Good morning all, I am on list to have aortic valve replaced. Erring on side of having mechanical valve . I am 64.
slightly trivial question but, in November last year before I knew my condition had worsened I booked a cruise holiday for end of June next year, non fly.
realistically how long after my operation can I look to being able to go out of the country on holiday. We would be able to transfer our deposit to an alternative cruise at a later date. We are travelling with friends and I would like to give them adequate warning if it is likely that I am not able to travel.
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wodehouse123
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Hi, I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement back in late December 2008 by Spring of 2009 I was back cruising and haven’t stopped! You should be absolutely fine for June of next year.
Hi all depends on when your op is obviously! If next May you might struggle. If next month sounds per other post you might be ok. But everyone is different and recovery can be different.
One thing that might help is to contact the relevant team and ask / enquire how long the current waiting time is - they should be able to give an estimate. For example they may say people referred in July are only just getting booked in if that makes sense. Or they may be able to say approx weeks people are having to wait.
Worth a shot checking waiting times. Then you could estimate recovery time and whether in good time before June next year.
Thank you very much for that, the list office have said I should have pre op in next couple of months and should be done by April. I suppose I just wondered if people may say oh no leave good 6 months or need to stabilise warfarin. I know no one can give specifics , it was just broad opinions I was seeking .
I travelled by plane to Greece 6 weeks after having mechanical valve and aorta replacement, after my medical team gave the ok. By then, my warfarin/INR levels were pretty stable. I spent the summer having short trips to islands and staying with family. I am now more than 5 months post op and would say warfarin is tricky. Had some INR instability over the last month requiring heparin shots for a couple of days. In my opinion, warfarin may be the factor in travelling. You may need to still be testing regularly. Once they have approved a new drug to replace the sensitive warfarin, we'll all be better off. Good luck
Hi Pefki I have been taking warfarin for 20 years now, and have found diet to be the biggest factor in ups and downs of INR levels. If you haven’t already see about getting a self testing machine you will soon learn what gives you highs and lows. And it’s only small so can easily be taken on holiday. It will also cut your hospital visits down.
Yes, it is a plan but so far, testing with those machines at the anticoag clinic, has been unsuccessful because the results were way off in comparison to blood tests at the same time.
Hi I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement and an aortic root repair back in may 2005. I flew to Mykonos in early August of same year with no adverse affect.
Have you considered a tissue valve. Won't last as long but didn't involve warfarin. I had mitral valve repair last year, I had to decide on mechanical v tissue before the op in case they couldn't repair it. I was recommended mechanical (I was 64) but when I described my lifestyle it changed to tissue because of the whole warfarin situation, mostly because I'm a keen skier and cyclist and the risk of internal bleeding on warfarin was thought to be not do-able
Hi Bob I had a mechanical aortic valve and a aorta root repair in 2005, I chose mechanical because I didn’t want to go through all the trauma again. Warfarin has proved not to be any issue whatsoever. I like you are a keen skier some times spending a month at a time up in the alps. I am also a keen mountain biker.
I have , but I really don’t want to go through it again in another 10 years time , I’m researching the Edwards Inspira valve at the moment but it is too new to have any long term studies so I’m a bit dubious .
I’m a swimmer so hopefully shouldn’t get any sharp injuries
I'm an over the top cautious person and mostly due to unexpected health events cancelled a holiday I had booked last year for October this year in February this year if that makes sense, and I only have me to consider. My reasons for cancelling were an unexpected and eyesight problem that could have resulted in me losing the sight in one eye, thankfully it didn't but I had a bad reaction to the medication to treat the eye problem and the whole experience made me so anxious I cancelled the holiday. I don't regret cancelling because since then I've been poorly a couple of times with serious stuff. Everyone is different I hope you find a suitable answer.
Sorry to hear about your problems , I think if there is any doubt you have to cancel really. I had to cancel my holiday this year a week before we were to travel the worsening of my stenosis and advent of symptoms didn’t manifest until after I had paid the balance of the holiday and the cardiologist suggested I wait until after further test results which is why cancellation was so late. The holiday for next year was also booked before I knew how severe the stenosis had become. I suppose the answer will come with the timing of the surgery .
Hi again if you decide to get the mechanical valve ,buy yourself a self testing machine cost around £300. You will soon learn how to use it and what in your diet is causing highs and lows , mine has cut my hospital visits down to twice a year and they are really to check my machine is working correctly
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