coumadin questions- help needed

[ljames103]

My mother is 53 years old and just had her mitral valve replaced on Feb. 15 (artificial valve). They started her on Coumadin (I believe 5mg a day). Her surgery went well with the exception of some breathing difficulty, and she was released two weeks after surgery. She spent about 4 days at home and recovery was going well, and then everything fell apart.

Saturday night she went to the ER with abdominal pain. They quickly admitted her to ICU because it turns out she was having severe internal bleeding. They stopped the Coumadin and gave her a bunch of blood transfusions with extra platelets. Her entire abdomen is full of blood. Her catheter is full of blood. She's basically unresponsive because of all the Morphine she's on for the pain. She cannot move her legs bacuse of all the pressure on the nerves. The doctors are saying it could take weeks or months for the blood to reabsorb and for her to regain the use of her legs.
I've never seen her look so terrible.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening with Coumadin? I really don't know much about any of this, so forgive my ignorance. Is 5mg a high dose? Or does it vary from person to person? Is she at risk for this happening again? My understanding is that she needs the Coumadin because of the artificial valve. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance.

Laura

 

[geebee]

Laura,

I am sorry to hear about your mom. I will pray that she gets better.

5mg/day is not a large dose; it is pretty average. Many people here take more. However, the amount of coumadin is really not the issue; it is how your mom metabolizes the drug. 5mg may be way too much for her.

Do you know what her INR was when she was admitted? I am wondering if there could be something else going on other than simply a bleed due to too much coumadin. It would be very helpful to have some more information although I am sure you are very worried about your mom.

And, yes, your mom needs some type of anticoagulation due to the mechanical valve.

I hope things improve.

 

[Ross]

Yes, knowing what her INR was on admission would be of significance. I highly doubt the Coumadin had much to do with what happened, but whatever happened, being on Coumadin didn't help the situation any. Unfortunately, she has no choice in the matter if she has a mechanical valve.

 

[Blanche]

Laura:
Welcome to the board. Sorry you had to find us because of your mother's problem with bleeding. We have a resident anticoagulation expert here, Al Lodwick, who once said something like Coumadin does not cause bleeding but if there is bleeding it increases it. As the spouse of someone who had a bleed while on anticoagulants I remember how hard it was dealling with the problem. While this is very hard now, the doctors have a way of dealing with these serious concerns. I hope all is sorted out quickly and that your mother will have a great recovery.

You have come to the right place here for information from those who have had similar experiences. Please ask any questions you like. And, please let us know how your mother is coming along. Take care of yourself too.

Blanche

 

[Georgia]

Laura, best thoughts and my prayers are with your mom. She's the same age I was when I had my valve replacement - I'm forever thankful that my recovery was uneventful. Please let us know how she's doing.

 

[catwoman]

Laura:

I was 1 month short of 53 when I had my mitral valve replacement surgery. I was started on 2 or 2.5mg of Coumadin daily. The dosage was gradually increased as my activity level increased. I now take 6.5 mg daily.

I doubt that being on Coumadin caused all of this. Like others have said, it only exacerbated the problem because it's going to take longer to clot or stop the bleeding.

Please keep us posted on your mom. I have her in my prapers for a quick recovery.

 

[Granbonny]

Laura

Laura

I have been on 5 mg of coumadin for 4 years. I am now, age 65.No problems...Did she ever have any problems before her surgery..Like, GERD. ulcers, ect.?...Hope she gets better everyday..let us know..Will be thinking of her. Bonnie

 

[rwsp768]

Here is my story long

Here is my story long

On October 19, 05 I had my AVR. Upon being released from the hospital, I was placed on 4mg coumadian not once did the doctor or is PA tell me what my level should be. I was going in once a week for INR test and still wasn't told what the reading was. Two and half weeks later I woke up and was like a fish out of water gasping for air, wife called and talked to the PA who said I must have the flu. Two days later was in for INR and upon getting home there was a message from the PA to stop the coumadian for two days then restart with a half dose. Upon restarting I got sick, wife again called and waited about six hours with no call back. She then called the Cardiac ward supervisior who told her to get me into the emergency room. Upon getting out of bed I collapsed and she had to call the medics to transport me. After some test at the hospital the emergency room doctor told us I had fluid around my heart. He called the doctor three times and got no call back. Was sent home then two days later the PA called I wanted me in for more test. They found that I was bleeding into the sack around my heart as I wasn't healed yet and that the coumadian dose was to high. Was checked into the hospital and two days later, they inserted a needle through my chest to draw the blood out, and in doing so, they poked a hole in my lung and collasped it. My Caridiac nurse told me that they thinned my blood to fast before I was fully healed. After getting out I beat feet to my family doctor who informed me that what they did was called bouncing and he taken over my coumadian and started me out at 2.5 mgs has now build me up to 5 mg where my INR stays between 2.0 and 2.5 where they want me.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Laura! I'm so sorry that you had to join us under such worrisome circumstances.

As others have said - knowing what her INR was on admittance for the bleeding will tell a lot about whether this was a strictly Coumadin issue, or if something else came into play. If you find out what the INR was - let us know.

One of our members here is a highly respected anticoagulation expert - Al Lodwick does a lot of speaking to the medical community on Coumadin (warfarin=generic) and is a huge help to all of us here that take Coumadin. Unfortunately, the medical community at large does not have the level of understanding that they need on this subject, so referring to Al's site can be helpful www.warfarinfo.com. This site will be extrememly helpful to you and your mother, so I encourage you to visit it, take a look around in it, and bookmark it.

In addition to Al's site - our site here has a lot of people on Coumadin and you will be able to learn from our experiences. Don't be afraid to ask any and all questions. Al posts here regularly, and is always willing to give his opinion. (And the rest of us aren't afraid to give our opinion as well. )

Let us know how things progress. Best wishes to your Mom and your family.

 

[Guest]

I agree that the INR is important to know. 5 mg is the average dose for a person under 65 years old, but it stioll could have been too much.

Hope she recovers fully and soon.