Coumadin and Pap smear??

[catwoman]

A co-worker mentioned that his wife has been told to go off warfarin 2 days before having a Pap smear. Wife is not a valve patient -- is on warfarin because of hip joint replacement due to fall at work. She is also an insulin-dependent diabetic.

I haven't had to have a Pap smear since going on Coumadin. Is this a normal thing, to go off Coumadin just for a Pap smear?

I told my co-worker that I consider it more of a risk to go off Coumadin just for a Pap smear than to stay on it. Had my teeth cleaned not long ago and didn't have to go off Coumadin, just took my meds.

Would appreciate any info about Coumadin/warfarin & Pap smears for non-valve patients. Thanks!

 

[Karlynn]

I can see Al and Ross turning blue right now. I almost laughed. But then felt really bad about that poor woman who's doctor obviously has no idea about Coumadin.

I've been on Coumadin for 12 years and have had annual PAPs. Going off Coumadin has never even been discussed. I've never had more than a slight slight trace of bleeding - which I think you can have from a PAP when not on Coumadin. This one goes into the books along with going off Coumadin to have your teeth cleaned.

My guess would be that if someone had a significant amount of bleeding from a PAP while on Coumadin, then there is also something wrong with the cervix.

Karlynn

 

[catwoman]

Karlynn:

My co-worker found Al's website (www.warfarinfo.com) before I could hand him a sticky note with the addy on it.

Al may post a response here when he recovers from his Swiss trip.

 

[Ross]

Another Doctor that is going to risk a stroke for no other reason then being afraid of a little bleeding. I'd be asking another Doctor, preferably one that knows how Coumadin works.

http://www.warfarinfo.com/procedures.htm

 

[Missy]

I just had a pap smear a couple of weeks ago and did not go off the coumadin. I have one every year and it has never been suggested to me. I did have just a trace of bleeding this last time. Not enough to hardly notice. I wouldn't risk going off unless there is more to what is going on than a routine pap smear.
Missy

 

[Gail in Ca]

I have had my annual pap as well as an endometrial biopsy without going off coumadin.
Your doc needs to get a clue.
Gail

 

[Nan]

I have also had annual pap smears since 1999 when I had my AVR and went on Coumadin. Absolutely no problem!!!

For heaven's sake....one should not stop taking coumadin for a pap smear!!!

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

I think that one will make the Hall of Shame

 

[bassboy]

Coumadin and Pap Smear Update

Coumadin and Pap Smear Update

I am the co worker Catwoman told you about.

We fired the doctor!

Thanks for the input!

Charles

 

[Ross]

I just gotta know, When will this insanity stop?

 

[bassboy]

Insanity

Insanity

It's amazing!

Especially with the history of stroke in my wife's family plus her hip surgery.

Thanks again for the support!

Charles

 

[bassboy]

Update on wife

Update on wife

My wife visited the doctor Friday for a second opinion on the Warfarin. He agrees she should stop taking it.

He told us it is common to take it after bone surgery while the limb is immobile, but she doesn't need it after being ambulatory more than 1 1/2 years.

But then he gave us a shocker!

He asked if she'd ever had heart murmur mentioned. Of course she said "no."

"Well you have one," he said.

We have an appointment with a cardiologist on January 6 for an echo, so I'll know what kind of murmur, etc.

Charles

 

[Ross]

I feel stupid. I missed the very first part about her not being a valve patient, but rather was taking it for the hip replacement. Now I understand why they're saying she should stop. I was thinking why are they telling someone with a valve to stop for a pap smear? My Bad.

Let us know about the murmur, she may have to take the Coumadin anyway. Sorry to hear about that, but it's good that it's caught early and not later.

 

[Karlynn]

A year and a half on Coumadin for a hip replacement seems long. But I only having my mother-in-law for comparison.

It's my understanding that clotting is an issue for some period of time after replacement. I don't know how long. I still thinks it's really bad advice to tell a woman who is taking Coumadin to prevent clotting to be told to stop for a simple PAP. I can understand the issue when it comes to tooth extractions. But PAPs? To over exaggerate - should we stop Coumadin to do the finger stick to test our INR?

Anxious to see what the cardiologists have to say about the murmer!

Karlynn

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I had an internal ultrasound last year while on the Coumadin. Which is far more invasive than a pap. My doctor did not even mention stopping....nor would I have considered it!

Hate to get graphic....here it goes. Sexual intercourse could be far more forceful than a pap smear. Do we worry about going off Coumadin then Think about it realistically.

 

[Guest]

I could go out of business if people stopped warfarin for those last two reasons.

 

[Ross]

The bottom line is, if you must take Coumadin, there is NO REASON to be taken off of it for Pap smears, dental cleanings, simple extractions, or a whole host of other items that these physicians tell you that it's alright to do so. They are not the ones that suffer the consequential stroke. It doesn't bother them in the least if you lie as a vegetable for the rest of your days because you did what they said for no other reason then being afraid of a little more bleeding.

 

[bvdr]

I think someone would almost have to jerk the pill out of my hand to keep me from taking my coumadin...............unless my INR was way up there or something major was about to occur.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Ross,

Have to agree with all of your points.....though, it has been completed for a few members.

Finding a dental professional that will preform an extraction on Coumadin may be difficult. Have a sinking feeling mine may be one of them. Have not had to go there with him.

Few years ago. 'down south' when I had my wisdom teeth extracted......used Lovenox with no issues. Would go that route if all else fails. Like Betty stated, you would have to rip the pills out of my hand before I would hold for a proceedure without further protection, i.e Lovenox, Heparin, etc. Have been hospitalized for and INR of 1.7 until it came back up. That tells me something right there. It's NOT safe to be that low.

Has enyone ever had a major catastrophic bleed from an extraction? Just curious.........

 

[bassboy]

Wife's hip surgery

Wife's hip surgery

When the doctor explained the reason for Warfarin in post op bone surgery, I felt like a year-and-a-half was a bit odd!

That is one of the reasons we left the doctor we were "forced" to use when our insurance changed a few years ago.

Patsy only had one blood test for Warfarin levels during the 18 month period!

Now she is facing the heart murmur thing. We're praying for some good news!

Charles