michael's Journal

Di Jaramillo  I have the same question. It's been a year since my husband’s surgery, and he’s still monitoring his INR because it fluctuates with almost anything he eats. The doctor has recommended keeping a consistent diet and avoiding foods high in vitamin K. So far, we haven’t been offered any alternative to warfarin (the doctor insists there isn’t one), so we’ll need to keep tracking his levels. I’ve noticed that the doctor tends to prefer higher INR levels over lower ones. My husband’s levels have been as high as 5.1, and the doctor says he'd rather it be high than low. We have a follow-up appointment on Friday, and this is definitely one of the questions we’ll be asking.

Rita Savelis  INR constantly changes. It's not static. But this does not mean that you won't get to a point where you take a fairly consistant dose of coumadin and INR stays in range. I test once a month. It can take some bodies a longer time to adjust to coumadin, but then you do. I still have to raise or lower my dose occasionally but then it  usually goes back to the the original dose. I eat a fairly consistant diet and include everything. I feel for you because I was very nervous my first year. And then I relaxed and now manage my own dose. Di, if your husband has a replacement mitral valve it's likely that your doctor prefers INR to be higher rather than lower.

Richard Munson  My father was on coumadin for half his life and was regularly checked, my wife is a diabetic and checks her levels every day. And even then she occasionally has issues depended on what she ate and when. Just this week while walking the dog, she had to sit on a stone wall and once home i had to jump in the car and go get her. Sometimes its just the way it is i think. 

Di Jaramillo  Hi Brady, my husband has a mechanical mitral valve. He had his surgery a year ago, so we're still figuring out the dosage.
Rita, I'm glad to hear that the frequency of these check-ups decreases over time. We are currently taking the test weekly, and it's a hassle 

Rita Savelis  Di, weekly is a lot of hassle, I hear you. I hope you can move to at least every 2 weeks soon, and then forward from there. What's yr target? 2.5 to 3.5?  Some people need to alternate doses of coumadin like 7mg one day and 7.5 mg the next. Best of luck.

Brady Busch  When I was on Warfarin,for a number of months,(more than the 3,that most people take),it was tricky,getting the sweet spot,with the dosage.It was suppose to be between 2&3.Sometimes the number was 1.8 and the next reading 3.4.After tinkering though,they found it.Then,the time between blood samples became more spread out.

Susan Lynn  Very normal. If you're on medications, they might be contributing as well. It never hurts to call your cardiologist.

Suzette Schear  Hi Michael it is very normal,  I had called my cardiologist and they changed one of the meds to take at night and kept one of the pills in the morning.  They also suggest to get a blood pressure machine.  I wasn’t allowed to take one of the pills unless I hit a certain blood pressure reading

Suzette Schear  Ah Richard do you have any room for me since you are so loved and have many friends?  I look forward to you witt and posts hope you had a nice Father’s Day as you are truly amazing. Sincerely 

Ann T  I also would love to know the answer to that question. I am on it and have also been noticing headaches. I try to ask my doctors but have so far been unable to get a straight answer. But it seems to me that there are multiple people that have experience with headaches on the medication.  

Yumiko Ishida  Not based on my own experience. I’ve had other kinds of pain that were hard to manage because of the limitations on NSAIDs.

Robert Miller  Congrats. I just had carioversion a few weeks ago and went from like 90 to 45 at rest (35 or so right after the procedure). Now I am back up to about 55 at rest/sleep. Anyways, I am so relieved. I still have constant afib, so I will see how that is playing out. 

Brady Busch  Today,I sliced my forefinger with a grafting knife and was able to stop the bleeding,by using direct pressure for awhile.Having read about applying super glue to small cuts,even by a doctor,a little was placed over the wound.It's protected and never bled again.
Hospitals have similar stuff,to seal.
Not on Warfarin anymore,but am taking Eliquis.

Marie Myers  For heart valves, warfarin is the only science -backed, safe option  for Anticoagulation.  Eliquis is a safe option for treatment of other conditions, so your mother was able to use Eliquis safely. 

Barbara deLoache  Hi Michael.. I truly understand the warfarin issue. I have been on an anticoagulant for 10 years due to Afib. I used warfarin for the first few years because the newer blood thinners are very expensive. I never got consistent with my INRs. For me, I think it was diet related. I eat a lot of salads in general but of course not every day. And I drink wine here & there. I am on Eliquis now but it is very difficult for me to afford it. I will get a Maze procedure with my valve replacement & hopefully be able to stop it. Perhaps you should write down everything you eat & drink for a month or so to compare with your INRs. It might help to see if diet is an issue. 

Susan Lynn  Michael - I had my INR monitored for three months when I was on blood thinners. I was surprised at the foods that affect it. I agree with Barbara - document what you're eating. If your diet is consistent and your INR continues to fluctuate then your doctor may be able to look at other Rx options. Best of luck to you!

Jovan Dumas  Hi Michael. My heart rate was consistently in the low 90’s how 10 days out of my surgery and I messaged my cardiologist if that was an acceptable range. Her nurse said that that it was in range. The last couple days my heart range has been in the mid 80’s.

Yumiko Ishida  I think it is. Mine was consistently over 100 when I left the hospital. I’m on a small dose of beta blocker (propranolol) and it’s still in the 90s. I’m 11 weeks post surgery, and was told it will take a VERY long time before the heart rate normalizes. Hope you feel better soon. I was in afib about a year ago and it is not fun…

Jennifer Fuller  Yep. It takes a surprisingly long time for the heart to ‘settle’ after OHS. I don’t recall exactly how long it took, but one day a few months out I realized my heart rate was consistently normal (for me). 

Dena Porter  I am 19 days post mitral valve repair and my heart rate today got up to 125. I am hearing that it is normal at this time. I am definitely ready for my blood pressure to go up.  I hope you are feeling ok. 

Anna Ma  Dena, I have low BP and higher hr too post ohs. I looked up online and found this article from CC helpful, basically with low BP, we can drink more, add some sodium/salt, and wear compression socks will help. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-do-if-blood-pressure-is-to-low