How long for coumadin to raise PT/INR?

[Laurie]

Laura, it sounds like after holding only 2 doses she was back in range. Was she on 2mg before they increased her? At least they are checking her again soon - thats good.

[Nancy]

I have had 2 DVTs and am on coumadin for life. I have a home tester and monitor my INR weekly. I have read that certain foods like fish and mangoes, and supplements like garlic and ginger, act as natural blood thinners and should be avoided. Is there anything wrong with eating more of these foods as long as I watch my INR closely? I would rather eat a healthy food and reduce my warfarin than avoid the food and take a higher dose of warfarin.

[Jennifer]

I have been on coumadin for 20 + years (activated protein c defiecency) DVT's at least 6 times (thankfully, only DVT's). Question is for the past year my INR has been going coocoo. Anyway from 1.78 to 8 ish. Back in the days I stayed on 10mg for years with no problems. Now, I'm taking 4.5 mgs and that changes usually every test. From 2.5 to 5 mgs... Any reason why this is happening??? I know all the reason it NORMALLY happens but I don't seem to fit in any of those categories. Also, I get those pinprick size red dots and still get "fullness and color changes" in my "bad" leg...... I did have 90% blockage last year and the dr just told me the same old -bed rest. INR was fine. He told me it as impossible for me to get clots on coumadin.... Maybe time to see a hemotalogist?

[Laurie]

Jennifer, it is not impossible to get clots while on coumadin - taking coumadin reduces your risk but does not eliminate it. The red dots a hemangiomas (not sure if I spelled that right) it is when the blood vessel comes to the surface and doesnt necessarily have to do with the coumadin. I have no idea why your inr jumps around so much -- as you said there are "normal" reasons for it but you say that doesnt apply to you so Im curious as to what your interpretation of normal is :) Maybe if you can share them, I can see if there are any that I may be aware of.

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the quick response, Laurie. I know that alcohol, red meats and certain greens can affect my inr. But my diet doesn't change. I also know that supplements can change it but I've been taking the same supplements for years. Multi vitamin and plain old calcium (no additions like D or K). I'm must getting so frustrated with changing my dose every couple of weeks. I'm at 2.2 now with dose of 4 mgs. 2 weeks ago I was at 1.2 with the 4 mgs. They are keeping me on the same dose since it jumped up during the past two weeks. I need to stay between 3.5 and 3.7.... I'm just wondering with the activated protein c difficeny disorder if it is harder to keep a normal (3.5 - 3.7) inr.... does aging have an affect?

[Laurie]

Jennifer, age can affect it slightly but honestly I dont believe it would do this. Were you recently prescribed any new medications - thyroid, hormonal, antibiotics, etc? Also, has your doctor checked your liver - lab tests- the only thing I can think of right now is that coumadin is processed in the liver - if for some reason your liver is working properly, it may cause the inr's to bounce around. Are you sure the color of your coumadin tablet is the same? I would also ask your doctor to recheck bloodwork on your protein difficiency - maybe something has changed. You sound like you are pretty much aware of all the things I know to look for though :)

[My Story - My Dad]

Hello Everyone, I hope to have a response today. My father has been on Warafin since 1996 for a blood disorder he has, Antiphiside (sp)- my father first had a minor stroke, then they discovered the blood disorder. He has been on Warafin since 1996 like I said, Well, up until last year things were pretty good, This past January he has OPEN HEART surgery to replace his aortic valve!He did fantastic, they bridged him with Lovenox and COumidin while in the hospital and he was released in 4 days and bridged at home. Well last THursday he went in for a shoulder replacement surgery, BIG surgery and he is still in the hospital because his INR is slow at become therapeutic. He has been on Antibiotics and pain killers including morphine for two days...can this affect the INR? I know it will come up eventually but its taking long! As of yesterday he went from 1.04 to 1.17 - they are bridging him and also up'd his COumdin to 10 3 days ago - I hope today its higher. ANy insights. Dad has a home kit to test his INR when he is home, he is real good at that and my mom gives him Lovenox shots when needed.