another newbie to Coumadin

[Dale]

Another INR question - I have read through the posts in this forum and I think I know the answer, but I am hoping some of the experienced people can help me. Below is a list of my INR and Coumadin dose since I had my AVR surgery on Jan 14th.

Jan 15 1.18 5 mg Jan 16 1.12 3 mg
Jan 17 1.40 5 mg Jan 18 1.57 6 mg
Jan 19 1.90 5 mg -out of hospital
Jan 20 ? no test 5 mg Jan 21 2.70 5 mg
When I saw my family doctor on Friday Jan 23rd she told me my range should be between 2.5-3.5 and to continue with the 5mg dose until she sees my INR results from a test I will have this Tuesday the 27th. She will get the results on Wed. Jan 28th and will adjust my dose then if necessary. So I have continued with the 5 mg dose.

When I got home I checked the info from the hospital, which stated my INR level should be between 2-3. ( I had forgotten to take the booklet with me ? I?m still a little spaced out these days). I am thinking that the 5 mg dose is rather high and it might raise my level past 3.5.

However, from the postings I have read I think that I should listen to the doctor and carry on with the 5 mg and maybe have my INR go past my upper limit rather than fool around with the dosage at this point when I have only just started Coumadin. I am not playing hockey or skydiving yet so I don?t think it is a big issue. Can someone help?

 

[Freddie]

Well Dale, I'm no expert, but what I can tell you and say is; that being on 5mg is not a big deal, I take 6mg everyday and some members take more so don't let that bother you. It took me almost 6 months to find my "happy" dose.

But I do have to say that you should be getting your INR results the same day and keep in mind that if and when your dosage is adjusted it takes 3 to 4 days to have effect on your INR readings.

If you have an mechanical valve your range should be 2.5 - 3.5.

Relax, I think your doing just fine, but I would check into on getting the results the same day.

Cheers

 

[Bina]

Dale, you have been steadily increasing your INR on the 5 mg dose so definitely don't take more than 5 mg for now.
Since you don't really have a baseline yet, it's hard to say, but it would be wise to test often.
Can you test on Monday?
The usual range for AVR is 2.0--3.0 and MVR is 2.5--3.5
It doesn't really matter for now..... if you aim for 3.0 that covers both ranges.

 

[Ross]

Hi Dale. I would agree with your Doctor at this point, right up until you said they'd call the next day with the results. That's not going to do you any good. You need the result and dose change the same day.

With that being said, it takes Coumadin 3 days to show up in a blood test. So the best thing to do is leave you on 5mg for a full week, then test and see what it is. If it's higher then 4.0, then reduce the dose by 10% over the week and retest in one week. That every day testing crap is a money making ploy.

 

[Bina]

Ross, directly post op, In hospital they test every day.....we don't pay for it.
Once at home, it's usually weekly, and we don't pay for that either.

 

[Freddie]

Ross, directly post op, In hospital they test every day.....we don't pay for it.
Once at home, it's usually weekly, and we don't pay for that either.

Ross, Dale is a Canadian and us Canadians don't have to pay

 

[Dale]

Thanks Freddie, Ross and Bina. I'll talk to my doctor about whether it's possible to get the results the same day.

Ross -- that avatar is creepy and funny as hell!

 

[Ross]

Thanks Freddie, Ross and Bina. I'll talk to my doctor about whether it's possible to get the results the same day.

Ross -- that avatar is creepy and funny as hell!

Reminds me of the respiratory tech I had.