Drinking while on Coumadin...

[woodworker5280]

I know this is probably a subject covered in various posts around the forum, but I'm lazy and just felt like starting a new one.

Before my AVR I was a bit of a drinker. Not so much an alcoholic, drinking til I passed out every day, but definitely at least one or two a day (much more on weekends). I had 5 bouts of A-fib starting in 2001 through to 2004 when I quit drinking hard liquor and stuck to beer. I told myself that if just drinking beer didnt lead to another episode of A-fib, I was cool. Anyway, now that I've got my mechanical valve and am on Coumadin, I've been to nervous to drink again. It's been 8 weeks since my last drink (night before my surgery) and I DO feel a little healthier. But I'd be lying if I said I dont miss going out for drinks with friends, or drinking at shows (I go see a lot of live music and drinking is very par for the course). I just saw 2 nights of my favorite band and it was extremely difficult to stay sober (although I did). I'm wondering what those of you out there that do drink would tell me about it. I'm on 5mg of Coumadin once a day and 7.5mg on Mondays and Fridays, and my INR range is 2.5-3.5. Would 2-3 drinks on a Friday night every once in a while be a bad idea?

I'm sure I'll get a lot of different opinions on this, and I plan to ask my INR nurse about it next time, but I figured I'd throw it out there and hopefully get some first-hand knowledge about it.

 

[Woodbutcher]

Hi Woodworker...
I'm pretty new to this stuff and a drinker of real ale and wine... Everyone I've spoken to seems to think in moderation it's not a problem... Moderation. 1 or 2 glasses of an evening ? Trouble for me is that if I'm out for the night or playing poker with friends etc traditionally we'd drink loads, part and parcel really ! So I'm not looking forward to those situations and only having one or two drinks !?
Strangely it would seem that in order to keep the inr constant our eating drinking habits need to be quite constant too which surely means that if you have 1 or 2 drinks you should do the same 7 days a week !?
Please dont take any of this as advise !
Good luck...Cheers!

 

[Woodbutcher]

Ps. Does the fella with the beard have to carry you everywhere !?

 

[Ross]

If your prone to stomach ulcers, stay away from alcohol. If not, in moderation is fine. No binging or sudden case drinking.

 

[woodworker5280]

lol woodbutcher. yea that guy's a piece of work, but i just puff out my quills if he really makes me mad

nah that's my hedgehog, Delilah. she's a sweetheart, but a little anti-social.

 

[njean]

Everything in moderation my friend!

I just spoke to a close friend of mine this morning, who had AVR approximately 2 years ago & for New Year's he decided he was going to have a few drinks. Well, he started drinking rum & coke until he finished the rum! When he checked his INR on Monday, it was at 6.4! I wonder why????? I'm sorry, but this is plain stupidity!

So, a drink of wine now & then or a beer or two shouldn't affect your INR by much; just don't overdo it!

 

[Woodbutcher]

What about a Rum, green salad and cranberry juice cocktail ?? Surely one could devise an inr neutral tipple ?! I think I could be onto something here ?

 

[Blanche]

My dear one once had an INR of 9.00+

My dear one once had an INR of 9.00+

Well, Woodbutcher, I think your suggestion really does "throw the cat among the pidgeons." Moderation is the key. If you had one rum, one side salad, and some cranberry juice, I suspect that you would be alright with your INR. It may increase a bit, but nothing untoward.

Moderation is the key. The lack of it is also one of the deadly sins. Pig out on anything with big amounts of vitamin K will cause your INR to decrease.

Actually, I have had more difficulty with antibiotics than with any food or drink.

Be safe. It's better than being sorry.

Regards,
Blanche

 

[Bina]

Blanche, I think you meant to say that: pig out on anything with big amts of Vit K will cause your INR to DECREASE.
Alcohol usually causes an increase.

 

[Bina]

lol woodbutcher. yea that guy's a piece of work, but i just puff out my quills if he really makes me mad

nah that's my hedgehog, Delilah. she's a sweetheart, but a little anti-social.

My fave hog names: Quilly, Spike, and Hedgie.....I used to have 3 of them. Cute Cute.

 

[Blanche]

In search of a good editor

In search of a good editor

Bina:

You are right. Alcohol for most folks causes INR to increase. I shall correct my post. Thanks, I appreciate your attention.

As ever
Blanche

 

[skeptic49]

pig out on anything with big amts of Vit K will cause your INR to DECREASE.
Alcohol usually causes an increase.

AHA! So the answers is to have a salad with your Martini!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Woodbutcher]

Exactly Jim ! You're getting the idea ! We need to get some university to develope INR neutral cockails and drink/food combos ! There could be a whole chain of VR Bars ??

 

[kbheart]

Where are those talented new researchers that could design a mechanical valve that doesn't require coumadin??? I want my red wine back without the stomach problems!
Cheers!

 

[Ross]

Where are those talented new researchers that could design a mechanical valve that doesn't require coumadin??? I want my red wine back without the stomach problems!
Cheers!

Well since you cannot have the No Coumadin deal, how about we fix your stomach up first, then you can do as you like? How long you been on the purple pill and Sulcrafate?

 

[Ross]

Exactly Jim ! You're getting the idea ! We need to get some university to develope INR neutral cockails and drink/food combos ! There could be a whole chain of VR Bars ??

While in theory it sounds good, don't try to adjust things to control INR. It just doesnt work.

 

[kbheart]

Well since you cannot have the No Coumadin deal, how about we fix your stomach up first, then you can do as you like? How long you been on the purple pill and Sulcrafate?

Since late October. I've been working more on reducing my stress levels. Do probiotics affect INR levels? Thanks for you help, Ross!

 

[Ross]

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

 

[kbheart]

Guess I'll skip trying probiotics and stick with the stress management.

 

[Ross]

Guess I'll skip trying probiotics and stick with the stress management.

Well for you, I think I'd probably still use them, but adjust for it. Priority has to be on the tummy until it's healed.