Question about INR levels

[KEVIN]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this board. I have a date with a surgeon on the 16th to replace my mitral valve so there's something to look forward to. Would rather go to the movies and out to dinner but oh-well. My question is this. I have been on coumadin for about 3months. My doctors didn't tell me much about it other than it thins the blood to prevent clots. I get it checked from time to time and they tell me to up or lower the dose i'm taking.

I have just been reading some information online and am finding out that this is should not be this simple. No one told me what the level should be or that I should be checking it myself or that certain foods will raise or lower it and to stay away from those. So now I wonder how much more don't I know about this.

Does everyone out there monitor their INR level and watch what they eat that closely?

 

[Georgia]

Hi, Kevin. Go to www.warfarinfo.com and you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about warfarin use. You can also read back thru various threads here. INR can be problematical; if you're going to be on it long-term you'll need a bit more information than you've been given.

 

[Ross]

Hi Kevin

Coumadin does NOT thin the blood, it simply adds anticoagulation properites to it. Why they persist in using the "Thins the blood" statement is beyond me.

People who have insurance and are lucky enough to have the machines covered, test themselves. That's not to say that you must have insurance, but they are very costly to go it alone. You must have a prescription from your Doctor and many are still in the stone age when it comes to home testing. They think their labs are the Golden rule and most won't deviate from that plan.

Your Doctor should have told you or at the least, the person managing your case should have told you that what your range should be. I always get it wrong with mitral valves, but I believe it's 2.5 to 3.5. Have to double check myself here. Foods....Never ever stop eating the things you like! When it comes to Coumadin, continue your normal diet, be as consistent as possible and have the Coumadin dose adjusted for your diet. Do not diet your dose of Coumadin!!!!

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi kevin, welcome you have picked the best place, to get all your answers concearning warfarin/coumadin. I have asked alot of questions on warfarin and INR if you want to flick through my posts, you might get some answers. Best of luck with your surgery. Paula x

 

[Gemma]

Hi Kevin,

My boyfriend Jim's been on warfarin for nearly 2 years. He was pretty much just told what his INR level should be, and that he shouldn't drink too much alcohol. Also that if he cut himself really badly to go to the ER. Never even heard of Vitamin K until I found VR.com. Actually, I think the advice he/we got from our NHS service, although basic, was pretty good as it didn't instil a great unfounded fear of warfarin in us!


Jim gets tested by his hospital lab every 12 weeks if his INR is stable, and checks at home in between using his Coaguchek monitor. V long story (to do with NHS funding they say), but the hospital won't accept his home test results and insist on doing the test themselves. But at least every 12 weeks isn't too bad.

The most important things are as Ross said - find out what your INR range should be, and what each result is when you have it tested. And eat what you like! I think it causes bigger problems when you start trying to avoid things than would be caused if you just carried on eating what you like. And check out warfarinfo.com for lots of info.

Gemma.

 

[KEVIN]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm glad to hear that I shouldn't change my diet for the coumadin and let the coumadine be adjusted to my diet. I'll go ahead and order that extra large pizza tonight. LOL

Kevin

 

[Ross]

Seriously Kevin, diet plays a very small role in you INR. You'd have to make a very radical swing in one direction to change it much. I'm talking sitting down with a bag of broccoli every night or 2 cans of spinich each day something of that nature. If you simply stick to what you like and try to eat about the same amounts of Vit k each day, you shouldn't have many problems. I'm anything but consistent and I'm not really having too much difficulty. Were all different though, so you mileage may vary.

 

[geebee]

Welcome Kevin.

Coumadin IS very easy to deal with. I truly think the people that have the most problems are the ones who do think Coumadin is a big deal. If you are consistent with your diet (without being fanatical), if you avoid cutting your hand off with a chain saw, and if you test regularly and remember to take your pills, your life will be easy.

That being said, I rarely worry about what I eat and I love chain saws.

 

[Granbonny]

Kevin

Kevin

Welcome..the MOST important thing about coumadin..Take it every day...Get a weekly or monthly pill box..put it where you have a habit..Like brushing your teeth first thing in morning, setting your alarm clock at night, ect..Let the pill box be there.to remind you...Don't worry if you are a few hours late or early..as long as you take it that day....Bonnie

 

[Cris N]

Coumadin does NOT thin the blood, it simply adds anticoagulation properites to it. Why they persist in using the "Thins the blood" statement is beyond me.

It's hard to change that concept when you have companies like Raytel on their INR Test page displaying a masthead like this:

 

[Guest]

Some of the major medical schools in the country have "Blood Thinner Clinics" They aren't even teaching the student docs the correct info.

 

[twinmaker]

Ross, you were right about the INR range for mitral valve patients. It's between 2.5 and 3.5. Kevin, I've been on Coumadin for 24 years and it's not as scary as some people think it is. You just have to follow some NON-life altering rules, that's all. Linda

 

[Ross]

Well "Blood thinner" is blasphemy in here! Don't all of you start.

 

[Patrick]

Dear Linda,
I wish I had your experience. I am 2 years on it and every now and then it decides to take a walk on the wild side. I don?t drink, I don?t have food cravings and swings, but I do know for me, small changes in my diet can affect my INR significantly.
I had brain surgery three months ago and I feel this may have altered my body chemistry a bit as I am now even more prone to spikes in my INR. And no, before you ask, I am on no other medication, just Warfarin.
Having said that I have been self testing from almost the start, and my Doctor is very supportive of this. I still get tested by my Doc & Lab just to act as a QC on my coaguchek. In Ireland machine and strips are not on our GMS system so not covered. It is a case of buy your own and work away. I am trying to help change government opinion on this here in Ireland but recent surgery has slowed me a little bit. I hope to get back into the swing of things soon.
Patrick