Warfarin and time difference

[Emma]

As I'm sure most of you know (since I've been so excited about it!), we are off to Florida next week.

I have been wondering how to give Chloe her warfarin?? What time of day?? I thought about keeping it to every 24 hours although that will mean changing her time of day for taking her dose.

That would mean she has it at 6pm as normal on the wednesday night, then taking into account the 5 hour time difference, it would be at 1pm each day. Does that sound ok or does anyone do anything different with their medication when travelling on a time difference??? We have never done it with Chloe before so are just trying to minimise any chances of her INR going off on one while we're on holiday,

Thanks for any advice!!

Emma
xxx

 

[geebee]

Emma,

I do not know if 5 hours will make that much difference but it can't hurt. I do not adjust when I travel to the west coast (3 hours difference). I take my coumadin after lunch each day.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

You're going to Disneyworld....

You're going to Disneyworld....

Hi Emma,
I think you have a wonderful idea -- keep her on the same timeframe for medications.

Be sure to keep little Chloe as cool as you can by drinking lots and lots of water and staying in the shade as much as possible to avoid heat prostration. Also, might be a good idea to have a long nap during the heat of the day.

Have you ordered her "children's meal" on the plane?

Have a great time visiting Mickey and Minnie.. Goofy is my favorite.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Since keeping with the same 24 hour schedule would place her dose at 1 pm Florida Time, that sounds like the best plan to me as long as you remember to admisister it after Lunch each (busy) day.

Even if you miss a mid day dose, I would not expect a 5 hour delay to cause any problems. The main thing is to keep the same weekly dose. I've taken a missed dose 9 hours late and not had any problems.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Emma]

Thankyou!
Can anyone think of anything else that might throw her INR of that I can watch out for??

Can dehydration do it? not that i'm planning on letting her get dehydrated!

Emma
xxx

 

[geebee]

I don't know about in general but my bout with dehydration did not affect my INR. I usually test on Wednesdays and that was the day I got sick. My INR was 2.9 so right in range.

I would watch out for any major dietary changes but the food they have at Disney World is pretty common stuff. Just be sure and drink even if you are not thirsty - recent experience talking.

You should be fine. Have a great time.

 

[DavesMom]

Hi Emma!

Whenever I've traveled to the UK I've always kept myself on the 24 hour schedule. At home I take my daily dose at 4 p.m. and when in England I just take it at 10 p.m. since there's a six hour time difference.

I've never had a problem, though staying up until 10 p.m. that first day is often hard due to jet lag!

Have a safe, fun trip.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[Cris N]

I think you need to watch out for the heat & humidity... here's an article you should probably read... http://www.ptinr.com/data/templates/article.aspx?articleid=265&zoneid=4

Hope you have a great time

 

[Guest]

The key to warfarin management is routine.

The idea of a holiday is to get away from routine.

Expect her INR to get out of range - probably too high from not eating her usual stuff. You have a Coaguchek so you can test every day or two to be sure.

People - especially kids - are amazingly resilient. Don't worry too much about it. A person who knows nothing but routine is a pretty dull person. Have fun!!!

I laughed whren I saw her picture. She appears to be worshiping at the CoaguChek altar.

 

[Emma]

hahahahaha, yeah Al, I know what you mean - that photo was taken for a magazine article I wrote over here about her coaguchek for 'Heartline'.

Thankyou for all the replies. I am taking coaguchek so I will just keep an eye on her INR regularly and adjust her warfarin as necessary if it goes out of range.

And thankyou everyone for your replies!

Off to do some holiday clothes shopping now - one of the best bits of going on holiday as husband can't shout at me for spending money on that surely!

Love Emma
xxx

 

[Karlynn]

Emma, I don't have anything more to add to the advice already offered. I just wanted to wish you a safe trip and have a magical time in the Magic Kingdom. Sure wish Florida was closer to Illinois so that I could meet you.

 

[Guest]

Emma,
When you get back, could you e-mail the article to me. Maybe Roche Diagnostics would like to use it ijn their newsletter. I have been in it and know several people associated with it.

 

[Emma]

Can email it to you whenever you like Al. Did you want to PM me your email address and I can do it tonight. Anything that might help with promotion of this excellent machine!

Emma
xxx

 

[Guest]

I'll send the e-mail address here. Does it need any copyright clearance? Send the previous publication info too, so it can be credited.

[email protected]

 

[Emma]

will send it in a mo Al, don't know if it'll be any good to you or not but you are welcome to look and do with it as you want. It doesnt need any copyright things. It was just me writing it for the heart parents support organisation over here called 'Heartline' but can be used anywhere you like.

Emma
xxx

 

[Emma]

Have emailed you Al.

Karlynn, wish we could meet up too! Seems no-one lives near Orlando and Hank quite selfishly i felt (lol) arranged your reunion to not be during our two weeks in the US.

Thankyou so much for all the advice. Now if I could get over the slight fear of flying I seem to have developed this week, all would be fine!

Emma
xxx

 

[Guest]

I have the article. Can you e-mail the picture, too?

 

[Emma]

hmmmm, thats a good question. I'm not good with things like that. I'll have a go

xxx

 

[Emma]

Done it! Can you let me know if it works please cos it doesnt normally and I'll try again for you

xxx

 

[Guest]

It is perfect.