dr wants me at 2-2.2

[mamanordy]

i have been on coumadin for over 6 yrs. it took me about 6 months to get to the therapeutic range my then dr wanted me to be on, which was 2.0. my surgeon wants me to be 2.0-2.2. in the last few weeks i have been 2.3, then they fiddled with my dosage, then 1.5, fiddled, then 2.5, fiddled. i test at home, but i have a home nurse attending to my inr for a few more weeks. i hate it when they do things like take 10 tonight, 5 tomorrow, 10 next night, etc.

nurse just called. she has to come out to get the reading, dr is waiting. lets hope it is 2.2!! after today i am going to start doing it again myself.

is there anyone else having a problem getting to their goal after avr surgery?

 

[Freddie]

A range of 2.0 to 2.2 sounds like a unreasonable range. Isn't the norm 2.0 - 3.0?
Any reason for trying to keep it so low?

 

[Lynlw]

The problem is a range that small is impossible. as long as they keep fiddling, especially over a number like 2.3 instead of 2.2 you won't ever be stable,

 

[mamanordy]

hmmm, i dont know. will ask though, visiting nurse is on her way.

 

[Ross]

Your doctor is a silly silly little man who doesn't understand Coumadin or how to dose it.

It isn't almost impossible, it IS IMPOSSIBLE to have an INR window of 2 to 2.2. That's just insane and shows his lack of knowledge in the matter.

2.0 to 3.0 is hard enough. This chucklehead thinks INR is a constant number and that ain't how it works.

You will NEVER be stabile until you realize that you cannot maintain such a small window like that. Most all of us are happy with anything between 2.0 and 4.0.

You need to educate yourself since these people obviously don't know what their doing:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990201ap/635.html

 

[Bill B]

Fine as a goal, but it isn't a reasonable objective. I hope he accepts anything within several 10ths and can be happy.

 

[dick0236]

Your doctor is a silly silly little man who doesn't understand Coumadin or how to dose it.

It isn't almost impossible, it IS IMPOSSIBLE to have an INR window of 2 to 2.2. That's just insane and shows his lack of knowledge in the matter.

2.0 to 3.0 is hard enough. This chucklehead thinks INR is a constant number and that ain't how it works.

You will NEVER be stabile until you realize that you cannot maintain such a small window like that. Most all of us are happy with anything between 2.0 and 4.0.
]

I agree. I have found it impossible to stay in a range even close to what your doc is asking for. That is why knowledgeable coumadin managers give a full 1.0 window...2-3, 2.5-3.5.

 

[olefin]

I always like the way Ross says it for he makes it very plain.

Heck, I feel lucky if mines between 2.5 and 4.0.

Hey, I like your avatar!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The Variation in Readings taken Back to Back would likely be more than the tolerance your Doctor is recommending.

WHY such a narrow range? Is this for another procedure / surgery?
Or is that the range he wants you to maintain day-in and day-out.

If the latter, that is an IMPOSSIBLE Goal.

Find a New Doctor!

'AL'

 

[Cris N]

You'll never be able to achieve that. As stated earlier, you could take back to back readings and get a bigger deviation than .2

That kind of range is clear evidence that your manager doesn't have a clue.

 

[mamanordy]

I recently found out that my surgeon was trying to get my INR up slowly, my target range is 3.0. I have been at about 2.8 so getting there.

 

[Blanche]

This makes no sense to me...none at all. 3.0 is not a RANGE. Perhaps your doctor means that the 3.0 is your TARGET INR. In that case, your RANGE would be 2.5 to 3.5, which is the usual RANGE for for someone with a replaced mitral valve.

It appears to me that your doctor just doesn't know what he is doing and certainly is mismanaging your anticoagulation. Your INR is not a static "thing."
My husband once tested three times in one day and got three different values.

I am so sorry for your concerns. But, you really do need an experienced and knowledgeable person to monitor your anticoagulation.

Blanche

 

[Freddie]

Not a darn thing wrong with a 2.8.
Hope your doing the Happy Dance?

 

[Woodbutcher]

This drug has been in use for 50 odd years and still Doctors and nurses the world over seem to be so clueless with regards it's management and dosing !
2.0-2.2 !? That's bonkers ! You need a practical, safe and broard range of maybe 2.0-4.0. No skipping a dose and no doubling a dose and dont test too often either. I've had mine done today and will next test in mid January. A little less than most would agree with but it suits me and saves any panic over recording high or low blips and altering doses that will smoothe out again anyway. My last reading 6 weeks ago was 2.8 and today was 2.8 too.

 

[Ross]

I recently found out that my surgeon was trying to get my INR up slowly, my target range is 3.0. I have been at about 2.8 so getting there.

If your target is 3.0, then your range is 2.5 to 3.5 and YOU ARE ALREADY in range.

Stick around us, we will not lead you wrong or improperly.