Took my second dose of warfarin last night and felt hot. Then when trying to sleep I had slight pins and needles in legs.

This morning my legs felt really heavy for a while. Is this because I have just started warfarin? I dont no my proper levels yet as I have first INR test tomorrow. Is this all normal?

[Lure2]

I can tell you that when I started warfarin I took 7,5 mg (3 tablets) the first day The second day I noticed that my hands and feet were very warm. That evening I took 7,5 mg again. The third day they took a blood sample at the lab. It was 1.4. Slept bad the first Days and had pain under my foot. Bruise and headache also.

This is me and we are all different but I wanted to share the notes I made those Days.

Good luck from Kerstin in Stockholm

[Hidden]

Im the opposite im hot but my hands and feet R cold. I think im probably getting worried about nothing. Thanks for replying its nice to have someone to talk to who understands. Xx

[Lure2]

You are welcome! If I were you I would cheque if I have got fever also. Anyway Good luck tomorrow and talk to a doctor if you feel worse. Kerstin

[Hidden]

Thank U.I took temperature and was fine but will speak to doc.

[tassie]

It might just be that you are anxious about starting the warfarin but definitely discuss it with your doctor.

[Hidden]

I am anxious. Its silly I waited so long to be taken seriously and get on meds but now I'm scared to take them but I had a better night last night. I only had to take 5 mg yesterday. Dont no if that made a difference. Will find out later. Thanks for replies xx

[GinaD]

Warfarin is the snail of medications: it takes days for a dose to reach full effect. First you have to digest it, then your intestine has to absorb the warfarin, then the warfarin has to interfere with the body's absorption of Vitamin K, then, eventually, as the body replaces the platelets (which don't last that long) the lack of Vitamin K will mean fewer platelets will come off that platelet assembly line. All told, it can take 48 -72 hours for a dose to reach its full effect.

So, do keep a chart and note any symptoms. But it is unlikely that this snail drug is going to effect you quickly, in either a positive or a negative way.

And do, memorize that dietary list of "blood thickening foods" and "blood thinning foods." Then try to be consistent in your diet. Me? I'm a salad lover. So, I go ahead and eat a salad with green leafies a day. (NB: iceberg lettuce is a nutritional desert of a food -- hardly any nutrients -- including Vitamin K.) But if I have my salad for lunch, that means no salad (unless made of iceberg) for dinner and no broccoli or green cabbage.

All changes are hard. And going on warfarin was scary at first for me. But in hind sight, warfarin has become my medicinal best friend. It gave me my life back!

[Suzypawz]

It can take a while as others have stated to have the proper effect I'm afraid....until then you will experience symptoms like these as your body is getting used to it.

You will need to be careful on certain foods, drinks you intake now which I hope your gp has explained to you already?

Hopefully you will feel the benefit from it soon & be ok on it.

All the best keep us posted x

[Hidden]

I had 1st INR test was 2.4. Saw nurse and she explained some things then gave me a booklet. I've have really bad aching legs today but she wasn't sure what that was.

[Lure2]

Hi,

2,4. That sounds good. What range do they want you on? Like I said before I had aching under my foot and headache and a lot of APS-symptoms to start with. It took 6 days for me to reach an INR of 2.0. We react so different on warfarin. I am sensitive for it and react nowadays very fast and at small doses.

But after a couple of hours (I thought I imagined it but it was real !!!) everything was brighter and I could read without my earlier symtoms. That made me so happy.

I agree with Suzypawz. Be careful to eat the same things to start with. Learn about warfarin and how your body reacts to it.

Good luck to you from Kerstin

[Hidden]

They want me between 2 and 3. Im going back in a week for another test. Think im just quite tense because of worry so I'm going to try and relax and have a nice weekend with my son for his birthday and not worry too much. I have got a few books about APS so have been reading up about warfarin and food etc. Bit confusing about eating the same things but I will get the hang of it xx

[Lure2 in reply to Hidden]

IYou will be OK I am sure. Enjoy the birthdayparty for your son. Here we have sun in Stockholm.

Best wishes Kerstin