What is Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT
Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins, such as the femo...
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INR plunged
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First, I'd like to thank everyone for all of your support and input, I never got the chance to say this on my last post. I went in for my third INR test today and only registered 1.3. The last two were 1.9 and 1.8 respectively. I was still on the lovonox after my 1.9 reading. I had just been off of it 2 days after my 1.8 reading and today at 1.3 it's been 12 days since lovonox. I've been very careful about what I eat, the greens etc. No changes in my current meds and I haven't added any vitamins or otc meds. The coumadin specialist, obviously very concerned, thought it was very unusual that it should have dropped so sudden from the 1.8. I asked if the lovonox would have affected it on the last 2 readings. She said no and that somewhere something must be different.
My question, is this so out of the ordinary to drop like this at the start of treatment, especially after just coming off the lovonox. She put me back on the lovonox injections and upped the coumadin. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Needless to say this has me somewhat scared. God Bless....In HIS Service....Dan Posted on 11/02/09, 02:11 pm |
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Hi, I don't think it's out of the ordinary for some people. When I left the hospital, my INR was 2.4 and within a week, it dropped to 1.2 and it took many months to get therapuetic again. I woudn't worry too much, especially since you're back on lovenox.
Some people can be "warfarin resistant" which just means their bodies require more warfarin to say therapuetic. It doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with you. I do think that even subtle changes in activity level, or if you've got a cold or illness coming on, can mess with your numbers too. Warfarin is a tricky little drug and can take a great deal of tweaking and tinkering with to get the dosage right. Keep just eating your normal diet, staying consistent and eventually, your INR will stablize with the right warfarin dosage. 
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Welcome to MY world Pastor Dan! My INR tanked right off the get-go too, and I have a very difficult time keeping in the 2-3 range. My DVT was end of July 2008.
There are lots of things that can cause your INR to plummet. Lots of things you have little, if any, control over. Like your metabolism, hormone fluctuations, liver function, a mis-calibrated INR machine (if you get it done by finger stick) etc. It's a constant frustration for many of us. I'm not sure why your coumadin specialist was alarmed though - that only served to make you nervous about something that's pretty common. My docs are all "ho-hum, that's-the-way-warfarin-works" about it. Over a year on warfarin, I'm pretty ho-hum about it too - it's just a pain to have to test more frequently. I've long ago given up the notion that I could control anything about my INR. So don't worry, you're in good company (if I don't say so myself!)
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Pastor Dan,
The INR roller coaster is something we all face during our time on Coumadin. Until the folks who manage your INR figure that magical combination (meaning dosage) that's right for you, it is something frustrating and something we all have faced or even continue to face. My levels have been fairly consistent for the past seven years now (I'm on Coumadin for life). Other then when I had my hip replaced last December (six weeks of trying to get therapeutic) my INR has been fairly easy to manage. It's frustrating but you'll get there. Regards, Tom in Connecticut
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My target is 2.5, it took forever to get up to 2.0. The latest result was a paltry 1.2 so now I am on 9mg's a day. Due to the NHS, i simply out it down to faulty equipment.
It is good to know that there are many factors that can influence the INR.
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I have run into similar issues and have been on coumadin only for a few months now, since August of this year. Its scary though, especially because we are so new at it...for me, sometimes, I feel like this medication needs to be perfect because its 'saving my life' and when its not I get very upset. But, like Laura said, even in such a short amount of time, I have nearly expected my INR to be low and can brush it off when it is. Especially now that I am with a doctor who knows what he is doing and that I trust. He can direct me in the right way to go. I have never doubted what he has told me.
I have been on Lovenox three times since August 2nd, currently my third time. My INR keeps dropping within days of getting off the injections. They are not sure why this is happening, and it is frustrating. Scary to me, too. I am on Lovenox and 10 mg of coumadin righ now...not fun at 23 years old. Or for anyone I am sure!! Good luck, and keep us posted. There is nothing like having people who understand to talk to, right?
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Thank you everyone for your input. This is such an awesome place to come for firsthand information support and understanding. I'm very blessed that my wife is an RN, probably the reason I'm still alive because she knew the signs right away and I was just blowing them off as muscle strain, also she's awesome with the lovenox injections, but she doesn't know the fears and feelings.
God Bless....In HIS Service....Dan
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