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Avatar universal

coumadin and travel

my husband was just dx with atrial flutter and prescribed warfarin 2.5 mg.  I know that pt and inr has to be monitored frequently in the beginning of therapy.  We have a trip to the UK planned in march (16 - 4/1)  Is it recommended to get a home inr monitor and communicate w/dr here at home?
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your feedback.  Hear that its the 20lb weight just lifted from my shoulders.  I tend to get to intense.  But life is meant to be lived moderation in all things.  Thanks again
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Avatar universal
I've been on coumadin for the past 5 years and I also travel often. My EP has me check my PT/INR at least every 3 weeks. My levels are never stable and that is my fault. Even though I should follow a consistent diet I do not. When I plan a trip abroad, I let my EP know where I am going and for how long. She usually has me check my PT/INR right before I leave and then again as soon as I come home. I've never had to check it while on vacation and there were times I was away for a month at a time.
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have never had my coagulation checked when traveling, and get in "trouble" with my cardiologist because I sometimes let the test slip to two months.  I have a rather good experience with anti-coagulant, part due to my rather consistent diet.  That's not to say I eat the same things, but I try to eat similar amounts of salad and green vegetables known to have a lot of vitamin "K".

Then too there are signs to watch for, bruises and bleeding when brushing teeth come to mind.  These are signs of the blood being too "thin".  That in general isn't dangerous.  IF that happened to me, I'd take a 1/2 dose the next day.

Keep in mind the formation of clots without an anti-coagulant is low, perhaps 2 to 3 percent per year for Atrial Fibrillation, even less for Atrial Flutter, I believe.  

My philosophy is to follow the doctors orders the best I can, but I don't worry about a little stretch or slip once in a while.  I think enjoying life too is important.

Others may disagree.    
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Avatar universal
Thank you.  I started to worry when somebody told me it would take six months to normalize.  Did you ever have to have blood test when traveling?  Again thanks for responding.
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
I missed some of your question, lost in abbreviations.  

But, March is a long way off, the correct dose of coumadin should be settled in by then and it shouldn't be necessary to have it tested more than once a month.  

A 2.5 mg dose is also a low dose in my experience, and that may be because Atril Flutter isn't as prone to causing clots as is Atrial Fibrillation.  Not sure I have that right.

I have traveled extensively while taking coumadin, and the only "problem" is being careful about my diet.  That is, once a balance for INR is achieved, it can be upset bay a change in diet.  Whatever one eats, they need to keep it as constant as possilbe in terms of quantity and types of vegetables.
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