More Fun With My INR (Just Venting) : )

[DavesMom]

Hi folks,

Argh! I've been on coumadin for almost six years (following my AVR) and never had this type of problem.

I've been fairly stable for quite a while on 60 mgs per week. About a month ago I tested at 4.4. My dosage was decreased to 58 mgs for the week but I tested at 4.5. Dosage was then adjusted to 56 mgs. and a week later I was at 2.6.

Not bad, so the doctor kept me on the same dosage and told me to recheck in a week. Well, now I'm at 1.2. No medicine or activity change. I haven't been sick either. The only dietary change I can think of is that I've been eating Total Cereal.

When the nurse took my blood she did mention that it was running "very slow" and thought she may have had the needle up against the wall of the vein. Could this have altered the INR?

I've never been nervous in all my years on coumadin but I am now! Sorry, but just had to vent. I'll feel better when I'm back in range.

Hope everyone is well.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[PJmomrunner]

Barely any vitamin K in Total...
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-001-02s0179.html

 

[Ross]

I'm thinking more like bogus test results myself. I think your going to find yourself back at the original dose to keep you in range.

 

[Guest]

The needle against the wall of the vein will make no difference.

At least they adjusted the dose in small increments and tested often.

This is exactly why I do very little adjusting for INRs in the 4 range. They seem to go back by themselves on people who have been taking warfarin for years. A doctor called me the other day to ask why I didn't adjust the warfarin dose for a man whose INR was 6.3. I said that he had been taking the same dose for two years and there was probably some oddball reason why it was out of line. I held one dose and had him come back in two weeks. The doc finally agreed that this was less likely to cause him trouble than adjusting the dose and taking a chance on things going down the drain.

 

[McCln]

It is just like mine has been up and down for months. Just as we think we have it stable, it takes a dose dive. I have recently had 2 good readings and hopefully a third next week. Nothing has changed lately. So I am hoping for anotherr good reading. One was 3.2, next was 3.5. So we are going for a third next week. I have been on warafin for almost 4 years. Changes are hard to do.

 

[DavesMom]

Hi again,

Ross, I tend to agree that it was probably a bogus result. The nurse told to take an extra milligram and test again tomorrow (Friday).

Problem is that I won't get the results until Monday and if my INR is indeed 1.2 I'm nervous what could happen before then. So I'm tempted to go get a test this afternoon - at least I won't have to worry over the weekend.

Take care everyone.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You may want to drink a large glass of water before going for your test, just to 'pump up your veins' to ensure there is plenty of blood for a good sample.

'AL Capshaw'