Warfarin problem again.

[benmaise]

I normally take 4 and a half warfarin. I found the 3 mg tablet later on near my dish that I keep the pills in.I can't remember if that was just a spare pill or the one I should have taken. Do I dare take it? What doesn't he]p is I'm going on holiday tomorrow. My diet will be different from my normal food. Normally I eat a lot of green which affects my Warfarin. I wish I could stop worrying about it. Any ideas, please?

[Rosie1066]

I would contact either your Warfarin clinic or whoever monitors your Warfarin ie GP surgery and ask them for advice as you are going away and lay off the greens.

[BenHall1]

Hiya benmaise,

Firstly, and I know its hard to do, BUT, try and stop worrying and stressing. 😊 Over the 13 nearly 14 years of scoffing Warfarin I have often forgotten altogether to take my 4 or 5 mg of Warfarin .... totally forgotten. Makes no difference. When I had my knee replacement surgery I had to stop Warfarin altogether for 6 days prior to surgery. I noted my INR's ( I self test my INR at home with my own Coaguchek device ) over the 6 days and it took all those 6 days for my INR to get from 2.4 down to 1 ( the INR of a non Warfarin person) - so missing part of a dose isn't gonna be a problem. Whatever you do, don't try and play "catchups", just write it off and give yourself a little telling off.

I use as a guide if I need to an online leaflet by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust which gives a whole heap of useful advice. I've found that ( and endorsed by others too ) that Warfarin loves consistency, consistency and more consistency. Now you have already recognised that your diet will be different, so that will chuck a curved ball at your Warfarin diet so expect your INR to vary, and maybe ( who knows ) quite a bit. But for goodness sake don't panic ... don't spoil your hard earned holiday/rest by worry, just keep taking your prescribed dose of Warfarin while away. Then when you get home get your INR tested as soon as ( unless you self test of course in which case I hope you take your device and test strips with you on holiday - I do ).

I've found on all my trips to Sydney that all during my holiday away my INR numbers increased - every trip I've done. I've just stayed with my prescribed dose and got on with my holiday fun. When I get home I notice my numbers drop again ... who knows why - just can't be bothered second guessing the Warfarin /INR game - it just happens and that's it. Just reassure yourself that you are still taking your prescribed Warfarin dose.

Don't worry enjoy your hols - hope you are going somewhere sunny and warm - hot even 😄

John

[benmaise in reply to BenHall1]

Thank you so much. I feel better already..

[Tellingfibs]

I normally take 9 mgs daily. A couple of weeks ago, I realised I had missed an entire dose. I was worried because the algorithm seems to indicate a missed dose should bring INR down one count. So if you are 2.7, it should reduce to 1.7 However, when I rang my INR clinic for advice, they told me to carry on as normal and go in for my previously arranged check a week later. When I did, my INR was in range. The pharmacist said that ‘blips’ like that even out if everything else continues as normal. Your holiday may produce different INR results anyway. My INR usually goes up if I go abroad because I hate flying ( stress factor ) and eat different things. The thing is, your holiday is only a small window of change, so I don’t think you should worry too much. Things can be corrected on your return, if necessary.

Annie.

[BobD Volunteer]

In nearly 20 years taking warfarin I have often missed doses but it does average out over a few days.

[Cavalierrubie]

You would have to miss for a week before it would affect your numbers. That’s what they told me. Wouldn’t worry about it. Have nice break.

[Tedrick]

I am dreadfully sorry but I have never taken warfarin, it was suggested by my Dr way back in 2009 when I was on Aspirin which was prescribed by the cardiologist who discovered I had Afib. My Dr kept trying to get me to start on Warfarin, but at the time I thought it was too restrictive for me as I was doing quite a lot of gym work mainly indoor rowing. I was on Aspirin from 2009 until 2020 when I had a hip replacement and placed on Apixaban. There are some very helpful and friendly people on here who will advise you regarding Warfarin sorry I couldn’t help.