On Coumadin

That would be me. Had multiple DVTs, and PEs at the same time. Hospital and heparin for 3 days, then lovenox shots, then COUMADIN. The shots are a PITA, will leave nasty bruises. Just remember to pinch up and go in on an angle.

As for surgery, or any invasive type procedure, you must stop taking prior. Yes, it's scarey not taking it. But with your docs ok, resume when s/he says.

not a bit. I was called away, meant to tell you I have Fibro too, the surgery didn't make that worse either.

Best wishes

Am I correct in assuming that you had a filter put in after you DVT in 2008? If so you will be fine being off coumadin for awhile. You will be up and walking quickly after surgery. Recovery should not be a problem.

Barbara

sunsetata - I am also on a blood thinner of a different kind. It's called Eloquis and is a Factor Xa inhibitor. Much easier to take than coumadin and more effective. You don't have to get your INR labs checked...ever. I, however, chose NOT to bridge myself for my ALND and ended up having a TIA. Lesson learned. Make sure you bridge correctly with Lovenox!

Warm Regards,

Robyn

P.S. Since you have to be on a blood thinner forever, you might want to ask your doc about the newer Factor Xa inhibitors. I lead the project management team for another company's product and know that there are now three out on the market. Eloquis is the best as far as study quality and statistical strength vs outcomes. If you watch television, you should see commercials for it. ;-)

Sunseta, your situation is by no way funny...I'm on a blood thinner myself, but spookiesmom post about the eloquis cracked me up. Every 60 second drug spot is 50 seconds of side-effects and somehow they still neglect to tell you that you could bleed to death. Gotta love those pharmaceutical companies. I've had a couple of surgeries since being on one (fragmin though, not coumadin) and it's been ok. Please try not to worry. They're very careful when they bridge you.

Spookiesmom - Agree, there is no current antidote for this medication. However, I have been on it for over a year and have had several minor cuts and one major one from a figure skating accident that required sutures...the bleeding does stop. :-) I also am on chemo in combination with this and even with the lower platelets, if I cut myself or if my nose bleeds...it does stop. There have been no serious adverse effects or loss of life directly correlated to any of these Factor Xa inhibitors and their safety profile is BETTER than coumadin. There are no cases of anyone bleeding to death. However, there have been cases of transfusions needed for both patients on coumadin and on these newer meds. Furthermore, they are working on a antidote and are almost complete with trials that are looking at how to test the efficacy of this drug, as you cannot rely upon INRs or PT/PTT to measure effectiveness. Some people develop antibodies and hence this type of medication may not work, that is why testing is being developed.

You are correct that there is an antidote to coumadin. However, as you are well aware, it is very tricky to keep your INR levels consistent, as this drug has many drug-drug interactions as well as drug-food interactions. These new drugs do not have the sensitivity or interactions with other drugs.

By the way, I am not a drug sales representative. I am a research scientist who is accountable for the quality of design and execution of clinical trials within the cardiovascular therapeutic area.