Pissed

[Blake777]

Okay. I need some opinions on this. I went to my doctor today for a back evaluation because I have had excrutiating back pain for like 13 years and was told I needed surgery but didn't want to because of the two heart surgeries I had already been through. Doctor told me best thing for excruciating pain, pain where you can not stand less known walk you have to crawl to get to bathroom....get this now: he said to walk, you have to walk for the blood flow to help the pain. Okay I can barely move less know walk. It literally took me 15 minutes to turn around to slide to the floor to crawl to the bathroom I was in so much pain. And this happens every time my lumbar pain reappears. I also have cervical and thoracic pain. And I was diagnosed with Fibro but he told me he did not think it was this. And my back pain is my degenerative disc disease which surgery will not cure.

Now my INR has never been stable they are still working on it. I have been getting really ill when it drops too low like 1.6 - 1.8. I get horrible headaches, this last time I could barely walk, unbalanced and dizzy and had pain in calves and high blood pressure. These are my symptoms every single time my INR is low and this is before I check it I have these symptoms that is how I know it is too low. Okay his advice or the reason why I start to feel ill is because I check my INR and get all stressed out causing my illness. (Now remember I said that this happens before I take it, that's actually why I take it is because I get really sick and I know something is wrong. And Yes, I am switching doctors after this.

Do you think he is right?

 

[Protimenow]

Yes. I would switch doctors, if it was me. An INR below 2.0 is dangerous -- check with a cardiologist to see what your range SHOULD be. It sounds like you have a meter -- I would use it weekly, and would either get management assistance to get your INR in range, or use one of the available tools for calculating dosage changes. The key here - you don't want your INR too far below range for too long -- you can have a stroke. If your INR is below range, I would increase my dosage - by about 50% of my daily dose, and test every two or so days -- but a medical professional who understands warfarin and INR should, of course, be consulted.
I doubt that stressing about your INR is causing your back pain. I'm not entirely sure that getting it back into range would help -- but it's always good to stay in range.

There must be other doctors who can REALLY help you.

 

[ski girl]

Yikes, sounds like a GREAT doctor you have there . . . note sarcasm. Maybe you should be seeing a pain management specialist too, if your back pain cannot be fixed surgically. Good luck with the new doctor!!

 

[Blake777]

Yikes, sounds like a GREAT doctor you have there . . . note sarcasm. Maybe you should be seeing a pain management specialist too, if your back pain cannot be fixed surgically. Good luck with the new doctor!!

Yes I used to see a pain management doctor and they did blocks in back with xray and put me on neurontin, but no help. Told me I needed surgery. This doctor is just clueless. He said he had back surgery but evidently his pain was not as bad as mine if he could make himself get up and walk. Thanks ski girl!

 

[Blake777]

Yes. I would switch doctors, if it was me. An INR below 2.0 is dangerous -- check with a cardiologist to see what your range SHOULD be. It sounds like you have a meter -- I would use it weekly, and would either get management assistance to get your INR in range, or use one of the available tools for calculating dosage changes. The key here - you don't want your INR too far below range for too long -- you can have a stroke. If your INR is below range, I would increase my dosage - by about 50% of my daily dose, and test every two or so days -- but a medical professional who understands warfarin and INR should, of course, be consulted.
I doubt that stressing about your INR is causing your back pain. I'm not entirely sure that getting it back into range would help -- but it's always good to stay in range.

There must be other doctors who can REALLY help you.

Yes Protimenow, I am familiar with all this you are talking about. And he wasn't saying my low INR made my back hurt, he was saying that me seeing my low INR was stressing me out, lol, and causing me to feel bad. Anyway, I do have a monitor and I do see someone besides him (my heart surgeon and a hematologist) for adjusting my INR. This doctor would not help me since I was on a study with my surgeon, another reason why I need to go. And yes I know about too low INR's cause strokes. It's just time to go, I just have to pray on it. Thanks for you reply.

 

[Guest]

Yes, I'd definitely get another doctor, & maybe even a 3rd opinion as well. Thoughts/prayers en route.....



Cort | 39.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 2 MCs + '79 & '89 Caprice Classics
CHD.cars + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts
"Confusing what is real" __ Linkin Park __ 'Crawling'

 

[Jkm7]

I don't think you'll be surprised to read we all seem to agree it might be good for you to consult with another doctor about your back.

Best wishes. Hope you get the help you seek.

 

[Blake777]

Yes I knew I was thinking right, well the pain was thinking for me I should say. I just had to check to see if I was still sane and get some of your opinions, because we all know pain can drive you nuts sometimes. Well I prayed about it, and I just have to change doctors because not only is it my back but the thing with adjusting my warfarin also is to risky to mess around with. Even though I basically know how to adjust it myself now it's just when I get really ill I get disoriented and need to speak to or see someone who is truly knowledgeable about what is happening with me. And for a doctor to tell you not to go to ER when this happens, well, enough said. Thank you all for your replies it is greatly appreciated. I know I don't come here often enough, but I will make it a practice to stop in every once in awhile to see how others are coping. It truly does feel like a second family here, we all have this one thing in common and nobody really understands what we go through but us. Thanks again!! Love my valve family!

 

[Ovie]

Agree with everyone else, time to find a new doctor or at least get different opinions.