2007-02-15 14:25:47 · 3 answers · asked by zjfb1 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
I am 25, and I will take Coumadin the rest of my life because of a rare blood disorder I have.
It is the second most dangerous drug, taking second place only to chemotherapy.
Are you on it? You need to wear a Medic Alert bracelet stating that you are on this drug and why. See www.medicalert.org They have 24 hour on call assistance if you're every injured.
You need to have your INR tested WEEKLY, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. My INR levels have gone from a 1.5 to a 5.5 in a matter of days.
Be careful of the greens you eat, as they are a natural blood clotter. The most important thing is to be consistent. If you are a leafy green lover (as I am!) and you want to eat 3-4 servings a day, then you need to eat 3-4 servings EVERYDAY, so that it stays consistent.
Be careful of the meds you take, and ALWAYS ask a doctor or pharmacist before you take a new medicine, because they may interact with the warfarin. Meds you cannot take are: Advil, Ibproufin, Motrin, Excedrin, Aspirin, Alieve, Naproxen, and any other NSAD. Tylenolol is safe.
Take your Coumadin the same time every day, and mark on your calendar your doses so you don't forget.
I have decided to test from home now with my own INR machine, and I simply call my results in to my doc. Check out www.hemosense.com and see if your insurance will pay for one.
You cannot do any kind of activities that may result in an injury such as sled riding, racing, football, ect. as these may cause internal bleeding, and could be potentially fatal.
Pay attention always to signs of clots. Keep a symptom journal, and never be afraid of going to the doctor or ER if you suspect a clot. With very little warning, a clot can take your life.
I hate taking Coumadin, but it is the only thing keeping me alive.
Well, I hope this helps.
Take Care, and God Bless,
Chris
2007-02-17 08:05:58 · answer #1 · answered by Chris 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have taken care of and drawn blood from a lot of Coumadin patients. The worst part of the drug is the monitoring of levels. Once you get those into check and find a good phlebotomist, everything seems to work great. In our more aged patients, they seem to experience easier bruising. My only other suggestion is that if you do happen to cut yourself, be sure to hold pressure on the wound firmly and allow a little extra time for the area to seal itself. Since you're on a blood thinner this is a normal side effect.
2007-02-15 14:39:46 · answer #2 · answered by jennisthedude 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
anti-coagulant/blood thinner. My kid brother was wounded in Iraq and has to take coumadin for the rest of his life to avoid blood clots.
If you're asking because you're looking for "entertainment value", I don't think you're gonna find it there.
2007-02-15 14:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dosage,time of medicating daily and monitoring are all critical.
2007-02-16 07:58:51 · answer #4 · answered by xxx 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋