Honestly, I think your doctor did your a great disservice to have you stop taking your other meds. If you take strontium every day, then your dose of warfarin can be adjusted to match the effects of the strontium. If the strontium makes your INR go up, then you take less warfarin. It really isn't that hard and many, many of us take multiple meds besides just warfarin.

In terms of pain killers, the same is true, although clearly people have different responses to different ones so you would have to find one that works for you and then adjust your warfarin dose around it.

Truthfully, there are very few drugs that are completely "safe" with warfarin. Seems like every thing can have a possible reaction depending on the person taking it. The trick is to adjust your dose of warfarin to go with the drugs you are taking. It isn't that hard and, if you're looking at a lifetime on warfarin, it seems like it is going to be necessary for you.

You need to push back with your doctor on this. If she won't adapt, then find another doctor. Seriously.

I agree with Toss I'm on a couple of medications for another health issue, and both can potentially interact with warfarin but I still take them.

For pain, I was prescribed Tramadol for a chronic tendon related pain. But there are other meds as well. Ask your doc about that, or even ask your pharmacist for a list of some commonly prescribed pain killers that are least likely to interact with warfarin, and then take that list to discuss with your doc.

My internist had such a tough time getting my INR into the right zone that she, I think, became frustrated and didn't want me to take any other drugs. I will be moving to another state in a little over a month and will have to find new doctors. In the meantime I could also ask the vascular surgeon who I have seen twice already.
The shoulder pain is really bad. I had a shot of cortisone almost 8 years ago and it worked like a charm. Since my research indicates that one cannot have a frozen shoulder twice in the same place, I might have arthritis. Had no idea it could be this painful.

It could be shoulder tendonitis too. I have tendonitis in my elbow and when it flares up it's horrible. I was prescribed a topical anti inflammatory for it. Even that had a warning about increasing your risk of GI bleeds, despite it being topical. But I used it anyway even though I was on warfarin and have GI problems as well. I just used a little less than recommended, and so I had to use it longer, like three months, until the inflammation finally simmered down. Have you seen a orthopedic doctor?

Also, I just take a calcium supplement; my internist suggested it a couple of years ago given my age and that I was on warfarin.

I take Boniva with Warfarin. I get the IV since I can't tolerate the oral version. No known interactions.

Pain is a problem. I really miss my ibuprofen and can't tolerate any of the alternatives that I've tried. So, I use Tylenol and depend on other methods to control pain. I'm consistent with physical therapy exercises and go to iyengar yoga. I go to a chiropractor who uses active release techniques. I also use ice and heat therapy. I haven't gotten rid of the pain but it is more manageable.

If pain in your shoulder is keeping you awake, you should see someone. Maybe some PT would help.

hello

I am a lifer on warfarin and take lots of other meds for my health issues none of my tablets were stopped , it just took a while to stabalise my INR but it has to be done, especially if you are going to be on warfarin long term. It took about 5 months to get my INR stable but its worth it, i dont think it matters that it takes a long time what is important is that you take all the meds you need for all health issues.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is very painfull, i have tramadol and something called FENTYNAL PATCHES, i apply one every three days and they release pain medication through the skin which is so effective (not sure what they are called in US)
ask about them and see if you can get them it has made my pain bearable i could not manage without them.

Hope you get some pain meds soon as i know how awful constant pain makes you

love Sharon In South Wales UK

Shoulder and arm feeling a little better. I slept a bit better last night too. I have been using extra strength acetaminophen and I purchased a cold pack thingy at the drugstore that looks like it has tiny colored peas in it. You can freeze it or heat it. It works well enough.
Yes, I had been to an orthopedic surgeon about 7 years ago for the frozen shoulder. She gave me a shot of cortisone and it was a miracle because it took away all the pain in a short period of time.
Will be looking for new doctors in a different state in a month or two when we get settled. Excellent doctors in Boston which is about a half hour away on the train.
I will have to start taking calcium again. I stopped all the osteoporosis medications because the FDA now says you should not be on them for over 5 years.
Now I know what they mean by "pain management" because it seems as though that's what a lot of us are doing.