Does taking Warfarin interfere with your diet/lifestyle very much?

[cbsrbpm]

After 11 years of Aspirin I now am recommeded to take Warfarin after a recent episode of 19 hours (usually 2-5). I have resisted it for 11 years. This drug scares the life out of me for some reason.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi cbsrbpm

I have been on warfarin since Mid December 2012, and other than the blood tests to balance my INR which in my case appears to be problematic, I can honestly say I haven't noticed any difference whatsoever.

I think there is no reason at all to be scared, you might have to give up being a professional rugby player however, I would think the bruising might be a bit hard to cope with

Personally?, I'd be more worried about the aspirin than the warfarin.

All the best

Ian

[ianparry]

Hi

I have been on warfarin since Oct last year, & can echo Beancounter's comments. I am now on fortnightly blood tests (INR target 2.5). I am sure the coag nurse will tell you all you need to know when you start the warfarin. I stopped consuming alcohol as I was waiting for a cardioversion, & wanted to keep my INR as consistent as poss. I now have the odd glass of wine, just dont go out & binge drink!

Hope this helps,

Ian

[cbsrbpm]

Thanks Ian, expect I will just have to get on with it. As for the rugby, no problem there, as a 66 year old lady I think that is highly unlikely, ha!

[Hidden]

Whilst taking Warfarin you will need to have regular blood tests to check your INR level. To begin with you may have to attend the anticoagulant clinic more regularly to adjust your dose and stabilise your INR. Once your INR level is stable, you will need to attend the clinic less often.

Taking Warfarin need not affect your diet or lifestyle too much although it is advisable to avoid activities which may cause injury such as contact sports. If you are unsure which activities are safe for you, ask your doctor.

Warfarin can interact with other Medications and increase the effect. Diet is also a factor, with foods rich in Vitamin K decreasing the effect of Warfarin. Alcohol will also alter how much Warfarin you require. We have composed various fact sheets on Warfarin and they can be found here:

atrialfibrillation.org.uk/p...

Starting any anticoagulant is often a worrying time but should you have any further questions or wish to speak to a member of our helpline, please give us a call on 01789 451837.

[Hidden]

I've been on Warfarin for over 10 years & quite frankly would be scared to come off it . I have had no real problems even though i have to have blood tests very frequently -- the alternative, the chance of a stroke doesn't bear thinking about . Just read up all the leaflets etc that come from the AFA & be sensible , the byword being consistency i.e. don't suddenly binge drink or change your diet drastically. I think that has been my problem, always trying new diets !

[cbsrbpm]

My diet is my main worry as I eat lots of vegetables as always trying to lose weight. So salad and all vegetables are the mainstay of my diet. I can't imagine having to cut out green veg. I do like the odd glass of wine but this doesn't seem to be a problem.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

You might also ask if you are the right type of patient for one of the newer anticoagulants that does not require any dietary changes. They aren't for everyone but can be an excellent option with excellent stroke protection.

[Gmc54]

I have been on warfarin since 2009 without any problems. As someone else mentioned i would be more worried about taking aspirin, its known to be useless against Afib.

I eat a huge salad every day without any problem. You just have to be fairly consistent in your diet, I also eat a lot of vegetables with my evening meals. Just eat roughly the same each week. I also have alcohol occasionally on special occasions.

I'm wary of the new anticoagulant drugs as there is no antidote as far as i know, whereas there is with warfarin.

[BobD Volunteer]

I have been on warfarin for about 8 years with no problems and I often knock odd bits off myself building race car engines and such as I do. Leak a bit but easy to sort out. I am lucky in that my INR is very stable and I only have checks every couple of months but even when having weekly tests it was little inconvenience and became a social occasion. Like Beancounter I would have been more worried by the aspirin as current research has proved it to have little benefit in stroke prevention for patients with AF but with the risk of gastric bleeding, is of net negative value.

[TheStand]

cbsrbpm,

I understand your diet concerns. Many think that you have to cut out green stuff but that is not true. Veggies containing vitamin K don't have to be avoided, just steady. If you eat 1 serving a day of green veggies then continue to eat 1 serving a day. They adjust your warfarin to maintain an INR level so as long as you are steady with your intake of green veggies there wouldn't be a problem. There are a few things that you do need to stay away from which will be listed in the packet they will give you. The hardest one for me was cranberries. I love them and drank a lot of cranberry juice. Well... Used to.... Cranberries will directly affect the warfarin and will slow the "break down" of the medication in the bloodstream. This can cause your INR to spike way too high and chance a bleeding risk.

Anyway, you will just have to read the info and your normal diet shouldn't change that much. The lowering of the risk of stroke makes it all worth while.

Tim

[Bagrat]

I thought I should have been on warfarin for the last 2 years ( prescribed aspirin) but after a third albeit short episode of AF and still with a chads 2 vasc score of two I'm starting warfarin after Easter ( I wanted to wait till I had a good run at it without being away from home). My only concern is the fact I am very clumsy and also have a bouncy dog so am expecting a selection of bruises! I've been told about new anticoagulants by my Cons. but realise unless I run into probs with warfarin they probably won't be an option as my GP will be the prescriber and even factoring in the cost of INR with warfarin they would cost twice as much.

[Terjo in reply to Bagrat]

Just ask if you feel you want to.

[lingooz]

Hi only been diagnosed few weeks and warfarin was suggested but decided I also was scared and opted for aspirin !! My father in law has great trouble getting his levels right and has to have blood tested twice a week , (maybe because he drinks a lot of red rum ? ) I also dubious as I get bruises size of saucer when blood taken ( registra I saw at hospital said that means I am a blender ) but read lots on here but still not sure .good luck to you

[Hidden]

G'day,

Put on Warfarin aged 65, now coming up to 70, still work, driving buses/manual baggage handling, still drink some brands of beer, red wine and G & T, follow a diet to help control my AF, now eat very few green veg (mostly, broccoli, cauli, brussels, broad beans - definately no salads (rabbit food), no problems and my INR tests are now at 70 day intervals, bruising at first but now virtually nil bruising even if I give myself a bashing when at work, cuts and grazes are biggest problems and always carry a basic medical kit with me. Spud peelers - naaah! no worries.

If it suits you - go for it !!!

Aussie John

[cbsrbpm]

1 year on from this post and thank you all for your comments and re-assurance. Unfortunately still on Aspirin as my GP seems to be in some sort of decline as he was supposed to be writing to the anticoagulation clinic to refer me and this still this hasn't happened. After a further hospital visit to A & E following a strange episode I had which started with what appeared to be SVT which then flipped into AF, was discharged still in AF but it had calmed down significantly, with the suggestion I see my GP and request for an appointment be made for the Cardiologist. This also never happened so can only assume the letter was never sent as this was some months ago now, it is around 10 years since I last saw a Cardiologist, do most of you see a Cardiologist regularly?. I have not chased this up as I am so reluctant to take the Warfarin (I seem to have some sort of phobia about it). I bruise at the slightest knock already and am only on Aspirin 75mg a day, hate to think how I would bruise with the Warfarin. I know a lot of people who take this drug with no ill effects, why can't I get my head round it? Thanks for your kind replies to my original post, it is nice to know there are others out there who understand what is going on.

All the best to you all

B

[CDreamer in reply to cbsrbpm]

I am astounded at the lack of care you have received, I hope you have put in a complaint!

As was said in a previous post the thing you should be worried about, as should your GP, is having a TIA or a stroke and I don't think aspirin is going to protect you for the type of strokes we AFibbers have. I was very anti Warfarin, no logical reason, just instinctive, I am now on one of the new anticoagulants and have had no problems.

I was not seen by the cardiologist from 2008 and initial diagnosis until last Dec and only then when I asked for a referral. I was so disgusted with my local cardiology dept that I went privately to London instead, completely different story, but poor care is not good enough!

I have found that we need to be vey proactive and push and complain until something is done. If not, change your GP. Do hope you get something done very soon. The AFA can be really helpful when your GP is negligent, why not give them a ring a talk it through with them?

I think we Brits need to learn how to complain effectively, I wonder if there are any courses for that?

[Annilor]

Hi cbsrbpm

My first post, but I felt the need to reassure you that Warfarin is not to be feared. I first went on it after my atrial valve was repaired 6 years ago just after my 70th birthday. (I have persistent atrial fibrillation which I also ignore.) I had been planning a 2 month campervan holiday in NZ over the previous year. We went, and every 2 weeks we stopped after finding a clinic and had the usual blood test. No problems, and we are still taking all the holidays we plan for. I also enjoy a glass of red wine every evening and still enjoying life, I am sure you will as well despite the Warfarin.

Be positive, you will be fine.

[Barb1]

When I was on Warfarin I had to be careful to eat at regular intervals and not skip meals even if I was not hungry. That annoyed the hell out of my husband who would not eat unless I reminded him. I am now on dabagitran, so don't have that problem.

[Mrspat]

On the diet issue - my brother has been on Warfarin for over 30 years. He says that back in the day, there were few if any dietary restrictions apart from limiting alcoho and they were very poor about giving information about Warfarin. He has always eaten pretty much what he likes though low fat and low salt. Just shows you, how medical advice changes. I don't think he has ever gone more than 4 weeks without an INR check though.