Al - I have a "just curious" question.

[geebee]

Good morning.
Al, there have been a few posts I have read about coumadin that mentions bleeding into the brain.
I am curious as to how someone actually knows this is happening. Are there certain symptoms or is it something discovered after someone passes out?
Also, is this something that happens when your INR is over a certain number or can it happen at, say, 3.2 as well as 5.6?
Thanks for your help, as always.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[Guest]

Send a message to Gisele. She has had three (I think) bleeds into the brain. Since she had her mechanical valve removed and no longer takes warfarin, I not sure that she monitors this forum any more. Ask her to put her experiences in here.

 

[Gisele]

Hi Gina

Hi Gina

I don't come here very often anymore since I am no longer on Coumadin, but I would be glad to answer your inquiry.

I thought I had a sinus infection when I had my first bleed. I had a horrible headache that just wouldn't go away. My INR had been high since I had been on vacation and discovered Rum Runners. I think my INR might have been about 6 or 7 when I returned from vacation. I was put on antibiotics since what I was describing seemed like a sinus infection. I was told if no improvement in three days from starting the antibiotic to go for a CT Scan. I worked for my cardiologist at the time and I remember thinking that I would go right back to work after my scan. I ended up getting admitted. What I felt was like a pressure in my head that just worsened. I was monitored for a few days then discharged.

A few years later a headache brought me to the ER. My INR was normal...maybe around 3.2 (my range was 2.5 to 3.5). I had been on Lovenox the week prior because my INR had dipped into the ones and I remember having bruises all over. At my weight my Lovenox dose should have been 60 mg twice daily, but due to a bleed in my hip a few years earlier I had been advised to take 30mg twice daily. My headache just wouldn't go away but I do suffer from a lot of migraines so I didn't get concerned the first few weeks. The CT scan of my brain showed a bigger bleed than the first time and the pain was intense. I had so much pressure I just thought my head would explode. I was Med Flighted to Boston and due to worsening of the bleed I had surgery the next day. Unfortunately all the Vit K to bring down my INR left me with an unprotected valve which led to a stroke.

Upon my discharge from Boston, I came home for a day then was admitted to a local hospital for heperin to protect my valve. Within 24 hrs I had started bleeding in my head again. The pain was so severe that nothing seemed to help. I was sent back to Boston where I spent another week.

A few months later my mechanical valve was removed and replaced with a Bovine mitral valve.

Sorry to be so lengthy but I guess I just wouldn't want anyone to have my symtoms and not do anything about it. I think my advice is that the pain that I had was so severe I can't imagine not seeking treatment at some point. If you have a headache that won't go away, or differs from you normally have, call your doctor. It won't hurt to get checked out.

I hope this answers your question.

Gisele

 

[geebee]

Thank you so much!

Thank you so much!

Gisele,
Thanks so very much for sharing your story. I am sure it was helpful to me and will be to others. It's not always easy to relive such medical issues and I appreciate your willingness to go back to those memories.
I hope you are doing well.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Gisele.

I heard one person say that if you can stand to open your eyes, it probably isn't a bleed into the brain.

 

[Missy]

This is information that all of us on coumadin need. Thank you so very much! That was a good question with a thorough, comprehensive answer.

 

[Gisele]

Not for me!

Not for me!

Al, my first bleed I should up for work every single day.............my second I was working mostly at home, but I believe my eyes were opened..........triage nurse told my sister (she works at the hospital) that there was no way when I walked in to ER that he thought I had a subdural.......I looked too good! He was stunned and said he will never make that mistake again with another patient. A few hours later I was being rushed to Boston. Go figure.

 

[Guest]

I posted my comment just to illustrate how different they can be.

 

[Gisele]

Al,

Al,

So true.........what one person feels might be completely different to another person. I always had so many headaches that it was normal for me to have pain....not that it made it any easier, but just less alarming to me.

If anyone has any doubts I think the message here is to be checked out.

 

[geebee]

My father passed away from a burst cerebral aneurysm in 1976 (he was 48). The doctors all indicated they thought the aneurysm was something he was born with but did not know if it was genetic.
Obviously it concerns me, being on coumadin, that I might be at an additional risk than other coumadin users.
I, too, have migraines so severe headaches are a "norm" for me. I had a really severe headache a few weeks ago that really concerned me but it went away after 48 hours so I haven't done anything.
Does anyone know if a CT scan shows bleeding "after the fact" or is it useful only during a bleed?
Thanks and smiles,
Gina

 

[Gisele]

Gina

Gina

Good luck with your headaches, I certainly know what that is like. As far as the CT scan, I believe it shows the active bleeding and it will remain there until all the blood is absorbed.

My first bleed I wasn't able to bend my head forward so unfortunately I used this as my guide thinking if I was bleeding again I wouldn't be able to do this. That didn't work. The second time I think I delayed getting checked out because I was able to bend my head forward without feeling like I was dying.

I have had so many CT scans for headaches over the years that the technicians all know who I am now........and I don't think that is a good thing! I am now on a new preventative med for my migraines and it is working pretty good, but it has only been a few weeks now.

Speak to your doctor about meds that are available that you can try.

 

[Guest]

Gina, I think that Gisele is right about the CT scan showing blood until it is resorbed. If Marty does not reply to this soon, send him a private message. He is a radiologist.