Warfarin.....experiences?

[upnut]

I have recently been prescribed to use Warfarin following atrial fibrillation which was treated with meds to cardio version. My heart doc has seen me thru ventricular tachycardia (2015) atrial fibrillation (2019) and now afib 12/24/2023 so he has my ultimate trust. Still, my only exposure to warfarin has been seeing it as the active ingredient in rat poison.... not a good feeling. Anyone here have some reassuring words about their experience with warfarin treatment?

Scott B.

[barbender]

The reason it is in rat poison is because in large doses it thins the blood to the point that the blood leaks through the arteries and the animal bleeds to death internally. At least that's my understanding. So don't take that much😁

 Thankfully, there are for real doctors on here who can give you some legitimate advice🙂 

[beenthere]

As barbender point out, Warfarin is just the name of rat poison that kills by thinning the blood and the rat bleeds to death. Follow the prescription the Doc gives, and don't take too much or your end may be the same. 

But I understand there are warnings about taking it and having injuries that the blood will not clot as fast. Rats don't get that message. 

[Dan W]

Upnut—-Warfarin helps to prevent clotting.  I have been on it for over twenty years. No problems at all. A blood check called an INR monthly.  Don't have to draw blood.  Just a pick of a finger and a drop of blood on a little gizmo and it gives the reading. The ideal number is between 2 and 3. Good luck!

[upnut]

Dan- Thanks for the reply, that's reassuring. We are in the initial phase of determining the correct dosage, so blood draws (INR) a couple times a week. The anti coagulation unit at the heart institute locally is in strict control of the regimen so all is good there. It's all new to me....

Scott B.

[Magicman]

Your Dr. will also advise you regarding which foods (leafy) and vitamins (K) to avoid when taking Warfarin.

[doc henderson]

vit. K is an antidote to coumadin.  so it is important to know which food contain it in higher concentration.  It is important to eat them consistently (for you) and this is done in part by avoiding the ones that have high concentrations, so, the medication can be adjusted to your average daily consumption.

[upnut]

Doc-Magic-  The anti coagulation unit provided an extensive list of foods high in K vitamins. A quick perusal tells me that my 1/2 acre of asparagus is off limits and I need to leave the fresh U.P. blueberries for Jeff to enjoy....oh boy...

Scott B.

[doc henderson]

Well, that is good advice.  In theory (not recommending you do this) you could eat it if you ate it every day.  It is a balance between the medication and vit. K.  stick with the plan.  all the anticoagulants are potentially dangerous, like all very potent and effective drugs. 

[doctorb]

upnut- warfarin (Coumadin) has been widely used, vastly studied, and been an effective anticoagulant for many decades. It is used less frequently now as it does require monitoring bloodwork, as opposed to the newer blood thinners, which do not.  It's an interesting trade off.  Coumadin levels (the degree of a patient's coagulation status) can be easily measured, and anticoagulation with Coumadin can be reversed, in an emergency.  The newer anticoagulants cannot be monitored and the anticoagulation cannot be reversed. 

[upnut]

An alternative to warfarin is the Watchman implant surgery, which sounds even less appealing than taking drugs indefinitely. There are tradeoffs and advantages to everything, weighing options is good.

Scott B.

[doctorb]

I only know about the Watchman device from a little reading, so I'm a poor source as to its effectiveness, risks, costs, etc.  The only other treatment options are the other anticoagulants like Eliquis, Pradaxa, and Xarelto.  If you were tired of the finger sticks, you might ask your doc about them.  But if the Coumadin is a good steady solution for you, why rock the boat?

[doc henderson]

I would only do the basket (watchmen) if there is a good reason not to do medications.  we have Kcentra to reverse some, but it is 10k per dose.  If you fall on a daily basis and may get a head bleed or have gi bleeding issues the thinner carry an increased risk.  nearly every highly effective drug has potentially serious side effects.  risks go up as we age.

[doc henderson]

https://www.watchman.com/en-us-hcp/about-the-procedure.html?utm_source=MICROSOFT&utm_campaign={campaignname}&utm_term=Watchman%20device&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=1246846748327396

[Ianab]

I think like a lot of meds, it's the correct dose that's important. If your blood is prone to clotting, and that happens in a artery to your heart / brain, then you have a heart attack / stroke. Potentially fatal or crippling. 

The low dose of warfarin reduces that risk, at the risk of more bleeding from any injury. But a bad cut can be treated with first aid / pressure bandage etc, and you don't die before you can get to the ER.

[doc henderson]

It tends to be older people on it, and they also tend to fall.  they also have a half inch of space around their brain, and it can slosh inside the skull.  so even a small fall with abrupt stop of the skull can move the brain far enough to tear a vein on the opposite side of the brain from where it hit.  called a contrecoup.  this results in a subdural bleed.  we do CTs for anyone over the age of 75 if they hit their head and have even a red mark on it.

[Texas Ranger]

My doc didn't like my A1C (under 7 where it has been for 25 years) and started talking about a drug that would help, but it does tend to cause dizzy spells that may lead to falling, not good for old folks.  Really?  I'm "old folk" so try something else.  Old folk, sigh.

Sorry, just venting.

[Chuck White]

I was on Warfarin (Coumadin) for around 10 or so years, had to go in for a blood test about every 4 to 6 weeks, and since, have been off Coumadin and onto Eliquis (Apixaban 5mg/day) since, and doing fine!

One note to remember is: If your diet changes, most likely they'll change your dosage!

[doc henderson]

things in the metabolic syndrome like hypertension, blood sugar averaged by HgA1C, and cholesterol kill you in 15 to 30 years barring the extremes.  so, if you are 90, I worry less.

[upnut]

Thanks for all the replies, I surely do appreciate all the input. Have been getting bloodwork (INR) done every 4-5 days in order to get the proper dosage, plus wearing a heart monitor for 14 days to reveal any afib I don't recognize. I should probably record in the event log book when working up firewood, it's a pretty good workout....

Scott B.

[mike_belben]

Ask for an insulin resistance test please.  Quest Diagnostics Cardio IQ with insulin resistance score. Test code 36509. 


If you arent 80% insulin resistant or higher i will pay you $50. Thats how bad i want your health to improve. 

No one can be healthy with insulin resistance.  It is the hormone of aging, disease and death. A signaling molecule that every single cell in the human body listens to.  And we can easily lower it. Mine is below 3. We got my wife from 99 to i think 36 in half a year or so.

[doc henderson]

you will also die without insulin.  docs test insulin levels with glucose, HgA1C, can do a glucose tolerance test.  I do not know the test code...