Stop Warfarin before Flu Shot ?

[JLant]

Hi,
I'm gonna get my Flu shot. My cardio said stop the med for few days to lower INR to 1.5. And after the shot, do not apply pressure. Is this good advice or too much? I searched here and the Net and got info most about (possible/no) drug interaction. I want to hear more on the procedure to get the shot, as many of us have experiences. Thanks.

 

[Bridgette]

I don't know what others think, but in my opinion, THAT IS VERY SCARY ADVICE!!!!!

I NEVER, repeat NEVER stop Warfarin just for a flu shot.

OMG, who is this cardio of yours???

Bridgette

 

[Freddie]

Excuses me?
Stop warfarin, bring INR down to 1.5, apply pressure........for a flu shot????
NOT!

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the only pressure that is applied is by the nurse who gives the shot, I think they even put a band-aide on the area.

I've never had to stop the warfarin or lower my INR for a flu shot.
Are you getting more than just a flu shot? Nah, it shouldn't make any difference.

 

[Eva]

I already took my flu shot...INR was 3,9!! Do not take flu shot if you have any fever or sneezing or fartigue.

 

[briansmom]

My son never stopped his coumadin for a flu shot, never bled, never had a bruise. I would probably never take that guy's advice if this is indicative of how he practices medicine (sorry I am very cranky tonight).

 

[JLant]

Bridgette,
she is a careful doctor; may be this's too careful (=bad) advice.
Fred,
I've heard from some nurses that, while on warfarin, a shot in muscle can cause bleeding. Normally after pulling out, nurses might press the cotton on the spot to help the vaccine dissolve in muscle; this is not to be done with us.

I'm only to get the vaccine, and my normal INR range is recommended around 2 (for MS/MR/AF).

 

[Ross]

Never EVER stop Coumadin for a flu shot. Sure, your INR MAY rise, but not enough to warrant a dose change. Just give it a week and things will be back to normal. That Doctor is risking a stroke because of his lack of understanding how the drug works.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I've lost count of how many Flu Shots I've had while ON Coumadin.

I never heard of making such a recommendation.

Doctors like this one just reinforce my belief that the Medical Community will NEVER wake up to 'modern practices' with regard to anti-coagulation until all the Old School Doc's retire or pass on.

 

[kpearse]

I just got my flu shot yesterday, never came off Coumadin.

 

[Nancy]

Joe NEVER stopped his Coumadin for a flu shot. I'm speechless!

 

[olefin]

If ANY doctor told me to stop warfarin for a flu shot, he or she would no longer be my doctor. Have never heard anything like that in over 18 years!

 

[Karlynn]

If ANY doctor told me to stop warfarin for a flu shot, he or she would no longer be my doctor. Have never heard anything like that in over 18 years!

I was thinking the very same thing. This needs to go on our Outrageous Advice Sticky Thread.

 

[dick0236]

Hi,
I'm gonna get my Flu shot. My cardio said stop the med for few days to lower INR to 1.5. .

That's the dumbest advice I've heard, unless you have some kind of special medical problem. Like the others, I have had a flu shot (already had my '09 shot) each year for many years. I've never had a "medical professional" say such a thing.

 

[EVELYN]

Nope, Nope, Nope.....never heard of that one. We get flu shots every year and have never even thought of stopping warfarin for them.

Evelyn

 

[Lynlw]

This is really scarey, I wonder how many of her patients end up having strokes during flu shot season.

 

[njean]

Whaaaat!? I've never heard of such a thing as 'stopping your coumadin' before a flu shot. This is crazy & I'm very surprised that it's coming from a medical professional!

I have a flu shot every year & I've had to have injections for other things other than just the flu shot, & I have never been told I have to stop my coumadin prior to the injections! And, I've been on coumadin for 34 years!

Unbelieveable!

 

[zipper2]

WOW SCAREY INSTRUCTIONSthis is these Doc's are suppose
to be our teachers for warfarin instead they instruct death without
even realising what they are doing

 

[AgilityDog]

Ummm, I got my flu shot Saturday, at the pharmacy. Pharmacist knows I'm a valver, and since I had on a low cut top the scar was kinda obvious if she'd forgotten. No discussion of INR required.

She stuck the needle in, shot me up, and stuck a band aid on it. Big deal. My arm got sore that evening, but it always has with flu or tetanus or most other shots.
Your doctor's a fruitcake. A dangerous fruitcake.

Repeat after me:

BLOOD CELLS CAN BE REPLACED, BRAIN CELLS CAN'T.

And a bruise won't kill you, for pete's sake, even if the person giving the shot is lousy at it. But your doctor might!

 

[Jkm7]

I think you might wish to have a serious conversation with your doctor about her knowledge of anti-coagulation. Is she your coumadin manager?

 

[terodac]

Wow! You need a new doctor for sure! Apply ice is all I do, 1.5 I could not leave the hospital that low after surgery. I think he does not have any pages in his book! LOL! Please don't stop your coumadin!