Warning: Lawnmower blade cuts can be dangerous to those of us on coumadin!

[Davidcv67]

My Cardiologist Assistant called me at work literally yelling at me because I don't get my INR checked but every 3 months. (apparently she got in trouble for not following me...I don't blame her though)

I was always under the impression that once stable INR checks every 6 months will do. Am I wrong?

The funny thing was her worst case scenario she descibed:

If my INR is out of whack and I cut myself on the lawnmower I could bleed to death...

 

[KristyW]

6MONTHS!!!

6MONTHS!!!

Dave,

I hate to burst your bubble, but once your INR stabilizes you should have your INR checked once a month (down from once a week). Too many things can make it go out of range... changing your eating habits, vacations, changing multivitamins, changing alcohol amounts, etc. etc... Every 6 months is asking for problems. Al Lodwick put it this way "Just because you can run across the highway once without getting hit, doesn't mean you can keep running across safely." Eventually the odds are going to catch up with you.

Please, please get your INR tested once a month!!!

 

[Ross]

Dave you should be going at least once a month for the lovely INR check. What ever you do, watch for those evil lawnmower blades. They've been known to turn on you without provocation.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Dave-

Your PA is very right. You should be getting tested when the doctor tells you to. Sometimes it can go for a month, other times, it becomes unstable and needs more frequent checking.

It is an unpredictable drug and is always fluctuating.

You're the only one who can keep YOU safe. Others can only request and suggest, strongly, if necessary. But you are ultimately responsible for taking good care of the new life you have been given.

Your INR can get way out of whack without correct testing.

 

[JimL]

I get my INR checked once a week. I don't have my own machine yet, but the coumadin clinic lets me come in every week.

There have been several times when the INR went way out of whack, and it was very hard to figure out why. Sometimes it was a change in activity level, sometimes it was a change in eating habits.

Dave, you should definitely have your INR checked, and checked often. Most don't get theirs checked every week, but I'm convinced that that's the best way for me.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Dave,
I am with everyone else. Get your INR checked at least once a month. Right now I am getting mine done every two weeks and they tell me I will be going to once a month from now on. Take Care.

Dave

Keep your fires small!
__________________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR with a St. Jude

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Dave

Hi Dave

How often do you go to a dentist to have your teeth cleaned? If your INR is high..you would have a lot of bleeding.And I doubt if a dentist would clean your teeth knowing you were on coumadin and not knowing your range. I was slacking on dental cleaning before my Vr. replacement..and guess what happen 3 months after surgery. Waking up every a.m. with blood on tissue. Now, after going every 3 months for dental cleaning (and staying on coumadin) I have had no problems with brushing teeth..bleeding. I had a friend here where I live that was only testing every 3 months. Passed out with a severe nose-bleed. Hit his head on sofa. Get your INR tested at least once a month.. If it is out of range you can always eat green veggies to lower it.Hope you wear a bracelet that says, I take coumadin..in case you are in a car crash I cannot believe your Clinical nurse did not call you before 3 months. Where do you go for INR testing? Bonnie

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I am four+ years out and consider myself stable most of the year. Lets forget about summer when I bounce all over the place.

At the very least, testing once a month would be optimal. I have seen a major sway in just a week.You should look into a home testing method. It's wonderful to have the advantage at your finger tips. I do need to get better at calling my results in though.

PS. On the blades. I was watching something (might have been Oprah ) a few weeks ago about this woman whom was saved by her bra. Part of the lawn mower blade dislodged and hit on the underwire. Still passed through and was lodged in her chest. The bra saved her life. Amazing.

The only thing I will push around the yard is my little Scotts spreader. Too affraid of the blades.

 

[J.B.]

Dave, I have been told that I am the oldest member on this forum. I am coming up on three years since receiving my valve I have had my blood checked each month since the operation, and intend to continue doing so.

I know you were taught to listen to your elders. Get your blood tested each month for the rest of your life, and you could just one day claim the destinction of being the oldest member. Every three months will most likely not get you there. Good luck.
J.B.

 

[Georgia]

Finally, an excuse

Finally, an excuse

27 years ago, when we bought a house instead of a condo due to my spouse's insistence on having a yard, I told him I had no intention of ever mowing said yard. And I haven't - not even once. And now I finally have a good reason "Gee, Honey, I have to stay away from those blades."

Hm-m-m-m - stay away from blades - opens all sorts of opportunities to offload other jobs - have to really work on this.

As for testing - ditto everyone else.

 

[nadi]

Just a thought

Just a thought

Georgia,

I do believe that the dishwasher "arms" look like lawn mower blades!! Think we can get away with that???????

 

[Georgia]

ABSOLUTELY

ABSOLUTELY

Nadi -

AND BLENDERS AND MIXERS AND WASHING MACHINES AND CAN OPENERS (OK - so that's a stretch) AND THERE MUST BE SOMETHING INHERENTLY DANGEROUS IN VACUUMS. AND THAT GLASS COULD CAUSE AN EMERGENCY IF WE CLEANED IT TOO VIGOROUSLY . . .

Now, how do we get out of dusting???

And WHO SAYS taking coumadin is a drawback?

 

[nadi]

Dusting

Dusting

How about???

If we do the dusting then we have to do the fan blades and they and just like mower blade. Think it will work?

 

[MarkU]

I've been fortunate that my INR has been very stable for the past two years. As long as I'm in my "normal" routine I get my INR checked every 6-8 weeks. If I have to do something out of my routine, like travel, I'll get it checked more frequently.
Oh, and I mowed the grass and used the power hedge trimmers yesterday...guess I like living on the edge.

Mark

 

[Georgia]

Ooh, Nadine, you're good. Of COURSE it counts.

 

[lcwhitney]

FORGET LAWNMOWER BLADES!!!!

FORGET LAWNMOWER BLADES!!!!

Forget the lawnmower blades, what about things like a brain bleed or hemorrhaging out of your tear ducts because your INR is 142. I would feel very lucky if I could go more than one week without getting my INR checked!!! Please be careful and get your PT checked more often.


Lettitia