INR still not right..

[halleyg]

Had it checked today, last week (Fri.) was at 3.7, so took 7.5 Friday, then 10 every day since. So, today I went in and was 5.3. I am thinking 10 is probably too much for me to take everyday for some reason, even though that has been my dose for well over a year.. Nurse said take 5 tonight and tomorrow night, then 10 Sunday then retest Monday. I also was supposed to start taking an antibiotic today but she said wait and start it tomorrow. My dr. said it would make my INR go up. The INR nurse said I could be at 8 by Monday if I am taking it, even if I cut the dose tonight. Very confusing. I don't want to go that high. Any advice is appreciated, as usual. I know some of you know I have been rollercoasting for about a month now.

 

[Bina]

I agree that with your INR of 5.3 you would do well to take a half dose today and tomorrow.
If you get another test on Monday, it is just to check that your INR is decreasing.
DO NOT start making changes based on Monday's results. That will start the roller coaster again.
Let the dose changes from today and tomorrow have time to take full effect.

 

[AgilityDog]

Yes, the half dose for 2 days should bring you back into range.

Yes, many, though not all, antibiotics will raise your INR, so delaying the start until you are back in range is probably a good idea.

My dosage ran right at 25.5 per week for the longest time-months and months. But for the last month or two, I'm up to 28/wk and may go to 29! For me, that's a huge increase. The body just does these things sometimes-diet, activity, stress.

 

[Karlynn]

I usually take 10/day too. There are times that for no particular reason, I have to lower my dose for a while - maybe a week, maybe a few weeks, maybe longer.

And of course this is occurring when you now have to go on an antibiotic. This would seem like so much less of a pain if you were able to home test. Any movement in that area?

Best wishes!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Many people report an INR 'shift' with the change of Seasons, Winter to Summer and Summer to Winter for unknown reasons. My Coumadin Clinic Nurses also see that with some patients. Again, no real explaination.

 

[halleyg]

And of course this is occurring when you now have to go on an antibiotic. This would seem like so much less of a pain if you were able to home test. Any movement in that area?

No! We change insurance again in May, so I'm going to try again then. Not gong to stop trying; I'll get one one of these days!

Thanks to all of you for your responses/advice. I feel a lot better now. I was going to start the antibiotic tomorrow, would that not be a good idea?

Interesting, Al, about the change of seasons, although I was steady through a good many of them up until now. Didn't know stress could affect it as well.

 

[Bina]

Could you hold off on the antib for another 2 days and let your INR drop a bit?

 

[halleyg]

Well, I was going to start today but the nurse suggested waiting until tomorrow. Not sure now..

 

[Bina]

The thing with antibs is that we don't really know how it will affect your INR, everyone is different.
If you really need to get those meds started, then do it tomorrow like the nurse suggested.

 

[Ross]

My question is, what is the antibiotic and what's it supposed to be treating? Once I know that, then I can make a call on what I'd do.

 

[halleyg]

Thanks all, for you helpful advice. I went ahead with the antib's and cut two warfarin doses, INR was 2.5 yesterday. Which is low for my liking but it's a start! She put me back on 10's but I told her I don't think I should do 10's everyday anymore. But I took 10 today and I will tonight as well, she's testing me tomorrow just to make sure I'm still where I should be and probably on Friday b/c next week I will be out of town. Wish I had that home tester!

 

[Bina]

Maybe you will need 7.5 three days per week.....let us know what tomorrow's INR reads.
Good Luck!

 

[halleyg]

I will, Bina, thank you!! I was kind of thinking the same thing, maybe I am catching on after all!

 

[Ross]

Doens't bina's post sound like what I told you?

 

[halleyg]

Yes! I was thinking of what you told me when I wrote my reply! Guess you knew before I knew myself!

 

[Freddie]

Yes! I was thinking of what you told me when I wrote my reply! Guess you knew before I knew myself!

I did the same thing Halley.
But sometimes you just have to say "Huh?" then it becomes clear as mud

 

[halleyg]

That's funny Freddie, Ross had told me the other day that I was catching on, to which I replied "am not!" But like I said, I must be! Thanks to all the help I get here, I'm maybe, possibly, finally getting it!

 

[Bina]

Doens't bina's post sound like what I told you?

Ross and I think alike.......I'm skeered.

 

[halleyg]

Today's results

Today's results

My continuing INR saga.. 2.5 on Monday after 2 nights of 5 mg, one night of 10 mg. Took 10 mg both Mon. and Tues. night and retested today and was at 4.0. So now she wants me to take 5 mg tonight, 7.5 on Thursday, and retest of Friday. I am going out of town on Sunday, which is why she is testing a lot this week, trying to get my situated and also still on the antib. Anyhow, just wondering if this dosing sounds right on to anyone... thanks.

 

[dick0236]

My continuing INR saga.. 2.5 on Monday after 2 nights of 5 mg, one night of 10 mg. Took 10 mg both Mon. and Tues. night and retested today and was at 4.0. So now she wants me to take 5 mg tonight, 7.5 on Thursday, and retest of Friday. I am going out of town on Sunday, which is why she is testing a lot this week, trying to get my situated and also still on the antib. Anyhow, just wondering if this dosing sounds right on to anyone... thanks.

Halley, if I understand your post, you tested this past monday at 2.5, then made significant dosing change and retested two days later (wednesday) at 4.0. Now you are making another significan change and will retest in two days (friday). In all probability your INR will be under 4 on friday. You are on a "yo-yo" and, in my opinion, it will be difficult to begin to stabilize your INR until you start making smaller dosing changes and allow more time between testing to allow the change to "take hold". We are all different, but personally I would have made no change for either the 2.5 or 4.0. I would have rechecked my INR in a week or so and then decide on dosing change.