Has anyone using Warfarin experienced an increased level of depression and anxiety? I had an On-X artificial heart valve implanted in me 3 months ago. Required ...Read more
Has anyone using Warfarin experienced an increased level of depression and anxiety? I had an On-X artificial heart valve implanted in me 3 months ago. Required to take Warfarin (lower dose than people who have other and/or older artificial heart valves). "Cardiac Depression" is common post surgery. I've noticed the level of depression and anxiety has been gradually increasing since surgery and with gradual increases in Warfarin to get my INR level to the target range consistently. Last month the daily amount was increased from intervals of 2.5 mg/5 mg (2.5 mg for 2 or 3 days; 5 mg for 1 or 2 days) to 5 mg daily. Shortly after this change, my level of depression (and along with anxiety) SKYROCKETED rapidly to the worse level I have ever experienced in my adulthood. Thanks, James
Lynn Loudermilk I am on Plavix with a tissue valve. Sorry don't know abut how Warfarin acts.
Joseph Heinzmann The concerns you mention are not listed as known side effects as far as I can tell. That said, the va ... Read more
Joseph Heinzmann The concerns you mention are not listed as known side effects as far as I can tell. That said, the variable nature of anti-coagulation therapy (constantly looking for a target range, finger stick appointments, different doses on different days, watching vitamin K foods) was, for me, more stressful than if I didn't have to do that, and honestly, noticeably stressful. I suspect that the whole regimen ranges from annoying for some people to high stress for others.
Care for post-surgery depression is part of your care so speak up to your doctors and ask for some help. There's no shame in it and it may help you to have assistance with something that is normal and addressable. Meanwhile, know that you have a community here who will be in your corner.
P.S. My current warfarin dosage is two different colors so every day at 6pm it's time to taste the rainbow, but nobody ever accepts my offer to share my skittles.
David Smith Hi James - if you drink alcohol and have had to cut back or quit, that could be a possibility. I had ... Read more
David Smith Hi James - if you drink alcohol and have had to cut back or quit, that could be a possibility. I had to quit drinking two days before my surgery and haven’t had a drink since. That was five weeks ago. I have since switched to N/A beer and I work closely with the clinic to ease back into social drinking under AHA guidelines. Three a day for men but I have to wait for a few weeks after my cardiologist appointment. I go to the clinic once a week and my INR is in between 2-3. Work close with your Coumadin clinic.
Rita Savelis Depression is really really common in those who have had OHS. After the intense physical ordeal you h ... Read more
Rita Savelis Depression is really really common in those who have had OHS. After the intense physical ordeal you have been through, your psyche now has to go through its ordeal. This can come on suddenly. I don't think it's a side effect of anticoagulants, but getting used to anticoagulants can be very difficult. I found it stressful that the doses change and it can take a LONG time to stabilise and feel comfortable. It took me a long time. I have 2 mechanical valves and have been on high doses of anticoagulants for 6 years.
If you have the possibility to talk to a therapist about all that you have been through (which is a lot), I would recommend that as a way to put words on this difficult experience. I went into depression about 6 months after OHS and stayed there for about 7 months. I wrote a post about it in my journal. I feel for you. Take care.
Care for post-surgery depression is part of your care so speak up to your doctors and ask for some help. There's no shame in it and it may help you to have assistance with something that is normal and addressable. Meanwhile, know that you have a community here who will be in your corner.
P.S. My current warfarin dosage is two different colors so every day at 6pm it's time to taste the rainbow, but nobody ever accepts my offer to share my skittles.
If you have the possibility to talk to a therapist about all that you have been through (which is a lot), I would recommend that as a way to put words on this difficult experience. I went into depression about 6 months after OHS and stayed there for about 7 months. I wrote a post about it in my journal. I feel for you. Take care.