He has had a pacemaker for years, and has recently completed hormone and radiation for prostate cancer. He awoke feeling ill and went to the doctor who said his pacemaker is ok but the other side of his heart is not doing well. The doctor also said that he needed coumadin for thick blood. After about 3 months of therapy they said his blood is "thicker". I don't understand how his blood could be getting thicker. He is taking 2 coumadin daily. He does not bruise and is very difficult to get blood out of a finger stick. Does anyone have info on what could be up with his blood? is this a genetic thing or something else?
2006-09-17 13:29:57 · 6 answers · asked by joyo 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
How old is he? If he's pushing 80 I would say that's pretty much common. I am only 52 and took coumadin which went the other way and caused me medical nightmares and almost my life! Make sure you get plenty of pro-times!
I know that if your heart isn't pumping blood properly (weak chambers and muscles) then your blood would more than likely thicken, at least that sounds reasonable to me!
I'm not any kind of medical professional so don't take my suggestions for any worth! I'm not diagnosing anything!
We just have generic heart disease in our family and I've pretty much been through the mill more or less!
2006-09-18 13:16:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal for a person to be put on coumadin therapy after having a pace maker put in. If his blood is "too thick", then he needs a larger dose of coumadin. The doctor adjusts it after getting the protime lab result back. The dosage can vary and it is hard to keep the lab value at the bulls eye point.
2006-09-17 14:19:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
His blood "thicker" doesn't really mean thicker. Coumadin is used to inhibit clotting factors synthesized by the liver so that the patient will have less tendency to clot. This medicine is used for several indications, not sure what is your dad's. His doctor can increase his dose to titrate the protime (blood test) to the desire level. He may be on this medicine for a clotting condition or for prevention of clots.
Good luck.
2006-09-17 13:43:10 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure the doctor in doing a PT/INR on a regular basis. It is fairly common for the Coumadin dose to change
2006-09-17 13:41:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the Dr. again. Keep going back for the blood testing until they get the right dose of coumadin for him.'
2006-09-17 13:38:38 · answer #5 · answered by Bluealt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by thicker what exactly do u mean....there are intervals for checking the prothrombin time and INR when taking coumadin. when checking this labs and the coumadin seemed to be not working...his doctor should have either increased the dosage and if not working he should have changed it, maybe injectable ones...more blood work ups to see what went wrong,
2006-09-17 13:49:06 · answer #6 · answered by ♦cat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What is he eating? Vitamin K foods such as green veggies will cause the blood to be thick and work against the cooumadin
2006-09-18 08:46:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋