Abdominal Pain and Lower Back Pain (each side)

[ALCapshaw2]

OK fellow Coumadin patients, here is your chance to 'guess the diagnosis' for intermittent abdominal pain (actually moderate 'discomfort' along with a similar level of back pain on each side (near the kidneys?).

I've been on an antibiotic (Levaquin) for an infected cyst and have taken 8 of the 10 tablets. Cramping and diarhea are known side effects but this seems to go beyond that. These symptoms did not show up until after the 8th tablet and I discontinued taking the drug on day 9. Symptoms went away Saturday afternoon but returned in the evening / early A.M.

Could it be related to the antibiotic? Or to Coumadin? Or an interaction? INR was 4.0 on day 3 or 4. I was instructed by the Coumadin Clinic Nurse to lower my dose (about half) for one night and then to follow a modified protocol (0.5 mg less on 2 days of the following week).

My Protime Couvette is warming up. Just about time to test now.

Is it time to head for the ER to see what is going on?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Yaps]

Al, I would go to the ER,it could be anything. I know all my drs say as long as I take coumadin(duh..like forever).I must pay attention to any unusual pain.
Please go to the ER, even if its something minor, its best to know.
I am wishing your pain away..love Yaps

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Al, I would go to the ER,it could be anything. I know all my drs say as long as I take coumadin(duh..like forever).I must pay attention to any unusual pain. Please go to the ER, even if its something minor, its best to know. I am wishing your pain away..love Yaps

Thanks Yaps. I think you are right, time to check it out.

INR read 2.7 on my ProTime which is usually a little different than the Coaguchek machines at my Coumadin Clinic (I forgot which direction ).

One more observaton: The pain seems to subside when I am sitting or standing. I did light yardwork all afternoon and felt GREAT but after lying on the couch watching TV the 'discomfort' came back, and again about 2 A.M. after a few hours sleep. I have NO idea what that means!

I HATE going to the ER...it's nearly 20 miles away and whenever I come in I almost always get a FULL Cardiac Workup (including the 3 hour observation) because of my long history. Another day shot... unless of course they actually find something (and they sometimes do, lifesaving things...)

Guess I'll call the ER Nurse after my S.O wakes up. I KNOW from experience that the nurse will tell me to come in NOW and to have someone drive me. Happens every time. They'll tell me to wake her up and then tell HER all the bad things that could happen if she doesn't get dressed and drive me in! (It must be written as a script that they have memorized). Can you tell that HSV Hospital is a frequent travel destination?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Yaps]

Wishing you luck, and fast turn around(home)...

 

[Nancy]

Al, I agree, the ER is the place to go. Joe had flank pain near his kidney, 9 days ago, and it was something important.

Please let us know.