High INR and headaches..

[Christina]

My INR was 5.1 last Monday and probably Tuesday too, just didn't check then as it takes 3 days for the numbers to change. Developed a dandy of a heache Tuesday afternoon and had to excuse myself from a dinner party that evening and had to go home early.
Today is Friday and I got up with a headache this morning. Checked my INR again and it was 4.7.
I get headaches at times but never have associated them with my INR.
Does a high INR have anything to do with getting headaches?
Anyone?

 

[Kim]

Hi Christina,

I have had several weeks of high INRs lately. Once almost 7. But, no headaches. They only symptom other than extra bruising, were these annoying spots that itch....they look like a bite or chicken pox. When I get them, I know I have an INR that is too high. I have also gotten red spots that appear to be under my skin. These were on the tops of my feet. Like little blood vessels that have broken.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Christina,

I hate that you are having headaches like these! I don't see how a high INR could possible cause them but even if you had a little tiny bleed it could make it much much worse. During my days in the ER if a person came in with "the worst headache of my life" they would rarely leave without a Cat Scan.

Is the headache similar to ones you have had in the past?

I'm glad you have your home testing unit. Did you end up holding a dose or how did you address your high INR?

Please let me know how you do OK?

 

[Ross]

I've been as high as 5.2 so far and no headaches. I do not think they are related.

 

[ccrawford]

Christina - What other medications are you on ? Have you checked the info sheets on these medications to see what side effects they may have? I.E. the blood pressure medication Altace can cause headaches. Mine typically occur in the morning when I am lying in bed. As soon as I get into my morning walk, they seem to go away. Hope this helps, Chris

 

[Christina]

Thank you all for responding.
Chris, I take no other meds, only Coumadin.

Betty, I didn't not hold a dose. I go to the bottom doing this. I just took 2mg less and today I took 2mg less. Test again in 3 days.

This Saturday morning I feel fine and I woke up without that headache. The headache was pretty similar like the others I've had in the past, so no differences. But they are pretty painful and dibilitating, and nothing works other than sleeping it off. Tylenol just doesn't do the trick.
I am afraid to take anything else for pain.

 

[bvdr]

I kinda thought you wouldn't hold a dose seeing how fast you seem to metabolize coumadin. I tested today since I had a flu shot earlier this week and also started cardiazem. I was right in range. You were right...I like home testing.

 

[Gisele]

Advice from me...............

Advice from me...............

I don't think I know anyone personally who gets more headaches than myself, but I do drag myself to the ER when they wake me in the middle of the night. (This has happened twice)

Even the morning I brought myself to the ER I felt silly honestly thinking that 90% I was sure I wasn't bleeding. The pain didn't get unbearable until that afternoon and I was waiting to be transported to Boston. Guess I went to the ER on the right day.

You know it isn't worth taking the risk of a bleed. Go to the ER. My INR was right in range when I had my second bleed which is why I really didn't think I was bleeding.

Go get checked out. OK?

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but I have been extremely busy this week and I haven't been on the boards much. Today my son came over for his 26th birthday. I would have posted sooner had I seen this. Hope you are alright.