Re: Coumadin - Legs feel real heavy

Posted By Mary Kay Bilczo on June 02, 1999 at 10:51:56
Morning
I am a 30 year old female.  I had open heart surgery 25 years ago to repair a VSD.  I had a pacemaker implanted 6 years ago.  Three months ago I was put on Cozaar.  I had an itty-bitty stroke (blood clot on my occipital lobe) last week.  I was put on Coumadin indefinitely.  I started at 7.5 mg and I am down to 5 mg a day.  I go for my first PT tomorrow morning.  My feet and calves feel real heavy and are little pinker then usual, but they are not swollen.  I had cramps behind my knees.  I am paranoid about  "purple toes" and "necrosis".  Can you provide any info on my "heavy legs"?
Thanks and smiles!
Mary Kay
PS.  I am an extremely active gal (walking 5 miles every other day, kickboxing, golf, weight lifts, etc). Well, not lately because I'm trying to get back to normal after the stroke.  What is this going to hinder and what should watch out for?

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on June 02, 1999 at 14:25:20
Dear Mary
It is unlikely that your symptoms are due to coumadin. Coumadin skin necrosis is painful and is visually obvious - the skin will be quite discolored. I do not know what is causing your leg symptoms, but if they are bothering you, you should have your doctor evaluate.
Regarding your stroke, I am assuming a fill investigation was conducted. Namely, your doctor hopefully checked to make sure the VSD is not leaking, that you do not have any blood clots in your heart, and that you do not have any heart rhythm irregularities that could lead to a stroke. It is very important that all this be done.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.











Follow Ups:


Coumadin - Legs feel real heavy Mary Kay 6/03/1999
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Re: Coumadin - Legs feel real heavy CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 6/06/1999
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