6 replies to this topic

[ed medlin]

Hello All,
I am asking if anyone has had any problems coming off blood thinners?
Doctor is slowly reducing my dose of warfarin.
I am sure glad to maybe have some improvements as i get my blood back to normal, I am just checking about the Medicine reduction as I believe in always checking for more information if i can find it.

Have a great day because we sure need to keep trying to live to the fullest.. I am sure glad to read all your posts, thanks for all your help!!!

[boduke]

My boyfriend was on Warfarin for 7 months and they found his blood clot was gone so they took him off of it. But just about a month later another blood clot developed in his other leg. I don't know how long he will be on it this time, but I just want to let you know to keep a close eye out for another one b/c they say once you have one its easy to get another one.

[Dave Bishopstone]

I have been on warfarin for the past nine years with a cardiac problem. Periodically I have had to stop taking the medication due to impending surgery, in essence they is no need for a gradual withdrawal of warfarin. I just stop taking it as instructed from a given date and restart the warfarin therapy when told, this is the problem end, i.e. getting the INR back to the target level (in my case 2.5). As you are probably aware there are very frequent checks on the INR level thoughout the duration of the therapy.

Edited by Dave Bishopstone, 12 June 2009 - 07:33 PM.

[ed medlin]

boduke, on Jun 12 2009, 01:44 PM, said:

My boyfriend was on Warfarin for 7 months and they found his blood clot was gone so they took him off of it. But just about a month later another blood clot developed in his other leg. I don't know how long he will be on it this time, but I just want to let you know to keep a close eye out for another one b/c they say once you have one its easy to get another one.

hello, Thanks for the warning, I have been watching like a hawk for 11 months for any swelling of the leg because it is a very serious thing those blood clots... I just could not feel anthing different when i was on the blood thinner but it has to affect a lot of things in the body, just wondering what i should be watching for...
thanks I hope you and your guy are having a good life in spite of these setbacks , it will show how we handle problems.. I wish you the best, your Tallahassee fl friend.. Ed medlin

[ed medlin]

Dave Bishopstone, on Jun 12 2009, 03:32 PM, said:

I have been on warfarin for the past nine years with a cardiac problem. Periodically I have had to stop taking the medication due to impending surgery, in essence they is no need for a gradual withdrawal of warfarin. I just stop taking it as instructed from a given date and restart the warfarin therapy when told, this is the problem end, i.e. getting the INR back to the target level (in my case 2.5). As you are probably aware there are very frequent checks on the INR level thoughout the duration of the therapy.

Hello Thanks for the reply , i have been on Warfarin for 11 months and had no more problem with the left leg swelling up aftr starting the drug, I was told i could stop in six months then my new doctor said to go for a year, at my last checkin the level was 3.7 instead of the 2-3 level i needed, so said she would take me off off of the drug, lower for a week, then now total stopped taking, level was 1.7 this week. I was just checking did you have any problem going back to none in your system? I do a lot of PT trying to relearn how to walk, left leg is weak so I watch it as it was the one with the blood clot..

Thanks , Ed Medlin

[Dave Bishopstone]

ed medlin, on Jun 12 2009, 08:52 PM, said:

Dave Bishopstone, on Jun 12 2009, 03:32 PM, said:

I have been on warfarin for the past nine years with a cardiac problem. Periodically I have had to stop taking the medication due to impending surgery, in essence they is no need for a gradual withdrawal of warfarin. I just stop taking it as instructed from a given date and restart the warfarin therapy when told, this is the problem end, i.e. getting the INR back to the target level (in my case 2.5). As you are probably aware there are very frequent checks on the INR level thoughout the duration of the therapy.

Hello Thanks for the reply , i have been on Warfarin for 11 months and had no more problem with the left leg swelling up aftr starting the drug, I was told i could stop in six months then my new doctor said to go for a year, at my last checkin the level was 3.7 instead of the 2-3 level i needed, so said she would take me off off of the drug, lower for a week, then now total stopped taking, level was 1.7 this week. I was just checking did you have any problem going back to none in your system? I do a lot of PT trying to relearn how to walk, left leg is weak so I watch it as it was the one with the blood clot..

Thanks , Ed Medlin

Hi again,

I have no problems whatsoever with no warfarin in my system, honestly couldn't tell the difference, unless I cut myself of course. Dealing with breaking down blood clots is different from preventive therapy, in the former there is usually a time frame - with preventive therapy it is sometimes lifelong as in my case (I have had irregular heartbeats, which sometimes mean the heart chambers may not empty of blood on pumping with the risk that the residue may clot, with the risk of strokes etc).

I recently restarted warfarin post surgery and getting back to the target is proving a nuisance, my last reading was 3.4, so my dose is reduced and I have weekly INR checks until I get into the target range, then checks every 4 - 6 weeks.

As you appreciate all that warfarin does is to inhibit the coagulation of the blood.

Cheers

Dave

Edited by Dave Bishopstone, 12 June 2009 - 08:10 PM.

[ed medlin]

Dave Bishopstone, on Jun 12 2009, 04:09 PM, said:

ed medlin, on Jun 12 2009, 08:52 PM, said:

Dave Bishopstone, on Jun 12 2009, 03:32 PM, said:

I have been on warfarin for the past nine years with a cardiac problem. Periodically I have had to stop taking the medication due to impending surgery, in essence they is no need for a gradual withdrawal of warfarin. I just stop taking it as instructed from a given date and restart the warfarin therapy when told, this is the problem end, i.e. getting the INR back to the target level (in my case 2.5). As you are probably aware there are very frequent checks on the INR level thoughout the duration of the therapy.

Hello Thanks for the reply , i have been on Warfarin for 11 months and had no more problem with the left leg swelling up aftr starting the drug, I was told i could stop in six months then my new doctor said to go for a year, at my last checkin the level was 3.7 instead of the 2-3 level i needed, so said she would take me off off of the drug, lower for a week, then now total stopped taking, level was 1.7 this week. I was just checking did you have any problem going back to none in your system? I do a lot of PT trying to relearn how to walk, left leg is weak so I watch it as it was the one with the blood clot..

Thanks , Ed Medlin

Hi again,

I have no problems whatsoever with no warfarin in my system, honestly couldn't tell the difference, unless I cut myself of course. Dealing with breaking down blood clots is different from preventive therapy, in the former there is usually a time frame - with preventive therapy it is sometimes lifelong as in my case (I have had irregular heartbeats, which sometimes mean the heart chambers may not empty of blood on pumping with the risk that the residue may clot, with the risk of strokes etc).

I recently restarted warfarin post surgery and getting back to the target is proving a nuisance, my last reading was 3.4, so my dose is reduced and I have weekly INR checks until I get into the target range, then checks every 4 - 6 weeks.

As you appreciate all that warfarin does is to inhibit the coagulation of the blood.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks for the information, i started being tested in rehab and they would take a sample from the arm or hand at 4.30 in the am so it would be tested that morning as to have a report back for the day shift, one morning she thought she had woke me but i woke up as the nurse was sticking me , i jumped nearly out of the bed even as i mostly paralized and could only move a few toes on the right foot. they contitued to stick me even after i left rehab after two months by having a nurse visit my home weekly for 7 months sometime they would try several times to get a sample, lately a new machine , handheld will just work with a pinprick drop of blood from a finger, man i love that machine.
i just went to the store and bought a lot of green veggies for my next meal after the level is normal...have had no greens for a year. miss them a lot..i am just a old country boy at heart. Thanks for the reply, I wish you a good recovery from you recent operation and will ask Jesus to give you his healing and to send a few angels to help you., I thank you for your help...Ed Medlin Tallahassee Fl USA