Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Hi,

Well, I'm not a warfarin poppin' body builder, but I will give you my 2 cents anyway. Since Saturday, my muscles and joints have been really achy. And then yesterday , I started getting a headache and a cough. I wonder if you're just coming down with something? Otherwise, I don't think it's unusual that 6 hours of that kind of work would take that kind of toll.

I do get stiff, sore muscles after exercise when it's not something I do regularly, but this is unusually painful...and taking longer than normal to go away. It's disabling in that I can't bend or navigate stairs or do much of anything. It's definitely exercise related though.
Well I hope you feel better soon - I've had one bout with the crud so far, and am highly recommending the neti pot if you have any sinus issues. Hunker down in your best Snuggie and have someone make you a Peppermint Patty (one generous shot of Dr. McGillicuddy's schnapps with Ghiradelli hot chocolate, and a marshmallow on top for the best effect).
That may be the cure for sore muscles too, now that I think of it.

Hey Laura... S similar experience! I was at owkr and not using my noggin pulled down 4 reams of paper, each weighing 20 pounds (obviously totalling 80 pounds). I wacked my shoulder out of place and have had HORRIBLE muscle cramps every since. HORRIBLE. I actually had an x-ray done because I thought I pulled something out. They said it was muscular. I don't know, I mean it was 80 pounds of paper on my little arm, but I come back pretty quick... every night my shoulder still hurts and this was about 4 weeks ago. OUCH.

Laura, it's not you, it's the side effect of warfarin. Warfarin seems to slow down our healing processes. When your bending using your muscles, or weight lifting you're tearing muscle fibrils. Healing those take longer time on warfarin. I think the achiness is also a side effect of warfarin as well as somehow it damages joint function I'm not sure how but since warfarin my joints make noises and I seem to be much more prone to injuring the joints. I used to be solid totally no joint problems at all, never achiness, always healed quick.. These things aren't my imagination. What I'm not sure if some deterioration can be attributed to damage to my veins, valves etc from the clots. By the way, the clots don't disperse as someone said here. My surgeon says the vein is permanently compromised or affected, some of the clot gets absorbed some fuses to the side of the vein, some just stays in the vein causing post thrombic syndrome or whatever, the pains, aching, etc we experience some of alot some fortunately not as much. But remember continue to do gardening, exercise, etc because our veins are actually smooth muscles and I believe improve functioning despite being injured by our clots. I too want to get to the bottom of what is the culprit and it's looking like it could be the warfarin. I'm not saying not to use it, we have little choice.

Hi Laura,
I had very sore biceps after vacuuming and defrosting my freezer this weekend. The veins in my arms were also more visible (I am quite pale, so they can usually be seen but they were really blue this week). I figured it was the Coumadin and then this morning the nurse called to say my INR was 3.9! Maybe a high INR can lead to more muscle soreness? I just thought your observation with a higher-than-usual INR matched mine. My PCP told me to lay off the housework. Gotta love that! I'll have to try your recipe. Sounds like an asthma cure to me! :-)

I've been digging into the physiology of muscle building, and can't find anything that would point to why slower clotting time (higher INR) would affect muscle repair/recovery time....but I'll go with my gut and take it easier in the future. I can move better today, but my muscles in the backs of my thighs still hurt with pressure or bending. Thanks for the replies - I'll see if my doc has any info next time I talk to him.

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I've just gotten back into walking and using the elliptical, and my calves are on fire!