A
atydev
I was not givin any instructions about my coumidin. I dont know what to eat what not to eat or anything. Any one got any answers? 
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Sherry
Well-known member
Hello, again, April. I just left you a note on the post-surgery forum. I am a bit perplexed as to why you haven't been given pain pills and especially, why you weren't educated on the use of Coumadin. I feel you need to call the office back and insist on at least meeting with a Coumadin nurse who will sit down and explain this sometimes very complex drug. If not managed properly, there can be some long-lasting consequences. I also feel you have the right to some pain medication considering some of the pains you described on the other thread. I don't mean to come across as pushy, but I feel you are getting the run around from your docs. Remember, we pay them to educate us. Take care and please don't hesitate to seek the care you deserve.
ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
Since the Holiday Weekend is here, you aren't going to get any help from your Doc's until at least next Tuesday.
In the meantime, you can educate yourself by reading Al Lodwick's EXCELLENT website www.warfarinfo.com
If that isn't enough, just starting reading posts on the COUMADIN Forum. That should fill your weekend up
Who is supposted to be monitoring your Coumadin and INR Levels? Contact them next week and ask for an appointment for education and training on 'Living with Coumadin'.
It certainly sounds like your DOC's 'dropped the ball' !
In the meantime, you can educate yourself by reading Al Lodwick's EXCELLENT website www.warfarinfo.com
If that isn't enough, just starting reading posts on the COUMADIN Forum. That should fill your weekend up
Who is supposted to be monitoring your Coumadin and INR Levels? Contact them next week and ask for an appointment for education and training on 'Living with Coumadin'.
It certainly sounds like your DOC's 'dropped the ball' !
A
atydev
Crazy I know
Crazy I know
I go back to the cardio clinic on the 9th of July. I do plan on telling them how I was discharged and was given no insight on coumidin. I am not sure if this will matter. I did just find out that I was approved for disability and with it comes insurance so then I can find a doctor instead of a teaching hospital. That is where most of my problem is to many cheifs and not enough engine's.
Crazy I know
I go back to the cardio clinic on the 9th of July. I do plan on telling them how I was discharged and was given no insight on coumidin. I am not sure if this will matter. I did just find out that I was approved for disability and with it comes insurance so then I can find a doctor instead of a teaching hospital. That is where most of my problem is to many cheifs and not enough engine's.
G
Georgia
April, someone's sure leaving an awful lot to chance with you.
Congrats on getting disability.
In a nutshell, be careful of leafy greens - spinach, lettuce (particularly dark green lettuce), broccoli, V8 juice, grapefruit juice. You can eat these (altho I'd forego the V8 and grapefruit juice) but you need to know that they all lower the inr. So use in moderation and be consistent in the amount you eat.
Alcohol increases the inr, so if you wish to drink, keep it at one drink per day and also be consistent.
The consistency in your eating habits of these things means your dosage of coumadin will be adjusted to account for them.
Also - NO ASPIRIN (other than aspirin therapy if it's been prescribed) or NSAIDS. And tylenol is OK, but understand that it tends to increase the inr if used a lot.
I strongly recommend that you visit warfarinfo.com - it's a very informative site and you'll be able to print off food lists, etc.
You need to watch any energy bars and drinks and Ensure - most have a lot of vitamin K; multi-vitamins mostly have added Vit. K, too (One-a-day for Women doesn't).
The best way to work with coumadin is to decide how much of the various Vit. K things you're going to eat in a week and then stick to it - that plan will help avoid the wild swinging of your inr that becomes problematic.
As you get better after surgery and start exercising more, you'll probably need to increase your coumadin dosage, so don't let that upset you - you'll be increasing the circulation in your liver so you'll metabolize the coumadin more efficiently.
Good luck. It really isn't as hard as it sounds.
Congrats on getting disability.
In a nutshell, be careful of leafy greens - spinach, lettuce (particularly dark green lettuce), broccoli, V8 juice, grapefruit juice. You can eat these (altho I'd forego the V8 and grapefruit juice) but you need to know that they all lower the inr. So use in moderation and be consistent in the amount you eat.
Alcohol increases the inr, so if you wish to drink, keep it at one drink per day and also be consistent.
The consistency in your eating habits of these things means your dosage of coumadin will be adjusted to account for them.
Also - NO ASPIRIN (other than aspirin therapy if it's been prescribed) or NSAIDS. And tylenol is OK, but understand that it tends to increase the inr if used a lot.
I strongly recommend that you visit warfarinfo.com - it's a very informative site and you'll be able to print off food lists, etc.
You need to watch any energy bars and drinks and Ensure - most have a lot of vitamin K; multi-vitamins mostly have added Vit. K, too (One-a-day for Women doesn't).
The best way to work with coumadin is to decide how much of the various Vit. K things you're going to eat in a week and then stick to it - that plan will help avoid the wild swinging of your inr that becomes problematic.
As you get better after surgery and start exercising more, you'll probably need to increase your coumadin dosage, so don't let that upset you - you'll be increasing the circulation in your liver so you'll metabolize the coumadin more efficiently.
Good luck. It really isn't as hard as it sounds.
M
McCln
Here is my two cents. Whatever you do, do not fill up on everthing soy. There is something in soy that also affects INR. I hope you mention the nurse or nurses by name, if you can remember, to mention to the doctor. They should have had someone from the pharmacy come with a pamplet with basic information. I was fortunate, but some nurses are not very smart. Good luck and be carefull during thig weekend till the 9th. Have a great weekend.
Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve
Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve
