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Nose Bleed Surgery
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Question: Two years ago I had two heart valves replaced with prosthetic
valves made from pig and bovine pericardial tissue (one of
each). At the time, the surgeon told me that he chose those
valves because, with my arthritis medication, he didn't want me
on blood thinners after the first six months.
Two years later, I'm still taking the arthritis medication
(Prednisone) and he's now insisting I stay on the blood thinners
for the rest of my life.
I've had the same nosebleed for two f&#*ing years and I want off
of this crap!!
It's not just the nosebleed.
It's the fact that any time I sart talking about a diet, it
get's vetoed because of the blood thinners.
It's the fact that a simple insect bite which should clear up in
a few days will hang around for WEEKS.
It's the fact that I'm not allowd to eat certain foods. (Whether
I normally would is irrelevant. I resent being told I CAN'T.)
It's the fact that I can't afford $20/month for the pills I
don't need or $30/month for the blood tests that go with them.
It's the fact that I'm SICK TO DEATH of those blood tests!
Everything I've ever seen on the subject says that blood
thinners aren't necessary with tissue valves. That is what my
own surgeon told me two years ago. Last month his nurse told me
that, of the three surgeons in that office, I got the only one
who insists on blood thinners with tissue valves even for 6
months.
According to his nurse, the surgeon's reason for wanting me to
stay on blood thinners is that _1_ of the 200 patients he's put
these valves in had a clot severe enough to kill him.
That, by my count, means a 98% survival rate with tissue valves
and no blood thinners. Those are better odds than when I went in
for the surgery. Those are better odds than driving in a big
city, for crying out loud!
My problem is:
My family doctor wants me to stay on coumadin because the
surgeon said "it would be a good idea" (his exact words).
My cardiologist wants me to stay on coumadin because the surgeon
said "it would be a good idea".
My wife insists that I keep taking something I don't feel I need
because the surgeon said "it would be a good idea".
Any OTHER doctor I see (for a second opinion) is going to look
at my records and insist that I keep taking an unnecessary drug
because the surgeon said "it would be a good idea".
I am of the opinion that he thinks it would be "a good idea"
because he's so absolutely terrified that someone might cry,
"malpractice" that he's being TOO cautious and the other two
doctors I see on a regular basis are too chiken to
counterdict him.
He's a surgeon. He's not God.
What would YOU do in my situation?
Answer: I've found that you don't need to take coumadin.
I currently have a prosthetic valve (which ticks 24/7) and am on
warafin.
At first I'd have the nose bleeds but then stopped.
As far as the blood tests - I have a home machine that I just prick my
finger like a glucometer for my INR. It's great, I never have to
leave the house and I just phone my results in. It's called INRatio.
Perhaps if you have to stay on it you can look into getting one.
As for eating certain foods. I never pay attention to it. I
familiarized myself with everything that could interfere (for the most
part) and just make sure not to eat mass quantities of it.
Green leafy veggies is said to counteract warafin but I never really
found a big problem with it. Now I did find some issues with vitamins
and supplements. Some of them caused my INR to spike. As well as
most antibiotics that I've taken.
I still go on roller coasters and ride a motorcycle with no problems.
Though if you're still having the nose bleeds not sure I would
recommend it.
Also, if you cannot afford coumadin you can contact the drug company
and they may give you deep discounts on it. OR, I personally switched
over to warafin as Walmart has the $4 per month script on it. Which
my insurance bears the full cost of the Warafin - compared to paying
the $70 for coumadin.
Well, that's my 2 cents worth for the moment.
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