Starting Warfarin

[maria68]

Hello everybody I hope you are all keeping safe. I have been taking the anticoagulant Riveroxaban but have had numbness in my feet and lower legs. My cardiologist doesn’t think that the Riveroxaban is the cause of this but it did start at the same time as starting the anticoagulant. I was thinking of maybe asking my cardiologist if I could change to Warfarin. I know you have to be tested regularly. and also watch your diet. Can anybody advise me on this move?

Thank you. This forum is such a great help.

[CDreamer]

You may find that difficult in these times as GPs have been switching people to DOACs to avoid the INR testing because of the virus.

Why not ask to change to another DOAC such as Apixaban or Edoxaban?

[maria68 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for replying. I started on Apixaban and had the numbness initially then changed to Riveroxaban. Worried that theses other DOACs may cause similar symptoms.

[Mrsvemb]

Why not ask to change to either Apixaban, Dabigatran or Edoxaban first. As has already been said there is no need for INR testing which is difficult in these strange times.

No need for dietary restrictions either.

Val

[MarkS]

It's a good move provided you can stay in the recommended INR range of 2-3 most of the time. To enable you to do that, I would highly recommend a Coaguchek monitor. Then you can carry out your own tests every week or two. It only takes a couple of minutes.

If you can't get a Coaguchek (there may be a run on them at the moment), I would suggest you wait until you can and then switch.

I don't restrict my diet, by the way. The key is to have a steady intake of Vit K which I get through a daily Vit K2 pill. That smooths out any variation through diet.

[sam1zoe]

I have been taking warfarin for 4 years, had no problems go every 3 months for my INR,because it has settled but every week at first and slowly gets longer, also l eat what ever l want and was told to do this, only don't have cranberry. You should be fine on warfarin, l wouldn't change

[Bolander]

I've been on Warfarin for several yeards now, with no problems. As already been said, the key with diet is consistency - Vitamin K does affect the impact of Warfarin, but this can be allowed for by fine tuning the dosage. For me one advantage (which of course doesn't apply at the moment) is that a regular appointment with my GP for an INR test gives me the opportunity to mention any problem that I may have without having to make a specific appointment. (My excellent GP is so popular that is is otherwise difficult to make an appointment.)

[Cleegirl1]

I’ve been on warfarin fir 3 years and no problems but you do have to have regular blood tests and apt’s. I have the pin prick test.

Good luck xx

[colingee]

Hi maria

Never got on with warfarin inr levels were always wrong either to high or low and couldn’t have the vegetables etc I enjoyed been on dabigatran for many years now now problems eat. And drink what I like and blood tests only once or twice a year and there’s an antidote if ever needed I’ve had no side effects

Good luck

[maria68 in reply to colingee]

Have you had any digestive problems with Dabigatran ?

[colingee in reply to maria68]

Not at all, taking it at 715am and 715pm with my cup of tea

[segaw]

You can buy your own tester which my husband has found useful as we travel aboard normally quite a bit. You would need to check if doctor lets you go on warfarin that he will prescribe the testing strips and lancets as they are expensive and you don’t want to but the tester if he won’t. Also you will need training to use it at the warfarin clinic and then you just send the results in and they send you back the dose. Took hubby a long time to get it to the right dose to keep it in range and at one point it was weekly tests but now two monthly. Home test is just a finger prick whereas doctor blood tests are from your arm at phlebotomist.

[fatboyjock]

been on warfarin for a year just tested at hospital today straight in and out in minutes next blood test july had no problems ,well no alcohol but hey ho could be worse

[Heart1234Wisconsin]

At least two different medical organizations have strongly advised against warfarin for protection from strokes from afib. I know there was one study that compared patients who took warfarin with patients who took the other anticoagulants and found a sizable more strokes among the warfarin takers.

[CoconutBob]

I couldn't tolerate either Xarelto or Eliquis and happily I'm back on warfarin. Tested at home and get the results the next morning and advised to change or not. Good luck.