s began to run more test on my Blood. Found out I am protein c deficient and on warfarin for life. (So they said). I tried to come off warfarin and after about 30 days I had enormous pain in my leg after an hour drive. The pain grew worse and it was indeed a blood clot. I could not walk for 2 1/2 months. Now I'm on my meds without question. AS FOR PAIN, I have plenty. My Dr. prescribed Lyrica 50mg, but I can't bare the swelling and depression it causes.
In fact there is no other problem except big patch of damaged heart muscles and low ef. Warfarin has its own set of problems and some serious risk factors. On net I find literature both in favour and against warfarin, with some tilt towards warfarin.
I am not able to understand:
- why a clot should form in my heart when the muscles were damaged six years back and considering that I am on aspirin+clopidogrel which too have anti clotting function.
One died from a clot, one had bleeding in the brain, lived but handicapped, the other person had clot but stroke impaired speech and left side, he is getting better. What are the stats on blood thinners with A-Fib, is it common for clotting and bleeding to happen while on the drug ? What are the alternatives to warafarin? Everytime I get a headache I think about stroke.
Vitamin K is required for gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid in the clotting factors. Too little vit. K makes you unable to make the clotting factors. This is basically how warfarin works. But clotting factors are tightly regulated, and taking a vit. K supplement if you're not deficient will have no effect on clotting. ..
0, but generally that high a range is only prescribed for those with additional risk factors for clotting. Whatever your personal range is supposed to be, you need to know it. Then you need to be taking an adequate dose of warfarin to stay within that range. The amount of warfarin necessary to maintain the same INR can change, especially if any of your other medications have changed.
While you are on Warfarin - and this would be life-long for you - you are at risk from both under-dosing, which would lead to embolism, and over-dosing, when you could have bleeding from some part of your body, including the brain. Warfarin reduces the serum levels of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors synthesized in the liver - this is its primary and desired effect. Alcohol also has effects on the liver, and smoking increases the chances of thrombosis and embolism.
I had a stroke due to a 100 percent occlusion of the carotid artery. After being on warfarin and plavix separatelyI had a TIA ,I am currently on both,and so far so good.Is this normal that my bleeding and bruising disappeared after combing the two drugs? i am happy but confused.
Thanks
Terry926
This discussion is related to <a href="/posts/Heart-Disease/Plavix-vs-Coumadin/show/254168">Plavix vs Coumadin</a>.
The abnormal levels of INR may suggest that there is a problem with the bleeding and clotting mechanism. You must necessarily get the dose of Warfarin adjusted. High or low INR may lead to abnormal clotting or spontaneous bleeding. The medicine should keep the blood just thin enough to prevent clots. If the blood is too thin, you may bleed too easily. Severe headache while being on Warfarin therapy needs immediate medical attention.
Pradaxa is taken twice a day, shorter life in the body and is cleared from the body quicker than coumadin (warfarin). With warfarin, Vitamin K is used to reverse overanticoagulation in patients, there is no antidote for Pradaxa. Warfarin a lot cheaper than Pradaxa.
Good luck with your ablation. Hope you do well on Pradaxa! Best wishes!!
Johnycat, thanks for your comments, but Xarelto is not approved for mechanical heart valve patients such as myself or Dream_ers's father. Plavix is sometimes given to mech valve patients, but when it is, it's used as an adjunct to warfarin and not as a substitute for it. Xarelto, not at all.
Sorry you had so many problems with warfarin.
Hi,
As we get older, it is common to experience easy bruising. Factors such as aging capillaries or thinning skin, and even certain diet supplements and medications( aspirin, warfarin, etc) may cause easy bruising. Bruising may also indicate something more serious, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. If it persists, have this evaluated further for proper management. Blood tests including platelet count may be done.
Once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it.
My 33 year old daughter had a stroke 3 years ago and since then has had 3 DVTs, and 2 mini strokes. 8 weeks ago she had blood work done and we found out that she has a clotting disorder which has yet to be identified to us. Her hematologist said the blood work can take several weeks before we get a diagnosis. She has gone to the Coumadin clinic once a week for the last 8 weeks and her INR levels have been in the 2 range. 3 days ago she woke up in severe pain.
The proposed mechanisms are inhibition of warfarin metabolism and decreased synthesis of clotting factors. Binge drinking may exacerbate liver impairment and its metabolic ability in patients with liver dysfunction. The risk of bleeding may be increased. Conversely, reductions in INR/PT have also been reported in chronic alcoholics with liver disease. The proposed mechanism is that continual drinking of large amounts of alcohol induces the hepatic metabolism of anticoagulants.
A simple aspirin is used only if the risk factors are low...we have no idea what your risk factors are, but I can tell you aspirin and warfarin are not equivalent.
I have been on 5 mg of Warfarin for about 10 years, and I get my blood tested about once a month. I manage to stay in range (INR 2 to 3) and so checking more often is not necessary. If you continue to have a need for a check every10 days it is reasonable that you look for some better approach.
What caused your minor stroke?
is it safe to use blood clotting spray for minor wounds&cuts for warfarin user?
t know how warfarin is affecting your life style. I have been on warfarin for years and had no concerns about running and bike riding, and using power wood working tools. All of these activities puts one at an increased risk of a cut and bleeding, but I simply take the risk. On the other hand, I don't sky dive, or pick fights ....
Usually people with a history of blood clots will be on warfarin for the rest of their life. Im not sure of any other meds you are taking but dizziness and nausea is a common side effect of many meds. Especially meds for heart and blood pressure. And it has been a hot summer..are you getting enough fluids. Nausea, dizziness and diarrhea are symptoms of heat exhaustion and electrolyte imbalances. Lastly, do you drink alcohol or take drugs recreationally? Suffer from stress or anxiety?
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