Tom Bartolomei - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2169 days ago

Bradley Dunn, Bradley Dunn reacted to this

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 ...Read more

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 wood, glad those days are behind me. (2) Having trouble getting my INR dialed in. Its up one week and down the next. Last two weeks, I've been below my target range of 2.0 to 3.0. Nothing on the diet side has changed so its a head scratcher. Anyone else had trouble getting the INR dialed in initially? Tom

Lisa Guinan Yes! I’m 8 weeks post-op and still can’t get to my target of 2.5. My nurse said it’s not uncom ... Read more

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

Tom Bartolomei Thanks Lisa. I’m on 22mg per week and unfortunately, I’m on the warfarin for life due to my shin ... Read more

Tom Bartolomei Thanks Lisa. I’m on 22mg per week and unfortunately, I’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 aft ... Read more

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. It’s very frustrating I know but it will get to a good level and stay there. It’s been almost 2 years and every now and then it fluctuates without really knowing why. It’s just part of life and like you I’m just grateful to have life.

Susan Lynn Tom - I was on warfarin for three months, but I found that identifying a menu I could live with 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 for a successful recovery, Tom.

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

Sara Moyce I’m 5 wks post/op and am continually under my 2-3 INR as well (average is about 1.6). Interestingly ... Read more

Sara Moyce I’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 “Heart 411” book that melatonin interferes with effects of Warfarin. I was given melatonin in the hospital regularly to help me sleep, which I find a bit disturbing. I have been taking it every night and now I wonder if it is one of the reasons for my low INR. Will be interested to see if there are any changes now that I am stopping melatonin. Anyone else out there taking it??

Lisa Guinan I was taking melatonin for awhile and quit. My INR # actually went down after I quit taking it.

Tom Bartolomei Thanks for all the input. I’m still on Amiodarone; 200mg daily for another two months. My activit ... Read more

Tom Bartolomei Thanks for all the input. I’m still on Amiodarone; 200mg daily for another two months. My activity level has definitely increased lately so maybe that is contributing to it. I’m really focused on my diet and consistency there. I’m considering to purchase a home INR test machine to at least give me peace of mind during those times between tests at the clinic. Expensive (very) machines!!!

Rita Savelis Adjustment takes awhile and INR goes up and down naturally while your body gets used to it. This is ... 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 will fluctuate daily but eventually mainly stay within your range. It would be nice if doctors let you know that it can take awhile and it's not anything you're doing really. It took me at least 6 months to relax about INR. I was told by doctors to eat everything in moderation. I never changed anything I eat. Most people have a basic diet and your anticoagulant dose will work itself around that. Take care.

Tom Bartolomei I like the sound of that Rita. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to hitting numbers. Your input is grea ... Read more

Tom Bartolomei I like the sound of that Rita. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to hitting numbers. Your input is great.

Tom Bartolomeiposted an update

2199 days ago

Dan Baltazor reacted to this

I’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 I’ve been home, 6 days ...Read more

I’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 I’ve been home, 6 days in AFIB and 6 days in sinus. AFIB is a real downer and impacts so much. Anyone else experience these bouts with post surgical AFIB?

Catie B I did. Mine began a day after my surgery and stopped a few weeks later. But it sounds like you've suf ... Read more

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 longe ... Read more

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 this is normal during recovery and will subside over additional time.

Louanna Miller I have read that AFib often occurs after heart valve surgery and can last for a short time or longer. ... 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 - ablat ... Read more

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 since - 1.5 years. Afib is common after surgery, I'd think it will resolve in time... or perhaps a cardioversion ? What does your doc think? I feel for you - Afib is so tough, it's hard to get your walking in that is so important for recovery. Wishing you the best!

Catie B I'm so glad your ablation worked! Yes, most people's post-op afib subsides before long and I hope you ... Read more

Catie B I'm so glad your ablation worked! Yes, most people's post-op afib subsides before long and I hope yours will, as well. One of my docs said the surgery very much irritates or "angers" the heart and causes the fib. My electrophysiologist confirmed with a holter monitor at about the three-month mark, that it had stopped. I was on warfarin and amiodarone for those few weeks. Best to you!

Tom Bartolomei Thanks all. It’s ‘nice’ to hear that what I’m going through isn’t an anomaly. AFIB certai ... Read more

Tom Bartolomei Thanks all. It’s ‘nice’ to hear that what I’m going through isn’t an anomaly. AFIB certainly is frustrating as it does impact the ability to exercise and sleep, the latter of which is already a challenge. I’m on amiodarone which I think is winning the war although losing a few battles from time to time. What a journey this recovery is. What a great forum this is to share the good, the bad, and the in between.

James A. Corbett Hello Tom Bartolomei, your post and responses are very interesting. I'm am having robotic MV repair o ... 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. Thanks, Jim

Tom Bartolomei Good luck on your surgery James. Hoping things go smoothly. As to AFIB, I had ablation in 2015 and ... Read more

Tom Bartolomei Good luck on your surgery James. Hoping things go smoothly. As to AFIB, I had ablation in 2015 and have been AFIB-free since then. Until now that is, post surgery, I’ve been in and out of AFIB. I will say my episodes of AFIB now are short lived (3-36 hours). I do know instantly when my heart departs from sinus rhythm and its very annoying as it completely drains me of energy. Hopefully, you will not incur AFIB symptom that you notice or slow you down James.