Coumadin and joint pain?

Hi have some more questions for my new "coumadin family" here since I am new to all of this and my doctors seem to think there are absolutely no side effects to coumadin other than bleeding.
I am experiencing a lot of joint pain, especially in my knees,ankles and feet. Yesterday for about an hour I couldn't even put any pressure on the ball of my foot without excruciating pain, then it mysteriously disappeared. This is the 2nd time this has happened in a week. I've read about some people having joint pain with coumadin and I am wondering if anyone knows if it okay to take a joint support supplement? Also, what is the opinion on some other supplements such as calcium - does this interfere with our oh so delicate friend, coumadin? I stopped my multi-vit when I started coumadin b/c of the vit K, but this was probably wrong b/c I now understand I should take in Vit K as I normally would, and have my dosage adjusted to that......Right?

Also I read somewhere else that you should not have grapefruit....Why?

One more question, does anyone know why you would be MORE vulnerable to a clot when you first start coumadin - like hypercoagulant? This is what my Dr told me b/c I told him I had stopped the lovenox b/c I could not even get out of bed after being on it 4 days. He scared me back into taking it last night and this morning, but I'm still curious about why you are at a greater risk when 1st put on coumadin?
I had my 2nd INR blood test yesterday and I was at 1.75 and the one 3 days before I was at 1.4. From what I understand on the protocol sheet they gave me, I should maintain my current dosage(I am on 4mg). However, when I went to pick up some copies of exams at the hospital yesterday, I saw the neurologist and he asked me if I had increased my dosage......? I wasn't thinking too clearly or I would have pressed him further with questions, but you know how that is - you think of everything you should ask AFTER you leave!!!

Okay, I think that's it for now. I'm so glad I found this forum!
Thanks a lot in advance for any advice!

I read an article about Reactive Arthritis. There's a lot of information on the net about this. The article I read pretty much said that any medical problem, medication, stress, food allergies, etc. could cause an auto-immune type response of arthritis. Check some of those sites out. It makes sense after you read some of the articles.

Hi Lynn,

After being on coumadin for 2 years, and participating in this forum for almost that long, I have come to the conclusion that different people react to coumadin differently. Some people might get tired, others lose hair, and so forth.

I am lucky in that I don't have any more side effects, for the most part. I find it much harder to keep weight off, never mind losing weight.

My best advice (since I am not a doctor or nurse) is to relax, stay calm, and enjoy life as much as you can. Embrace the coumadin as your friend and helper and help it help you. Do all the things you like to do as long as it doesn't interfere with the coumadin.

And, come back to this forum...we are here to help, even if it's only to lend an ear and say "there, there........"

Hope you are all doing well.....

I too have been suffering bone pain, skin sensitivity, joint pain in ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, and wrists. I have been on coumadin since April 16, 2006. I know the exact date because that is the day I suffered double pulmonary embolisms, and an MI. I was only 36 years old. I still don't know what came first, but I do know the reason. I have a blood disorder called heterozygous thrombophilia II for genetic gene mutation, which was only discovered a year after the episode (PE 2006) and my 7 day stay in the hospital. I have been complaining to my doctor about all the pain for several months now, so he did a battery of blood tests CBC, TSH, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Arthritis Panel, Cortisol levels, all which turned up normal. He wants me to take two weeks of steroids to see if that had an affect on the bone/joint pain, but I am thoroughly not interested in taking them. Also, he wants me to take an anti-depressant called Pristiq. I have been battling clinical depression, was diagnosed with PTSD at 21, and have been on a long list of anti-depressants since then. I understand that depression can cause aches and pains, but this is beyond any kind of pain I have ever had before. I also snore, very badly, and I believe this might have some impact on the chronic fatigue I have been dealing with as of late. My doctor thinks it may be possible that I am sleeping, but not resting because of the interruptions of sleep. Could that cause bone and joint pain? If there is anyone out there that can enlighten me, please feel free to do so.

RE: Joint medications...my mother has been on coumadin for several years..she recently started drinking Elations (Gloucosomine & chodroiden) for her knee pain...after drinking one bottle onn Saturday, she had a blood vessel hemmorage in one eye..I had to rush her to the hospital, and we are still waiting for the blood to drain out itself or she will need some surgery to remove it..almost one week and she still can't see out of that eye...all eye doctors that examined her said it was so bad because of the coumadin, however, when we had asked her Cardio doctor about the interaction with the Elations drink before she began taking it,he knew nothing..I since found a handout that NYU hospital in New York gives to their coumadin patients and it clearly lists G&C as having possible adverse effects with coumadin.. I will be taking her to a new Cardio and hopefully get her off coumadin and possibly on something else..OH BY THE WAY..she had to stop the coumadin since this happened and told me today that she noticed the pain in her knees has gone away!!! CAN IT BE THE COUMADIN??
Good luck to all...

Lynn, to your first question: I honestly dont know why you are experiencing such terrible joint pain. My first reaction is that it doesnt sound related to the coumadin. Do you have any swelling in the areas in which you are having pain? Next question: since grapefruit is so acidic - it tends to break down a medication a lot quicker than it should, therefore it is recommended having your meds with something other than grapefruit. You can still drink it but it would be recommended to take it 2 hrs prior or after meds. Next: I wouldnt have said that your coumadin should have been increased unless your INR reading of 1.75 was after you had been on coumadin for 7 days. If your doctor would have increased you before hand, you would be bouncing all over the place. If your inr comes back low after being on the same dose for 7 days, your doctor should definately increase your coumadin. Hope that helps you a little :)

I too am experiencing bad joint and muscle pain. I've been on coumadin for less than a month and the pain is very pronounced. In fact, I'm having trouble walking on an ankle I broke a year and a half ago which was doing very well before the coumadin. Now, I had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia several years ago but it had subsided after I quit working and reduced the stress. I hadn't had any symptons in at least 5 years. I'm wondering if the coumadin hasn't brought the fibromyalgia to the surface again. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting too old and worn out...But I'm only 55!!! It's good to find this forum...to be able to commisurate with others. Is anyone wearing a medical alert bracelet stating that you're on the drug? I was told it would be a good idea....

I have terrible joint pain all over from Coumadin mostly in my knees and ankles. I take hydrocodone for it because what else that works? I limit my pain meds between 2 or 4 pills a day, but will they work all my life since I have to be on this damn drug for life? I'm about ready to give it up and I'm tough but this is the worst I have ever felt. Thanks.

I too have joint pain in knees, hips and ankles, and lower back. I have been on coumadin now for six months. This is my second DVT, the last one was the length of my thigh. So I have been told from my doctor, that I will pretty much be on coumadin the rest of my life. I am 50 years old, and I ache. I have had a devil of a time trying to keep my INR level the same two weeks in a row. The joint pain is slowing me down, because I just hurt.

I'm 36 and I suffered from Bilateral PE and DVT in right leg July 2009. Have been on Warfarin for 3 months now and the pain seems to be more constant now. I have been having the same issues: aches and pain in right knee, leg and ankle/foot. Joint pain in both elbows. Along with cold problems with right foot and hand. Also have had intense throbbing in right leg.

Let Dr. know of all of this and he doesn't know what is wrong with me, he suggested to do an ultrasound of my legs at one time. I brought that up to him and he said it isn't necessary?!? confused. He is having me go to a Rheumatologist on Nov. 12th. I hope I can wait that long. Still very tired all of the time, this is so frustrating, would like to take more than just Tylenol to take care of the pain.:-( The pain used to be just a couple hours now it has been turning into all day and more during the night. All major pain is in leg that I have/had blood clots found in. Should I be worried, my Dr. really isn't.

Bonjour Lynn. Welcome to the Coumadin/Warfarin test bed. If there are only two things I've learned about side-effects in the nine months that I've been taking this, they are:
1. Never be surprised when a new malady surfaces
2. Never be surprised when your doctor chimes in with "it's not related to the Coumadin/Warfarin

Three months ago my left elbow began hurting. Two weeks ago that pain spread all the way down through my ring and middle fingers and increased to where I could not even lift a cup of coffee. As of Monday morning the pain retreated back to just the elbow. I've had similar occurrences with my legs, massive migraines, abdomen, and for a three week period I had episodes of syncope. Almost forgot - I awoke one morning and noticed that I had lost a great deal of hearing in my left ear.

I only have two and a half months to go on this - Gott sei dank! Meanwhile, whatever develops next, I only have to remember 1 and 2 (above). Never be surprised and always expect the doctor to volunteer that it isn't related to the cute little pink pills. Best of luck to you. You'll feel better when this is behind you.

P.S.-- Here's something funny. According to the warning brochure, when taken properly there are no known side-effects from Coumadin/Warfarin. The next paragraph then recommends that you report to your doctor experiencing any of the following - at which point they list just about every side-effect that you will find in this forum! Talk about being in denial.(o:

I too have been experiencing severe pain in the points of my elbows since being on coumadin the last 6 weeks. Sometimes it's almost unbearable to let my arms rest or touch anything. I am never experienced pain there in my life before the coumadin. I expected all the pains in my leg and ankle and foot, though I thought they would subside a lot faster. So far I cannot tell any improvement. I am also experiencing a lot more headaches. I know my body and I know this is from the coumadin. If anyone knows a solution please post. Thank you all for sharing your stories. It's nice to feel validated and to know what others are experiencing.

sally wrote:

I too have been experiencing severe pain in the points of my elbows since being on coumadin the last 6 weeks. Sometimes it's almost unbearable to let my arms rest or touch anything. I am never experienced pain there in my life before the coumadin. I expected all the pains in my leg and ankle and foot, though I thought they would subside a lot faster. So far I cannot tell any improvement. I am also experiencing a lot more headaches. I know my body and I know this is from the coumadin. If anyone knows a solution please post. Thank you all for sharing your stories. It's nice to feel validated and to know what others are experiencing.

Hi Sally. I hate to say it, but seems you're just having the normal reactions like most of us. The only solution appears to be toughing it out. I have 2 1/2 months to go. How about you?

they said 3 - 6 months. My clots were caused from a severe knee injury that is keeping me from bending my leg or putting any weight on it. I don't know if that is slowing down the clot healing or not but it sure doesn't seem to be much progress yet. Lots of purple leg and swelling and pain if I don't keep it elevated. It just seems cruel to have to add the headaches and joint pains on top of that. My dr insisted there are no known side effects. I am curious if anyone is having any sucess thinning their blood with herbal or naturopathics that is also monitoring it with blood tests and having success? thanks for the input and support.

Hi fellow coumadin people!
I did tell my doctor of my pain in my joints, he also said as he checked his medical palm pilot for coumadin side effects, and said hmmmm, join pain isn't on the list!!! He asked having you been taking anything for it? I responded tylenol since that seems to be all we can take, and he said try Ibuprofin, I said I didn't thought I wasn't supposed to take that, he said it will thin you blood a liitle more, try it . I go back every week for my INR, so we shall see what I am this week while taking Ibuprofin!!!! I also every once in awhile have evenings into nights, where I just can't get warm. I add layers upon layers and I am still cold, and unable to sleep!

I also have developed intense lower back pain that runs down the outside of both legs.along with this my fingers at the joint get stuck in a bizarre spasm that is very painful, it only last a few seconds and returns to normal.I was on coumadin in the past for a p.e. I was advised to never go off of it,but over time was told by different docs to go ahead and discontinue the drug ,at that time i don,t remember any significant side effect. I have since had a stroke and multple p.e. So i am currently on my 3rd week of coumadin I noticed the weakness and pain after the first week of coumadin therapy .Has any one else experienced difficulty walking also, my doc doesn,t know whats going on/these symptoms only popped up after i started the coumadin it can,t be a coincidence.

Hi all! I posted my complaints of chronic severe pain in several locations; elbows, arm muscles, arm bones, wrists, leg muscles, leg bones, ankles, etc... I was distraught and wrought with pain. I recently went to my internal med. doctor and he did a complete blood panel and also checked for R.A. Factors to try to find out where the pain was coming from. Everything came up normal, but I was still in such great pain. I was already on one medication for PTSD, and chronic depression and was having some negative side effects from it, so he changed my medication for my depression to Cymbalta. Within three days of taking Cymbalta 30mg, now I'm at 60mg per day, I have not experienced any pain at all. I am completely pain free! I did not make the connection about the Cymbalta after a bit of research. It seems that my pain came from fibromyalgia, brought on by my Coumadin, 21mg per week. I will always have to take Coumadin as in 2006 I had Bilateral PE. I was 36 yrs old. Please look into this, I suggest letting the doctor know that you want to try Cymbalta to see if it has any affect on your pain, and if the result of taking Coumadin may bring up bouts of fibromyalgia. At least give it a week. Lyrica and Cymbalta both work for fibromyalgia. I am so much happier now that I am not suffering horrible pain any longer, and I know that if the pain does come back I can just up my mg of Cymbalta for relief. I am still exhausted all the time though, so I still sleep alot, but at least I am getting proper exercise because I am no longer in such pain.

Much Love & Namaste,
Anita Sams

Hi all! I posted my complaints of chronic severe pain in several locations; elbows, arm muscles, arm bones, wrists, leg muscles, leg bones, ankles, etc... I was distraught and wrought with pain. I recently went to my internal med. doctor and he did a complete blood panel and also checked for R.A. Factors to try to find out where the pain was coming from. Everything came up normal, but I was still in such great pain. I was already on one medication for PTSD, and chronic depression and was having some negative side effects from it, so he changed my medication for my depression to Cymbalta. Within three days of taking Cymbalta 30mg, now I'm at 60mg per day, I have not experienced any pain at all. I am completely pain free! I did not make the connection about the Cymbalta UNTIL after a bit of research. It seems that my pain came from fibromyalgia, which is hard to diagnose at all, could very well have been brought on by my Coumadin, 21mg per week. I will always have to take Coumadin as in 2006 I had Bilateral PE. I was 36 yrs old. Please look into this, I suggest letting the doctor know that you want to try Cymbalta to see if it has any affect on your pain, and if the end result of taking Coumadin may be connected with the onset of fibromyalgia. At least give it a week. Lyrica and Cymbalta both work for fibromyalgia. I am so much happier now that I am not suffering horrible pain any longer, and I know that if the pain does come back I can just increase my mg of Cymbalta for relief. I am still exhausted all the time though, so I still sleep alot, but at least I am getting proper exercise because I am no longer in such pain.

Much Love & Namaste,
Anita Sams

After my last Hearth operations I was happy to finally return to the Gym and keeping as long as possible fit.My Doctors put me on Warfarin first and later on Cumadin as well as Aspirin and other Medication Pills. 3 Months ago however I developed some pains first in the Ankles and later on in the Knees as well as in the calf muskels. Now that I was reading all the comments on the after effects
when taking those pills I find there are quite
a large number of Patients having the same problems