Warfarin

[birdie73]

Have been prescribed Wafarin for A F , my INR reading is .95 so GP has started me on 2 by 2mg daily for the first week & will monitor my blood twice during that period. I have a very rebellious stomach & have difficulty in taking tablets. Any advice on how to overcome worry & any side effects I may experience. I have taken the first 2 this evening. As I am carer to my disabled husband I obviously need to keep well myself especially as I am in my late 70's.

[boxtops]

I can't answer your question, but if you might have side-effects tell your doctor as soon as you notice them. Read the advice leaflet with the medication too - at least you're being checked up on twice in the next few days. I hope it goes OK for you.

[cathfromsaron]

i don't find patients have any difficulty digesting warfarin or have side effects!

good luck x

[SpikeyBush]

My wife was put on warfarin after a stroke a few years ago, and was complaining all the while of tiredness, depression and mood swings. I'm not sure how much of that was down to the warfarin and how much was the result of the stroke but her tiredness seemed to ease once she was taken off the warfarin. Depression and mood swings have been gradually improving since then.

[birdie73]

Thanks boxtops for your good wishes, thanks also cathfromsaron that is reassuring, & thanks to you SpikeyBush not so reassuring but maybe it was the after effects of the stroke.

[karenmac60]

Hi birdie, mr mac is on warfarin as he had AF too (cardioversion sorted it but he's still on the warfarin just now). He was taking digoxin and iron tablets at the same time (as well as a host of other tablets - but he started on those 3 at the same time) and he did have pretty bad diarrhoea for a while. He tried stopping the iron which helped, but left him very tired. He's now been taken off the digoxin and his stomach has sorted itself out - so if you do get a dodgy tum, look at what other meds you are on and speak to your doc. Good luck x

[birdie73]

Thanks so much karenmac60 for your helpful information, I did discuss my other medication with my GP who I might add is very understanding,but he didn't think there should be any problems, took another 2 this evening & my stomach is not very happy !!!. I also take an iron supplement & several other tablets so it's not surprising they all fight is it. If not feeling any better after the weekend I shall go back & see him.Thanks again & best wishes to your husband.

[carlton23]

Hi birdie73, I am an 77yr old man, and I have been taking warfarin since 1973 regularly every day of my life, and have had no side effects at all. The only thing about warfarin is to watch what passes your lips into your stomach, like aspirin, or anything containing it, also keep away from grapefruits, and ginger, and most importantly alcohol.

[birdie73]

Thanks carlton 23 for your encouraging words its so helpful to get a positive answer, I don't like grapefruit,or alcohol but am very partial to ginger so maybe I'd better leave that alone. I have been on a very low dose of enteric coated aspirin for a long time & my doctor told me to continue with them for the first week, he also said no cranberry juice. Thanks again for your help.