Gone for a While- Now a Coumadin Question

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pipersmith

Hello all! Been gone for a while. A couple of weeks ago, I had a stroke. Thankfully, a small one. Because of vasulitis, all of the arteries in my neck except for one are inflammed, so the lack of blood flow caused a small stroke. The neurologists at the hospital put me on Plavix and aspirin. The vascular docs that have been treating the arteritis think that I should take coumadin. I am wondering if anyone else takes it for a stroke. I was thankful not to have to worry with taking it after realizing I may not have the aortic valve replacement. Of course, I obviously do not want another stroke. Because of the lack of blood flow to the head - it is a constant worry. I am just wondering what you all would think. Do those of you that have had strokes take the Plavix/ aspirin - or are some of you taking the coumadin?

I hope that you are all well. The typing/ writing has taken a while after the stroke. Sometimes thinking out the spelling - or typing has taken a while.

Thanks - Piper
 
Piper,

Sorry to hear about your stroke. No matter how small, they can be frightening.

Perhaps with inflamed arteries, the blood can back up just like with a valve problem. If that is the case and the blood pools, then coumadin could help prevent clotting in those areas.

Just a non-professional's thoughts.

Hope things continue to improve for you.
 
Sorry to hear about your health. I wouldn't even want to try and answer such a critical question as that. I would leave that up to your Doctor and even get a second opinion to make sure. You don't want to play around with strokes especially sice you have already had one. GoodLuck
 
RandyL said:
Sorry to hear about your health. I wouldn't even want to try and answer such a critical question as that. I would leave that up to your Doctor and even get a second opinion to make sure. You don't want to play around with strokes especially sice you have already had one. GoodLuck
Click to expand...

I have several docs - I will ask all of them - I am also on many meds which all mention coumadin - prednisone, Bactrim, and methotrexate. I trust so much info from here- I knew this would be the place to find my own back ground info before visiting with the doc. Thanks so much to ALL of you for the replys!!!!

PS - IS THAT YOUR FISH? I have to print this off for my husband - he is a big Florida- home-body - and that is quite a fish ;0)!!! I think he may be on his way down there after seeing that one ;0)
 
pipersmith said:
I have several docs - I will ask all of them - I am also on many meds which all mention coumadin - prednisone, Bactrim, and methotrexate. I trust so much info from here- I knew this would be the place to find my own back ground info before visiting with the doc. Thanks so much to ALL of you for the replys!!!!

PS - IS THAT YOUR FISH? I have to print this off for my husband - he is a big Florida- home-body - and that is quite a fish ;0)!!! I think he may be on his way down there after seeing that one ;0)
Click to expand...

I didn't catch it but it was caught on my boat. Good Luck with your appointment and don't be afraid if Coumadin is in your near future, you will have excellent help on this forum to guide you through the iniation of Coumadin.
 
pipersmith said:
I am just wondering what you all would think. Do those of you that have had strokes take the Plavix/ aspirin - or are some of you taking the coumadin?

I hope that you are all well. The typing/ writing has taken a while after the stroke. Sometimes thinking out the spelling - or typing has taken a while.

Thanks - Piper
Click to expand...

Good luck, Piper. From what I know, Aspirin and Plavix are exactly for this sort of thing.
 
Piper, sorry to see you back here for this reason. I wish you the best in getting this issue taken care of.

Have you visited Al Lodwick's site to see if he han any info you might be looking for? www.warfarinfo.com


All the best.
 
I don't think that there are any studies involving warfarin in arteritis. In general, aspirin and Plavix are more effective in preventing strokes that are generated in the arteries. Warfarin is more effective in preventing strokes from blood flow being sluggish like with artificial, metal valves and irregular heart beats. If it were me in your shoes, I'd probably go with a low-dose of warfarin, too. Maybe keep the INR around 1.5 to 2.5. The low level will pose little added risk of bleeding and MAY help prevent a stroke. Again, there is no proof that this is effective but it seems to make sense.
 
Thank you to everyone!!!

Thank you to everyone!!!

allodwick said:
I don't think that there are any studies involving warfarin in arteritis. In general, aspirin and Plavix are more effective in preventing strokes that are generated in the arteries. Warfarin is more effective in preventing strokes from blood flow being sluggish like with artificial, metal valves and irregular heart beats. If it were me in your shoes, I'd probably go with a low-dose of warfarin, too. Maybe keep the INR around 1.5 to 2.5. The low level will pose little added risk of bleeding and MAY help prevent a stroke. Again, there is no proof that this is effective but it seems to make sense.
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Thank you for the advice. All of this info will help when I talk to the docs - it is so valuable for you all to be here, and know so much ;0)
I was really worried about it - but this advice seems to be valuable.

Al - what about taking the warfarin with prednisone, bactrim, or methotrexate? Each of them mention warfarin in the drugs to pay special attention to when you are taking them?
Thanks - for the info - and in advance!!!
Piper
 
Thank you!

Thank you!

Karlynn said:
Piper, sorry to see you back here for this reason. I wish you the best in getting this issue taken care of.

Have you visited Al Lodwick's site to see if he han any info you might be looking for? www.warfarinfo.com


All the best.
Click to expand...

Thank you Karlynn!!
I do check in here a lot. I haven't been typing much - but I think and pray for all of you often. I haven't seen a place like this - with so many caring, helpful, and supportive people. I would hate to lose touch with all of you. There for a while, the typing was hard (thinking of how to spell things ;0) )- so I took some time off - things are better now. Thankfully.

And - Your little pumpkin is SO CUTE!!!! I would love to hold her myself!! My daughter turned 4 last week - seems like not time since she was that little!! Some time passes too fast ;0)
 
Dear Piper.....

Dear Piper.....

*Dear Piper, I am soo sorry to see that you have had a stroke, though you seem to be making a good recovery. Its difficult to see things like this happen to people ''friends'' on here that I care about. I hope you keep on with the recovery, and get the problem that has caused the stroke under control. I will remember you in my prayers. Best Wishes....Jacqui.
 
Prednisone, especially in doses over 20 mg daily, will increase the INR. I just saw an 80-year old man who was put on prednisone 60 mg daily. When he started his INR was 1.9 and two days later it was 5.2.

Bactrim almost always makes the INR increase. Sometimes it goes to dangerous levels - spectacular bruise

Methotrexate usually does nothing.
 
Piper, so sorry to hear of your stroke, they are not fun and I live in fear of having another, a big one. Mine was vegetation from endocarditis so not like yours and nothing to do with my INR or blood. I am on warfarin for the valves.

On the plus side, no one would now realise that I had a stroke unless told and it has very little effect on my day to day living. I have some residual weakness in one hand amd it is harder to put my left foot in a sock or tights plus I cannot do certain things with the left arm but really it isn't a lot of bother. Oh, and typing can be fun with messages hitting my fingers differently. :)

I hope you get as much recovery as me, or more. Take care.
 
allodwick said:
Prednisone, especially in doses over 20 mg daily, will increase the INR. I just saw an 80-year old man who was put on prednisone 60 mg daily. When he started his INR was 1.9 and two days later it was 5.2.

Bactrim almost always makes the INR increase. Sometimes it goes to dangerous levels - spectacular bruise

Methotrexate usually does nothing.
Click to expand...

I am on prednisone 60 mg. daily - I have been for about 2 months. I did not realize this - and actually, I am surprised that they did not put me on the aspirin and plavix earlier - as they did not when I started the prednisone.


Thanks.
 
When you are weaned from the prednisone, be very careful about getting the INR checked. Your warfarin dose will almost surely need to be increased.
 
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