my toes are ice cubes!

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gadoty1

gadoty1

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
87
Location
Lake City, FL
Since my AVR 8 weeks ago I have been a lot more cold sensitive. I was one of those people who didn't wear a jacket in winter when everyone else was bundled up. I don't even own long sleeve shirts because I always got hot and had to strip down especially indoors in the winter.
Now my toes have been ice cold for 8 weeks and even with 2 pairs of socks and slippers I can't get relief. Today is one of the coldest days since my surgery and I have been frozen all day with no relief. My heater is set on 70 and i refuse to turn it higher. Wonder if it could be the coumadin but i hate to blame things on it. Maybe it's that cold metal valve chillin' me. I am on Toprol too but i have been on it for a few months before my surgery and we had some pretty cold days with no ice toes.
 
Well some people do have a hot/cold sensitivity side effect from Coumadin. They are few and far between, but some people insist that's what's causing it.
 
I do have more sensitive skin and i get sunburned more easily but if those are the only side effects i have than i'm happy.i think i'll go get a heating pad out and try to warm them up.
 
Hi GADOTY1,

I was cold after my surgery, period! I shivered and it took a couple of months to not feel so shivery. However, I may be one of those people that Ross said who are cold sensitive on coumadin. We are having a bad cold spell here in NY, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I need a face mask hat. I was in Buffalo this past weekend, and I thought that my face looked redder and blotchy in the cold. I also thought it may have something to do with coumidin so it was interesting to see the topic of the thread you started. Any one else know about the vascular response to cold on coumadin?
Allan
 
I can't respond to the coumadin (I'm tissue), but I know that I have definitely changed in my hot/cold sensitivity mode since surgery. It has been good for me because I used to be way too sensitive to hot weather, and never felt the cold. I now feel the cold and it's good to "be on the same page" with all those in the same room.

That said, it is also, perhaps, possible that you are anemic from the surgery. My understanding is that the heart/lung machine leaches iron from your blood....there is apparently no way around that. Some people are more sensitive to this iron loss. In my case, I felt unusually cold afterwards and sure enough, my regular physician said my iron was somewhat down. For me, it just took eating iron rich foods for a few weeks (mmmmmmm.... thick juicy steaks!!) but I don't know how that works with coumadin. :confused: so be sure to check with a doctor.

I'm sure the cold blast of wintry weather isn't helping!

Good luck! Be warm!!!! :)

Marguerite
 
Hi, I had an AVR with the same valve 5 weeks ago and i've noticed my fingers getting a bit cold recently !? But I seem to have a heightened awarness to everything my body does or dosn't do at the moment !?
Good luck with it ...
Justin
 
gadoty1 said:
Since my AVR 8 weeks ago I have been a lot more cold sensitive. I was one of those people who didn't wear a jacket in winter when everyone else was bundled up. I don't even own long sleeve shirts because I always got hot and had to strip down especially indoors in the winter.
Now my toes have been ice cold for 8 weeks and even with 2 pairs of socks and slippers I can't get relief. Today is one of the coldest days since my surgery and I have been frozen all day with no relief. My heater is set on 70 and i refuse to turn it higher. Wonder if it could be the coumadin but i hate to blame things on it. Maybe it's that cold metal valve chillin' me. I am on Toprol too but i have been on it for a few months before my surgery and we had some pretty cold days with no ice toes.
Click to expand...

Welcome to my world .... my feet and hands stay cold now ..... I got to wear gloves to go to the bathroom:rolleyes:
 
I am not on any anti-coag, but other meds can cause the cold extemities, including blood pressure meds. If you ar taking other meds, it may not be the coumadin.
 
I'm always cold drives my hubby crazy. He's hot blooded to the bone. I cant get warmed up hardly at all. Even HOT showers just help for awhile. When I get cold it takes forever to warm up. I'm very faired skin and blond (boy did I leave myself open for that one):D. When the sun warms up in the PM I'm right out there soaking it in.:cool: I never used to be like this it's gotten alot worse I think. I can't say for sure its the meds but it could be.
Cooker, you left yourself wide open too gloves on your hands???:eek:A one size fits all chimps!!!
 
Gadoty,

Be sure to tell your Doctors (PCP, Cardiologist, even Surgeon) about your Cold Feet.

There could be several possible causes, ALL of which should be checked out including, but not limited to, anemia, blood clot(s) in your legs, maybe Coumadin, and others I don't know about.

Another reason for checking with your Doc's is that people who had Cold Feet *Before* surgery, often report LESS cold sensitivity due to improved circulation after getting their defective valve(s) repaired / replaced.

Something is amiss and needs to be checked out.

'AL Capshaw'
 
I have been more sensitive to cold temps since my surgery, but I can't lay all the blame on warfarin. I'm down about 50 pounds since the day before my surgery; thinner people feel cold more intensely than others, so I attribute my situation to my weight loss.

For the last 6 summers, I've worn jackets/sweaters indoor in the summer. Don't recall needing a jacket in the summer BC (before Coumadin).
 
Before surgery, I used to drive my husband crazy for feeling very warm while he was freezing, for asking to open windows at night in winter. Now, I feel cold when everyone else in the same room is fine, including my hubby! I ran the heater day and night lastweeks (we are in CA...we never ran heat before during the day), I wear thick winter night-gowns, and I am still cold! I had blood work, I am fine.

Feet and/or hands are OK, but my skin is more sensitive...hot water vapor burns me, and when I burn while cooking, it hurts much more than before.
 
I guess i should never move out of Florida! I couldn't imagine what i would feel like if i were in some of you guy's weather! I do have a check up and an echo in 2 weeks and i'll let the doc know. Thanks!
 
gadoty1 said:
I guess i should never move out of Florida! I couldn't imagine what i would feel like if i were in some of you guy's weather! I do have a check up and an echo in 2 weeks and i'll let the doc know. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would be inclined to call his Nurse, tell her about your symptoms, and ask if there is anything he wants you to do before you come in for your appointment (such as ordering an echo of your LEGS as well as your heart).

'AL Capshaw'
 
Cold

Cold

I was the same way...always cold and turning up the heater after surgery. After about 4-6 months it wasn't as bad. I still seem to feel colder now after 2 years but no where near as it used to be.
 
Cold feet, warfarin

Cold feet, warfarin

During the cold weather months I am frequently chilled to the bone while my body (torso) radiates heat. Surprisingly the extremities always feel warm by comparison.

I believe it is from warfarin because intolerance to cold, feeling cold and chilled are side effects.

Some sporting goods stores carry battery powered socks useful while attending outdoor events during the winter. Hopefully things will improve with the warmer weather.
 
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