Overwhelmed about warfarin

[sharky7]

@sharky7 - I would suggest taking this conversation to the Off-Topic forum (Off-Topic Forum). We're specifically in this thread to assist Emmapenny. No need to discuss who agrees or doesn't agree with Caps Lock, etc.

Suggestion Duly Noted, And Filed!

 

[KLS39]

Hiya - my son who is 15 had a ONX mechanical valve fitted nearly 6 weeks ago. We are in the UK.
He is recovering well from surgery.
I was given a warfarin ‘counselling’ session before we left the hospital. Thankfully my son was not present because it has absolutely terrified me. I left feeling like he was a ticking time bomb who was going to bleed to death if he fell over or have a stroke if he ate too much broccoli.
I have spent 2 weeks trawling the internet trying to work out what’s real and I now think maybe the nurse was trying to scare me into conformity but all it has done is absolutely scare me that he can’t go out and live his life.
I’ve been really trying to get some perspective but keep going back to the tone of the session I had.
I have gone back and read through so many posts on here (possibly a bit obsessively) trying to get some reassurance but I’m finding it really hard to move forwards.
Anyone understand how I feel?

Welcome to the forum.

One thing I have found helpful is setting an alarm for my warfarin which I have in a weekly pill case. When the alarm goes off, I stop what I am
doing and take the pills. I am diligent about it now after missing a dose twice this summer when I had a house full of people and was distracted and didn't take it when the alarm went off.
I also test at home weekly and feel much better knowing what my INR is each week as opposed to testing every three to four weeks which is what the cardiologist had me doing last year.

Best wishes.

 

[Superman]

Welcome to the forum. I’m a bit late to the party, as it already seems to be getting a bit rowdy in here.

I’m quite similar to your son, but a bit farther along in my journey. My warfarin addiction started in 1990 when I was just 17. I’m almost 50 now. I lived through the dark ages with no internet and no home testing and I’ve lived to tell about it.

Life has been fairly normal. I take my meds daily. I test every week or two. Other than that, I’m a husband, a father, an employee, and an all around good guy. Let me know if you or your son have any specific questions about growing up and growing older on warfarin.

 

[pellicle]

@sharky7 - I would suggest taking this conversation to the Off-Topic forum (Off-Topic Forum). We're specifically in this thread to assist Emmapenny. No need to discuss who agrees or doesn't agree with Caps Lock, etc.

I have a better suggestion.

and so you can just walk on by that dumpster fire.

My apology for fuelling that ...

 

[pellicle]

We all live normal lives. We really do. Yes, we have to do a fingerprick test once a week. No problem. Becomes second nature and we do it less than diabetics!

and @Emmapenny the bolded point is worth reiterating.

Best Wishes

 

[Dodgy Ticker]

Hi Emma and welcome to our world...

Not a long message, but just one more word to say that it is all cool, and that provided you stick to taking a couple of pills per day, there is not much to worry about. The ONLY issue I potentially see, which has not been touched-on so far here, is that if your boy needs to take other meds, then you absolutely need to check whether they are compatible - but I reckon you know this already...

Adie from that, you risk having significantly more damage to you and your son's lives by living in the UK under that dreadful regime that is known as a government.

Oh - I COULD (in CAPS) go on and on and on abut that ****-show, but will leave you with positive energy and vibes...

 

[Zoltania]

I was given a warfarin ‘counselling’ session before we left the hospital. Thankfully my son was not present because it has absolutely terrified me. I left feeling like he was a ticking time bomb who was going to bleed to death if he fell over or have a stroke if he ate too much broccoli.

It's amazing how medical organizations that should know better can get this kind of thing wrong. I was told that I shouldn't even shave with a disposable razor while I was on warfarin, and I was terrified of broccoli too.

I really like @vitdoc's point about keeping a higher baseline level of vitamin K so that any fluctuations are a smaller part of the whole. If I had needed to stay on warfarin, I would be self-testing and dosing my diet just like the many good people who have already posted here.

 

[pellicle]

Life has been fairly normal.

says the guy with kids ...

;-)

 

[Superman]

says the guy with kids ...

;-)

I know busy-ness with five kids can be anything but normal at times. And I know that’s said with tongue in cheek. But as long as you bring it up, it’s actually a good point of assurance for the OP. My wife and I chose to have a family. Some folks choose not to. Nice that my valve and warfarin didn’t get in the way of that. In fact my wife and I met a couple years after my first surgery and I was already taking warfarin. It was a bit of a conversation piece early, as any life experiences are when you’re getting to know someone. But it wasn’t the focus of our relationship. I know dating and such has been a concern that’s been brought up by people here when they are, “ in the waiting room”, so to speak. And at 15 years old, I’m guessing the OP might have some concerns about that for their son.

 

[pellicle]

, it’s actually a good point of assurance for the OP

Agreed, it is. I was deliberately being flippant and light for the benefit of the op to reinforce that were just people living lives.