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Diagnosis: Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: November 28, 2018

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Tom Bartolomei posted an update

7 years ago (January 3, 2019)

Definitely a good feeling to be at this stage. Much to be thankful for of course. Two issues remain; (1) Premature Atrial Contractions. I'm told from the cardiologist they are benign. I can certainly feel them when they occur but its a lot less disruptive than full-on AFIB. Knock on... Read more.

👍 Bradley Dunn reacted to this

Lisa Guinan

Yes! Iâ€™m 8 weeks post-op and still canâ€™t get to my target of 2.5. My nurse said itâ€™s not uncommon to finally get it figured out and itâ€™s time to quit taking the warfarin. Right now Iâ€™m taking 10 mg 4 days a week and 8 mg 3 days.

Tom Bartolomei

Thanks Lisa. Iâ€™m on 22mg per week and unfortunately, Iâ€™m on the warfarin for life due to my shiny new mechanical aortic valve. However, FAR better to have life than not!!! My dosage was just increased today to 25mg per week. Will keep at it and you do the same!

Noreen Kitchen

I also have a mechanical valve. I found that my activity changes my INR. The more active I became after surgery the lower it got. Itâ€™s very frustrating I know but it will get to a good level and stay there. Itâ€™s been almost 2 years and every now and... Read more.

Susan Lynn

Tom - I was on warfarin for three months, but I found that identifying a menu I could live with and sticking to it, allowed me to keep my INR in the range. I was amazed at the vitamin K in some foods that I didn't expect. All the best... Read more.

Bradley Dunn

Were you on and did you stop taking amiodarone? That definitely effects it.

Sara Moyce

Iâ€™m 5 wks post/op and am continually under my 2-3 INR as well (average is about 1.6). Interestingly enough, I just read today in my â€œHeart 411â€ book that melatonin interferes with effects of Warfarin. I was given melatonin in the hospital regularly to help me sleep, which I find... Read more.

Tom Bartolomei

Thanks for all the input. Iâ€™m still on Amiodarone; 200mg daily for another two months. My activity level has definitely increased lately so maybe that is contributing to it. Iâ€™m really focused on my diet and consistency there. Iâ€™m considering to purchase a home INR test machine to at least... Read more.

Rita Savelis

Adjustment takes awhile and INR goes up and down naturally while your body gets used to it. This is normal and not because of what you are eating. It just is. It will settle down eventually. And at some point you'll only have to test once a month. It still... Read more.

Tom Bartolomei

I like the sound of that Rita. Iâ€™m a bit OCD when it comes to hitting numbers. Your input is great.

Tom Bartolomei posted a photo

7 years ago (December 4, 2018)

Aortic root aneurysm measuring 5.1cm. It exanded to 5.5cm which was tipping point for me to get it repaired on 11/15/18

👍 Liz Gephart reacted to this

Tom Bartolomei posted an update

7 years ago (December 4, 2018)

Iâ€™m a few days shy of 3 weeks out of surgery. Generally all going pretty well. I am struggling with AFIB. Since the 12 days that Iâ€™ve been home, 6 days in AFIB and 6 days in sinus. AFIB is a real downer and impacts so much. Anyone else experience... Read more.

👍 Dan Baltazor reacted to this

Catie B

I did. Mine began a day after my surgery and stopped a few weeks later. But it sounds like you've suffered from afib since 2011? My mom took warfarin for afib not related to heart surgery for 24 years.

Tom Bartolomei

Thanks Cathie. Yes, I have had progressively worsening AFIB since 2011. In 2015, meds were no longer effective and so I had the ablation procedure which eradicated the AFIB. It has not re-occurred until my AVR and aneurysm repair. I now go in and out of AFIB and wondering if... Read more.

Louanna Miller

I have read that AFib often occurs after heart valve surgery and can last for a short time or longer. I had a few episodes of AFib during my 11 day hospital stay when I had mitral valve prolapse repair in August.

Barbara Wood

Hi Tom, I had a few afib episodes before my mitral valve repair ( along with a maze procedure - ablation). 10 days after surgery I had afib occur. I had a cardioversion a few days later & was put on amiodorone for about 5 months. I haven't had afib... Read more.

James A. Corbett

Hello Tom Bartolomei, your post and responses are very interesting. I'm am having robotic MV repair on Dec. 18. I have had A-Fib for about 2 years but I never feel when my heart A-Fib's. I have been curious if it's going to get better or worse after the operation.... Read more.