Further to this: My introduction to warfarin has begun.
Received 3 different pill sizes: 1mg, 3mg and 5mg yesterday.. Each is a different colour. I’m to take an initial 7mg each evening going forward. Have now stopped Clopidogrel. Bisoprolol continues.
I prepped three days’ worth of pills into my new pill box. 1x 5mg plus 2x 1mg each day. Took the first dose a few hours before bed last night.
Buddha likes my pill box.
Had my INR checked at the clinic yesterday afternoon: was 1. Which is what they predicted pre warfarin. Let’s see where it is Monday after three days of 7mg. They want my INR somewhere between 2 – 3. Also had full bloods taken.
Millennium Wheel (London Eye) view from the Anticoagulation Clinic, St Thomas’ Hospital.
The warfarin nurse was wonderful and very thorough. She laid out all the potential problems. I’m to contact them immediately (or go to A&E) if any noticeable issues – sudden bleeding that won’t stop, any falls or feeling unwell, etc.
She’s put me forward to the relevant person as being interested in eventual self-testing. I'll need to purchase a monitor, which I will in due course.
I asked how long I would be on the drug and she said, for life. Even without a (CT Angio) confirmed issue (clots/valve thickening) with the bioprosthetic valve leaflets, etc, the small cerebellar infarcts suggest permanent warfarin. I’ll firm this up when I have a face-to-face with the cardiologist.
Received a little yellow diary booklet to note down my INR at each visit. Plus an Anticoagulation Warning Card for my wallet.
Had a CT Angiogram at St Thomas’ Hospital the day before my warfarin initiation. Should get feedback on that in a week or two.
Spring has sprung in London, but a chill wind still blows down the Thames. Already lots of tourists arriving in Westminster, close to the riverside hospital. Today the sun shines.
Received 3 different pill sizes: 1mg, 3mg and 5mg yesterday.. Each is a different colour. I’m to take an initial 7mg each evening going forward. Have now stopped Clopidogrel. Bisoprolol continues.
I prepped three days’ worth of pills into my new pill box. 1x 5mg plus 2x 1mg each day. Took the first dose a few hours before bed last night.
Buddha likes my pill box.
Had my INR checked at the clinic yesterday afternoon: was 1. Which is what they predicted pre warfarin. Let’s see where it is Monday after three days of 7mg. They want my INR somewhere between 2 – 3. Also had full bloods taken.
Millennium Wheel (London Eye) view from the Anticoagulation Clinic, St Thomas’ Hospital.
The warfarin nurse was wonderful and very thorough. She laid out all the potential problems. I’m to contact them immediately (or go to A&E) if any noticeable issues – sudden bleeding that won’t stop, any falls or feeling unwell, etc.
She’s put me forward to the relevant person as being interested in eventual self-testing. I'll need to purchase a monitor, which I will in due course.
I asked how long I would be on the drug and she said, for life. Even without a (CT Angio) confirmed issue (clots/valve thickening) with the bioprosthetic valve leaflets, etc, the small cerebellar infarcts suggest permanent warfarin. I’ll firm this up when I have a face-to-face with the cardiologist.
Received a little yellow diary booklet to note down my INR at each visit. Plus an Anticoagulation Warning Card for my wallet.
Had a CT Angiogram at St Thomas’ Hospital the day before my warfarin initiation. Should get feedback on that in a week or two.
Spring has sprung in London, but a chill wind still blows down the Thames. Already lots of tourists arriving in Westminster, close to the riverside hospital. Today the sun shines.
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