2.9 Yahoo!!!

[Robbyn]

Or am I being premature. My INR has been 2.9 for the past 3 blood tests.
(for one week and one day) Did I read somewhere that it takes up to 4 days for the effects of the Coumadin, because I forget to take it on Sun. I know I can't believe it.

I am going to be starting cardiac rehab very soon, I hope this will not change it too much.

I followed your advice Al L. and suggested to the doctor to start going only twice a week - he agreed. I know it's only been a week at 2.9 but like at bit of a relief it is starting to stabilize.

 

[bvdr]

Robbyn,

My own personal experience is that the more active I have become the more coumadin I have needed to take. Medication changes usually mess me up a little. Six months ago my daily dose was 2.5mg. Now I am on 6mg and that seems to be doing the trick and has for the past month or so.

Everytime I get an INR in my range I feel a little elated.........so, too early to celebrate?.......Never!

 

[Robbyn]

Hi Betty,
How often do you go for blood work now. I have been going 3 times for the past 2 months, so that is why I am so happy that it has leveled out.

I was in the hospital for a myectomy for my heart problems and they ended up replacing the Mitral Valve, so all of this is really new to me. He thought he could repair it. I had Rheumatic Fever as a child and didn't know it.

 

[Guest]

Getting the same INR 3 times in a row is about as rare as getting the same number on all 3 wheels of a slot machine.

 

[Ross]

Getting the same INR 3 times in a row is about as rare as getting the same number on all 3 wheels of a slot machine.

Isn't that the truth. I can't test back to back and get the same numbers.

 

[Robbyn]

Please don't tell me there could be a problem with the lab reading the results or the doctor's office giving the previous numbers. I did think it was strange as I forgot to take my coumadin on Sun. Should I be worried? I go tomorrow again, so we'll see.

 

[Ross]

I find it suspicious, but I wouldn't worry about it. It's possible.

 

[Guest]

I didn't mean to cause you to worry - just commenting on trying for 3 in a row.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Robbyn,

Me too. I didn't know I had rheumatic fever as a kid either. There are others on the board here in the same boat. Not a nice surprise. Especially for you with finding out there was more wrong than you originally thought. I'm glad you're doing better and that you found this board!

I home test so the frequency sometimes varies. I test at least once a week. I do this the evening I fill my mediation boxes for the week.....in case I want to adjust my dose a little. If I start a new medication or something has really changed in my routine I'll test during the week as well. I only adjust 10-15% and so far it has always been to up my dose. I am staying in range for the most part. This last week I was 2.4 and, because I really want to be between 3 and 4, I upped it again. It is actually going pretty good right now.

 

[Robbyn]

Hi Betty,

I really wish I could do home testing, but right now it too expensive for me, especially in Canada. So for now I will have to rely on the doctors office. But since they have decided not to call me now with the INR, (only if they need to change my dose) I am trying to find out with the dr's permission if the MDS lab will release it to me. MDS will do that according to their website.

I am quite upset they are not calling me now. I am still going in twice a week for blood tests. Do you think I am being unreasonable? I really need to know what is going on. After all it's my body.

Thx everybody for your input.

 

[Guest]

After 3 (maybe 4) tests you should be close enough where you only need to be tested about once per week.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Best I have done is two tests one week apart, same number. I tend to swing around. Most of the time "consistancy" is not an option.

That may be my problem Just returned from a trip. I walked for 4 days straight and my INR is 4.0. You would think all of the increased activity would bring it down INR, "It's Never Right"! Best I can do at this point is test weekly and go from there

 

[Nan]

Hi Robbyn,

You have every right to know what your INR is!!!! They should be telling you. I can't believe that they are not going to call you with it! If you can't get it from the lab, can your doc's office fax/mail it to you? Is it a time thing for them? Can you find a clinic that has a pro-time or coagucheck? That gives you the reading right on the spot.

You keep on trying to get it! It is absolutely reasonable that you should have your INR result.

Good luck, and let us know.

(as you can see, I feel very strongly about this!)

 

[McCln]

Congrats to you Robbyn. Be happy for that reading. Last one I had went back to 1.8. So my nurse had me wait three weeks for next test. I go this Thursday and will pray really hard for a normal reading. I have to starve that morning any way for another blood test, for diabetes checkup, so I will do the INR first. Take care and congrats on your reading.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[Granbonny]

Getting where I am embarrased

Getting where I am embarrased

To post in this thread. I have always been in range since I was like 2 months post-op. now going into my 3rd year. My range is 2.5-3.5...for me. Mech valve.I have NEVER been below 2.3 or higher than 3.5. If I ever tested higher, I think I would faint to see the results. I drink, eat and be MERRY all the time. Veggies everynight..a beer most everynight (Ask my Vr. Chat buddies..lol)Travel, stress from raising an eleven year old Grandson and still in range. Test every 3 weeks and more when I come home from a trip. Al, should I donate my body for coumadin research when I die. Age 64 in June. ..They can say, Most perfect coumadin user All my doctors say, WOW. Bonnie

 

[Robbyn]

I was 2.9 - 3x and then last time I was 2.6. Mind you that is only over a two week period. But that is good isn't it? Crossing fingers!! They do want it 3.0 - 3.5 but that hasn't happened yet. Such a small margin. Is everyone around those numbers?

Anyway, I have come to the conclusion that I am not going to worry about this as much, it was very scary at first but with the help of everybody I think I can relax a little more. So thank you everyone.

My doctor wasn't calling anymore with the INR. So I called MDS and that is one of the few test they will release, so that also works out really well too.

I still can't believe how good I feel. Three months ago I was 48 going on 88 and now I feel fantastic. I am getting that skip back in my step, and surgery was only two months ago. I am sure it will only get better.

Robbyn

 

[Granbonny]

Robbyn

Robbyn

I will be age 64 in June..Going on 39. Just 2 years post-op.
Surgery took a year out of me. Never again . I have a mech valve. Lost a year feeling like I was before surgery. Bonnie

 

[Glenda]

Bonnie I sure hope it doesn't take me another year to start feeling better. Last June right around my birthday was when I found out I had leukemia. This last year has been a bummer going through all the side effects of the miracle drug "Gleevec" for the leukemia. Then on top of everything this heart problem getting worse. It has to get better ! In fact the last four years have not been good, but hey I'm still here for some reason. I only pray that God can use me through all this. I sometimes feel like I'm a walking miracle. Like I've said before He's not through with me yet. And on top of that there are people a lot worse off that I am.

Have fun on your trip! It sounds like a lot of fun. We had a motor home years ago and I enjoyed traveling in it so much. We traded it in for a logs to build a cabin at the lake and I throughly like it, but I do miss the motor home.