High INR's

[KathyH]

My INR's were running perfectly until I went back to work. I keep my diet and exercise steady so I am not sure what to do. I was 4.5 afew weeks ago and was told to hold that days dose. (I take 5mg every day except on Thur I take 7.5mg). On Wednesday it was 2 weeks from that test and I was still 4 so I was told to just take 5mg every day and retest in 2weeks. I have been rereading all my literature on coumadin and can't figure what I have done wrong. Any ideas? I plan on ordering Al's book, maybe the answer is there.
just frustrating.
Kathy H

 

[JimL]

If my INR was 4.5, I would decrease my weekly dosage, slightly, perhaps 2 mg. If my INR was 4.0 I would decrease my weekly dosage, slightly, perhaps 1-2 mg. These are not excessively high readings. Relax, don't worry. You're doing just fine.

 

[McCln]

KathyH

KathyH

It is normal to have higher INR when you become more active. Of course, when you were home, being active, your meds were adapted to what you were doing at home. Now, you are back at work, being more active, and your INR will increase or decrease. Do dosages at the doctor or nurse suggests, do not dose yourself. Just have a talk with the nurse or doctor on what to do to bring the INR down. Your eating may have changed, you activity has changed. Good luck in figuring out and get adjustments. Take care.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replaced
St. Jude's valve

 

[Harpoon]

You're working now, in addition to the exercise you've already been doing correct?


it could just be that that added amount of activity, plus the changes in your daily routine as to when you get up in the morning, how you start your day now before going to work versus before when you were at home.

How your day progresses, your lunch breaks at work instead of at home, dinner time routines.

Those changes could be enough to affect the balance of your INR. Maybe it's slight, but it's there. That's shown in the tests.


It's not WAY off the scale though so it doesn't seem like it's something to get too flustered over.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Kathy,

I *REALLY* don't like to 'hold a dose' after reading how many Coumadin users INR drops RAPIDLY after doing so.

I would ask the Doctor if you could take a more conservative approach such as cutting in half ONE DAY and then maybe cutting back by 10% to 15% (reduce your weekly total by 10% spread over 7 days).

Check out AL Lodwick's website www.warfarinfo.com which I believe contains the same information as his book and buy his 'Dosing card'. You will probably want to discuss dosing with your Cardiologist or whoever is managing your coumadin.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Guest]

Usually the INR goes down when you are more active. BUT a 4.5 doesn't carry much, if any, increased risk. It needs only a tweak of the dose.

 

[Granbonny]

My INR was steady until this summer. Went from 2.9 to 3.5 then 3.7 and I tweaked it....Oops..a tad to much Dropped down to 2.1..this time (last week) I tweaked a tad more..Now, back to 2.7 I take 5 mg pill and it only takes a tad to raise or lower it. Bonnie

 

[danielgilboa]

INR 4 does not sound scary. As long as it doesn't hit 5 you can take it easy.

I got steady around 2.8-3.2 and suddenly got a 5 result. That week I ran out of my multi vitamin that does contain 25mcg of vit K. So changing your vitamin consumption can also throw you off.

Anyway - getting back into track should probably be done in a mild way. I dropped 2.5 mg for one day (taking 7.5 every day), got back on my vitamins and 5 days later was back in range.

 

[Granbonny]

I just remembered..I had my favorite.Boiled cabbage...along with tweaking to go down..Cabbage is a great food. Lots of vit K..if you want to lower your INR Now, I have to wait until next year..for St. Paddy's Day..Corned beef and cabbage. Yummy..Bonnie

 

[KathyH]

I guess I was thinking my INR would be lower with going back to work, but my routine has definately changed since I went back to work. I am not worried about it, just curious to what caused it. I can tell when it is high when I check my blood sugars my blood comes out much quicker. Decreased my extra 2.5mg I take on Thursdays and I would have thought by this am it would have decreased. I go to the clinic next tuesday, so I will see then.
Thanks for all the input.
KathyH

 

[bvdr]

Gosh Bonnie, that corned beef and cabbage sounds good. Since I base my coumadin dosage on a high intake of vit.K I think I'll make that tonight and think of you. .

 

[Granbonny]

Corned beef

Corned beef

I have it once a month..just don't put the cabbage in the broth anymore..and no more corn bread. Yummy..I tend to pig out on the cabbage. And be sure and serve the corned beef with Dijon mustard Slice thin..but you need to boil it several hours so get started soon. bonnie

 

[Georgia]

I use red cabbage which is significantly lower in K than green. And I cook it in the corned beef broth in the microwave (been doing that forever so the house won't be stinky).

And it's horseradish with that corned beef! And dijon mustard. And rye bread.

I gotta go look in the freezer to see if I have a piece of corned beef - my mouth's watering!

 

[bvdr]

Today we have had a muggy, dreary day with rain on and off. I went into work for a while but didn't feel so great and left real early. I did stop however and pick up fixings for my corn beef and cabbage dinner. It hit the spot tonight. I went easy on the cabbage though since my INR was only 2.5 last night. I think it may be a bit lower than usual because I've been walking almost every evening with a couple of my neighbors. They are waiting for me now.....have to walk off that corn beef and cabbage.