Question?

[Mark Wagner]

I know this is not the coumadin section, but I really need an answer right away; so I apologize.
I take 7.5 mg on Mon Tues Thurs Sat. My INR is supposed to be between 2.5 and 3.5. Last week for the first time in around a year I was at 2.1. I had an increase of 2.5 mg twice during the week. (per coumadin clinic)
Now the problem .... Saturday my daughter popped in from the East Coast and we went to dinner and I forgot to take my coumadin, 7.5 mg. Ran out the door Sunday and took my correct dosage not realizing I had missed Saturday untill I walked in the door at 4:00 am Monday. I take my dosage every night at 5:00. I just took an extra 2.5 at 4:00 am Monday to add to my 5mg last evening. I am still behind 5 mg from Saturdays missed dosage. I was already low on my last INR.
Now I am really worried. How do I get caught up? I know I am not supposed to double a missed dosage. The marathon is in less then 2 weeks so I'm nervous about my blood becoming too thin. I am considering taking 7.5 the two days I normally take 5 mg, Wed and Friday this week, but that would be 7.5 mg every day through Saturday. Why did I do this 13 days before a marathon?!
Any advice? I'll check for replies from you all when I get up. Thanks ... Mark

 

[Ross]

Just take the missed amount equally over the week along with your usual dose. I know, you won't be able to break it down that low unless you've got some 1MG tabs around. Honestly Mark, just resume your normal schedule and let the clinic know that you missed a dose. You should be o.k. You may still test a little low, but then again, maybe not.

 

[tommy]

Mark,

I would call the coumadin clinic. Tell them the story and ask them for advice. Nobody's perfect (just don't do that again! ).

You may just want to be checked more often until after the marathon - including the first few weeks following. That way you won't be guessing or worrying.

 

[Ross]

Mark I can give you a few numbers. I have enough to share today. I tested at 5.2, so your more then welcome to come take some of mine.

 

[Guest]

Mark,

As noted by the humped back flute player (Kokopelli, the spirit of insatiable appetites) I am very relaxed about this.

If you have been taking warfarin for this long and only ever forgot one dose, you are in the 100th percentile among warfarin takers as far as memory is concerned.

If missing one dose caused dire consequences, there would not be enough people left taking warfarin to keep this website running.

No matter whether you just write off the dose or try to make it up, there is a 99.99% chance that you will be OK. It will not affect anything about the marathon.

Warfarin does not thin your blood. It only slows the ability to form a clot.

When you add all of these up my advice is fuggedaboudit!!