flu vaccine raised my pt inr

[terry40]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've written, I'm always lurking, and reading, but don't always post.

I got my flu shot last wednesday and my level is 4.6 today, thru the lab. last year I got my level checked on the same day as my flu shot, but this year I wanted to see if the flu vaccine would change my levels.

I've never been this high, so I'm sipping V8 and having a beautiful salad! Doc wants me to stop for 2 days, NO WAY, it's not that high, I will cut it down 10% and recheck next week. Oh and spinach and broccolli are for dinner, YUM!

I take 75 mg a week since the beggining of spring, and I've been keeping my level at 3.0 which is good for me, I have greens everyday, but not 4 servings in one day so it should lower it a bit.

Just to let you know the flu vaccine raised my levels, so be careful fellow valvers.

Terry40

 

[catwoman]

Terry:

You're right: The flu vaccine CAN raise the INR. It's on the Coumadin info I keep in my purse.

 

[Karlynn]

Thanks for the heads up Terry! And good for you for going with your own knowledge on treating your high INR. (Thanks Al for keeping us all so informed and proactive!)

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Terry

Hi Terry

Coleslaw ( cabbage) will really make me drop. My INR was 3.3 3 weeks ago. ..2.3 today I made some coleslaw to go with my fish.....a few days ago....Got to get away from that Southern thing..Fish with coleslaw. I hometest..Glad I took it today. I eeked a tad today..and will eek a tad for next 2 days. should be back in range..but will wait a week to test again...Al..Is it eek? or tweek? Bonnie

 

[Ross]

Silly girl, of course it does!

 

[Granbonny]

Ross, which silly girl?

Ross, which silly girl?

Me, Terry, Marsha or Karlynn are you speaking to.. Explain yourself Mr. Rossman..or you will have 4 silly women coming up there for your Bod. I don't think you want to take on 4 women at the same time. Bonnie

 

[Guest]

EEK is when you are bleeding. Anything else is tweak.

I have had the flu shot info on my website since 2001. Please look at http://www.warfarinfo.com/influenza-vaccine.htm

 

[Ross]

Me, Terry, Marsha or Karlynn are you speaking to.. Explain yourself Mr. Rossman..or you will have 4 silly women coming up there for your Bod. I don't think you want to take on 4 women at the same time. Bonnie

Terry, but if you all want to come after me, I'd like that!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Al Lodwick -

Did you see the following post (from the Heart Talk Forum) from Gemma about NOT using intramuscular injections for flu shots? The Author of the note in the Link (http://www.ismaap.org/54.0.html) is Christian Schaefer from Germany but there is NO mention of his training or credentials. What are your thoughts about intramuscular vs. subcutaneous injections of Flu Shots for Coumadin patients?

'AL Capshaw'

Gemma wrote: "(Secondly)- for people on warfarin, the following may be worth mentioning to the nurse when you go for your flu jab, or any other inoculation for that matter:
http://www.ismaap.org/54.0.html

"Any intravenous or subcutaneous injections that heart valve patients require may be given at any time without problem. More problematic, however, are intramuscular injections, e.g. into the gluteal, humeral or femoral muscle. These injections must not be given to patients taking oral anticoagulant medication because of the risk of bleeding and possible damage to the nerves and muscle tissue.

The usual immunization injections (against influenza, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, etc) can be given, as most of them can be administered subcutaneously. However, the needle should be inserted just below the skin on the outside of the upper arm (see photo) or the outside front surface of the thigh."

There are photos on the page itself if you follow the link, in case anyone fancies printing it out.
Jim's going at the end of the month for his.

Gemma.

 

[terry40]

The insert in the vaccine box gave the warning...

The insert in the vaccine box gave the warning...

but it never tells you weather it will raise or lower the levels.

Coleslaw is a double dose of V-K because of the greens and the Mayo.

My doc is the one who is EEKing, I'm more fearlful of dipping too low!

 

[Ross]

We have the technology. We can rebuild you. Faster, Stronger, Better......

 

[Guest]

I don't consider anything under 5 worth bothering with - at least not very much. I had a patient at 6.7 yesterday and only skipped one dose.

A doctor told me yesterday that he had an 85 year old woman with an INR of 14 and was going to admit her to giver her fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K. I told him that I wasn't sure that she would qualify for admission because she wasn't bleeding and suggested one dose of vitamin K by mouth since she was not bleeding. He seemed to agree.

If you take about 5 mg of warfarin per day then a 2 day hold will drop your INR by about half. If you take less than 5 mg, it won't go down by that much. If you take more than 5 mg, it will go down faster.

It would probably be OK if the INR stopped there but after a 2 day hold it will continue to drop and will take several more days to go back up.

As the poll that I did on this site shows patients fear clotting and doctors fear bleeding. Most of the time the doctors do not think through the consequences of the hold, they just want to prevent bleeding and then let the chips fall where they may.

 

[ticktock]

Flu shot

Flu shot

Three years ago I had an INR of 8.9 after my flu shot. My left upper arm had a bluish/purple stain the shape of Africa, we all decided. My Cardio wanted to see it, so I went in. They took a picture (go figure!).

I skipped one dose, had some sauteed broccoli with garlic and continued with my usual dosage. I did have more greens than usual for a few days. Had no problem, thank the Good Lord!
mindy

 

[EVELYN]

Thanks for the info, guys. Tyce tested a perfect 3.0 on our Coaguchek Wednesday night......had flu shot Thursday morning, so we'll see what happens next week.......I'm just so grateful we were able to get the shot I wouldn't have cared WHERE they gave it to him.

Ev

 

[Guest]

Tyce might have though!

 

[Emgil]

But where did you get it?

But where did you get it?

I've spent this AM trying to find a flu shot and have been referred to a circle of agencies and tel numbers that all refer to each other now. GP, cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, town, VNA, etc. all came up empty. I live in central CT and have just about given up the search.

 

[Ross]

I've spent this AM trying to find a flu shot and have been referred to a circle of agencies and tel numbers that all refer to each other now. GP, cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, town, VNA, etc. all came up empty. I live in central CT and have just about given up the search.

Have you tried your county health department?

 

[EVELYN]

You're right, Al, Tyce might have.....but after OHS, I don't think a teeny weenie needle would hurt that much!!!

Ev

 

[Guest]

The kids with mechanical valves never cry when I stick them. It is almost as if they are saying, "Mister, that isn't worth wasting a tear on. You should try having your chest cut open. Now that is something that hurts not that dinky little tick on my finger."

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Al

Hi Al

Can you tell us about the reunion?..We haven' heard anything on the reunion post since early Friday morning. How did it go? How many people at the dinner? PLEASE fill us in.. Bonnie