Very Frustrated...

[Gnusgal]

I am SOOOO frustrated after my PCP appt. today. I have been having headaches just about every day, with migraines thrown in at least every other week (lasting 2-3 days each) and finally decided to go see my doc about getting on meds to control them... Only problem is there are none that he knows of to prescribe for me. Everything he looked up either interacted with the coumadin, or my digoxin. He also thought about beta-blockers, but I'm already on one for my heart and it doesn't seem to be doing anything for the headaches! He gave me some names of neuro docs who specialize in headaches to see if they can come up with something. But the next time I'll be able to have time to go to a doctor is in two weeks! I'm so tired of being in pain. I take tylenol, but it does absolutely NOTHING! I stopped by my card's office to update her (I was in the building) and she said I can talk to the neuro about getting on something every day, even if it interacts with the coumadin, and we can ballance things around it. Yea. Another roller coaster with my INR... But I guess it's better than the alternative...

Anyway, I had to vent. Sometimes I wonder why I bothered with this sugery...

 

[Kathy]

Nicki,

I am so sorry to hear about your migranes. I recall that you are a teacher. I have always found a "garden variety" headache unbearable in a room lighted by numerous flourescent bulbs, not to mention the noise level in a school building.

 

[Ross]

Another Doctor that doesn't understand Coumadin. You need something, you get something, then make adjustments. Why is it so freaking hard for these "Medical Professionals" to understand?
The way some of them act, you'd think Coumadin was just introduced this morning or something.

Sorry Nikki, had to vent for ya.

 

[Karlynn]

Ross is so wise (big appreciative hug here). He's right, the doctor prescribes what will help and is safe for you to take and the coumadin is adjusted accordingly.

I hope you feel better soon.

Karlynn

 

[hensylee]

Nicki - Gina has migraines and she, too, is on coumadin. She will probably stop in and help. Pain is most difficult to live with and ruins every single day. I am so sorry. Got to be an answer somewhere.

 

[Guest]

As noted an interaction is not an absolute reason to avoid a combination of drugs. I change warfarin doses every week in response to an interacting drug being added or subtracted. The hard part is to remember that stopping an interacting drug is just as important as starting one.

 

[Birky]

headaches

headaches

I too can relate to the headaches since I get them too. The only thing that they would give me is Darvocet for now. I don't get them every day but often enough. They would not start anything else since I now are on so much medication and have had so much done to me. See the Dr. in November and we will go from there. The lights and noise add to the pain. Migraines are horrible and I can feel sorry for anyone that gets them. They take valuable time out of your life. I have to go to bed, make sure it is quiet with a wet cold washcloth on my head and sleep, sleep, sleep. I can't figure out why I would be getting them now but this is since the surgery. Hope you find the answer.

 

[delvoura66]

Dear Nicki,

Hi, I truly understand your frustration. I have had a problem with
my INR from the very start. Recently about 2 weeks ago. Just when I think I have it in a good range I have a setback. Hang in
there. Work with your doctors to find pain management for your
headaches.

 

[JimChicago]

In the past (before metal heart valves) I found some headaches I got were due to dehydration - drinking more clean water helped - now I'm on water restriction so can't indulge as freely in water but a little couldn't hurt.
I also have gotten headaches when I stopped drinking coffee and as a side effect of medications.

 

[Gisele]

Niki

Niki

When you go to the neurologist inquire about fioricet. It is Tylenol with a bit of barbital in it. This helps me quite a bit. It doesn't eliminate the headache altogether, but it is better than nothing.

Imitrex type drugs might be a solution too, I am not sure. I cannot take this due to my high blood pressure and due to the compromised vessels in my head. My new PCP insisted I take Imitrex for my migraines but my neurologist disagreed (and this was when I had only had one subdural). I am so glad that I listened to my neurologist as who knows I might have encountered problems sooner.

Boy, am I behind in the boards. Sorry this posting is so late.

 

[Guest]

Just don't to monitor the INR closely while on Fioricet. The barbital in it will cause the warfarin to be metabolized faster and faster. You can easily double, maybe triple your warfarin dose over time while on this.

 

[Gisele]

As always

As always

This med is to be used sparingly and not for too long.

The choices are limited with headaches. Sometimes you just have to learn to live with the pain. Also, what one patient is advised to do by their physician isn't necessarily what another patient should be doing especially in considering what other meds they may be taking.

Everything in moderation........................

 

[Zipper]

I also get migraines and frequently have neck and shoulder pain from bicipital tendonitis and cervicle radiculitis. I have taken Tylenol#3 for these conditions when needed. I have found it to be fairly effective without causing havoc with my INR. We all react differently,it seems. I do weekly checks with my ProTime even when I don't have to take this pain reliever. I hope you find something that works for you!

Zipper

 

[ccrawford]

Nicki - I'm grasping at straws. Have you talked to your cardio about increasing the dosage of beta blockers. I'm on Toprol, and according to the data sheets, it is supposed to help with the headaches. Wish I could help more - Chris

 

[Gisele]

Oh yeah.............

Oh yeah.............

Chris, good idea....I completely forgot..........my cardiologist put me on Troprol XL 25 mg one per day to keep my migraines down. It really seemed to help. Before I started this over one year ago, I had endured quite a few months of constant headaches.

There are a lot of options depending on your personal health condition.

Don't forget to let us know what you end up getting for an Rx.

Gisele

 

[Gnusgal]

I'm already on Toprol. Don't know what putting me on more would do. It lowers the heart rate, and I have a pacer, so it probably would just take me down to my bottom limit. I think my PCP is just afraid to do anything because he's not familiar enough with coumadin. That's why he's handing me over to a neurologist. But in the mean time I have to wait until I can see one. I finally was able to get an appt. but it isn't until November 4th. Looks like I'll have to suffer through the pain a little longer.

Another problem, though, is that my blood pressure is already pretty low. And in the mornings I end up with a very fast heart rate, especially in the shower. My card suspects it is because my blood vessels are opened up and all the blood rushes to my feet and my heart rate increases in an effort to pull the blood back up. I just don't know, though... You would think that if my blood vessels are so open my head wouldn't hurt so much... I'm fairly certain MOST of my headaches are stress/tension related. But I've yet to find a way to eliminate stress from my life. I teach middle schoolers. Stress is all over the place, in abundance.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will certainly talk to the neurologist about all of them. I just hope that I can get SOME sort of answer some time soon...

 

[Guest]

If it is blood pooling in your feet, you might be able to overcome this by getting up slowly over 2 to 3 minutes. Dangle your feet over the side of the bed, do a few stretches and give your circulatory system time to adjust to the new position.

 

[Gnusgal]

I've actually tried that. And it didn't work either... It seems like nothing I do helps. I have been making sure to get out of bed about 20 minutes before I actually get into the shower, but that doesn't make much difference either. The blood going to my feet was just an idea that my card had that she thought might be a possibility, and is why she had me stop taking my lasix, unless needed. Stopping the lasix didn't change anything either... Nothing seems to work. I have an appt. on Friday with my electrophysiologist, so I hope that he can shed some light on things. Maybe my pacer has recorded something that can answer all my questions... Doubtful, but one can hope...

 

[Guest]

Did you try keeping your husband out of the shower?

 

[Gnusgal]

:-D LOL!
Actually, he's usually still in bed when I get in the shower (lazy bumb ).