Question/Comment:

About Warfarin: I had heart surgery 10 years ago, and have been on Coumadin since. My doctor prescribes only COUMADIN, and not the generic "warfarin." He says that there are too many sources (labs) for warfarin, and the quality control is not good. In other words, warfarin dosages can be different in different "batches." Coumadin comes from only one source, therefore, it is consistently the same. I take 2 mg. daily 5 days a week, 3 mg daily on weekends, and am very sensitive to any change. This person who has only been checked 3 times since his surgery 8 years ago needs to get the test done YESTERDAY!! If the level is high, he might have been losing blood in his body for quite a while--e.g., bleeding in the small vessels in the brain, bleeding in the stomach, etc. I can't believe he even sees a doctor at all. What kind of doctor would let anyone on blood thinner go without testing?? People, you have to take care of YOURSELF. Know your meds, know their side effects, READ!!!

Question/Comment:

What supplements can I take or cannot take with coumadin

Question/Comment:

Does anyone know where I can get a complete list ogf potential food interactions with Warfarin? I have gone to some medical sites but the information is limited.

Answer/Reply:

http://www.cooperaerobics.com/archive/newsletters/082002_article02.asp
This page has a small list as well as a little information. Some doctors have a list made up also. Everything I looked at today says you don't have to change your diet, but listen to your Dr. Mine said to avoid most of these foods as a general rule. Others, the doctors have told them that these foods are okay in moderation. Depends on what is right for you.

Question/Comment:

i am 33 yr old dialysis patient, i started my dialysis treatment two months ago, when i got a central line inserted into my right neck and shoulder area to access my blood, ever since then i had mild to moderate pain on my shoulder joint after my surgery. didn't complain much, but when i went in for an ultra sound for something else, they found out that i developed a blood clot near were they inserted the tube to access my blood, since they had me take a injectable blood thinner, took 3 prefilled syringe, don't remember whats is call and 5mg warfarin. after and 4.5 inr blood result , they stopped my injection and only take 5mg warfarin everyday. my question, is does anyone know if blood clots cause pain?. why after surgery blot clot happens?, and certain time it does not. Does it fall on the expertise of the surgeon?, Does it depend on the experience of surgeon if the blood clot will or will not take place?, because i had my hernia repair once and i had no blood clot. Also, som body mentioned that once you start taking coumadin you have to take it for the rest of your life, is that true or false, even if you have no herediary risk, like a blood clot cause my trauma of a surgery?

Answer/Reply:

Yes, blood clots can cause pain. With most surgeries, you should be told to be as active as possible. I don't know exactly why, but i think it deals with increasing your blood flow helps to avoid clots. As far as I know, the surgery/surgeon does not make a difference. It is different for everyone. Some people are on coumadin/warfarin for life. I am one of those. It depends on the severity and where the blood clot was. While on the blood thinners, you are supposed to be monitored by a doctor to insure the thickness of your blood falls at the right level. Your doctor should be able to tell you whether or not you will be one of us who has to be on it for life.

Answer/Reply:

Severe lower back pain and a severe shortness of breath was my introduction to a pulmonary embolism following a long RV trip of 5 weeks at age 68. I am under VA care and initially had blood tests weekly and now monthly to keep my INR level between 2 & 3. After a year I was offered to go off coumadin with the warning there is an approx. 40% chance of a reoccurrence of a blood clot after going off the drug. Since I am planning another trip (now age 70) I elected to stay on my current dosage of 5mg a day and 7.5mg once a week with a review perhaps a month or two after I return. I was told there is a newer theapy which involves a lifetime of a lower maintanence dosage which I may look into. A pulmonary embolism is nothing to ignor as they are fatal approx. 50% of the time and death is quite fast giving you little time for effective treatment. Being chained to the drug is not pleasant but the alternative 6 foot dirt nap is less so.

Answer/Reply:

Hi my name is T and i also take coumadin.I finally found someone my age that takes it thank god.not thank god that you take it but,i felt alone in this.

Answer/Reply:

hi T. my name is jolene. i am 32 nad have been on this med for almost 5 years. i am one of the not so lucky that will be on it for the rest of my life. so dont feel as though u r alone. its surely no fun but we all get through it one way or nother.

Answer/Reply:

Hi T. I thought I was alone too, going back through previous posts I noticed there are a few others, but I don't know them, just read their posts. I don't know if we are able to post email addresses or not. I will look into it and if it's okay, I will leave you mine in case you need to chat about anything.

Question/Comment:

I have been on this medication for almost a year now. Lately I've notice that I am bleeding from the mouth during the night. I find blood on my pillow and during the day I seem to taste blood in my mouth. Is there anyone who have had this problem? and what did the dr. say?

Answer/Reply:

I too taste blood after I birp, disgusing. I thought I was the only one. I have to ask my INR nurse how to get the taste out, or is it normal for somebody to taste blood after birping. Thanks for the heads up. I will be back with an answer.