any one here on the drug coumadin??

[fishtacomag]

I am going to have heart valve replacement surgery on Nov 3 and have the choice of a mechanical or tissue (pig) valve. Pros and cons with both. The big con with the mechanical is that you have to go on coumadin which is a blood thinner. I just wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with Coumadin?? If I don't think it is too bad that is the route I will go.....
thanks for any input
shawn

[Troutman65]

I am going to have heart valve replacement surgery on Nov 3 and have the choice of a mechanical or tissue (pig) valve. Pros and cons with both. The big con with the mechanical is that you have to go on coumadin which is a blood thinner. I just wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with Coumadin?? If I don't think it is too bad that is the route I will go.....
thanks for any input
shawn


:Surprised: Wow Brother. I'll keep you in my Prayers. Get many opinions from the Doctors

[Fisherman57]

Shawn,

On behalf of myself & Team 57..... we all want to wish you a BIG "get well quick" after your surgery.

I know when you & I spoke about this a few months ago, it was on your schedule for the fall........ and Im sure you've already gathered second opinions and researched as much as you can on it......

Make sure you also research "warfarin" as well........

Let me know if I can help you or Linda in any manner while you re-coop and get back to feeling better than ever!......


Dana

[sansou]

I wish you a safe procedure and speedy recovery.

The one thing I do know about Coumadin & trout fishing is that you have to be very careful at high altitudes.

[fishtacomag]

I wish you a safe procedure and speedy recovery.

The one thing I do know about Coumadin & trout fishing is that you have to be very careful at high altitudes.

and how do you know that??
that would be a key determination for me.
And Dana thanks for the concern. I have talked to a lot of doctors and all tell me the pros and cons of both valves--but none will tell me what they would do.
Pros/cons of tissue--no coumadin but only last 10-15 years which means at 51 I have open heart surgery 1-3 more times.
Pros/cons of mechanical--probably last my lifetime but have to go on coumadin. might make ticking noise.
And I have researched American Heart web site, WebbMD, Mayo Clinic--you name it--and pretty much it is an individuals choice as the pros and cons are pretty much in black and white. Well I have till Monday to figure it out....

[fishtacomag]

sansou--if it sounds like I am doubting you I am not--just wondering if a friend or family member or you know from first hand experience. When I reread my post I realized I might have to clarify. Thanks for any info
shawn

[sansou]

sansou--if it sounds like I am doubting you I am not--just wondering if a friend or family member or you know from first hand experience. When I reread my post I realized I might have to clarify. Thanks for any info
shawn

No sweat man. I certainly appreciate the gravity of your inquiry.

Here's what I know, and was just minutes ago reminding Dana if he recalled this story I told him last year.

My parents spend half their year in Colorado, in Pagosa Springs (a tad over 8000ft. where they live slightly above town). Their neighbors have a daughter (30 something years old). She apparently has lived somewhat problem free with a congenital heart condition (a hole in her heart). That problem grew worse a few years ago.

She and her husband made arrangements to have the operation done at Mayo Scottsdale, AZ. We own property in Scottsdale, so we offered one of our places for her and her husband to stay while convalescing and follow-up treatment.

The operation went fine, and she felt fine while in AZ. After a month or so, they left back up to Colorado. One of her meds was Coumadin.

She got to Colorado, and did not "feel well". Her local GP couldn't pinpoint the problem. She returned to Mayo, ran tests, and couldn't figure it out initially either. Long story made short, the specialists at Mayo eventually figured the Coumadin was an issue for her, at altitude, and I recall there was lots of concern about her being at high risk for thrombosis. (keep in mind I think she waitressed part of the year up at a Wolf Creek resort which is about 10,500+ft. too)

Since then, they have had to leave Colorado, and now I believe have relocated to Arizona.

Perhaps an anecdotal story, but I do know for a fact from the hearsay Coumadin was the primary culprit, and I do remember my sister (Kaiser doc) being asked by my parents to recommend to their friend's daughter the best surgeon in the southwest, as this couple had ZERO insurance and the family paid 6 figures out of pocket.

Again, best of luck, and if it turns out high altitude isn't in your cards anymore, no worries: there's a low altitude place called BAJA! Good FISH TACOS there!


* Dana speaks highly of you, and so I blindly offer this: If by chance you do go to Mayo in AZ (apparently a popular heart surgery center), I myself have a condo (maybe 20 minutes from Mayo) if you need a short term place to recoup.

[Bassnman Mike]

First off, they are the same thing. One is name brand, the other generic. They both do the same thing. Oh yeah, I'm on Coumadin, have been for the last 4 years due to DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis because of complications, blood clots after knee surgery.

Of course I know that Coumadin originally started out as rat poisen, yes they fed it to rats so they would bleed to death internally.

Its actually no big deal, I wear a medical alert bracelet, be sure to get a bracelet versus a necklace because studies show that Emergency Personal always check for a bracelet because they have to take your pulse.

I ALWAYS carry band aids, 3-M Sterie Strips which are basically instant stitches and Super Glue. It takes a little longer for your blood to coagulate so just be carefull.

As to higher altitudes, studies prove that Coumadin MAY be more active at high altitudes. To avoid issues have your prothrombin times checked frequently so the doctor can adjust your dosage as needed, actually you need to get your prothrombin times checked as the doctor orders.

Like I said, its really no big deal. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[fishtacomag]

If Dana speaks highly of me that tells you that dana obviously is not a good judge of character!!!
THANK YOU so much for the offer--very generous and thoughtful!!
No it is being done here in LA by Kaiser. The surgeon has done over 1,000 of these and is highly recommended. In my opinion he is a kind of an arrogant a-hole with little bedside manner...but I have heard and read that he is good...and after he does the prodedure I will only have contact with him for a few more days while I am in the hospital. Then I will only deal with my cardiologist in Irvine who is a real good guy.
thanks again

[Fisherman57]

First off, they are the same thing. One is name brand, the other generic. They both do the same thing. Oh yeah, I'm on Coumadin, have been for the last 4 years due to DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis because of complications, blood clots after knee surgery.

Of course I know that Coumadin originally started out as rat poisen, yes they fed it to rats so they would bleed to death internally.

Its actually no big deal, I wear a medical alert bracelet, be sure to get a bracelet versus a necklace because studies show that Emergency Personal always check for a bracelet because they have to take your pulse.

I ALWAYS carry band aids, 3-M Sterie Strips which are basically instant stitches and Super Glue. It takes a little longer for your blood to coagulate so just be carefull.

As to higher altitudes, studies prove that Coumadin MAY be more active at high altitudes. To avoid issues have your prothrombin times checked frequently so the doctor can adjust your dosage as needed, actually you need to get your prothrombin times checked as the doctor orders.

Like I said, its really no big deal. If you have any questions feel free to ask.


Correct. Which is why I mentioned the generic name.... there is lots of info on the web under BOTH labels/names....... mostly the same info, but some different...... my dad took Coumadin for a while......

and yes, it was once used as an ingredient for rat poison! :Shocked:

I guess a Fish Taco tattoo is outta the question now huh Shawn? LOL! :ROFL: Just kidding buddy! I hope all goes well.



57

[Bassnman Mike]

I guess a Fish Taco tattoo is outta the question now huh Shawn? LOL! :ROFL: Just kidding buddy! I hope all goes well.

57

HA! I HATE needles myself so even if I were not on Coumadin I wouldnt get a tattoo

Shawn, wishing you a speedy recovery

[olfishergal]

Best of luck to you with your surgery. Either option is a good one. I was on Coumadin for a short time due to a DVT. I tended to bleed too much and couldn't go to high altitudes at all. I am sure you will also have a "clot catcher" inserted during your surgery to prevent any clots from traveling. (Ask your Doc if he is doing this for you). Long term problems can be some liver involvement, bleeding. You have to watch your diet, certain foods aren't good while on Coumadin/Warfarin. Usually need to avoid foods high in VitK (dark green leafy) as they add to clotting. Your Nurses in the hospital will educate you while you are there. Take care, I am sure you will be up and at em in no time. OFG (RN by trade)

[Wingnut]

Shawn, I wish for you to have a ultra-successful procedure and a speedy recovery. :Cool:

[troutdog]

A speedy recovery to you Shawn. My Dad had open heart surgery a year ago in May, he has quite a few years on you and is doing fantastic....again a speedy recovery to you and know that Team57 has you in its thoughts and prayers buddy! :Thumbs Up:


TD