sudden big jump in INR 3 weeks post surgery...

[jbrown413]

Yesterday I did a weekly INR check at home, and found an INR of 6.9 on only 4 mgs of warfarin. Today i rechecked at the lab and it was 9.1. the doc wants me to hold all warfarin until fri and retest. the retesting there makes sense, but wont holding it completely just result in a very low INR by Sat or Sun??? anyone have any suggestions?? thia i not like me. Ive been very stable for 11 yrs. now i cant seem to get stable again. thanks -- joe

 

[Lynlw]

Joe, I can't offer any help, but think you should post this in the anticoag forum, you will get more people that can offer advice reading it, Lyn

 

[Ross]

Anything new your taking? What others meds are you on? Something is causing the rise. Yes, you'll most likely be on the lowside by Sunday, but if 4 mg is all it takes normally to keep you in range, it should drop fairly slowly too.

 

[Guest]

When the iNR is at 9.1 the major concern is getting it back down, not what will happen after that.

Are you absolutely sure that you have the correct strength of warfarin. I have seen this caused by getting the wrong strength from the pharmacy and not noticing it.

Are you taking vitamins? Did they change the formulation and leave out vitamin K?

Keep looking around for something that you started or stopped maybe accidently.

 

[jbrown413]

WOW!! i think i got it??!!!...

WOW!! i think i got it??!!!...

certainly there have been many meds coming and going. stopped the lasix and metabolites a little while ago. stopped the pain meds about the same time. but just realized, i am still taking the low dose aspirin with the warfarin. maybe thats it!!!! also, my diet has changed a lot since having to have all my teeth pulled. veggies are just too crunchy, but so is red meat. anyway, will retest tomorrow and let you know where i'm at. i appreciate the help. i am surprised to be having this problem since i was always so stable on the warfarin for 11 years. blood pressure is an amazing thing. before surgery, upon diagnosis, i was put on a beta blocker, and bp came down right away. then i heard about losing all my teeth -- boom, right back up. once done, back down. and stayed down till this high INR, then back up. anyway, anyone have any ideas on whats going on? could it be the lose aspirin? and why do they such a funny smell -- reminds me of working with fixer in the black and white photo lab? -- joe

 

[catwoman]

Joe:

The aspirin won't affect your INR.
You're only taking 4mg of warfarin. Your INR will drop by holding 2 doses, but I'm not sure how much/fast.
You've changed your eating habits -- no veggies -- and perhaps you've also decreased your activity level, if you're not feeling totally up to par. Those 2 things would cause an increase in INR.

 

[Guest]

Marsha has his the nail on the head.