Brass Tacks on Coumadin/Warfarin

[cbdheartman]

Can someone tell me the real limitations, issues, daily restrictions of using Coumadin/Warfarin? For those who have mechanical valves, what is it like to be on a blood thinner all the time? What sorts of restrictions do you have? Have you run into clotting issues? How do you notice it affecting your daily life?

What athletic pursuits must you avoid?

What dietary restrictions are you on?

Thanks!

cbdheartman (who must be annoying most of you by now!)

 

[Nancy]

go to this site:

http://warfarinfo.com/

It has all the important information that you will ever need, and is owned by a member here Al Lodwick, who is an expert in Warfarin/Coumadin, the durg, and its management.

 

[Bina]

Also, browse through our AntiCoagulation Forum section.
We have covered just about everything you are wondering about.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

None - Well I no longer practice sword swallowing or self mutilation, but other than that, I have no restrictions.

 

[netmiff]

no restrictions . . .

 

[halleyg]

No restrictions, diet or otherwise. I also have a knack for slicing my fingers on a regular basis when I'm cutting up veggies, and I'm still here!

 

[jimbo]

Not many restrictions. Since my surgery 4/07, I have skiied, backpacked, hiked Mt. Shasta, Kayaked Mono Lake, built a shed, etc..etc....... I've cut myself numerous times and the bleeding has always stopped. I also eat all the same foods I did before the surgery. I do all the same things, and many more. I bruise a little easier but that is the only difference. I keep my INR between 2.5-3.5 and I live everyday to the fullest.

 

[Cameron]

No restrictions, but I don't do any skiiing or contact sports anyway - I don't think of it much other than to remember to take my pills at night and do my home test regularly. I do bruise a bit easier but have cut and bumped myself with no issues. I eat and drink what I like - there is way more to think about in eating for my diabetes than for warfarin!
Cameron

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It's NO BIG DEAL living with / on AntiCoagulation (Coumadin / Warfarin) on a day to day basis.

You may also want to look at the Active Lifestyle Forum to see what kinds of activities members participate in after their surgeries.

I think that we can just refer New Members to your 21 Threads as a course in "All you may ever want to know about Valve / Aorta Surgery"

 

[cbdheartman]

It's NO BIG DEAL living with / on AntiCoagulation (Coumadin / Warfarin) on a day to day basis.

You may also want to look at the Active Lifestyle Forum to see what kinds of activities members participate in after their surgeries.

I think that we can just refer New Members to your 21 Threads as a course in "All you may ever want to know about Valve / Aorta Surgery"

LOL! I am sorry about all my questions!

 

[EVELYN]

DITTO EVERYONE ABOVE!!! Absolutely no restrictions, no dietary limits, except my husband only has one glass of wine a day instead of none during the week and two or three on weekends. Just go with the flow. Everyone here knows more than the Drs.......that's for sure.

Evelyn

 

[dick0236]

Cbdheartman...from your profile, you are an attorney, therefore, you know that there are few, if any, black or white answers to most of your questions. If you are half as diligent in your recovery as your are in investigating all possible outcomes, you will have NO problem dealing with OHS or its after effects. It is in your favor to learn as much as you can, but rembember that this is one elephant you have to eat "one bite at a time".

It is great that we have access to so much information via the Internet and other sources, but be wary of information overload.

If you go on Warfarin, it should have little effect on your diet, activities, sex life or anything else. However, warfarin MUST be taken as directed and tested routinely unless you want some serious problems...at least that is what happened to me. After I had my stroke, I got serious about taking the drug and have had NO PROBLEMS for the past 35 years. If you have learned to drive a car without running red lights, you can learn how to take Warfarin and still live a normal life.

 

[AgilityDog]

Gee, last night I accidentally stuck my thumb in my dog's mouth while she was chomping on a toy (We were playing fetch, and I wasn't looking where I put my hand). I got a nicely sliced cuticle. Too small a wound for stitching, it bled for 3 or 4 minutes while I applied pressure (after a thorough washing) and bled again this morning when I had to replace the band-aid and antibiotic after my shower. It's a nice cut. I don't think I'm gonna die from it, and the dog's had her rabies shots, so I don't think she'll catch it from me.

 

[catwoman]

cbdheartman:

I don't pay any attention to diet, other than I try to be consistent in what I eat, not just because of vitamin K, but mostly to regulate weight.

I eat lots of green stuff, but I don't really think green stuff affects your INR unless you avoid it and then all of a sudden overload on it -- spinach salads, beef with broccoli, etc., nonstop. Which usually doesn't happen.

I just eat what I want and test at home & adjust my dosage as needed. I never consult my PCP anymore about dosage.

I don't snow ski, it's been years since I water-skiied (we don't have a boat). I have a Trek bike. I have gone to the ER with the tip of my finger sliced; no big deal. I get bruised pretty good on the legs when I fly -- gotta stop banging my rolling suitcase against my legs when I lower it from the overhead bin!. I have a really pretty goose-egg bruise right now that I should have photographed!

But my life is the same as before my surgery.........

 

[catwoman]

Gee, last night I accidentally stuck my thumb in my dog's mouth while she was chomping on a toy (We were playing fetch, and I wasn't looking where I put my hand). I got a nicely sliced cuticle. Too small a wound for stitching, it bled for 3 or 4 minutes while I applied pressure (after a thorough washing) and bled again this morning when I had to replace the band-aid and antibiotic after my shower. It's a nice cut. I don't think I'm gonna die from it, and the dog's had her rabies shots, so I don't think she'll catch it from me.

Laurie:
You must remember that no two things -- such as fingers and an animal's teeth -- can occupy the same space at the same time. (I seem to remember that it's a law of physics.)
The animal is ALWAYS going to win..............

 

[Ross]

Laurie crocodile wrestling might not be a good thing for you.

 

[AgilityDog]

I promise to stay away from crocodiles. I'm a klutz, and so is this silly dog. We make a disastrous pair.

Did I tell you I sprained my foot last weekend while rescuing toads from the skimmer filter? Jet had nothing to do with that episode.

 

[Herb M]

The only restriction is ti remember taking your medication every day. Other restrictions are about the same as someone who is no on coumadin. For example, wear a helmet when riding a bike and any other activity where there is a risk of injury to your head.

 

[aussiemember]

Have been on Coumadin for only 11 weeks but haven't changed my lifestyle or diet at all. The only thing that has changed for me is that I am more cautious about taking other medicines such as Cold & Flu tablets etc. Otherwise it is not a problem

BTW: Home testing is brilliant - I find it gives me real peace of mind to be able to test when I want to.

 

[Alistair]

It is great that we have access to so much information via the Internet and other sources, but be wary of information overload.

Truer words have never been spoken. I did just that, was bombarded with information which made me apprehensive. I'm approaching my one year anniversary and the whole ordeal has been uneventful.

My INR was a roller-coaster at first but after six months both the dosage and my reading have stabilized.