Valve Choice for 30 Yr. Old

[Magic8Ball]

Perhaps i should rephrase and say the only thing i miss is the booze (to excess)........

At 6ft 4ins and 19stone i have worked my way up to be able to drink 750ml of wine (4glasses) without any affect on my INR (testing day before and morning after).

My INR stays rock solid at around 2.8 on 5mg a day. I guess i'm one of the lucky ones.

 

[Karlynn]

Guess what? The doctor wanted to change my dose. Don't worry, I didn't let him.

Trying to figure out why 3 in-range tests in a row would cause a doctor to want to change the dosage? Is he just trying to keep life exciting, or get more testing $$?

I think Ross is right, if all the managers knew what they were doing, then the incident rate would be lower than the low that it's at.

 

[BDMc]

Mech vs Tissue Debate

Mech vs Tissue Debate

Valve choice should be up to the individual if at all possible. I remember a young woman posting saying she wanted to have children, and was motivated to go with tissue (Kate was that you?). Made a lot of sense to me. Without that kind of motive, I personally wouldn't even be tempted. The scary thing, is how much misinformation is given by "experts". Sadly this is true in everything in our society these days. Thankfully there are places like this where one can get accurate information. For the record, I've had my share of little nicks and cuts, and even one nasty slice, but none were issues as far as bleeding. There are other considerations, one member said they didn't think they could manage taking the pills every day. That is certainly a legit reason to go with tissue too. It is a personal decision, and one I think we all respect provided the choice is made based on facts. All the best, Brian

 

[mmarshall]

It's been awhile since I posted but I figured since I can relate to someone that is having to go through the same thing I did a couple of years ago and is the same age...here is a point that a lot of people are missing. I get turned off on the whole tissue, mechanical, coumadin stuff but Masterji needs to take some things into consideration. Go back to my posting around May 31, 2001, that is when I had my surgery. I did my research and went with what was best for me with my condition at the time, age, and what not.

Will a tissue valve last as long as a mechanical?...No.

Is dealing with coumadin worth choosing a tissue over mechanical?...No.

Will there be more lifestyle changes if you choose a mechanical?...Yes...and by that statement I am saying that if you are a weekend drinker you will not be able to drink a huge amount on a Friday and/or Saturday and go back to not drinking the rest of the week. You will also need to monitor/home check. But you will be able to do most of the same activities you did before surgery.

NOW THE MAIN POINT THAT EVERYONE IS MISSING HERE: At the age of 30, you have a very high chance of another surgery...which everyone wants to avoid. Yes a mechanical valve will last a lifetime...200+ years actually...but it will not last that long in your heart. The function of the valve will last that long but more than likely the connection of the valve will not. Expect to get about 30 years out of a mechanical due to the connectivity of the valve. Now there are people out there and even on this site that have gotten more than 30 years out of a mechanical but that is what can be expected in a person at that age. So if you are hearing a cardio or surgeon tell you that the mechanical will last the rest of your life and that you are looking at having this surgery only once in your life at age 30, I would get a second opinion and look at another doctor as well. Is it possible that a mechanical valve will last the rest of your life in you at age 30?...Yes. But it's also possible that the latest tissue valve can get you 20 to 30 years also. Just don't count on it or make your decision based on coumadin or wanting to have surgery once in your life. You need to look at all of the variables and factors and make the decision that is best for you and your family.