warfarin

[SophiaMacie]

hi there we are off to turkey Friday can you get your levels checked there when on warfarin , he had mechanical valve in February , has anyone went on flight after this is it safe , I’m very worried would appreciate any advice x thank you x

[Hanibil]

I would think you can get tested there. You could get yourself a home tester but doubt you would get it by Friday.

[Rosie1066]

can he not arrange to have his INR tested here in the U.K. at his warfarin clinic just before he goes? That’s what I do before traveling abroad then I have a re-test as soon as I get back. I’ve never had a problem with flying with valve replacement.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Hiya,

I had O.H.S and was fitted with a mechanical mitral valve 11 months ago. I was told at the time that I wouldn’t be able to get travel insurance for a year post op? Probably worth you checking with your Insurer before you fly.

For our stay-cations, we invested in a Coaguchek portable I.N.R machine - which has been invaluable, as my I.N.R is very unstable and often need to test more than once a week. They’re supposed to be sent out with the first 6 test strips included, but mine arrived without, so that was a further delay waiting for them to be sent. You also need to let the Anti-coagulation Nurses know that your partner will be self testing. You can then call them with the result each time and they dose the Warfarin in the normal way. Once they’ve noted your machine on their system, you can approach your partner’s G.P to have the testing strips added to his prescription.

Hope you get it sorted.

[SophiaMacie in reply to DodgyTickerMum]

I got it from stay sure £160 I put in valve replacement

[Rosie1066 in reply to SophiaMacie]

Me too. Had op end of December and off on holiday early April. Disclosed valve replacement and had no trouble getting insurance.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Well that’s useful to know - thank you. Unfortunately since my main surgery, I’ve also had to have a Loop Recorder implanted and from various posts on here, I gather that it’s nigh on impossible to get insurance with one of those, as it’s deemed an ongoing test. If I’d have known - I wld have reconsidered. So now we’re stuck - until the battery runs out or I go into A.F! 🤦🏼‍♀️

I hope you manage to sort something re the Warfarin and I.N.R.

[Comfs]

hello I’ve never had my levels checked abroad before but I was speaking to this women who travelled Australia who was on warfarin and she managed to get her levels check over there

I had a mechanical valve for the 1st 18years of my life and went on so many holidays so It was defiantly safe to fly and I currently have just had a mechanical one out and I will be flying next year

But it’s always good to check with your doctors if your unsure because i know how scary it all is when your doing things for the 1st time after having it done

Hope you get sorted and the answers you need ❤️❤️

[SophiaMacie in reply to Comfs]

Thank you xx

[1Ros2ie3]

hi there, I am on warfarin as I have a replacement mechanical valve. Yes, no problem flying, I’m presently abroad at the moment. I get my levels checked every month if they are stable, so I haven't needed it checked whilst I’m away.

[SophiaMacie in reply to 1Ros2ie3]

Happy holidays x

[FiftyRoy]

Had a mechanical valve fitted in 2016 and on warfarin. Have my fingerprick test before I go and the nurse sets my dose. If it's been stable she just keeps my regular appointments, if it's been a bit unstable then an appointment when I get back. Never worried about getting checked when I'm away on holiday and my diet still includes anything I fancy including alcohol!!!!

[GreenQueen1 in reply to FiftyRoy]

Hello - glad to hear you’ve got on so well with your mechanical valve and warfarin. I have to decide between a mechanical and tissue valve for surgery later this year. Am leaning towards a mechanical valve but am concerned about warfarin and keeping levels stable. When you say you’ve been able to eat what you want, did this include green vegetables? (I love them and want to know how they can still be included in my diet!) Thanks.

[Classof1988 in reply to GreenQueen1]

I have had a mechanical valve (same one) for 36 years and eat whatever I want to. Probably not enough greens, but half a grapefruit every morning which I love. If my INR result is outside parameters then I might go onto testing every two weeks, then three then four (recently the clinic overdid the fine tuning so it was a one week test) but for long periods when my INR is stable I can go 8-10 weeks between tests. Of my two most recent results where my INR went outside my range I had started taking a health supplement that I didn't realise could act as a mild anticoagulant so I knew the reason. If you have a regular eating and exercising pattern then your INR levels should settle down nicely once established. I would definitely recommend a mechanical valve, I am rarely aware of it and flew for the first time around 5 months post surgery.

[GreenQueen1 in reply to Classof1988]

Thank you for such an encouraging reply. Feeling quite overwhelmed by it all (the choice, the fact I have a heart problem at all etc) at the moment so it was good to hear such a positive outcome.

[FiftyRoy in reply to GreenQueen1]

Hi There, it's the Vitamin K element that they want you to avoid. I'm not a great greens lover but I do like broccoli so I just have small portions. I think if you have small and regular portions your INR settles and so no issues. Good luck for your op later in the year, you'll be in good hands and wonder what all the fuss was about 👍

[niffum32 in reply to GreenQueen1]

Hi GreenQueen1 I have had mechanical mitral valve for 25 years and aortic valve coming up for 10 years I was only 40 when I had the first valve and because of age had mechanical at first I was going every week as warfarin was not stable but as the years have passed it has settled down I never leave testing more than 3 weeks and as long as you are consistent in what you eat you should not have any problems I eat green veg and off-set against something I know will work opposite (make blood thinner e.g. I love licorice which thins the blood) if you read up on what to eat or not whilst taking warfarin you will have a good idea, I have never been an alcohol drinker one glass of wine with my Christmas lunch is the limit for me but again alcohol in moderation I believe is okay

All the best

[SophiaMacie in reply to niffum32]

☺️

[Mitchum]

Just test it before you leave then when you return. Testing too often is as bad as not enough for an unstable drug like warfarin. It can fluctuate three or four points in a day for no apparent reason. My range is 3 to 4 and I self test monthly or if I am ill. Controlling it is quite easy if you eat and drink a similar type of foodstuffs. Nothing is off the table, including alcohol, but don't vary the quantity much! You would be wise to buy a Coaguchek machine which will save visiting your GP as often. I have been on warfarin for 22 years.

[SophiaMacie in reply to Mitchum]

Thanks ☺️

[aviation1]

Ask your GP to prescribe Rivaroxaban - same med but you'll never need an INR

[123isla in reply to aviation1]

Unfortunately you can only have warfarin with a mechanical valve. I had one 20 years ago, never had a problem flying. As long as you eat similar foods all the time your INR will be fine..I eat greens are but in moderation, obviously wouldn't do you any good to sit and eat a plate of green beans! As others have said have INR tested before you go and when you return, then go and have a fab holiday and don't panic ( as we all tend to do at first) it will be fine.

[SophiaMacie in reply to 123isla]

Thanks ☺️

[Mitchum in reply to aviation1]

It's not the same med. Rivaroxaban works differently. You can only take warfarin (which is a vitamin k antagonist) if you have a mechanical heart valve.

[aviation1 in reply to Mitchum]

Well noted - I did not realise as I had a MV repair

[Rosie1066 in reply to aviation1]

If you have had a mechanical valve replacement then you can only take Warfarin.

[Queenielover]

Hi I had same a year ago next week they said I had to wait a year for insurance to as I won't be covered

[SuperFluff]

Hi SophiaMacie. I currently live in Turkey and I can't see getting tested here being a problem, if needed. Every public hospital in the tourism areas has a tourist office within it with translators to help with any problems.

[SophiaMacie in reply to SuperFluff]

☺️

[Classof1988]

I see you have plenty of advice but if you want any further reassurance from someone who has many years experience of Warfarin please read my reply to GreenQueen1. And I have flown to the USA twice since having acquired a Pacemaker as well as my mechanical Aortic valve with no problems, and while my travel insurance was more than my wife and children put together it still wasn't prohibitively expensive.

[SophiaMacie in reply to Classof1988]

Thank you 🙏

[Olivebread1]

Hello I am on Warfarin and I have two mechanical valves. Sometimes I need to check my INR when I travel to Greece and adjust my dose if it is out of range ( the doctor/lab does). I do it privately at a microbiologist. Very quick, easy and not expensive. Usually I check it before I go and if in range no reason to check. Enjoy your trip!

[SophiaMacie in reply to Olivebread1]

thanks 🙏

[Lhasaone in reply to SophiaMacie]

I've been taking warfarin for 24 years. I had a Pascal Loop fitted in November to stop my leaking mitrial valves and a follow up in early January. I went to France a couple of weeks back and on the day before leaving went to a super restaurant and had garlic soup... BIG mistake! The following day had an INR appt. and it had sky rocketed... so for what it's worth don't have garlic soup😀 Have a lovely holiday.

[SophiaMacie in reply to Lhasaone]

Thanks x