Never used warfarin

[greengo1]

Answering to your question on using warfarin I have never used it and would not touch it with a barge pole as it restricts your life (regular appointments, no drinking etc ) . Have been on Rivaroxaban for 6 years and never looked back. Also I have been discharged from Heart clinic .

[jedimasterlincoln]

I think for a lot of people it's a starting point and many are none the wiser. I know people who have been on Warfarin for a long time with no problems, and an equal number who haven't got on with it.

[Suzy1954]

Some of us have no choice unfortunately. I have had an Aortic valve replacement so can’t take any of the new drugs. I’ve been on warfarin for 32 years with very few problems. I test myself now and go to the clinic every couple of months.

[RobertTonkiss in reply to Suzy1954]

Hi I’m pretty much in the same boat as yourself Suzy. I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement just a year ago and was put on warfarin, yes there are some restrictions but they are not that onerous it just means not overdoing it with certain foods in the main. Yes there are problems when it comes to drug interactions but warfarin is not unique in that respect and there are usually work arounds medication wise. As for the alcohol issue my understanding is if you keep the intake to a small amount and keep it the same all the time the INR is easy to maintain, its binge and erratic intake that is the problem. Personally I stopped drinking in the main some years ago due to it making some of my other medical problems worse so even when I do drink I generally only have one or two units worth which I understand will probably cause a small spike but is not not unmanageable long term. On the issue of self testing what county do you live I live in Scotland and am not sure that is an option here it would be great for me as I work a variable shift pattern and still being on weekly checks it’s made getting it done a royal pain. Doing it myself would mean I could keep it on the same day and time all the time and if I had the scope to alter the dose within set perameters it would be much easier.

[Suzy1954 in reply to RobertTonkiss]

Hi Robert. I live in warwickshire and although I self test it is not fully supported by the local hospital. I told them I have my own coaguchek machine and test myself roughly once a week or 2 weeks. They agreed to see me every couple of months and I can ring them in between if any probs. I only drink 1or2 glasses of wine & usually with dinner. I’m fine with that.

[BobD Volunteer]

Each to their own. I have been on it for fifteen years and never worry about my diet . My INR is well in range better than 85% of the time and I only have checks every two or three months as a result.

[Hidden]

I've been on warfarin for almost 9 years and have not experienced any issues. I self test and at times self dose and it has not restricted my drinking or my consumption of green leaf veggies.

[Bagrat in reply to Hidden]

My husband is on warfarin and I totally agree, his diet is unrestricted and he enjoys an odd beer or two 2 or three times a week.

[opal11uk]

Wellll, thats quite an assumption.........I was on Warfarin for 20 years, it didn't restrict me in any way and I bought my own machine eventually to avoid hospitals, having had a stroke caused by this condition I was pleased to be alive and Warfarin looked after me until I was taken off of it earlier this year. Remember too that there are still a lot of people who rely on Warfarin to remain stroke free.

[jwsonoma]

I have been on warfarin for 4 years and self test.

Drinking and a fib don't mix so I have pretty much stopped. Warfarin is the only one that has had an antidote that has been around a long time and is everywhere. I may switch when the others have had an antidote out longer and I feel comfortable it is readily available outside big cities.

[MarkS]

I've been on warfarin for 10 years and it doesn't restrict me in any way. I self test - 2 mins per week and I know it's working for me. You don't know with the new anti-coags, you just have to trust them. I'm in range nearly all the time so I'm actually better protected than with the new ones. Additionally my risk of cancer is cut by 40% due to the warfarin. I would question why anyone would really want to be on the NOACs unless they really have unstable INR!

[fairgo45 in reply to MarkS]

Hi Mark how does warfarin protect against cancer?

[MarkS in reply to fairgo45]

Hi Fairgo45,

Warfarin inhibits cancer metastasis, i.e. the spread of cancer into secondaries. See this:

"Warfarin Linked to Lower Cancer Risk", medscape.com/viewarticle/88...

It is suggested that a low dose warfarin pill is developed to treat cancer patients. It would be a billion pound blockbuster drug except it only costs pennies!

Mark

[fairgo45 in reply to MarkS]

Thank you it would be good if it turns out to be correct

[Ianc2]

With warfarin there is a tried and tested way of stopping the effects of this drug with one single injection in case of emergency.

[Jennifer53]

I have aneurysms so I'm a warfarin lifer because of the risk of a brain bleed. My inr is stable. I drink most weekends. I eat what I like within reason. I feel safe on this drug

[Indigo42916]

I am on warfarin, as I have cancer and as my onco-cardiologist conveyed the safety of the newer anticoagulants with cancer patients is unknown. Haven't had any problems. Interestingly my blood cancer puts me at higher risk for thrombosis, so it is a win-win so far.

And the anti-cancer properties of warfarin is an unexpected plus.

The testing is inconvenient at first, but once your in range no big deal.

I am glad it is available and has been thoroughly researched.

Take good care.