Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

I got an INR meter so I can monitor my blood level on my own. It beats having to go to the clinic. It's called a CoaguChek XS System. You can call them at 800-428-5074. I try to stay on a regular diet but sometimes it's hard do to because of seasonal foods. As far as losing weight; I haven't had that problem. I'm 5'9" and weigh 168. I could lose another 5 lbs. Ha! Good luck.

Meditator

wow, I never lost weight on a medicine before, and certainly not on this (warfarin) either.
In truth. tolose weight, I have been on a very strict diet at times, and even when my food (quality, type and quanity) have been like clockwork, my INR has been all over the place!
I understand, from a support group I attend here in the UK, that I am not alone. Not everyone can get their reading stable, let alone for long periods of time.
Would be interesting to "hear" from others about their experiences too.
I do avoid grapefruit, and keep my ingestion of vitamin-K-rich foods (like broccoli, and leafy green veg) quite consistent, and I don't eat spinach either or liver, tho I really like both.
I very very rarely eat red meat (or any meat as such) but I do eat fish a lot and poultry occasionally.
Anyone else have issues with a consistent INR?

By the way, my exercise is about the same too... walking at least 30 min a day, 5-7 days a week.
No one in the medical field can tell me why mine fluctuates as it does, even tho most everything in my life is very consistent.
Can stress affect INR? Does AF affect it? Bo one has told me yes to either.

I;ve been on Warfarin for over a year and will be on it for the rest of my life. Let me give you some good advice. Eat whatever you want. Let them change the dose around what you eat. I love broccoli, peas, green beans and salad. I told my Dr. that I don't intend to give up any of them so it took about a month of weekly blood tests and now I eat whatever I want and my level stays between 2 and 4. I only go once a month and I can live with that. They just kept reducing my dose until it was normal with all of the vitamin K I was eating. Some days I have corn and nothing green. It won't kill you. Don't change your eating habits. Let them work around you. Good luck. Carol Miller

Thanks to those whose have responded. I'm going for an INR this saturday. currently I'm taking alternate doses of 5 and 7 mg and my level last week was low. The EP told me yesterday I'm doing well, these last two days have been symptom free. (thank God) I've already cut out all the green things which I love too, now how to eat them and maintain the right level... I have no idea, it's a bit confusing.

I too am on warfarin. Carol I like your thinking. I miss the broccoli and green salad sooooooooooo much. Maybe that's an answer for me. Mitchell...do you take fish oil capsules? They affect your INR so I no longer take them. Alcohol can also mess up your levels. Eileen

Thanks eileen, no i dont take fish oil anymore and i dont drink alcohol at all. hopefully its been over a week now without any symptoms. maybe the treatment has worked. hopefully i can get off this stuff after i see the dr next in january. we shall see. its up to my higher power, its in his hands, i have to let go

Eileen: I understood that as long as one's intake of the greens (broccoli, etc) is consistent, it is ok to eat them. ie I have had about 1 cup, mixed with cauliflower every other day, alternating with a lovely mixed-lettuce salad the days between. (I also eat asparagus, carrots, green beans etc. rotating these on no particular schedule) -- and that has not affected my INR. It's only when I start binge eating that my INR suffers.

Mitchell: thank you for reminding me that I need to let it go, hand it over to my higher power. :) Your mentioning it here was great -- just what I need!

hugs to all, from England,
Debb X

YamaBlonde....Thanks for your reply. I have had 3 mini strokes with temporary paralysis after the last two. Thank God I have no residual affects . I have been told that I will be on coumadin for the rest of my life. I worry that my INR will drop below 2 and clots will build up in the
back of my heart and break loose and cause another stroke.
Thanks to Mitchell and you for reminding be to trust my Higher Power. Sometimes I can get caught up in the fear and forget to trust. I am going to think about incorporating the broccoli and salad into my diet. Do you get fearful when you get afib? My EP has been talking cardioversion or ablation. Don't want either of those. Have another pacemaker check in December which will show how much afib I had during the last 2 months. I am on Tambocor and lopressor and they seem to be doing pretty good. Thanks for sharing and have a good weekend.

Thanks Eileen and YamaBlonde. It took this experiance of afib to turn to my higher power. people have been great and supportive but i needed more, and i got it. i think this is why it all began, to change some lifestyle choices and turn to HP. I had an ablation and its been over a week since any symptoms. i'm on a one day at a time schedule.

Hi hidss,
You are so right, eat what you want and I have two glasses of red wine most nights.
Too many people get too precious about Warfarin , the main thing is regular excersise, a regular diet but I avoid Gluten, I take 4000mg of Omega 3 daily ,I also have a Coagucheck Machine and it is so much better than going to aboring clinic..

Kevin