Coumadin and the INR level

Hi...glad to see your post. I have been checking almost daily. Coumadin is a horrible drug.....I should know. My last INR was 3.8 so I have to go back next week. I was on steroids a few months ago and my INR was over 10!!!!! I took a vitamin k pill and the next day it was 1.7. So my cardio put me on Lovenox injections and coumadin together for a few days....If I can go two weeks with a good reading I am happy. I had a c-scan about 3 weeks ago to check the growth of my aneurysm. Last May it was 4.7....the last measurement was 4.1. I really don't know which to believe. But the report said it was "stable" so guess I should be happy. The mechanical valve (per Duke and the St. Jude reps) is not functioning properly but nothing is going to be done at this time. So whichever comes first with problems....the aneurysm or the valve will determine the surgery. So wish me luck. I have thought about you a lot and glad to know that things are going reasonably well for you.  Take care...Jane

I was wondering if the Vit K is continuing to INR stabilized or is it fluctuating again in relation to coumadin dosage, and have they titrated the coumadin.  WMarie

Wow Jane,
It's good to know there are good people out there who have experience with Coumadin and all that goes with it. Makes me feel like I'm not alone. Plus, you have had alot more experience with it than I.  Just knowing you are out there is a comfort. Glad to hear your aneurysm is "stable" even if the measurements are a little off...as long as your next echo says it is not growing...that is what I had hoped for, but found not to be the case. Sorry your valve isnt working right, but you didnt say what was the matter with it. I have the St. Jude also, and so far so good, but its only a month out.  This PT, INR business is getting to me, but I refuse to let this steal my joy at just having made it thru the surgery.
God bless,
Colleen

Hello! My INR reading has been 1.6,1.8.2.7.3.3 and today 3.8. The doctor advised me to stop taking coumadin for 2 days, then back on for 5, then have another INR test. I was taking 5.5m coumadin. What's up with the flexuation? Can you advise.
Thank you  B.F.

I work with the elderly, and a LOT of them take coumadin! I see INRs in my sleep :)

Coumadin is used when someone has atrial fib (among other reasons), which can cause clots to form, which can cause heart attack or stroke. Coumadin thins your blood to help prevent the clots. The higher the INR, the thinner your blood. Ideal INR for a diagnosis of Afib is 1.8- 3.2, depending on who you talk to. Don't you worry about coumadin causing afib, it doesn't. Your risk is for bleeding, if the INR if very high... 4.8 is pretty high but not necessarily high enough for vitK. Over 6 (not to mention 10!) would have me hopping! Your steroid is likely interfering and you just need to not take it or take a decreased amount until you're done the steroids (depending on what your doc says). When monitored properly, Coumadin is a lifesaving and fairly simple way to prevent you from having a stroke or heart attack, but it will fluctuate depending on LOTS of factors.

Good luck with the rash!

Laujac, you definately need that coumadin, it could save your life... but you should be monitored very closely. Best of luck to you hon.

What is a health patients normal INR reading? Once the Coumadin dose is set to the paitent what is the average INR ready?

my INR is 1.8 and i take 7mg per day .

just of the last few days i have been passing blood and clots in my urine.

am seeing a urologist on Monday - first available date.

is this a side effect of coumadine .

my GP is on holiday and has no offsider that i can refer to.

regards   peter

hi i have been taking coumadin for almost 1 year now last week i went for my reg blood check and the  count was 5.3 we held the dose ( 5mg day) for 3 days went back and the count was 5.6, held for 3 more  days when i went back on monday the count is now down to 3.9  diet has not really changed except that i dont have an appetite  what can cause this
i take blood thinners for afib and i have also had a tia this year
deb

I have lupus anti and the gean factor 5 I have to do the coumadin range 2.5 - 3.5 for life.. My goal is to be satable and consistent  I choose to do my greens / K on the ODD DAYS only
I am consistance
I get my greens I love
I dont for get if I did or didnt eat green / vit k
this has proven to be very very on the PT INRs reading and consistant, the day I do chemo / steriods I do greens no matter the odd day ,  my levales jump  with chemo/stroids.. and this also has proven to keep me in my numbers

Also when I can  dont right now  enjoy a glass of wine I do  green veggies too they will blance each other  for me 2 glasses and a 1 1/2 cup salad mix greens  / cup of pea soup also works ... I am looking into the amounts of K I seen to eat to balance  .. I am able to do 3 m all days but one and I do 4m  I want o take less of the Posion pill.. as possiable.

ALSO a note I have my own home PTINR mach love it and you all need to go the machine easy to use just a blood stick  like for a dibetic...
blessings MAry  ps we need a PT  INR tracker !!! plz

hi you may like to look at www.clotcare.com as there is a lot of usefull information that may answer all your questions, l found it very interesting but l will say l was told to have small portions of veg with vit k if l like them, it is better to have little than none, l have been on coumadin for 3 years and l hate taking them. but lam on them for life so l will not deprive myself of veg's l enjoy and at the same time l need these greens to help build my body back up after chemo and radiation as l have had breast cancer and it is important to do 5/5 veg and fruit, l tell my anticoagulant what l have took and she makes allowances.

Hello everyone. I have a coumadin reading of normally a 2.5 but yesterday it read a 1.8 the lady who reads it for me said that is too low. I take 7mg a day for six days then on sunday I take 5mg. I am to just stay on my normal daily amount till I get checked in a week. I was feeling good and now that I ate I feel kinda gassy and tired, my stomach is kinda upset. I had a year ago a mechanical  valve St Jude Titanium valve  installed and three holes in my heart closed with a double bypass. I usually do pretty good just hate the coumadin that ties me to the blood checking so often. My question is does low mean too thick?  

Hello everyone. I have a coumadin reading of normally a 2.5 but yesterday it read a 1.8 the lady who reads it for me said that is too low. I take 7mg a day for six days then on sunday I take 5mg. I am to just stay on my normal daily amount till I get checked in a week. I was feeling good and now that I ate I feel kinda gassy and tired, my stomach is kinda upset. I had a year ago a mechanical  valve St Jude Titanium valve  installed and three holes in my heart closed with a double bypass. I usually do pretty good just hate the coumadin that ties me to the blood checking so often. My question is does low mean too thick?  

Sorry for the double post.

Has anyone had the experience of Warfarin not working as well as the name brand Coumadin?  Also, have any of you experienced diarrhea from taking it?
Lane

wondering if Viagra or Cialis can effect INR levels?

Hi
I'm taking care of my Father's Coumadin dosage after being given the results of the INR Test. He was staying in the 2.0 2.9 range until this last reading when the INR Result was 3.9 (from 2.6).  Since his readings were stable & this one increased quite a bit, I'm worried. What could cause the increase?
Thanks

what is the danger of a 4.1 reading

Ive been on warfarin since Fri as my blood was 1.1 and blood tests today has gone to 5.5. Should i be worried .