Aotice Valve Replacement for Severe Stenosis

[DOA-2007]

I'm really not enthused about either a mechanical valve or a tissue valve replacement.  What's on the horizon ? What's the timeline ?  There's has to be something better out there without the drawbacks of each type of the above.

Also what about the noise factor for a mechanical replacement.  How many people report that the noise is driving them crazy?  Just curious.

[va_tony]

I regard coumadin as a necessary evil.  Sure it has its problems but so does stroke.  I've been taking coumadin for 5 years because of afib and MVR and I can't say I'm thrilled about it.  So far no obvious side-effects..... the monthly testing is a royal pain. I would love to substitute something safer. Still, I'm hesitant to try a 'natural' substitute unless there has been a large scale clinical study (much like the AFFIRM study involving coumadin and afib patients) to test its efficacy.

Keeping the discussion "fair and balanced", I'll repost what Health Doctor # 2 said on the ghchealth.com forum:

"While Nattokinase may have some potential to protect from blood clots, it has not been appropriately studied. Any comments and conclusions that "it is effective in preventing blood clots in humans" are, at present, speculation, and any claim that one should consider "using warfarin and Nattokinase together and titrate the warfarin downward" to "decrease the harmful effects of warfarin while maintaining a safer level of anticoagulation with the positive effects of nattokinase" are clinically and scientifically unsound. Nattokinase is not a substitute for warfarin. If an individual takes it, he/she should not count on it having any clinical effect. "

My guess would be that if you were to ask one of the medhelp CC cardiologists about substituting nattokinase for coumadin, the cardiologist's answer would agree with Health Doctor #2's assessment.

Regards

Tony

[Thatch]

In the Avery's guide it states that Coumadin can cause plaque it come loose and lodge in small veins causing blockage which can lead to toes turning black and even gangrene of the penis. Now my doc never told me that!

It is my belief that because this dangerous drug needs to be monitored so much requiring so much blood work  that it generates a lot of cash flow. I can understand it being administered if clots are present or if it is a certainty they will appear, but I think it is over prescribed as a preventative.  My opinion only. I was on it over 12 years and I hate it with a passion, just in case you couldn't tell. If the same results can be had by taking something that has benefit it makes sense to do so.

Thatch

[FLBrat]

Wow Thatch.  That alone makes me glad that I have absolutely refused to do the blood thinner route so far.  I am going to read up on the nattokinase. Thanks for the info.

[Thatch]

Coumadin does indeed suck and has many side effects. I was reading about it the other night in Avery's Guide and it scared me, and I took it for years. If you can avoid Coumadin by all means do so. Even if you do it exactly right it will damage you.. Be extremely informed about this drug. It is the heart patient equivilent to chemo therapy. It can help you stay alive but it is poision. If you need to take it because you WILL get clots, then that is bad, If you are supposed to take it because you MIGHT get clots then read up on nattokinase, an enzyme that eats and busts up clots and is actually good for you to take. Also read about vitamin K and what it does for you, because that is one of the things that you won't be getting if you use Coumadin. Coumadin also destroys soft tissue, like your brain. It takes a long time, but if you are expecting to be around 20 years down the road, then you want to get something else or minimize the amount you take by keeping your blood as thin as possible by taking things like Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamin E and other anti oxidants like Green Tea Extract. Anybody already taking this stuff should slowly add everything they can to lower their dose on this stuff. All these things will thin blood or help fight platelet agregation: Vitamins B, C&E, garlic,cayenne,ginkgo biloba, anything high in bioflavinoids like most berries including hawthorn,green tea extract, grape seed extract, selenium, N-acetyl cysteine (great for the liver) All the omega oils, inositol, even mineral oil will thin you down. Lecithin is a great oil to take because it is high in choline which helps fight the build up of plaque.

Thatch

[surfgirl]

It is quite unnerving when you are sitting next to guy, and you can hear the click click of his valve...I have been told night time is the worst.

[big fat cat]

You get used to the noise after a while.  I had both Mitral valve and aortic valve replace with mechanical valves.  The coumadin is what stinks!  
big fat cat