I have a question about coumadin, my father in law called me these morning and told me that both of his feet are discolored a bright red and the top of his left arm is also discolored. He has been on coumadin for the past 2 years, he has emphysema is on portable oxygen...ans was given the coumadin to thin his blood. Could the discoloration be from the coumadin? Im worried about him, but I live in New york state and he lives in Florida. I cant have my husband talk to him, because my husband is deployed to Iraq... Does anyone know anything about this med?
2007-09-23 07:14:18 · 5 answers · asked by Army♥Wife 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Coumadin is a blood thinner. It's used to help prevent DVT and embolis (blood clots). I have been on it for a while and I am pretty versed in what the side effects are...and the bright red discoloration is not a side effect that I have heard of or read about.
What you discribe could be a cirulation problem (not really related to Coumadin use). Your FIL needs to see or at least talk with his Dr about this. Left untreated it may be serious - like lead to gangrene/death of tissue and very serious infections. ... Better safe than sorry on this - have him contact his Dr very soon and discuss what is going on.
2007-09-23 13:41:49 · answer #1 · answered by Barb B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Coumadin doesn't cause discoloration of the skin, but any drug can cause bright red skin if the patient has an allergic reaction. Coumadin can cause red rashes to develop, but the rashes are composed of red dots or splotches. Besides allergies and side effects, another thing that causes bright red skin is infection - many different types. Any additional symptoms along with the redness are needed to determine the cause. The redness is probably no big deal, but it would be a good idea to have him see a doctor. Some infections that cause this type of redness need antibiotics.
2007-09-23 07:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your father is not getting too much oxygen -- it is not possible to "oversaturate" blood with oxygen.
Your father is not having a reaction to the coumadin now, after two years of use.
Your father sounds like he is having a case of cellulitis and needs to see a doctor before it worsens to a point of no return (gangrene, etc.). Tell him to go in and get a script for an antibiotic.
2007-09-23 11:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by emt_mmt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing I can think of is he may be getting too much oxygen. When blood is saturated with oxygen it tends to turn a bright red.
Has he perhaps increased the oxygen that he is receiving?
In any case, he should probably see a doctor as he is obviously not a healthy individual.
Sorry I can't help any further
2007-09-23 07:24:22 · answer #4 · answered by i_try_to_help 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a level, that when reached is considered theraputic, below that level does nothing and above that level is very dangerous, that is why you have a test called an INR done frequently when you are taking coumadin to make sure your levels are therapeutic, a change in diet can affect this level, especially anything with vitamin k in it................good luck, my husband has been on it for two years and they are just now getting his dosage where it stays the same from one blood test to the next, for almost two years we were testing and changing his dose every week to two weeks......
2016-05-17 04:57:33 · answer #5 · answered by kassie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋