Warfarin side-effects

Hi,

I'm a 28-yr-old male currently taking coumadin for the last 5 months. I've been having some strange side-effects, and am just wondering if anyone w/more experience can share w/me.

I'm been gaining weight steadily despite watching what I eat and regular exercise <40+lbs in 4 months>, have been having hot flashes and am extremely fatigued at certain points during my day <usually late-afternoon to mid evening>. I'm on a high dose, 16mg a day w/no sign of being lowered anytime soon. My INR is apparently hard to control, according to my doctors, even tho I watch my intake of vit. K. One week I'm 2.08 where they want me, the next I've lowered to 1.9 and the next I'm 2.28, just as an example.

Is there anyway to combat these side-effects w/o starving myself?

Gwarlad- your INR's are fine - they shouldnt be adjusting you with INR's like that - those are all good results. You will almost never have the same INR. As far as the coumadin - gaining that much weight in a short period of time sounds like something else is going on. Have you had your thyroid checked? You should talk with your doctor about running other tests to see why you are gaining weight. I would recommend an Endocronologist.

My thanks for the quick response.

They keep telling me that I should be exactly at 2.08, not up or down. As for an endocrinologist, I've been seen, and they attribute the weight-gain to the same, the warfarin. Then one tells me that the drug doesn't put weight on, then another says it does, then the specialist says that it does. Where do you turn?

I dunno, all this is confusing, and I get diff. answers from every specialist I see, so far only one has been top-notch. I'm just a little worried, what w/the gaining, blood coming from every orifice save my mouth and nose, if you get my meaning, the fatigue etc, and nobody I speak to can give me a straight answer. Sometimes I wonder if it'll be the warfarin to kill me, or the weight.

Gwarlard, are you bleeding? I have managed over 600 patients and none of them ever have their INR the same all the time that is why there are ranges...tell your doctors that! The norms are 2-3 or 2.5-3.5 -- as long as you are in OR near your range they shouldnt be touching your dosing. For an example, they shouldnt be messing with a 1.9 or 3.1 - they should check you in a week to make sure you go back up into range. I can almost 100% guarantee the weight gain is not from the Coumadin -- the only thing I can think of is if someone were bleeding internally - but that would take a lot of bleeding and you would definately have other problems first...thats my reason for the question on if you are bleeding?

I am bleeding, actually. From the anus, in my semen and urine, all that pretty stuff. I've told my Dr. several times, nothing's been done, just "let me know if it gets worse". The story of my life for the last 5 months.
They keep telling me that they want me exactly at 2.08, no more, no less. I'm taking the meds for a DVT in the left calf, w/no logic as to why I have it <no prior injury, no surgery, clean health chk, etc etc> so manybe that has something to do w/it?

Gwarlad, I am not doctor, nurse or any member of the medical profession, only a "coumadin lifer" who has been on it for 2 years, since I had bilateral PEs for no reason, they didn't even find any prior DVTs.

I have to say, I cannot understand your doctors. If you have been bleeding like this for 5 months, even I can tell you that something's wrong! If it were me, I would simply not accept the doctors telling me to wait until it gets worse! I mean, you are already bleeding!

I have also never heard of any reason to keep an INR at exactly the same especially the 2.08 you mentioned. I have done a lot of research so I can understand for myself about coumadin/warfarin treatments, but I have not ever run across anything like it.

But then again, I am only a "user"....all I can do is share my experiences, and wish you the best of luck, and offer you my prayers for you.

By the way, Laurie is great and has helped through a lot of rough spots......and she's a nurse :)

All the best to you!

Gwarland, I highly advise you to DEMAND your doctors find the cause of the bleeding - if your INR is in range - there is another cause and they MUST find it! This is NOT normal, it is NOT acceptable. I dont care if you drive and hour - you NEED to find another doctor - this is serious and I dont want you to endure other serious health issues. Once again, I will say - YOUR doctors are IDIOTS! Please find another doctor - they are WRONG!

My choices for docs around here are slim, and I can't leave <the closest hospital other than the one here is over an hour away> for 2 or 3 appts a week out've town unfortunately. I will be mentioning all this during my appt. this week however.

I wanted to ask about fighting the fatigue associated w/Warfarin. Are there any supplements I can take, vitamins or the like? I'm so tired all the time now, and it's starting to grate on my nerves as well as everyone elses around me. I find that on an average day, I have to nap at least twice just to function, as before this type of thing was unheard of.

Gwarland, you can take a multivitamin and I recommend that you do. I do however recommend ones that work instead of over the counter if possible. I know Shaklee vitamins are actually absorbed, I use Melaleuca and know that they do, and Im sure there are others. Most vitamins over the counter are readily absorbed by your body and are simply flushed out of your system. Hope this helps.

Ok, I've purchased vitamins, hoping this does me some good for the fatigue. The pharmacist suggested Centrum, so I figured I'd give it a try as Melaleuca isn't available here.

I have a question regarding the possibility of a traveling clot. This evening, I experienced pain in my left kidney <the general area> and the feeling of swelling there. It lasted for maybe 5 minutes and passed off again. I've chked online for info relating to warfarin and kidney complications, but there doesn't seem to be much info out there. I don't want to be running to the hospital every time I have an ache or pain I can't explain, but I don't want to be taking chances either w/this.

Any ideas or suggestions? Again Laurie, my thanks, you've been quite a help to me over the past week, and I really appreciate it :)

Gwarland, it could be a kidney stone. Coumadin doesnt normally cause that kind of problem. Are you having any problems urinating.

Nope, I'm not. I've been to the doc, had all the tests and guess what? I'm fine. I'm still bleeding from front and back, my kidneys both hurt intermittently, and after stool/urine tests and an x-ray, I was told everything is a-ok. That if the symptoms get bad, head to the emergency for "treatment".

They mentioned that they chked for stones and signs of gall bladder troubles on top of chking for occult blood, etc.

hi Gwarlad
I was on this rat poison for 8 months and had gained over 50 lbs. I have lost 30 lbs since March. I was put on due to a blood clot in my right arm. I was told this was very rare and unknown why a 43 yr old woman would get it.

I was also very tired on the drug and when I told my doctor about the wieght gain and being so tired he only said that it wasnt part of the side effects...... I would also get dizzy and walk sideways at times.

Just this month they wanted to put me back on the rat poison and I am on the fence if I should or not.

Hang in there and keep researching your options. Don't take the word of just one doctor.

Gwarlad wrote:

Hi,
I'm a 28-yr-old male currently taking coumadin for the last 5 months. I've been having some strange side-effects, and am just wondering if anyone w/more experience can share w/me.
I'm been gaining weight steadily despite watching what I eat and regular exercise <40+lbs in 4 months>, have been having hot flashes and am extremely fatigued at certain points during my day <usually late-afternoon to mid evening>. I'm on a high dose, 16mg a day w/no sign of being lowered anytime soon. My INR is apparently hard to control, according to my doctors, even tho I watch my intake of vit. K. One week I'm 2.08 where they want me, the next I've lowered to 1.9 and the next I'm 2.28, just as an example.
Is there anyway to combat these side-effects w/o starving myself?

Laurie, I WROTE TO YOU EARLIER BUT CAN NOT FIND A REPLY. I was wanting to know if you at one time had your coumadin count shoot up to 12 could you have possibly a light stroke. My husband has been on Coumadin for 2 yrs. He had pnenomia and was in the hospital for 3 days this last August and his count shot up to 12. They gave him vitamin E and got it down fast. When blows his nose in the morning only he gets blood. I'm a little concerned. He also in tired and takes a couple naps a day. Sorry I can't find the previous question I sent you.

Phyllis, no problem - I would be able to find it either :) With an INR of 12 - they did they right thing giving him Vita K - it helps clot the blood quicker. It is always possible for someone to have a mini stroke or even a stroke with a high INR --usually if someone is symptomatic they will do a CT of the head to check for bleeding - some symptoms are dizziness, blurred vision, visual disturbances, speech problems, etc. As far as the nose bleeds, he should be okay as long as the bleeding stops. This is usually related to thin blood vessels in the nose - some people have very thin lining and need to have the blood vessels cauterized because it wont stop. If he can, have him blow his nose lightly - I know most people tend to blow their nose very hard. I have heard from individuals on this forum that fatigue is more common than I knew so that may also be okay. If you are concerned with any changes in him, I would recommend asking his doctor to do further testing. Hope this helps, let me know.

Thanks Laurie I really appreciate your comments. The Doctor gave him Saline solution to put in his nose.I hope that helps. Phyylis Gee

Thanks Patricia, most appreciated.

I've managed to contract a stomach virus that's been going around <woot> and it seems to be hitting me harder than usual, perhaps because of the warfarin. No diarrhea as of now, no vomiting, I guess I'm on the mend, and after a Dr. visit this afternoon, I am apparently "anti-coagulated".

Anyone have any suggestions for dealing w/this? I'm finding the dizziness and the fatigue worst of all, they're getting in the way of dealing w/the Halloween festivities I usually put off every year.

Gwarland, flu's usually just need to take there course. Peppermint might help soothe your stomach though - try some mints - its a natural soothing agent. Hope you feel better :)

Patricia CT wrote:

hi Gwarlad
I was on this rat poison for 8 months and had gained over 50 lbs. I have lost 30 lbs since March. I was put on due to a blood clot in my right arm. I was told this was very rare and unknown why a 43 yr old woman would get it.
I was also very tired on the drug and when I told my doctor about the wiegh
Just this month they wanted to put me back on the rat poison and I am on the fence if I should or not.
Hang in there and keep researching your options. Don't take the word of just one doctor.
<quoted text>

Coumadin Side Effects - Could someone please help Me? I have been takng coumadin since 16 October after developing blood clots in my lungs after shoulder surgery.
I am absolutely exhausted. I can barely lift anything, have problems pushing a shopping cart around in Costco, have trouble standing, walking etc etc. My heart rate is ridiculous - anywhere in between 90 - 145. I am 52, but feel 80 + and am starting to feel desperate. I am taking 7.5 coumadin and am wondering if I am allergic to it.
Has anyone else had these reactions?
Thank you.

Coumadin Side Effects - Could someone please help Me? I have been takng coumadin since 16 October after developing blood clots in my lungs after shoulder surgery.
I am absolutely exhausted. I can barely lift anything, have problems pushing a shopping cart around in Costco, have trouble standing, walking etc etc. My heart rate is ridiculous - anywhere in between 90 - 145. I am 52, but feel 80 + and am starting to feel desperate. I am taking 7.5 coumadin and am wondering if I am allergic to it.
Has anyone else had these reactions?
Thank you.