Has anyone else felt dreadful on Warfarin. I've been trying to persevere with it but I feel dizzy sick and have no energy.

[Dulcimer]

I am beginning to really worry about it.

[Froggy]

How long have you been taking it and what dosage(s) do you have?

[Dulcimer]

I have been taking it for a few weeks starting at 5mg and rising to 6mg. I had a couple of nights in the middle when I didn't take it as I felt so awful though.

[BobD Volunteer]

It is really unusual for patients to get this sort of problem with warfarin. Are you on any other drugs which may be the cause.? I have been taking it for years and never had a problem other than brittle nails and of course bleeding a bit if I cut myself which isn't uncommon.

Bob

[Dulcimer]

I also take Bisoprolol 5mg which I have been on since last January. Previous to that I took Atenolol for 15 years. The only other significant change was that when my blood pressure was taken last week it had dropped from around 130 to 140/80 when I visit the doctor to 113/80. I have been feeling very well up until I started taking Warfarin and everyone tells me that most people don't get side effects.

[lizzily in reply to Dulcimer]

Hi Dulcimer, I was absolutely dreadful for about a fortnight when I started on warfarin. I felt sick all the time and a total wet lettuce. My GP thought I had a stomach bug but I'm sure it was the W. Fortunately I did start to tolerate it but you've been struggling longer than me. I believe that some people do get side effects and you and I are 2 of them. I too take Bis. and am fine with it. The only good thing about my miserable time was the weight loss!

Good luck, Liz

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Dulcimer]

I suspect the bisoprolol is more likely culprit. You may be one of those rare people who can't tolerate it in which case a switch to one of the new oral anticoagulants might help

[Dulcimer in reply to BobD]

Thanks for your advice, but I have been on Bisoprolol without any problems since January. Is it the reaction between the drugs that is causing the problem?

[lizwright]

Can't believe it is the wafarin, been taking it for 10 years and have a fulltime and part time job plus 11 equines and chronic af. I look upon it as a life line to let me do exactly what I want. I also drink wine half a bottle at least a night and eat allt he leafy veg you are not supposed to. If you are one of the people who get side effects then you need to persue it but look for other causes too. I did find at the beginning before my many ablations that I struggled to come to terms with taking so many drugs and also stuggled to find a balance in life but now I just roar in to everything and sleep when I am tired - that is the most important thing, stop when you get tired.

[Geordielass in reply to lizwright]

I definitely had a reaction to Warfarin. Same as described by Dulcimer.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to lizwright]

Great philosophy Liz. . We must all remember that we don't stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing! Full Throttle everywhere and the devil take the hindamost. As you say rest when you get tired as tiredness is one of AF's allies

BobD

[Hidden]

I am one of those rare people who cannot tolerate Warfarin, having suffered from severe diarrhoea for a month before changing to Dabigatran. The difference was immediate relief from the problem and a life where I can go out again without taking Immodium! So do talk talk to your anti coag nurse or GP about the problem as I found them to be very understanding and supportive in wanting to get things right for me. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I've been taking 7.5mg Warfarin for years with no side-effects I know of.

But Bisoprolol and me don't get on. I was on half the dose you are (2.5mg) a year ago for a week and took myself off them. Felt dull, washed-out, tired but not sick or anything like that. I've now restarted 2 weeks or so ago on 1.25mg and even that has affected me but the past couple of days I seem to be getting used to them, not sure yet so not much help, sorry.

Interestingly, when I had my last ablation, the junior heart surgeon, if you can call anyone who does that a junior, put me on Bisprolol, and then the senior one said "I wouldn't take those unless you really feel you have to".

Also, the hospital doctor I went to see recently explained that Bisoprolol does make a lot of people feel ill in some way. She wasn't specific.

Good luck

[Maitha]

I'm on warfarin since 13 years now without any major side effects rather than occasional bruises and bleeding gum

I recommend that you monitor your pulse and BP and discuss the results with your doctor I suspect the beta blocker is such cases

[Dulcimer]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Will monitor my Blood Pressure and see if it is too low now.

[Geordielass]

Yes Dulcimer, you describe the same symptoms as I had exactly! The nausea was especially hard to cope with. I also found my sleep quality affected, which accounted for the 'limp lettuce' feelings. I now take Synthrome, a very similar drug. I have NONE of the previous symptoms, despite high BP and two lots of meds for that, as well as two strong painkillers for arthritis. My anticoag nurse reckons it may not actually have been the Warfarin itself, but a dye or other ingredient in the tablets that I was reacting to. Ask for an alternative asap!