Does coumadin have an impact on your job?

[rhino19]

I have a thread under "significant others" that has developed a new question for me I hope you can help. Has anyone had any positive experiences or negative experiences with you job when you went on coumadin. Our situation is a public servant and we are worried, so that really is swaying the decision of the type of valve to choose. If you have any comments I would love to hear. This sight has been so informative I cant thank everyone enough

 

[Karlynn]

Some police departments and fire departments have policies about warfarin users and active duty. So if you position is one of those - it's best to check it out with the department. The FAA can also be a bit stinky about it with pilots, but I've read that can be handled.

The truth is, unless you have a job that regularly puts you in danger for head injury (pro football player) there really isn't any reason any employer should get hyper about someone on Coumadin. Many jobs that have issues are basing them on myth (something we continually battle here.) You should wear the proper safety equipment, if the job uses them, and work away!

 

[Ross]

"A police officer was barred from duty standing along a parade route in New York because he was taking warfarin. This was after September 11, 2001 when so many of New York's finest lost their lives in the World Trade Center."

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

You really have to read Mr. Lodwicks site. He went to court to testify on behalf of an officer.

Giordano v. Medical Board, New York City Police Pension Fund - expert witness

Pilots can fly again, but they are subject to lots and lots of medical testing, more so then the standard heart patient, in order to be issued a medical certificate.

 

[Sherry]

Hello, Rhino, welcome to the site. Where abouts are you in Indiana? I'm in the Evansville area myself.

Gosh, I've been on coumadin for over 11 years. You pose a good question that I've never given much thought to, considering I'm in education and not in physical danger at all. I agree with Karlynn to broach it with your supervisor. You may want to print off some of the pages from Al's site for their reading. As long as you take the proper precautions, you should be fine. Let us know how this turns out.

 

[Guest]

Rhino

send me an e-mail if you want

[email protected]

 

[Natanni]

Some police departments and fire departments have policies about warfarin users and active duty. So if you position is one of those - it's best to check it out with the department. The FAA can also be a bit stinky about it with pilots, but I've read that can be handled.

The truth is, unless you have a job that regularly puts you in danger for head injury (pro football player) there really isn't any reason any employer should get hyper about someone on Coumadin. Many jobs that have issues are basing them on myth (something we continually battle here.) You should wear the proper safety equipment, if the job uses them, and work away!

Nathan passed the FAA Pilot physical (good for commercial) on coumadin. He has to be 80% in his target INR range (now 2.0 -3.0) over the year.

 

[Ross]

Nathan passed the FAA Pilot physical (good for commercial) on coumadin. He has to be 80% in his target INR range (now 2.0 -3.0) over the year.

I hope he's self dosing or has a darn GOOD manager. If not, there is no way he's going to maintain 80% for a year. That's hard enough for us self dosers.

 

[Ross]

My Counties response

My Counties response

I wrote to my County Sheriffs office for their response and this is what they had to say.

Mr. Young:
This is in response to your request concerning our policy related to officers who have heart surgery and receive mechanical heart valves and are on Coumidin. We don't have a specific policy related to this medical condition, and I can't recall the issue arising since I have been here.

Vivianne Whalen
Stark County Sheriff's Office

 

[Guest]

I suspect that Stark County is in the majority - no set policy

 

[Guest]

What is really odd about the 80% rule is that it has practically no meaning. Being in range about 60% of the times gives very close to the same outcomes.

It is just another irrational myth about warfarin.

 

[Natanni]

If I had a requirement like that, I would self-test at home and only go in for the "official" test when I knew I was in range. Ross is right, that's an extremely strict criterion.

Like Ross has mentioned, the key we learned his to have my husband self dose. It was becoming a bit of a nightmare when the coumadin clinic was trying to set up doses with only combinations of 5mg tablets because that was all the computer program offered oh yes, and because he may mix up pills Nathan called his doc, told him what dose he wanted to do for a weekly dose, did it and now, with his usual home monitoring and self dosing, has been in range again consistantly. He had some loss too-father and little brother in 3 months time, not sure if stress could factor in or not.

 

[gf1962]

Do not let the job determine what valve is choosen. Discuss with ur doctor. Depending upon age and other factors. Remember tissue valves have a certain time that they will work. Mechanical valves such as St Judes last a lifetime. You must also answer the question do you want to have to go through a second OHS. I did not. I choose a mechanical valve in 2002. I have been an active duty police officer for a total of 24 yrs. six years on various thinners. I have also been in some physical altercations and one or two car accidents since and have suffered no ill effects or unusal bleeding.

My docs are aware of my job and assist me in making sure that everything goes smooth.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your perspective as a police officer.

There are two things that need clarification though. St. Jude valves do not last a lifetime. That was the thought up until about 5 years ago when it was found that people were living longer than expected with their valves. It is unusual, but certainly not rare to have a St. Jude valve fail after twenty years. Also, the technology of tissue valves has improved greatly. Some of my friends who are not involved with the valve companies but are in positions to know say that the tissue valves have improved so much in the past few years that they have mechanical valve makers worried. So the choice about needing a re-do of the valve surgery is no longer as valid as it once was. The yonger a person is when they have valve replacement, the more likely the need for a re-do with either type.

 

[Ross]

None the less, this is a surgery you only want to do one time if it can be helped. The wild idea of easy multiple reops is a huge gamble with life.

 

[Ross]

St. Jude valves do not last a lifetime. That was the thought up until about 5 years ago when it was found that people were living longer than expected with their valves. It is unusual, but certainly not rare to have a St. Jude valve fail after twenty years.

They better last a lifetime or I'm a dead man in 15 more years. Actually, I'll be happy if I make it 5 more years.

 

[geebee]

Rhino - I am sorry your thread got highjacked.

BTW - the only impact coumadin has had at my job is odd looks and joking comments when bruises show up since they can sometimes be a bit severe when one is a bit of a clutz.

 

[Jkm7]

I should stay out of this debate but clearly I'm too dumb to listen to my own advice.

Having just had my second OHS, and having four months ago had a tissue valve placed, I get tell you of my own experience. No one should have to do this once but TWICE!!!!! I had as easy a time of it as probably most anyone on my second go round. I came out of the OR feeling stronger and general less 'mowed down' on my second OHS than my first.

That being said, I cannot imagine ever being able to dig deep enough to heaven forbid have to do it again. All my doctors agreed a bovine valve was a reasonable choice for me but certainly no promises. I could have opted for the mechanical for better chance of no more re-ops but that wasn't my choice and I am happy I chose bovine. For all my personal reasons, that is the valve I want seeing as repair didn't work and my native valve had to be replaced.

Until you have been there and done it you cannot know how it will be for you.
For those of us who have been there and done we are trying to tell you to give very hard, very serious and reasonable consideration to all the posts made here for the benefit of all readers.

Wishing you all the best and understanding this is a very difficult period in your life. Please know everyone here is simply giving you food for thought from having walked the walk.

Blessings you have the wisdom and calm to make the best choice for you. Only you can make that final decision but I doubt you will find a more caring, more informed, more experienced group anywhere who are so willing to share all that with you and all others who come here with oh so hard choices to make.

 

[duncanjo]

Do not let the job determine what valve is choosen. Discuss with ur doctor. Depending upon age and other factors. Remember tissue valves have a certain time that they will work. Mechanical valves such as St Judes last a lifetime. You must also answer the question do you want to have to go through a second OHS. I did not. I choose a mechanical valve in 2002. I have been an active duty police officer for a total of 24 yrs. six years on various thinners. I have also been in some physical altercations and one or two car accidents since and have suffered no ill effects or unusal bleeding.

My docs are aware of my job and assist me in making sure that everything goes smooth.

Good luck.

I have a mech valve and about to return to full active duty next month. No issues or problems with my department, providing i was at the physical level i was at before. Police officer for 11 yrs..

Mech replace-04april08

 

[gf1962]

I wish you all the best. I have to make it four more years to 30. Then it will be time to move on. But I am glad that when i finally do pull the pin it will by on MY terms not the fact that I am on anti coag therapy.

Good luck upon your return to duty, and above all your first priority is to return home to your family at the conclusion of your shift. Do what you have to to accomplish that goal.

 

[Ross]

Moving the tussle out of this thread. Posts are in thread titled "The Tussle" in Heart Talk Forum.

Sorry Rhino19. this should never have taken place.