Has anyone experienced INR fluctuations while holidaying in the Mediterranean?

[Pefki]

I am in Greece, different climate, different food, swimming etc. I will have my INR checked on Monday and wondering how much it will be different. Apart from food and drink, I read somewhere that vitamin D can influence INR. What has been your experiences?

[Hanibil]

Hi hope your enjoying Greece I find my INR always increases when I am in Greece I say Greece as it’s the only hot country I really go to. I put it down to the heat. I carry a self tester with me which means I can keep a very close eye on my INR which puts my mined at rest.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

healthdirect.gov.au/interna....

[road2ruin]

Hi Pefki,

Never been to Greece, but I do usually find my INR increases a little when on holiday. I am guessing it's different food, a bit more alcohol etc. I wouldn't stress too much I have had my INR as high as 3.7 and the nurse was not very concerned. They sometimes have people in whose target INR is 3.8, so by comparison mine was still ok.

Relax and enjoy your holiday.

[Pefki in reply to road2ruin]

Good to know. Was worried that the olive oil and the fruit and veg would be too much vitamin K but it might all balance out. I'm hoping

[road2ruin in reply to Pefki]

To be honest Pefki, you are far better just trying to relax and enjoy your holiday. Certainly in the early days of warfarin I was on edge all the time, worried about the numbers. There will always be ups and downs in the numbers, sometimes for no obvious reason. I now find that the less I worry about it the better i feel overall. I have a target of 2.5 and in the last year it has been between 2.2 - 3.7. I could spend ages trying to iron out every wrinkle, but there is nothing bad about that range and life is for living.

Nice to hear you got away ok though. I am off to Croatia in August and looking forward to it.

[Classof1988]

Pefki, I have been on Warfarin since 1988. I have visited the Caribbean twice (once was for a month), Canada during a heatwave, Majorca, Tenerife, various European countries including Russia and Ukraine, Turkey and while my INR occasionally fluctuates I can only recall a couple of occasions when it has gone outside the target parameters and these were down to a temporary change in diet while at home. In any event, I was only aware of the increase In the INR result because it was found during a routine check and I had no symptoms whatsoever of any change. If your INR does go outside parameters then all that is required is some fine tuning and more frequent testing until it has stabilised. Normally my tests are every 6 - 8 weeks but this will go to 2 then 4 then back to normal with a change of dose, possible miss a day if blood is too thin. Don't worry, relax and enjoy your holiday!

[Pefki in reply to Classof1988]

I like hearing from people that are living full lives. I am not going to let warfarin hold me back. You've been taking it for almost 10 years before I was born in February 1997. Good on you.

[1234_6]

Hi PefkiAs always I can't answer your heart / medication question but i wanted to say that I'm glad to hear that your recovery journey is continuing and that you've been able to get back to Greece.

I bet you are glad to be there and have some time for yourself now that studying for your exams are over too! I hope all went well in the exams. Do you have to wait long for the results?

Also is GrandPa is doing ok and recovering too? I know you were worried about getting back to see him as he was also ill.

I hope also that your sister and other family and friends are well, and that you all have s good time resting and relaxing together.

[Pefki in reply to 1234_6]

Thank you for all your good wishes. My grandfather is pretty good, although he had not been told of my health issues, the fact that my parents were with me in London from March, was difficult for him to handle. It was more sadness and concern, because my parents rarely visit, as I come to Athens when I can, that caused his heart to bounce a bit. Once I sat next to him and he could see me and put his arm around me, he started to feel much better. I am keeping very busy and not dwelling on the long wait for exam results. I'm working, socialising and attending political party events for the elections on Sunday here in Greece. Next week I fly to Crete to stay with a friend and attend an LSE event. I hope you enjoy your summer.