The I.N.R.Seesaw.

[Bollox2AF]

Was told I need 4 weeks between 2.5 & 3.5 before my cardioversion...1st week 2.7 2nd week 2.6. This week 2.1 back to square one..As the nurse told me,it must be 4 weeks consecutive between 2.5 & 3.5...took medication as advised..Anyone else had this problem with Warfarin?..so in effect 2 steps forward,four steps back..wee bit frustrating.

[wendicarro]

Had this problem before every ablation, perfect at the check a few days before then right down again on the day, having said that surgeon always went ahead anyway after discussion then if needed I was given blood thinning injections for a few days after.

Its a real pain and nothing it seems is straight forward, but as they say onwards and upwards eh!

Good luck

Wendi

[Rellim296]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Bollox2AF! I had this problem and it was very annoying. My ablation kept getting postponed because I kept dropping out of range.

As dml says, watch what you are eating.

When I had to get four weeks in a row with INR over 2, which took a couple of months, I cut out all greens and stuck to low vit K veggies like aubergine, onions, sweet corn, beetroot mushrooms and fennel. My other half was on a dreadful diet at the time for pelvic radiotherapy and he had a very restricted veggie option which fitted in quite well happily, although he had to avoid onions and sweetcorn. Aubergine had to be peeled and only a tiny quantity. He could have 2.5 cm of courgette, also peeled, which I didn't have.

I also tried to walk the same distance at the same rate every day. I am slightly addicted to my treadmill and when I'm cross I tend to walk more and go faster. I think I cut down to four miles a day, but it might have been an hour. I think exercise pushes your INR down.

Good luck! And do check with the hospital that 2.1 takes you back to square one and don't rely solely on the nurse.

[Barb1]

My EP is very laid back about it and has also said 'well it averages out' and gets on with it.

[Hidden]

Some folks have genetic factor or hidden vit k sources such as fiah oil, multi vit, cashews, etc. Good luck

[Bollox2AF]

Oh Thanks Folks for the replies,since I started on the Warfarin I have more or less cut out the greens except Turnip and a couple of bits of Broccoli...on the odd occasion..anyway,Good Luck to all my fellow A/F rs...it's a bugger this condition.

[Hidden]

Hi, that's a real bummer. in Oxford they want my INR to be between 2.0 and 3.0 so I don't know why yours is different.

Mine went out of range once because I had a real feast on brussel sprouts---true!! and they cancelled my CV.

When I finally got another date the CV worked but I went back into AF after 5 days.

More recently I gave up alcohol completely and my INR dropped again. It's taken 7 weeks to get the warfarin dose right again. On the plus side, I feel a lot better and have some cash to spend as well.. lol

[10gingercats in reply to Hidden]

I am in Oxford too. I am getting the impression that so many people around here want to change to the new drugs the INR clinic at the Churchill are in fear of losing their jobs.When I have a rant about the change in my dosage they have quizzed me as to whether I am planning to go over to one of the new drugs...Oh boy, yes I am!

[Hidden]

Bollox2AF .... Best user name so far

[howesgilly]

Yes I had almost 6 months on warfarin and in AF before I was in range and then popped out as quick and the waiting list was 12 weeks in my area - pretty difficult to maintain.

I am now waiting for ablation but they are going to try dabigatran as an alternative due to difficulties maintaining my warfarin INR.

good luck

[10gingercats]

I am not waiting for an ablation but have been worn into the ground by inexplicable changes in my INR.This,as you know, leads one into weekly blood tests.I have done a personal analysis of what I eat, what I am doing during that week,exercising 'excessively' or not, etc,etc.This only happens three or four times a years for about five or six weeks but it is b....inconvenient. So......it off warfarin for me and onto one of the new drugs.Seeing GP Monday. Good Luck with your ablation when it happens and may you look forward to a new life soon.