Help!! please!!!

[nadi]

I know I really don't have the right to ask for help since I just lurk anymore but I have a Dr (but not for long) that thinks 1.55/ pt/inr is perfectly fine for a mechanical valve. I have tried discussing this with her. I even brought her info on Al"s site & another so maybe she would educate herself.I have not been in range since I got out of the hospital in March from my stroke last Sept.i am afraid!!!!!any suggestions? I have already called another Dr to see if he will take me as a patient.I would try my cardio but I don't have one right now. I know shame on me

 

[Bina]

When did you test and get the 1.55.....was it a lab test?

 

[geebee]

Nadine,

It sounds like you are on the right track in looking for another doctor and I would do it fast. 1.55 INR is NOT safe for a mechanical and, considering you have already had a stroke, I am totally baffled by your doctor.

Please start searching harder and get in to another doctor fast, preferably a good cardiologist.

 

[Bina]

Especially with a mitral replacement; anything under 2.5 is worrisome, anything under 2.00 is downright risky.

 

[njean]

I know I really don't have the right to ask for help since I just lurk anymore but I have a Dr (but not for long) that thinks 1.55/ pt/inr is perfectly fine for a mechanical valve. I have tried discussing this with her. I even brought her info on Al"s site & another so maybe she would educate herself.I have not been in range since I got out of the hospital in March from my stroke last Sept.i am afraid!!!!!any suggestions? I have already called another Dr to see if he will take me as a patient.I would try my cardio but I don't have one right now. I know shame on me

Nadine,

OMG! You need to find a new doctor ASAP! A 1.5 INR is definitely NOT safe & you're risking the probability of a stroke! With a mechanical valve(s) your INR needs to be in the 3's! What dosage of coumadin/warfarin are you on? How long ago did you have your surgery?

I hope you find a good doctor soon! Please stay in touch & best of luck to you on your search!

 

[njean]

Nadine,

OMG! You need to find a new doctor ASAP! A 1.5 INR is definitely NOT safe & you're risking the probability of a stroke! With a mechanical valve(s) your INR needs to be in the 3's! What dosage of coumadin/warfarin are you on? How long ago did you have your surgery?

I hope you find a good doctor soon! Please stay in touch & best of luck to you on your search!

I just looked at your profile. Do you still have the paralysis on your left side?

I can't stress enough, how imperative it is that you get hold of a good cardio & soon!

 

[nadi]

bina, yes it was a lab test at the last Friday hospital(she is closed on Friday's )so i called yesterday and had to call. again today finally got the result still waiting on them to call me back.
njean,
yes i am still paralyzed on the left side booo hoooo

 

[Bina]

Are you able to get to a hospital today for Lovenox needle coverage and you need another INR test.

 

[Nancy]

say. "Bye, bye honey". Find a good doctor to take care of you. That one needs to go back to medical school, or try something else, hopefully not in the medical field.

 

[catwoman]

Nadine:
What kind of doctor is she? Obviously, she doesn't have other patients on anticoagulation therapy (heaven forbid if she does!).
Ditch that doctor. Springfield is large enough of a city -- I've been there several times -- that you should be able to find someone else to oversee your anticoagulation management. Or just get a new family doctor and go to a "Coumadin clinic" for your INR tests.


Here are anticoagulation clinics in Missouri that I found at www.acforum.org, which has a certification program for anticoagulation managers (Al Lodwick is one). Two are in Springield:

HARRY S. TRUMAN MEMORIAL VA HOSPITAL
Phone: (573)443-2511
800 HOSPITAL DRIVE, COLUMBIA, MO 65201

MIssouri Heart Center
Phone: (573) 256-7700
1605 East Broadway, Suite 300, Columbia, MO 65201

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI HOSPITALS & CLINICS
Phone: (573)882-8623
ONE HOSPITAL DRIVE, COLUMBIA, MO 65212

GENERAL LEONARD WOOD ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Phone: (573)596-0491
126 MISSOURI AVENUE, FT. LEONARD WOOD, MO 65473

HANNIBAL CLINIC, INC., COUMADIN CLINIC
Phone: (573)221-5250
711 GRAND AVENUE, HANNIBAL, MO 63401

Research Medical Center
Phone: (816)276-3892
2316 EAST MEYER BOULEVARD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64132

KANSAS CITY VAMC
Phone: (816)861-4700
4801 LINWOOD BLVD., KANSAS CITY, MO 64128

ST. LUKE'S ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (816)932-8654
4401 WORNALL ROAD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64111

CARDIOVASCULAR CONSULTANTS
Phone: (816) 587-2500
5844 North West Barry Road #230, KANSAS CITY, MO 64154

ACADEMIC MEDICINE, INC.
Phone: (660)626-2235
800 WEST JEFFERSON, KIRKSVILLE, MO 63501

St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood
Phone: 314-966-1527
525 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122

St. Joseph West Anticoagulation Clinic
Phone: 636-625-7724
100 Medical Plaza, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367

PIKE COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ANTICOAGUALTION CLINIC
Phone: (573)754-5531
2305 WEST GEORGIA, LOUISIANA, MO 63353

North Kansas City Hospital
Phone: (816)691-5232
2790 Clay Edwards Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116

Lake Regional Health System
Phone: 573-348-8763
54 Hospital Dr., Osage Beach, MO 65065

ST. JOHN'S REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER - HAMMONS HEART
Phone: (417)885-5362
1235 EAST CHEROKEE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804

FERRELL DUNCAN CARDIOLOGY COUMADIN CLINIC
Phone: (417)875-3000
1001 EAST PRIMROSE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807-3173

St. Joseph Health Center
Phone: 636-947-5013
300 First Capitol Dr., St. Charles, MO 63301

St. Louis Univ. Center for Bleeding & Thrombotic Disorders
Phone: 314-577-6160
St. Louis Univ. Hosptial, West Pavilion, 3655 Vista Ave., Ste. 103, St. Louis, MO 63110

AMERINET INC.
Phone: (314)542-1920
2060 CRAIGSHIRE ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63146

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ANTICOAGULATION SERVICE
Phone: (314)454-8369
660 SOUTH EUCLID AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

SAINT JOHN'S MERCY HOSPITAL
Phone: (636)239-8530
901 EAST FIFTH STREET, WASHINGTON, MO 63090

 

[Bina]

Nadine, I hope you have increased your dosage since that Friday test.

 

[AgilityDog]

Amen to "fire the doctor" and Great Job Marsha on finding some coumadin clinics!
Nadine, never ever be afraid to post a question here. You have as much "right" as anyone. We're so glad you asked!

 

[Herb M]

Many doctors are clueless about Coumadin therapy. I always assume that I know more than the doctors about the INR range and when it is time to make a minor adjustment.

Everyone on Coumadin/Warfarin should learn everything about those drugs so you would not have to always depend on doctors having the correct information.

 

[nadi]

i think i am going to increase today even though she said i was fine but to increase 1 mg every other day i think i will go for 2 Mg today and see if daughter can take me to hosp tomorrow for another test. still waiting on call backs from other Dr's offices. hope to hear from 1 soon going crazy(crazier).

 

[abbanabba]

Hope you manage to get your dosage sorted out... it's not something I know much about, but from what everyone else (who obviously live with this themselves) have said, it sounds like your doctor really doesn't have a clue. Good luck!

 

[nadi]

Well,l I called my old cardio(who I thought had dismissed me but evidently he didn't his business office lied to me)but I have to have a referral 1st so guess I will find out in the AM if from dumb dumb called like she said she would. Also waiting on pain med script in the mail then i will tell them to take a hike I just hate trying to find a Dr I like & trust.
Thanks for everyones replies.

 

[Karlynn]

It took me 5 tries to find a cardio that was understanding of my situation and knowledgeable enough to treat me. If your dr. thinks 1.55 is an okay INR for a mechanical valve, I would wonder what multitudes of other pertinent information she didn't have correct.

Get thee to another doctor quickly!

 

[BDMc]

While I have yet to resort to this myself, I think you should try to find a lawyer as well. A doctor who says anything under 2.0 is OK after you made an effort to educate her, is responsible under the law. Perhaps the threat of a lawsuit would wake her up. It could save a life, and it might be your own. keeping you in my prayers, Brian

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I can't believe your Cardiologist requires a Referal if you are an established patient. What kind of CRAZINESS is this? It may take you WEEKS to get an appointment to see him or find a New Primary Care Physician (and Cardiologist?).

With an INR of 1.5 since last Friday, your Best and FASTEST solution is to go to the ER, tell them your last INR result (and from whom so they can verify or order another test) and then request a LOVENOX injection and a prescription for Lovenox (with instructions on how to do self injections) until your INR is back in range (2.5 to 3.5) for a mechanical Mitral Valve.

Obviously there are WAY TOO MANY Doctors who are CLUELESS about Mechanical Heart Valves and Proper Anti-Coagulation Management. They need to review the latest CHEST guidelines!

 

[nadi]

i finally got an appointment with the cardio but it's not until 11/26 but thank god i have a nurse from my in home services coming out wed to draw for another pt/inr maybe they can get through to her that this dangerous!!! I think I am going to have to switch hospital affiliates to find a new pcp. and yes i may have to get a lawyer if god forbid i have another stroke. i would try to get a lovenox injection but insurance won't pay and i can't afford it out of pocket