Thanks, Rapaire. There's not much bruising on the outside, this time around, except on my arms. The coumadin did get out of whack and has been too high for over a month... I was just hoping someone might know of something which would help. There is no alternative, so the docs tell me, that will be good enough with the mechanical valve. my acu guy tells me I don't need it, but I don't have the kind of *faith* it would take to step out and quit. I wouldn't even consider it.

Gurney, thanks, but I don't even drink coffee, nor tea, kn fact no caffeine at all.:-)