1.5 INR please advise

[denobobeno]

Okay, can my peeps help me again?
I went from 6.6 to 1.8, and now I'm 1.5. After my incident with memory loss two weeks ago (the last time I was at 1.5) I'm a little more nervous this time...don't want a repeat of last summer!!
The same Coumadin Clinic that told me to hold 4 doses (which I didn't do) now told me to take twice the Coumadin tonight and then go to my regular dose until Monday for recheck. Is this good advice or do I need another dosage. I looked at Al's chart and I still had a question about what to do...
I'm off of Nexium and Cipro and I'm guessing that is why I am still dropping.
I take 9mg a day.
FYI ~~~ For my caring friends.. I'm seeing my family Doctor tomorrow to follow up on the last 1.5 incident of memory loss..just to see what he thinks could have happened.
xxooDeana

 

[Karlynn]

So what did you do for the 6.6?

 

[blessed1416]

Hang on

Hang on

Someone more knowledgable than me will be answering your question soon. It is a scary situation to be told to hold dosages or double dosages--it just seems like the person managing your PT/INR is second guessing.

I am curious about your memory loss you experienced two weeks ago. I've never heard of that. There have been many incidences lately that I have no memory about. I walk into a room and stand there, not able to remember what I intended to get. Or, others saying to me "Don't you remember, I told you about that last night," or last week, or whenever. I just thought it was part of the "pump-head syndrome" and it will go away soon. Kinda scary though.

Hope you get your PT/INR straightened out- soon. Best of luck.
Gail

 

[aussigal]

I personally would have a look at my own records of my doses and how my INR has reacted to changes...find an example close to what you are looking for and copy that...I myself, would have a half-dose extra , then go back to my regular dose.
A double dose tonite and a re-test on Monday could show a false-high and then you would still be riding the yo-yo rollercoaster and we dont want that.

All the best and keep us posted.

P.S. I still love those crosses you make and would love to see a close-up piccy!

 

[denobobeno]

Okay, I'll answer Karlynn's question first. I skipped one dose and the went to 8mg for three days .When I went in on monday I was 1.8. I dropped down big time!! Now down to 1.5. Should I just increase my dosage 20%?
Thanks for the help!

aussigal: I can email a pic of some of my crosses if you want to see them...

 

[geebee]

Deana,

I would return to the dose that kept you in range prior to the Nexium & Cipro. You might want to consider Lovenox for a few days until you are back in range given your history.

I would be hesitant to start doubling doses because you could start the yo-yo effect but I, too, would be worried about being low in the interim.

 

[Arlyss]

Deana, I doubt that your local general doc will have any answers, but perhaps he/she could give you some ideas of major medical centers for a thorough consult. Because of your earlier stroke, it is suspicious that a stroke/TIA happened again. But there is also the possibility that it is some type of seizure in the brain. It is so important to find out, and prevent any more of this happening.

Best wishes,
Arlyss

 

[Ross]

I think you need someone else to manage your Coumadin. Whomever doesn't seem to know what to do.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Let's see, first your Coumadin Clinic tells you the Stand on the BRAKES for your 6.6 INR and now they are telling you to Stand on the GAS for your 1.5 and they expect you to somehow end up at the Speed Limit???

You need to find someone who Knows what they are doing.
From my perspective, your Coumadin Manager is CLUELESS!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

Let's see, first your Coumadin Clinic tells you the Stand on the BRAKES for your 6.6 INR and now they are telling you to Stand on the GAS for your 1.5 and they expect you to somehow end up at the Speed Limit???

You need to find someone who Knows what they are doing.
From my perspective, your Coumadin Manager is CLUELESS!

'AL Capshaw'

And we say this because it's not the first boneheaded thing they've had you doing!

 

[Karlynn]

And we say this because it's not the first boneheaded thing they've had you doing!

Deana, I think we all understand that it seems the biggest risk to your health is those managing your Coumadin. Continue to educate yourself on your dosing history and how it effects your INR. Enlist your husband in this as well. I think you will see definite patterns and come to understand how your body reacts to changes in dose and medications. Soon you will know what to do with some security.

Did you stop the Nexium?

 

[Mary]

Deana,
This is not an answer to your immediate concern, but here's a suggestion of what you might try for in the future. You've said that you have had trouble with your memory, so the medical professionals might discount the accuracy of what you're now saying. Perhaps you could print off a representative sampling of the threads you've started about trying to get in range, and take them with you to your family doctor. He might not have a chance to read them all, right then, but it might prove that someone is doing a poor job at managing your coumadin dosage.

 

[denobobeno]

Sorry..today is the first chance I've had to get back on the computer!
I had my INR checked today and it was 3.4. We are rechecking again on Thursday.
I met with my Family doc. He suspects with my INR being so low right before that I could have had a TIA. I have an appt. with my Neurologist on Wed. I'll see what he says. My Family doc feels like he (nuerologist) should order an EEG and the rest of the tests CAT or MRI to check on everything. He also said a seizure is a possibility. I was tested for those during my hospital stay (with stroke) and they diagnosed me with seizures. That is why I take trileptol twice daily. Maybe my trileptol needs to be raised? I still need another Neurologist..mine is very busy taking care of his wife (parapalegic after recent horse accident) poor guy...but, I have to take care of my brain.
I'm checking on someone else to manage my Coumadin..let you know.
Gail, I wouldn't worry if you just forget little things..I do that on a daily basis too..I'm afraid it has to be called 40's. My memory lapse was of an entire evening, including blurred vision and headache.
xxooGod bless!
Deana