A delicate subject - soft and messy motions since beginning Warfarin in July.

[Morein]

Does anyone know what I can eat to "firm up." I am regular and no diarrhoea, but afraid now to eat fruit which could lead to vitamin deficiency, although I don't want a supplement (I take enough tablets already)! I suspect others have this problem, and the answer must not be "install a bidet." Has anyone any suggestions ? Sorry for any embarassment caused.

[iris1205]

Dependant on what you tolerate AND doesn't make Afib worse...

Rice, yogurt, probiotics, pasta, chocolate and cheese (though not great for some Afibbers). If you can drink blueberry juice, excellent equalizer. I have a bottle of organic blueberry juice in the armoire always in case someone is sick.

Hope something helps!

[Hidden]

Since July is a long time to be loose.

Biscuits/cheese-biscuits, bread, cake, pasta etc tend to "firm me up" but may not help weight-wise!!! Or could you have too much roughage in your diet, is that possible? Or maybe too much of something else which you could cut down on?

Is being loose a known side-effect of Warfarin?

Regards

Koll

[Morein in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for both replies. I am a dedicated watcher of my weight which I try hard to maintain at a reasonable level, so some of the suggestions are definitely under the category of "out of bounds." I do eat lots of roughage to fill up, therefore it seems "stalemate." However, there are several suggestions worth a try. As far as I am aware only diarrhoea is a side effect of Warfarin. Everyone is unique, though, and frankly, although I follow instructions, I can't see how INR can possibly be standardised.

The blueberry drink sounds nice. Happy and healthy new year to all.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Morein

Well we are all certainly different, I have the opposite problem, gone from regular bowel movements, to well not constipated but certainly less frequent since taking warfarin.

I would never adjust my diet for warfarin, (apart from avoiding cranberry juice) so I say eat like you used to.

And this is personal, but I don't and won't, take vitamin supplements, many recent studies saying they are unnecessary, and I avoid all tablets unless I have to.

Be well

Ian

[Hidden]

Hi Morein,

If you're on a high-fibre diet it's a challenge, I know, I'm on a diet myself. There is low-fat diet cheese out there, and cottage cheese is good stuff. Also there are soft wholemeal breads that, while higher fibre than white and better for you, are not too full of roughage. Maybe a piece of wholemeal toast with diet spread in the morning might help?

[Dadog]

I have much the same problem, Morein. Quite loose most of the time, when before Warfarin, I was the opposite and irregular. I've not changed my diet at all except for avoiding the usual off limits items.Assume, therefore, that Warfarin (or Bisoprolol) is the culprit. Maybe one day I will ask my GP what he thinks but at the moment, I avoid raising extra issues. Enough to get on with just now! Hope you find a solution.

David.

[jennydog in reply to Dadog]

My brother has had chronic colitis for 30 years and following a colonoscopy which punctured his large intestine he developed Type 1 diabetes. He is a farmer so he needs to be fit. He was advised to try LIVE yoghurt each day at breakfast time. He was initially horrified at the thought of it but utter desperation made him try it. It has helped him greatly. He has Danone. I think that M&S do one too. You will not get the same effect with a long life UHT yoghurt. - it must be live.

My qualifications are agricultural. I was taught that you do not feed the cow, you feed the bacteria that line her stomachs and gut. I think that it's important for us too.

[Morein in reply to jennydog]

Thank you everyone. I will try the live yogurt. I have never amended my diet other than missing out grapefruit and cranberries. I do eat lots of vegetables and always have done but don't follow any particular diet, other than cutting out as much fat as possible. Yes, I think the Warfarin, or possibly the Bisoprol may be the culprits. I still will never understand how an INR can be "one size fits all." I think the medics just follow the book of rules, but I am not a book I'm a human being. However, they have had years of experience prescribing warfarin, so they should know something, I think (or hope) !!

[jennydog in reply to Morein]

I forgot to say that my brother sweetens the live yoghurt with honey. He says to tell you that it is a standard recommendation for colitis sufferers. Good luck with it.