To: I'm only 24

[dick0236]

I was only 31 when I had my mechanical aortic valve implanted. I am now 71 and I still have the original valve. I doubt that in those days (1967) that the choice of valve designs or material was very large. I didn't get any choices. My docs only told me that I would not live to be 40 without repair and that was good enough for me. They told me that my "star-edwards" ball valve had a design life of 50 years and so far so good. I agree with those who have written that (a) I don't want more surgery than needed (my 1967 surgery has been the only one I've had) and (b) this decision is one that is between you,a cardiologist, and a surgeon that you are trusting to do the procedure. I also agree with the advice not to wait until you have more symptoms. I had the surgery before I had any "real" symptoms and I believe that is why I've had little problems since.

The anti-coagulation therapy is a hassle but you get used to it.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hello Dick. Welcome! Thank you for your wise words. Do beleive you have won the prize for the longest implanted valve on VR.com!

Look forward to hearing more from you as the years "tick on"! Was told 30 on my Medtronic Hall Mitral Valve. Hope to prove my card wrong! Guess you never can tell!

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, Dick and thanks for the inspiring post. Keep on ticking and enjoying life!

 

[geebee]

It is certainly great to hear from a pioneer patient in the valve replacement world. So very happy to have you on board.

Thank you for lending such good thoughts. This type of information is an inspiration to us all and certainly more than helpful to those considering a mechanical valve.

I hope you decide to stick around VR.com for a long time to come.

 

[Susan BAV]

40 years is terrific; I hope you have some postive experience to share.

 

[Superbob]

That's an inspiring post. I am sure your knowledge will be useful to many preparing for their surgeries. Hope you will continue to weigh in on this Forum.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Dick! You are our newest celebrity. The mear fact that your Starr-Edwards has been in for 40 years is such an encouragement for so many of us.

When you get a chance - tell us how Coumadin management has changed since you first had your valve replaced. I can't even imagine the early years. I've had my valve when ProTime was the standard measurement and have seen vast improvements in my time, I'm vary curious as to what your management was like.

Do you home test now?

 

[StretchL]

Great post, Dick!

Congratulations on the valve, and your long life with it!

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the community, Dick. Congratulations on your successful story. Very encouraging to many here I'm sure.

 

[dick0236]

To: Karlyn

To: Karlyn

I never thought too much about "coumadin management" after the surgery. When I left the hospital they told me to get a "pro-time" on a monthly basis. My target number was 1-1/2 X a control number. If the control number was 12 that day, my PT should be 17 to 20. The procedure was the same. Draw blood from a vein at elbow, send it to lab and call tomorrow for results. As I recall, I changed dosage very few times. I did this until the early 1990's when the INR system was introduced. The procedure is pretty much the same and I normally get it don once per month unless the INR is outside the 2.5-3.5 range, which periodically happens for no apparent reason. I have noticed that doctors now do not "change my dosage" but tell me to "hold off" on a pill for a day and go back to the dose I have taken for many years (5mg). The majority of the time I stay in the 2.5-3.5 range but I have gone to 1.8 to 4.6 on a few occasions, but I've never stayed at these levels. I have had both vein stick and finger stick. Currently my PCP does vein stick.

I am kind of embarrassed to admit that I learned only recently about home testing. The cardio lab I had been using did not believe in home testing and felt it was not safe. I talked about it recently with my new PCP. He was not familar with INR home testing but he has agreed with me that its worth trying. I have a "physician order" pending with my Medicare provider.

I would like to mention that for the past 18 months I have been taking the generic of Coumadin, Warfarin by Barr Labs. My INR's have been more stable under Warfarin than under Coumadin. It took 25 years for me to convince a doctor to move me off the brand name Coumadin to the generic warfarin.

My time on warfarin (coumadin) has not been without "incident". When I was 38 I went on a four day fishing trip and forgot to take my coumadin with me. VERY STUPID. I suffered a minor stroke that left me partially blind. If you start a Warfarin regimen, do it pretty much "by the book". Since my "incident" I have been careful to take the medication as prescribed. Its been 33 years and I've had no further "incidents". I also chuckled when I read that a doctor believes the 1-3% risk of "incident" is cumulative. If he is correct, my risk after 40 years would now be approaching 100%. That's absurd. Dick

I hope this info is helpful.

 

[Natanni]

Welcome Dick

Thank you so much for posting. I really can not express how inspiring your post is to me (the wife of a 35 year old mechanical valver, and probably the most Nervous Nellie wife here @ VR.COM )

 

[boomersooner]

Thanks for the good info. It is comforting to know that there are people out there who have "normal" lives after having valve replacement.

 

[Karlynn]

Thanks for the good info. It is comforting to know that there are people out there who have "normal" lives after having valve replacement.

I think the vast majority of our members here would tell you that our lives are normal after VR. There is a small group of our membership that has medical issues that prevent absolute normalcy. But then "normal" is a subjective term. I think most of us would tell you that our lives are sweeter after VR. There's something about going through a life saving procedure that makes you appreciate your life.