Can't win the "INR" game

[LUVMyBirman]

Recently upon starting an exercise program.....discovered that an extra 3mg a week would keep my INR in an optimal range. This took about three weeks of fine tuning. Two weeks ago my INR (with the increase was 3.6). Left it alone. Generally eat a low K diet...so additional K was not an issue. Unless the skin of a pear is high? Today I am 2.7. Not bad...but lower than I like for my Mitral. Grrrrrrrr.

Thanks for listening to me whine.

 

[Ross]

How about whining when it's 2.4 or 4.0? I've seriously just stoped worrying about it unless it's below or above these 2 figures. The one day I tested, I was at 3.9 then on call in day, the test was showing 2.8 on the same dose. I swing pretty good between this range.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I was having a few "spells" today. Dizzy. Which has been happening frequently. Which prompted me to test a few days early. Oh well...life goes on. Once had a doctor tell me that I will feel more than the average patient. Physcial sensitivity, etc. Guess he was not too far off base. My INR being a little low probably had nothing to do with the way I am feeling. Especially since everything else has recently checked out ok.

 

[Perrster]

Ah yes, the "It's Never Right" game!

Ah yes, the "It's Never Right" game!

Hi Gina,

Isn't it crazy how it seems like the best thing for us (exercise) is a double-crossing "enemy" of sorts because too much of it makes our INR's drop?!

How much are you exercising weekly, daily now? Did you notice Mark Wagner's comment about his INR not being right for 3 months!

Well, I think the answer may just be "more Merlot!" We might as well lap it up, i.e., more exercise=more Merlot! That's my plan. Here's how it goes:

I've tested at 2.2 for the last 4 weeks with today's Protime coming in at 2.5. Testing and adjustments have been done every two weeks and this also includes the period since my bloody nose experience and coming off antibiotics.

I have conducted my own experiment over the last two week period. I've had a glass of Merlot every night for dinner. Didn't change food (lo-carb diet) or my exercise routine either. I'm working hard to tone-up and increase my stamina for golf season. So I figure if my INR is going to drop because I exercise, then a little nip of Merlot should help bring it up. And now, I believe it did! Today's results were fine and I'm off the test hook for a month. We shall see how Marilyn holds up for this amount of time. Well, my brand is actually not Marilyn Merlot (she wasn't that good especially for the price!).

So, I guess (more) Merlot is my word for the day!

Cheers!

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Great Minds!

Great Minds!

Funny you mention the Merlot Perry Didn't have any the last week and a half. Tracy was out of town and it's no fun indulging alone.

Looks like you just found our key! And... that could be the difference between my last INR and todays! Thanks for pointing that out.

Happy to hear you are on target. Gotta work on that "double edge" sword thing Exercise and red wine are both good for the heart. Sounds like it may be an expensive daily habit You only go around once. Live it up I say!

See you soon.

PS. Just x3 week on the exercise.Have noticed when I am under an unsual amount of stress ( which I have been the last week) my INR will be lower. Keyword: MERLOT

 

[ccrawford]

Gina - I'm just guessin, but your dizziness may be dehydration. Next time it occurs, drink a big glass of water or juice and see if it goes away in about three minutes. Chris

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Boy, I am getting all sorts of good advice here today Chris...I usually drink Ice Mountain by the bottle. Cases we buy at Sam's Club. Ran out and have not been consuming as much. Thanks for another great tip. Isn't it funny when your having issues :your brain seems to go into idle mode" That's the magic of VR.com...we have each other to put us back in line.

 

[Karlynn]

I get a bit dizzy at times when my allergies kick in and my sinuses get annoyed. It's an inner ear thing. Maybe your dizziness was a little cold rearing it's ugly head, or something like that.

Glad Perry gave you the Merlot Trigger - now hit that wine bottle Gina!

 

[ticktock]

dizzy?

dizzy?

Gina and all
Interesting you mentioned little dizzy spells, I recently figured that one out for myself. After about a year of those, I discovered that I WAS in fact dehydrated (as Chris mentioned)... from taking Lasix and K every day. Have been on it since 1999. I told my Cardio that I realized that after taking the Lasix, I wasn't using the bathroom every 10 minutes for the first hour or two.. a change from previous habits. Take Lasix = visit bath ALOT! Obviously I didn't NEED the Lasix, or I would have dumped water. Didn't. Have quite the Lasix AND the K completely!!!! Yippeee!! Two less pills per day! Now, on an as needed basis, and haven't had ANY in three months!! NO MORE DIZZY! Sometimes it's the simple stuff we overlook...........
mindy

 

[tommy]

Gina,

These are tips from my reading and experimenting as I build up my running program. They seem to workfor me. Hope they help you.

1. Weigh yourself before and after exercise. You should not lose more than 1% body weight during exercise. If you do, you need to drink more. Since 16 oz (1/2 liter) of water weighs a pound, you can get a good idea how much more you need to be drinking. If you wait until you are thirsty, you have waited way too long.

2. If your exercise session lasts a long time (60-90 minutes), add a sports drink (gatorade/powerade) to replenish electrolytes.

3. Stay away from caffeine. It dehydrates you.

4. Stay hydrated everyday. Some recommend drinking 1/2 0z of water per pound of body weight (plus more during exercise). As a practical matter, I lay off in the evening to avoid frequent "trips" in the middle of the night.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Karlynn,

Interesting you mention the inner ear thing. This has crossed my mind (not to sound gross). my wax does not tend to salidify. Watery for some reason. My doctor did mention flushing the ear last time I was there. Was just afraid it was going to cause more harm than good??


Hi Tom,

Thank you for the information. Gatorade may do the trick. I love my cup of coffee in the AM. At times 2. Have been trying to drink water along with it. Seems to be working a bit better.

 

[Ross]

Stay away from caffeine. It dehydrates you.

You ain't taken my coffee or my firearm away from me, so go visit Raverlaw and steal his patio.

 

[Raverlaw]

You can't have my patio, but you 're welcome to join me for coffee (caffeinated, of course ) in the a.m. or red wine in the p.m.

I've been walking for 30 mins x 2 daily; maybe this is why my INR has settled down yet. Just got poked this morning, so we'll see what's up (or down )

 

[Guest]

I was about to test a guy once when he got up and said, "I'll be back in a few minutes, my Lasix demands to be worshiped."

I remember in 1965 when Lasix first came out and the salesman said to my boss, "Bill you had better buy two bottles of 500 tablets of this stuff. It is going to be a big seller."