S
Spring
Most days I read your posts--You are like family. I have not posted for some time. Keep hoping there will be great progress to share. You may recall, in early summer at age 79, I had surgery for mitral valve repair followed by pacemaker (Guidant). The surgery was considered successful, but the Maize didn't end the A-fib. 22 days in hospital with excess fluid buildup, CHF, lung tapping, bowel problems, etc. Experienced blood clot in shoulder which has since dissolved--complications that resulted in my needing help at home for many weeks. Have had bad rashes, chronic loose bowels, etc. Take two steps back for every step forward. Thankful for good mental recovery and no longer fluid problem. Have been a really active person in pre-surgery days. Now I'm on Coumadin--pro-time every two weeks with stable INR (3.4 this week). Also taking 40 mg. Lasix because of small amt. of lung fluid plus a total of 240 mg. Inderal. Inderal has served me well for 20 yr. of arrhythmias and essential tremor. Probably had Rheumatic fever as a child. Was prescribed Rhythmol for weeks but not at present. Latest Guidant model checks out doing its job well acc: to experts. Now the new obstacle is this: Twenty years ago I had lumpectomy for breast cancer. A sampling of the lymph nodes resulted in lymphedema in my right arm and breast. Had radiation--probably caused scar tissue also. In the last few weeks, the arm had ballooned considerably. I consulted cardio about possible effect of therapy for lymphedema on heart still healing. He ordered an ultra-sound which to my surprise showed a blood clot in sub-clavian neck vein probably contributing to block lymph fluid movement. The arm is heavy and uncomfortable. At this point, since I am already on Coumadin, the consensus is to leave as is. Nobody wants to hear blood clot is involved when you have a-fib, right? I'm not getting answers to why, where, when, and how of this. Are there others? Is the function or dis-function of one or another chamber causing this? Should I go for another opinion, which takes time and energy. Up to now, I have felt my care is great, but would like more in-depth explanation than I receive, and I do appreciate the conservative approach generally. I do not build my low-salt diet around Coumadin. Don't grocery shop every day, so not real consistent on greens for Vitamin K, etc. In that case, would my INR fluctuate enough some days to instigate clots? Could it be that "touchy". Some days I really do become confused, because I have had good health habits forever, and I like to do my part and "follow rules", but it would be nice to see a good result from that. Would not we all? Any advice from all the "been there--done that" folks. Thanks friends for listening!
