Warfarin/coumadin side effects

[pellicle]

I'm staying in-range for the most part this year

that's good ... I'm glad.

I read so many stories here I just worry some times

. I do see variation after that time so maybe I need to revisit my dosage.

you'll notice that in my graph there was small changes in dose (typically between 7.5mg and 7mg) and since I decided to take myself off antibiotics (which I'd been on for 10 years at a dose of like 500mg 3 times a day) has enabled me to have less wild swings of INR. It also took me about a year just to normalise my flora in some ways.

I have a little algo that I up that guides me in making a choice of what to to do with my dose.

Best Wishes

 

[Protimenow]

Joseph: I can't tell from your chart whether or not you're testing your blood weekly or less frequently.

I don't really understand why you didn't slightly adjust your dose when your INR hit 3.5 or higher.

Although an INR of 4 isn't particularly worrisome, I, personally would be much more comfortable with a maximum INR of around 3.5.

 

[Joseph]

Joseph: I can't tell from your chart whether or not you're testing your blood weekly or less frequently.

I don't really understand why you didn't slightly adjust your dose when your INR hit 3.5 or higher.

Although an INR of 4 isn't particularly worrisome, I, personally would be much more comfortable with a maximum INR of around 3.5.

I'm testing weekly with an occasional extra test in a week if my numbers are off. I have adjusted my dose when it's high (or low) to compensate but have tried to stick with the same daily dose (versus changing each day/week). I'm on a 7.5mg tab and will discuss with my GP going to a 5mg + 2mg so I can test a slightly lower dose (with an option to go lower).

This has been a year of change with work, travel, and abstaining so I'm not too worried. Like many here, I've been taking coumadin for decades and figure eventually I'll get it right

 

[pellicle]

I've been taking coumadin for decades and figure eventually I'll get it right

the stopped watch gag comes to mind ...

None the less all we can do is "practice good management" ;-)

 

[slipkid]

I have/had a simple response to this problem. I just said "no"! I also have Ankylosing Spondilitis, so have to take some serious stuff to keep my spine from fusing, so am VERY cautious about taking ANY meds that I feel are not absolutely necessary. I found that cardios love throwing drugs at you. So just say no, and thats that!! As to side effects from Warfarin? None here.. So go ahead - push back - if you don't want the meds. You're likely to do better by having emotional peace than anything else.. It is a GREAT healer in itself.

Unfortunately - at least in my experience - despite it being our right as patients to do our own independent research and weigh the risks/rewards ourselves in making a decision to take whatever the drug (or recommended treatment) is, most GODS (or I mean Drs) don't like patients to do that and then they treat you like you are a complete a-hole who has no right to contradict or not follow their advice (even when they are 100% wrong and don't have a clue of what they are even talking about)....

 

[Protimenow]

My cardiologist trusts me to manage my INR. He hasn't suggested a 'coumadin clinic' or any other method of taking over my management.

Joseph - I don't know if we'll ever 'get it right' because INR is a moving target -- small changes sometimes have to be made just to keep in range (as I'm sure you already know). Just staying in range - and not shooting for a specific number, is the best version of getting it right.

 

[Superman]

I’m amazed at the lack of side effects other report.

33 years on warfarin (since I was a teenager).

Weight gain
Weight loss
Hair’s going grey
Skin has way more wrinkles than when I started
My hairline isn’t what it used to be either
Occasional back pain
Very fertile apparently (five kids since going on warfarin)

Lots of stuff. Too numerous to mention.