When do you start coumadin?

[brendamarlene]

How soon after surgery do you start coumadin? Then how soon do you go to have it checked? As I will have a mechanical valve this time (my reoperation is scheduled for Feb 22), coumadin will be a new adventure for me.

 

[Ross]

Almost immediately and within usually the first 5 days. They will check everyday until your discharged.

 

[RCB]

Depends on progress

Depends on progress

It generally depends on how you are doing after surgery and if you were on warfarin before. Most surgeon like to have you on it as soon as possible, but it takes several days to get in to range. As a rule of thumb, they like to have you at least to 2.2 when you leave the hospital.

INR testing will start almost immediately after surgery and will continue every day as your INR comes in to range- the time table is different for everybody.

When you leave the hospital, a nurse will go over a set of instructions for you- one of which will be to get an INR test ASAP to establish a baseline for
your warfarin.

 

[MarkU]

They started me the day after I got out of ICU after surgery. Got tested every day while in the hospital and then once a week for the next couple of months.

Took about 6-8 weeks to get stabilized, but have not had much trouble staying in range since then. Keeping a consistent diet and level of activity is the key.

Mark

 

[Guest]

ICU people don't like warfarin. Their idea of an adrenalin rush is something more exciting than giving somebody a pill and then getting a blood test 3 days later to see what happened.

 

[terryj]

After my husband was out of the ICU and in a room we had to watch a video on Coumadin and read some literature on it. Then we had to sign a paper we understand what we had read and he was started on his 1st dose of coumadin.

 

[Marty]

The "handoff" from the surgeons to the PCP is critical particularly since most heart patients are discharged from hospital in 4 to 7 days. My first visit to PCP at 2 weeks post op after being discharged from hospital on day 4 post op showed INR 5.8. Dose was adjusted and he ordered a Coaguchek for me for which I have been ever grateful.

 

[brendamarlene]

So when, after the surgery, would be the best time to see the cardiologist who will be monitoring the INR ???

 

[gadgetman]

I was discharged on Thursday and they set up with my local Doc (before I left) to check my blood the next day. Unfortunately, I screwed up the dosage and took 2.5 that night (which I was supposed to do) and and then mistakenly took another 2.5 that morning before going for my test. I had to come back on Monday and have things done again. My schedule for testing has been Thursday and Monday, except for this last time when I was coming to see my local Doc and they gave me dosage to take until Thursday. Fortunately, because they were able to repair my valve I am suppose to stop the Coumadin after four weeks.

You might check with them before discharge and see if they can't set up your first test before you leave.

Good luck on your pending surgery and prayers and good thoughts are coming your way. Hang in there.

Danny

 

[brendamarlene]

Home Check???

Home Check???

Can I set up this HOME CHECK I have read about here, so that I do not have to go in to a doctor's office when I first get back. Transportation may be a problem.

 

[brendamarlene]

Thanks Danny!

Thanks Danny!

Danny, thank you for all your prayers. They are very much appreciated!!!

 

[djacq]

I think its great to be proactive about managing Coumadin.

QAS helped me obtain the ProTime BEFORE surgery. It arrived while i was still in the hospital after my AVR.

My PCP would not authorize it but the surgeon and his RN were much for home testing and did the paperwork prior to the surg so I started testing immediately with great results.

Best of luck and I am sure you will do well with your surgery.

Donna

 

[catwoman]

Can I set up this HOME CHECK I have read about here, so that I do not have to go in to a doctor's office when I first get back. Transportation may be a problem.

Brenda:
Per FDA rules, patients must be anticoagulated for 3 months before getting a home testing machine. It can take 3+ months for your INR to stabilize. Your PCP or other doctor must authorize the machine.
QAS took care of paperwork for my machine.

 

[Rain]

Bite your tongue, Rain!

Bite your tongue, Rain!

Allodwick wrote: ?ICU people don't like warfarin. Their idea of an adrenalin rush is something more exciting than giving somebody a pill and then getting a blood test 3 days later to see what happened.?

lol

 

[Marty]

See your cardiologist as soon as possible after you get home. He will do a venous draw and send it to his central lab ( unless he has a Coaguchek in his office).That will get you started with the people who will be responsible for managing your INR. At that time discuss self testing and he may start that process.

 

[brendamarlene]

Contradictory info?

Contradictory info?

Donna's and Marsha's posts look contradictory. Well, upon all of your advice I called the coumadin clinic connected with my cardiologist office, and I have an appointment for the day after I arrive back home from Alabama. But I do not look forward to having to get there. Home testing would be much easier. But not as reliable???

When you home test, do you call in the results, and someone tells you how to adjust your dosage?

What is a COAGUCHECK?

Is PROTIME the only home tester?

I guess I need to do some research, but I thought I would just take the easy way out and ask all of you experts. Also, I really don't have much time as I am leaving for Alabama on Sunday, and I still have a long list of to-do's.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[Ross]

http://www.hometestmed.com/anticoagulation.asp

 

[brendamarlene]

Thank you Ross

Thank you Ross

Thank you, Ross, this site is just what I need!!! Perfect!!!