffee + a drink at night, my stomach revolted. I didn't throw up, I just hurt like Hades for hours, sometimes all night. At first, I thought I might have gall bladder problems.
I stopped drinking alcohol and limited the coffee to just breakfast.
After taking Prevacid, I was able to go back to having a drink or two at night and having coffee with dinner.
When I had GERD, I couldn't stomach (sorry for the pun
) alcohol at night. And if I had a cup of coffee + a drink at night, my stomach revolted. I didn't throw up, I just hurt like Hades for hours, sometimes all night. At first, I thought I might have gall bladder problems.I stopped drinking alcohol and limited the coffee to just breakfast.
After taking Prevacid, I was able to go back to having a drink or two at night and having coffee with dinner.
Forced to support ACT
Forced to support ACT
There is a discussion about ACT raging on another Forum I belong to devoted to horse-related topics that might be of some interest here.
Rider has been advised by doctor to give up riding--it's a high risk sport and ACT is involved.
So discussion revolves around whether or not a barn owner and or coach should allow this person on the premises to ride against doctor's orders.
Barn owners/coach could be the subject of a lawsuit of this patient is injured.
Not one barn owner will accept the risk of being sued. Never mind waivers or whatever legal document would absolve them from the responsibility. Never mind that the rider has accessed the added risk (probably not much of an added risk) and is willing to assume it--she will not be allowed to ride.
I suggested she always wear a helmet and ride a horse well within her ability, wear a medical alert bracelet and tell no one at the stable she is on ACT.
Again there has been all sorts of erroneous information being posted about ACT. A grandfather had his driver's licence pulled because of ACT, another from a nurse working for a doctor who keeps her INR between 2.5 and 3 very successfully by testing once a month. This nurse mentioned emphatically she had to withdraw an IV needle and patient bled for hours, that one can EASILY BLEED and even a minor knock on the head would result in permanent brain injury. Another poster states emphatically that her father bled for three days after cutting his hand. I could go on but it's making me crazy and no one wants to hear the voice of reason--in this case mine, never mind how much I hate warfarin.
This is a scenario that no one could possibly predict prior to valve replacement. There are undoubtedly many others.
Forced to support ACT
There is a discussion about ACT raging on another Forum I belong to devoted to horse-related topics that might be of some interest here.
Rider has been advised by doctor to give up riding--it's a high risk sport and ACT is involved.
So discussion revolves around whether or not a barn owner and or coach should allow this person on the premises to ride against doctor's orders.
Barn owners/coach could be the subject of a lawsuit of this patient is injured.
Not one barn owner will accept the risk of being sued. Never mind waivers or whatever legal document would absolve them from the responsibility. Never mind that the rider has accessed the added risk (probably not much of an added risk) and is willing to assume it--she will not be allowed to ride.
I suggested she always wear a helmet and ride a horse well within her ability, wear a medical alert bracelet and tell no one at the stable she is on ACT.
Again there has been all sorts of erroneous information being posted about ACT. A grandfather had his driver's licence pulled because of ACT, another from a nurse working for a doctor who keeps her INR between 2.5 and 3 very successfully by testing once a month. This nurse mentioned emphatically she had to withdraw an IV needle and patient bled for hours, that one can EASILY BLEED and even a minor knock on the head would result in permanent brain injury. Another poster states emphatically that her father bled for three days after cutting his hand. I could go on but it's making me crazy and no one wants to hear the voice of reason--in this case mine, never mind how much I hate warfarin.
This is a scenario that no one could possibly predict prior to valve replacement. There are undoubtedly many others.
K
Karlynn
Just reading your post frustrates me. First of all, the woman needs to dump her doctor because it's quite obvious that he and his staff are not managing her ACT with 21st century knowledge.
And people wonder why those of us on Coumadin get upset each time we have someone new come on and post wrong information about Coumadin. It's because if it goes uncorrected, this bad information keeps being perpetuated.
And people wonder why those of us on Coumadin get upset each time we have someone new come on and post wrong information about Coumadin. It's because if it goes uncorrected, this bad information keeps being perpetuated.
Me too
Me too
Hi Karlynn,
I've tried to inform them on that board especially that "nurse" but it's a waste of time--I've given up. If she works for that doctor who keeps her between 2.5 and 3.0 that says it all. She went on at length to explain that her blood is thin causing thirst because warfarin thins the blood causing poisoned rats to seek water. I never thought I'd find myself defending ACT so it's been a quite an experience for me. You're frustrated and I've been driven crazy--that's warfarin. I'd insert a smiley but I don't know how. Cheers
Me too
Karlynn said:
Hi Karlynn,
I've tried to inform them on that board especially that "nurse" but it's a waste of time--I've given up. If she works for that doctor who keeps her between 2.5 and 3.0 that says it all. She went on at length to explain that her blood is thin causing thirst because warfarin thins the blood causing poisoned rats to seek water. I never thought I'd find myself defending ACT so it's been a quite an experience for me. You're frustrated and I've been driven crazy--that's warfarin. I'd insert a smiley but I don't know how. Cheers
A
Andyrdj
Thanks Susan
Thanks Susan
Just had the breath test, awaiting results, it's not the test that's bad but having to have no antacids for 24 hours before. Ouch!
Must have drunk a gallon of water and went on a huge walk to settle dinner, but glad now I'm back on Lanzaprazoule. PRILOSEC seems to be OMEPRAZOLE generically, a similar proton pump inhibitor to Lanzaprazoule.
First time I was put on it, symptoms vanished immediately.
This time I feel a little sore, so I'll keep taking them regularly and look for anything else that's good for stomach healing. Only 7 days (sigh) to wait for results.
But at least I'm not on any heart meds at all to interfere with stomach meds.
Thanks Susan
Just had the breath test, awaiting results, it's not the test that's bad but having to have no antacids for 24 hours before. Ouch!
Must have drunk a gallon of water and went on a huge walk to settle dinner, but glad now I'm back on Lanzaprazoule. PRILOSEC seems to be OMEPRAZOLE generically, a similar proton pump inhibitor to Lanzaprazoule.
First time I was put on it, symptoms vanished immediately.
This time I feel a little sore, so I'll keep taking them regularly and look for anything else that's good for stomach healing. Only 7 days (sigh) to wait for results.
But at least I'm not on any heart meds at all to interfere with stomach meds.
catwoman said:Andy:
When I had GERD, I couldn't stomach (sorry for the pun
I stopped drinking alcohol and limited the coffee to just breakfast.
After taking Prevacid, I was able to go back to having a drink or two at night and having coffee with dinner.
Marsha, I have reflux and usually just drink coffee in th mornings (about 2 cups) anyway Folgers has a line of coffee, that is better for your stomache,(something smooth) I really have noticed a difference, the past few days my stomache has been much worse then it has been for months, I couldn't figure out why, then my DH remeberred he bought the regular coffee, so I didn't even know I was drinking the regular coffee, which was kind of good, because I often wonderred If it was in my head that the "smooth" one made a difference.
Arlyss
Well-known member
Connective Tissue Problems Through Out the Body....
Connective Tissue Problems Through Out the Body....
Hi Andy,
From your profile, you were born with a bicuspid aortic valve. Although there can be a great deal of variation in how BAVD affects individuals, it may be associated with abnormal tissue in various places in the body - connective tissue is all over!
Places that are especially flexible/stretchy may be more noticeable, such as the esophagous. Hiatal hernias are often found in those with BAVD. In general the gastro intestinal area can be "special" in someone with BAV.
So, what does having "special" tissue in various places mean in terms of valve choice? I doubt that for those with BAV, anyone has a clear answer today. BAVD is a very deceptive situation because those who have it can be complicated but often look the picture of health and typically are active, athletic people. So it has not been studied. Some may lose their lives due to aortic aneurysm/dissection before some of the other areas of their body begin to express problems, so we don't know what further issues would have developed if they had lived.
Over time some with BAVD may have complications with the esophagous, intestines, eyes, joints, spine, genetic blood disorders, etc. It seems that there can be a myriad of genetically based issues in some people with BAVD. Others seem to escape many of them.
Can an individual handle enteric baby aspirin and repeat surgery if needed - things to think about with a tissue valve. Can an individual handle anticoagulation with "special" tissue, possibly blood disorders? They must try if they cannot tolerate further surgery.
This is not easy to grapple with, and enough is still not known today. But it is well worth trying to weigh all the factors. Some day I hope more is understood, and that choices continue to improve.
My husband has some of the other aspects of BAVD in his body, but the ones that have threatened his life and had the greatest impact on the quality of his life to this point have been valve and aorta related. I do not know what else may come along as he lives longer. BAVD has been described as "progressive" , so I understand that he may experience other things as time goes on. The question is what these "things" will be.
Best wishes,
Arlyss
Connective Tissue Problems Through Out the Body....
Hi Andy,
From your profile, you were born with a bicuspid aortic valve. Although there can be a great deal of variation in how BAVD affects individuals, it may be associated with abnormal tissue in various places in the body - connective tissue is all over!
Places that are especially flexible/stretchy may be more noticeable, such as the esophagous. Hiatal hernias are often found in those with BAVD. In general the gastro intestinal area can be "special" in someone with BAV.
So, what does having "special" tissue in various places mean in terms of valve choice? I doubt that for those with BAV, anyone has a clear answer today. BAVD is a very deceptive situation because those who have it can be complicated but often look the picture of health and typically are active, athletic people. So it has not been studied. Some may lose their lives due to aortic aneurysm/dissection before some of the other areas of their body begin to express problems, so we don't know what further issues would have developed if they had lived.
Over time some with BAVD may have complications with the esophagous, intestines, eyes, joints, spine, genetic blood disorders, etc. It seems that there can be a myriad of genetically based issues in some people with BAVD. Others seem to escape many of them.
Can an individual handle enteric baby aspirin and repeat surgery if needed - things to think about with a tissue valve. Can an individual handle anticoagulation with "special" tissue, possibly blood disorders? They must try if they cannot tolerate further surgery.
This is not easy to grapple with, and enough is still not known today. But it is well worth trying to weigh all the factors. Some day I hope more is understood, and that choices continue to improve.
My husband has some of the other aspects of BAVD in his body, but the ones that have threatened his life and had the greatest impact on the quality of his life to this point have been valve and aorta related. I do not know what else may come along as he lives longer. BAVD has been described as "progressive" , so I understand that he may experience other things as time goes on. The question is what these "things" will be.
Best wishes,
Arlyss
R
RandyL
I have had GERD since 1988. I have been taking 20mg of prilosic every day since then. Nobody ever brought up the coumadin/GERD relation at all. This post is the first I have heard of it. I used to smoke and drink like an Englishman just kiddin, anyways since I haven't drank hardly anything in the past year I thought I would go off the Meds and the GERD was still there.
I don't see any problem getting a mechanical valve if you have GERD. However I do see that you would rather have a tissue valve, so I would suggest you go that way. You will always be looking for something negative about Coumadin so why even consider it anymore.
BTW My mechanical valve is leaking so eventually I will need a new valve and when that day comes I will select a tissue valve.
just kiddin, anyways since I haven't drank hardly anything in the past year I thought I would go off the Meds and the GERD was still there.I don't see any problem getting a mechanical valve if you have GERD. However I do see that you would rather have a tissue valve, so I would suggest you go that way. You will always be looking for something negative about Coumadin so why even consider it anymore.
BTW My mechanical valve is leaking so eventually I will need a new valve and when that day comes I will select a tissue valve.
Most people through their thirties won't wind up taking aspirin, or maybe much of anything, depending on the nature of their surgeries.
Unfair as it is, if we speak generically of valve patients, the age range we're referring to is more than three times Justin's age. In the absence of contraindicating prescriptions (such as warfarin) or medical conditions, everyone over 50 has been advised to take 81mg aspirin. As such, it can't really be counted as part of someone's VR drug load.
Apart from the 81mg aspirin I take for being over 50, I now take 25mg atenolol daily. It's for blood pressure, and isn't related to my valve surgery. As such, I don't take any medications because of having had an AVR.
There are no daily "post-VR drugs" that need to be taken after someone recovers from the OHS and its short-term effects on the healing heart (other than the Coumadin needed with a carbon valve). If someone has permanent damage from late surgery or an arrhythmia as a result of the surgery, there may be prescriptions for that. However, other than warfarin, there is nothing past six months that is required daily for a healed VR patient.
Someone is going to say that there are the prophylactic antibiotics taken by everyone (including Justin) before dental work. True, although they're certainly not daily. They're recommended by various professional groups.
However, there is still no research I'm aware of that verifies that prophylactic antibiotics are even effective at all. For every time I've heard give a tale of someone who developed endocarditis who didn't take antibiotics, I've heard another about someone who got it even though they did take the antibiotics. Anyone wants to start a study, I'll volunteer to be the no prophylactic antibiotics guy.
Best wishes,
Unfair as it is, if we speak generically of valve patients, the age range we're referring to is more than three times Justin's age. In the absence of contraindicating prescriptions (such as warfarin) or medical conditions, everyone over 50 has been advised to take 81mg aspirin. As such, it can't really be counted as part of someone's VR drug load.
Apart from the 81mg aspirin I take for being over 50, I now take 25mg atenolol daily. It's for blood pressure, and isn't related to my valve surgery. As such, I don't take any medications because of having had an AVR.
There are no daily "post-VR drugs" that need to be taken after someone recovers from the OHS and its short-term effects on the healing heart (other than the Coumadin needed with a carbon valve). If someone has permanent damage from late surgery or an arrhythmia as a result of the surgery, there may be prescriptions for that. However, other than warfarin, there is nothing past six months that is required daily for a healed VR patient.
Someone is going to say that there are the prophylactic antibiotics taken by everyone (including Justin) before dental work. True, although they're certainly not daily. They're recommended by various professional groups.
However, there is still no research I'm aware of that verifies that prophylactic antibiotics are even effective at all. For every time I've heard give a tale of someone who developed endocarditis who didn't take antibiotics, I've heard another about someone who got it even though they did take the antibiotics. Anyone wants to start a study, I'll volunteer to be the no prophylactic antibiotics guy.
Best wishes,
Post VR
Post VR
Bob I believe you stated it very well
Post VR
Bob I believe you stated it very well
I think this message often gets overlooked by people that have other health problems, rather than solely VR issues.
sue943
Well-known member
I have been taking Lanzaprazole 30mg for my reflux. I have been on medication for reflux for more years than I care to think about, when I had my valves they changed some medications to those which are ok with warfarin.
