Valve Decision For 44-year old who loves beer

[Pat Heaney]

Got back home last night. Feeling pretty good. It’s gonna take some time adjusting to the clicking in my chest. This has really impacted my sleep. Hopefully brain tunes it out over time. Doing lots of breathing exercises and walking inside house. Also, starting to take some work calls and reading work documents.

 

[user 16827]

It’s gonna take some time adjusting to the clicking in my chest.

It's very early days

It took me a while, these days i find it comforting.

If someone had told me in the early days i would grow to like the noise i wouldn't of believed them
hopefully it will grow on you too.

best of luck with your recovery
Take it easy

 

[johnmarkos]

Awesome! I hope I'm doing as well four days out!

I've set myself up to take medical leave from work -- but hey, if I can WFH four days out like you, maybe I shouldn't bother.

Got back home last night. Feeling pretty good. It’s gonna take some time adjusting to the clicking in my chest. This has really impacted my sleep. Hopefully brain tunes it out over time. Doing lots of breathing exercises and walking inside house. Also, starting to take some work calls and reading work documents.

 

[Pat Heaney]

So things going pretty well. Biggest issue has been getting my inr into target range. At last after increasing dosage to 10 mg we are getting close. Sick of taking the lovanox shots 2x daily. Hopefully that will end in next few days.

Otherwise, no pain; lots of energy. Went back to office for 7 hours today.

 

[carolinemc]

Got back home last night. Feeling pretty good. It’s gonna take some time adjusting to the clicking in my chest. This has really impacted my sleep. Hopefully brain tunes it out over time. Doing lots of breathing exercises and walking inside house. Also, starting to take some work calls and reading work documents.

You will soon get used to it and the body tunes it out. Keep the walking going, a great way to cardio exercise. And then when the weather is permitting, get to walking outdoors. So glad you are doing so well. Keep it up.

 

[johnmarkos]

@pellicle and @DDT77 can you link to the papers those INR graphs/charts come from? Thanks!

 

[pellicle]

@pellicle ... can you link to the papers those INR graphs/charts come from? Thanks!

Sure
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/415179

 

[Pat Heaney]

Six weeks out from surgery this Friday and things are going really well. Working, driving, and exercising at rehab 3x weeks. Beer habits are back to pre-surgery levels and INR is stable. Now just hoping I can start lifting over 10 pounds soon and get back to cross country skiing!

 

[Suckyvalvegurl]

Great report Pat!

 

[PAN]

Beer habits are back to pre-surgery levels

How was that first beer ? Medicine

 

[Pat Heaney]

How was that first beer ? Medicine

How was that first beer ? Medicine

 

[Pat Heaney]

The first was magical. And the second was even better! Lol

 

[PAN]

I look forward to being on that side sipping a beer.

Until then it's an "Old Peculier" for tonight. Glorious Ale

 

[Pat Heaney]

Hi everyone. I have not been on here for a while since my work and family and the whole Covid thing has taken up so much time. But I just wanted to thank the members on here that “steered” me toward a mechanical valve with their life stories. I am really happy I went with the On-X. Warfarin has really not affected my lifestyle at all. INR has been fairly stable even with my beer intake (but I am a little concerned about my next test tomorrow since I overindulged last weekend).

I went waterskiing for the first time since surgery two weeks ago and got the green light from my cardiologist in April to resume all activities and full aerobic exercise with no heart rate restrictions. I’m starting to train for a 50k ski race next winter.

I am glad I don’t have to worry about the inevitable surgeries and TAVRs if I would have opted for the tissue valve.

 

[tom in MO]

It's great to hear all is well. In my experience, alcohol has no effect on my INR. Don't be concerned. If your INR changes it's more likely due to binging on cole slaw or eating just meat on the 4th and the leftover ribs the next day

 

[johnmarkos]

After my two episodes of atrial flutter back in late January, my cardiologist told me I needed to cut out alcohol entirely, and I’ve been a teetotaler since then. At my last appointment, he told me, “Maybe this summer,” I could have a beer. Tonight, I told my wife that if I’m cleared to have a beer at my cardiologist’s appointment on Friday, I want to have some beer in the fridge. Fortunately, we have a really nice little grocery next door.

I got a St. Jude Regent mechanical valve in early January, and I’m also quite happy about it.

 

[Freebird]

After my two episodes of atrial flutter back in late January, my cardiologist told me I needed to cut out alcohol entirely, and I’ve been a teetotaler since then. At my last appointment, he told me, “Maybe this summer,” I could have a beer. Tonight, I told my wife that if I’m cleared to have a beer at my cardiologist’s appointment on Friday, I want to have some beer in the fridge. Fortunately, we have a really nice little grocery next door.

I got a St. Jude Regent mechanical valve in early January, and I’m also quite happy about it.

Keep us posted so we can toast you from afar! I have my surgery this Wednesday so I'm enjoying a little imbibing until then.

 

[tom in MO]

After my two episodes of atrial flutter back in late January, my cardiologist told me I needed to cut out alcohol entirely, and I’ve been a teetotaler since then. At my last appointment, he told me, “Maybe this summer,” I could have a beer. Tonight, I told my wife that if I’m cleared to have a beer at my cardiologist’s appointment on Friday, I want to have some beer in the fridge. Fortunately, we have a really nice little grocery next door.

I got a St. Jude Regent mechanical valve in early January, and I’m also quite happy about it.

However, your cardiologist stated to stay off alcohol due to your atrial flutter, not due to warfarin. Pat's concern is warfarin.

Did your cardio say why total abstinence would help your atrial flutter?

 

[johnmarkos]

Did your cardio say why total abstinence would help your atrial flutter?

I don't remember. Maybe he thought it could contribute to the possibility of a recurrence. At any rate, the gist of my post was simply, "I like beer, and I might get to have some soon!"

BTW, I did have a beer Friday night, and it was delicious.

 

[Freebird]

I don't remember. Maybe he thought it could contribute to the possibility of a recurrence. At any rate, the gist of my post was simply, "I like beer, and I might get to have some soon!"

BTW, I did have a beer Friday night, and it was delicious.

Hooray for beer! Did you get the go-ahead to be able to drink occasionally from your cardio?