Question on High INR...

[Laurie]

Sorry all, sent my computer with my husband who was transferred out of state. I have heard on here that coumadin causes headaches - I never had patients complain of this. Nor have I had them complain of nausea so I am guessing it is truly based on the individual. It is always important to notify your doctor of new symptoms as sometimes they are related to something else. For example, high blood pressure can cause headaches.

[alexandria]

Hi
Ive been on comudin for a month and my INR level has flucuated alot on and off. Last time my INR was only 1.8 and i was taking 7 mg, he raised me to 9mg. and it jumped to 2.4 and im still on 9mg. I havent seen him for 5 days. I know have a extreme migraine thats lasted for almost 8 hrs. What should I do?

[deborah]

call doc hun. they been playing with my comudin for over 2 mounths i cant get above 2.00 was at 1.7.dont see him again untill next week. but do call the doc hun

[Laurie]

Alexandria, have you ever gotten migraines before? Your inr is in a safe range so it isnt to high but I do always recommend notifying your doctor of any new or unusual symptoms while taking coumadin.

[alexandria]

No, ive never ever really had migraines, i am also feeling extremely light headed... I am concerned. IF it continues today and todays a sunday shoould i go to ER?

[Laurie]

Alexandria, Yes I would go to the doctor to have another inr drawn. If you havent had an inr for awhile, it could have gone higher than the 2.4. When was that inr of 2.4 drawn, was it right after he bumped you up to 9mg or was it a number of days?

[alexandria]

it was 2 days after....

[Laurie]

Alexandria - anytime your doctor changes your dose they should always check an inr within 3 days to ensure you dont bounce to high. If you havent already - get an inr as soon as possible.

[AZwildcat]

I have been having major INR fluctuations for weeks. From 1.5 to 6.8. The doctor keeps varying my dosage and then rechecking a week later. My question is, what causes the big variations. I've used Coumadin since 1991 and have had some issues previously, but the last several months have been a real problem. My diet and exercise have not changed and my overall health is good. The doctor offers no explanation. Have any of you heard what causes the big variations and what can be done about them?

[Laurie]

AZ, any new medications or over the counter meds?

[Alan]

I have been on Warfarin since April 2009 ...my level is usually around 2 - 2.4 . Yesterday it jumped to 7.5 what can cause a jump that high in a matter of 1 week ?

[Laurie]

Have you taken anything over the counter - herbal supplements , cold meds, etc ?

[thxultra81]

I am 28 and have factor V Leiden. My dad has it too... The reason I found out was not from him though. I just knew I had clots in my legs for over 3 years and have been fighting with them and arguing with a few doctors that I have clots in my leg... I kept myself busy and active to keep my blood flowing and at the end of my seasonal jobs is when they affected me the most. Then just before Christmas of 2008 I went to sleep with a sick feeling back pain and felt something traveling up. I ignored it and fell asleep... Went to work the next day and had a rough day with my back pain. Came home and had dinner and then fell to the ground with pain in my right lung. Felt like I was being stabbed in the back and I couldn't breathe right. I went to the hospital and they couldn't find anything wrong with me, because when I got there I was feeling better. I told them I had thought I had problems with clots and then I begged the emerg Doctor to test for clots. So she did and found that there was a good chance that I was right. She sent me home with an appointment for x-rays and more tests. I got my x-rays done the next day then I went home with a fragmin kit and some warfarin. I ate dinner that night and had to get rushed back into hospital and they admitted me and I was in so much pain that each breath felt like a heart attack. It wasn't fun. They put me on Heparin for over a week to dissolve my clots my lung. The doctor that was there that day knew about Factor V Leiden and told me I should get tested for it and he sent out more of my blood to be genetically tested. He was a good doctor and because there is a doctor shortage and he himself wasn't accepting new patients that he would accept me since I had no doctor and didn't want to see me without one. I finally got better on Christmas Eve and they let me go home. I was pretty excited about getting a new doctor for Christmas and I'm so grateful to him who understood what I went through. There is more to the story but right now I'm State Side from Canada and I have no way in telling what my levels are... I was very steady at 5mg's and my range INR is 2-3 I felt clots again hanging around in my groin lungs, back of knee on Friday 13th...Found out myself that Cranberry Juice and lots of it isn't good with Warfarin...:( They even gave cranberry Juice to me while I was in the Hospital back in 2008... So I didn't think anything of it. So I bumped my meds up to 7mg's and waited up to 8mg until I could see a bit of blood in my #2.I planned to go back down the next day to 7mg if I saw blood again, but didn't see anything. My clots are not bugging me now and I'm sure they're ok. I'm staying steady on 8mg's. I know I need to be getting my tests done. I'm here till the end of the month. But till then I am playing with fire because I have no insurance down here. I wish I had a home INR testing kit. haha but I don't. I'm just adjusting on the knowledge of High INR symptoms. Should I level off back at 5mg's? Let me know what you think and how well I'm doing considering my stupid situation. Thanks,

[Laurie]

Thx, wow, you are playing with fire. I cant tell you that what you are doing is okay or safe. It is very dangerous. I also am unsure why you cant have your inr checked where you are, sorry if Im not understanding that. Waiting until you see blood can be like waiting for a time bomb to go off - some bleeds dont show up in your urine or stool. I really would advise you to at least have an inr checked until you can see a doctor or at least purchase your own kit - I know they are expensive but in your case, I would highly recommend it. Sorry couldnt offer you a better solution.

[Alan]

Yes I have taken 400 mg Guaifenesin and have been washing out Amiodrine out for the past month . My doctor said that taking the above was OK .

[thxultra81]

Ya no problem. I read some more into the bleeding part and since I'm experiencing pains that aren't going away. I figured I'm going to skip today and go back to 5mg's. I did notice those self test kits, I really do want one. I think I might have pushed my levels to far too long though. I hope I'll be ok. I feel pretty crappy in my lower ab. I thought it was the flu. I kinda hope it is in some ways... I will go in tomorrow if things don't get better. Right now, I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere within the Mountains at my in-laws till we move into our new place back in Canada. Do you know how much a test would cost if made it into town tomorrow?? I don't have much $$ right now.:(
Thanks again,

[Petro - Benoni SA]

Does anyone have experience in getting off warfarin safely. For example replacing warfarin with something natural like Omega 3 and vitamin E?
I have been on warfarin for two months and Im seriously thinking about it.

[Laurie]

Thx, I dont really know the cost - but remember, its your life we are talking about and not a TV :) I know how things are when money is low, but I would try to google it and see how much they run. I wish you well and pray everythings okay until you can get in to the doc or get your inr checked.

[Laurie]

Petro, there really isnt anything that can replace coumadin. It is the only medication that can be safely regulated with a blood test to keep your blood within a therapeutic range.

[thxultra81]

haha... I don't watch TV. But anyway, I did get my in-laws to rush me up to Canada last night to emerge. I was sooo much in pain. I got x-rays of my lower belly and chest. My INR Level was 6.1. The Doctor was upset with me and he just told me to get a doctor and skip two days. He gave me stool softener, and a shot of Morphine and gravol. I'm really not happy with him. He was quite rude and I wasn't pleased how he treated the other patients either. He didn't give me any info or anything. He didn't give me anymore direction in what to do in or after two days. He didn't believe me that I had clots over a week ago. I know how they feel inside me and they aren't pleasant. But I hope I find a doctor for tomorrow up in Canada. I just hope I do right away before the labs close tomorrow. Since I'll need to know what to take for over the weekend. If not, I'll go back into the hospital again and get another INR test. He didn't prescribe me anymore warfarin and I told him I was getting really low. He said he wouldn't give me anymore warfarin for obvious reasons with an attitude. Like I know I screwed up. But Whatever. Anyway I do thank you for your prayers and concern. I am feeling better today. and I finally got sleep today :) PS. I'm not constipated!