Warfarin and side effects.

[kernow43]

I was scrolling through some older posts regarding the Warfarin use, side effects and INR monitoring debates and came across one complaining about headaches and nosebleeds.

I have been experiencing a lot of headaches and nosebleeds myself in the past couple of months, and because several years ago I had brain tumour successfully removed, was seen by the neurology department and am awaiting a scan.

I have been on Warfarin since being diagnosed with AF some twelve months ago and although my INR is fairly stable,( I self test weekly as well as six weekly visits to the surgery), am now becoming concerned that because I don't appear to have the balance and weakness usually associated with a tumour it may be a bleed somewhere.

My GP suspects it may be Arteritis of the Artery and is monitoring with blood tests but needs to do a biopsy to confirm. Being on Warfarin this is too much of a risk hence the repeated blood tests before he will make a decision about stopping Warfarin. If this Arteritis does turn out to be the case it is apparently easily treatable with Steroids but I wonder if it's possible whilst being treated for AF with Warfarin and Bisoprolol.

Don't you just hate the ageing process?

Anyway the upshot of this long ramble is that I would be interested to hear of any one else who has experienced headaches and or frequent nosebleeds through Warfarin use, and what was the outcome.

Thanks and good luck

Ray

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Ray

My understanding is that side effects of warfarin are rare, and certainly on here we have seen very few people with problems, but why don't you ask your doctor to change you to one of the newer ones?.

Be well

Ian

[kernow43 in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks Ian, the reason given for not having the biopsy regarding the Arteritis is the possibility of a bleed being on Warfarin. Would the same risk apply if I were to be on one of the newer drugs?

Obviously a point to ask the Doc on Monday, to be honest I hadn't thought of this.

Cheers

Ray

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to kernow43]

Hi Ray

With the newer drugs, they will usually still take you off prior to the operation, but it's a smaller window, so for warfarin maybe 3 days before, and then it takes 3 days or so after to come back to INR, and as I understand with the newer ones, sometimes only 24 hours before, and then straight back on and almost immediately anti-coagulated.

Good luck

Ian

[kernow43 in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks again Ian, all info gratefully received and ammo for a discussion with my GP

Regards

Ray

[lizwright]

I've never had any side effects from wafarinand I am very grateful that I have it to protect me. In my considerable experience of having procedures, they are pretty expert in knowing what to stop and what to give you to keep you safe.

[stokenorth]

Hello Ray, I had surgery 6 months ago and I am on Dabagatran. I only had to leave them off for the previous 24 hours. As this is a relative new drug I was admitted to hospital 4 days before my surgery so that they could monitor me with this drug. I have to say that everything went smoothly and there were no problems. The plus side to the new drugs is that there are no INR testings which is great. I was attending the blood clinic every week for INR and I was altering my dose of Warfarin each week. If I were you I would certainly mention the new drugs to your GP the next time you visit. I do know that some GPs won't issue it because of the price, it is quite expensive. Good Luck.

[kernow43 in reply to stokenorth]

Thanks for that, some time ago the new type drugs were briefly mentioned during a conversation with my GP and apparently my health authority does issue them. At the time it was only mentioned in passing as I had had no problems re Warfarin use, and wouldn't have been very keen to change given the lack of an antidote.

Anyway things move on and it is probably my lack of patience, and a certain amount of fear, in trying to find out what's going on with these new symptoms. Waiting for appointments seems to take forever, but underneath I suppose I have to trust that were there any real danger I would be seen sooner.

All this seems to have put the AF on the back burner, small mercies I suppose, but initially it was deemed to be the culprit which only lengthened the time taken to get to the right people. Should not be surprised really as it took two years to find out about the AF in the first place.

All the best

Ray

[georgejen]

Hi Ray , I don't get many headaches , but I do get a lot of throat bleeds that have been investigated , with x-rays and by an ENT Doctor, the latter still on going. But they are fairly sure that it is the Warfarin , as we get older ( I am 66) your skin gets thinner and so do the veins in your throat and nose, so blowing your nose too hard or a sharp cough can set you off , and these days it takes longer to stop.I asked my Doctor about the new drugs and he tells me that there is no antidote with these, whereas they can use vitiman k to stop a Warfarin bleed , I hope all goes well for you, George.

[kernow43 in reply to georgejen]

Thanks George, that ties in a bit with me and the nosebleeds certainly as far as coughing and sneezing is concerned. I'm 70 now but up until my early 60's when they found the brain tumour, I didn't do ill. All went well for a couple of years, tumour removed successfully, then the dreaded AF which seemed to have settled down a bit, and now this. I am well aware that life is a terminal condition, and I'm not normally the worrying type, but I have to wonder what else the buggers are going to throw at me.

Anyway in the mean time I'll keep taking the sodding tablets, pour myself the occasional large one and hope the rain stops soon.

All the best

Ray.

[gillyflower13]

Hi Ray - I have been off and on Warfarin now for 5 years - each time my body has reacted by me having bleeds from somewhere in my body!!! Last year I was admitted to hospital suffering from PR bleed twice - each time it was discussed by the Drs etc as to whether I should continue to stay on this anti-coagulant ( I am an AF patient). I have recently had nose bleeds and broken blood vessels in both eyes. Finally, after a period of indecision and regular visits to my GP he has advised me to discontinue the

Warfarin and I am currently taking Aspirin. I have had to think long and hard as to whether this is right for me as I am aware that when we are on Warfarin we have a higher

protection from having a stroke but I feel that my quality of life is better !!!

From Gillyflower13

[kernow43 in reply to gillyflower13]

Sorry to hear that you have had such a rough time of it. I was very reluctant to start Warfarin, I'd only heard the horror stories about it, but now after a year or so I would be very reluctant to stop. Does this problem eliminate you from one of the newer types of anti coag drugs, although I'm sure you would have discussed this with the docs.

Of course in my case I'm still in the dark about the causes of my symptoms,

so we live in hope,

Wish you well

Ray