Lucy, you got some splaining to do!

[DavidS]

Ok, so I watched I Love Lucy back in the day . As I have posted in Post VR I am a avid cyclelist, both road and mountain though I'm holding off the mountain biking for a while. In recent days I have started doing some road riding in addition to riding my trainer. I put in about maybe 100 miles, more or less a week. Day before yesterday I bonked because I am not eating any supplement bars; Clift Bars, Powerbars, etc.
What I need splaining is why are supplement bars not something to eat while on Coumadin. Does the same thing apply to energy gel such as GU, CarbBoom and such. What about electrolite replacement supplements Accelerade and after ride supplement drinks such as Endurox.
After surgery I have lost some body fat as well as mucsle mass. I would like to replace the muscle mass. What about Protein Shakes, is that a no no.
It's been 8 weeks since surgery, aortic valve replacement, mech. I have been feeling good with some aches after riding depending how hard (not hard at all) I ride.
One more thing, in addition to Counmadin I'm also taking Toprol XL 25mg and Pacerone 100 mg. I am scheduled to be off Pacerone on the 3rd next month if everything looks good. The question is how do you pace yourself when your heart rate is being artificially being held down by the meds?
Wow, thats a lot of splaining to do.

Dave

 

[Ross]

Dave the big deal with energy bars is hidden Vit K. It's not that you can't have them, but you'll need to be consistent in the amounts you eat of them day to day and adjust your Coumadin to match the increased Vit K intake. As for the drinks, check the labels. I think the ones you mention are probably fine, but boost, ensure, carnation instant breakfasts etc, all have large amounts of Vit K and most people don't know it.

 

[Karlynn]

Dave the big deal with energy bars is hidden Vit K. It's not that you can't have them, but you'll need to be consistent in the amounts you eat of them day to day and adjust your Coumadin to match the increased Vit K intake. As for the drinks, check the labels. I think the ones you mention are probably fine, but boost, ensure, carnation instant breakfasts etc, all have large amounts of Vit K and most people don't know it.

Zactly! That's how I found this site. My INR was constantly coming back low and my cardio and I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized the protein bars I was eating every day had 30% of K in it. It was listed on the box, I just didn't read far enough.

Call the company that makes any of the drinks and bars you had used and see if they can tell you definitavely if they add Vit K. The ingredients will also give you a clue. Soy, for example, is rich in K.

 

[tommy]

David, I'll pile on the same theme. Its the Vit K that is the issue. I had no problem with most flavors of Power Bars, Power Gels, and certain GUs when marathoning. I was very careful to read the labels.

I also avoid caffeine, which seems to restrict my choices more than the Vit K.

Yup, instant breakfasts, energy shakes, diet shakes are all suspect in my book.

I like to make my own smoothies for after a ride or run. I know exactly what I put in them. Fruits, low-fat yogurt, milk, ice. Powdered Gatorade is a nice supplment to replenish electrolyes and provide some sweetness. Yum!