DVT's

[LesJames]

Has anyone on warfarin (INR 3.0-4.0) developed a DVT?

TIA

[tim47]

Yes. I have been on warfarin for donkey's years. I had many suspected TIAs and three confirmed when my INR was 3.3 in 2009.

The main culprit was probably a hole in the heart which has now been closed, but my target INR has been raised to 3.8 to 4.0 and I self test every other day and use heparin if I fall below 3.0

Has worked very well since 2009 whyen PFO (patent foramen ocvale - hole in heart) was closed. No more TIAs.

Getting the right target INR, and staying around it, if you have Hughes is also very important.

[Gillian9]

Hi, yes I have. I have had a TIA whilst on warfarin this year, luckily I was an inpatient at the time, so was treated Quickly. I also had a clot on my mechanical aortic valve last year. The docs have increased my INR range to 3.5-4.5 and if it goes below 3.0 I have to self administer Clexane injections.

[Offcut]

TIA can happen if the warfarin is not thinning enough as it could still have minor clots which could cause the TIA. A bit like throwing tea leaves down the sink while there is a good flow no problem if the pipes are thinner because of grease/fat it might get stuck for a time.

[Lure2 in reply to Offcut]

Hi Offcut,

I like your comparison!

Best wishes from Kerstin in Stockholm

[Offcut in reply to Lure2]

Thank you.

I saw an image from a course I did which made me think it looked like tea leaves.

Be Well

[Hidden]

Yes; as a result I was put on low molecular weight heparin (Enoxaparin/Lovenox).

[Lure2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

Could I ask please at what INR value you were on when you had your DVT/TIA? Why would it be better to change to low molecular weight Heparin instead of warfarin?

Best wishes from Kerstin in Stockholm

[Hidden in reply to Lure2]

I don't remember what my INR was in those days (it was six years ago). The problem was that my INR was unstable. I haven't had a problem, since finding the correct level of Enoxaparin.

[Offcut]

I meant to put this up as well but maybe to late now .

There's something known as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs, which are sometimes known as mini-strokes. Now, this is when you may get showers of aggregated platelets that block the flow of blood to the brain for a short time, and they cause symptoms lasting just a few minutes normally, and there may be loss of brain function, so, for instance, you may feel dizzy. Now, these don't cause any lasting damage, but very important, because if you're getting transient ischemic attacks, it means you're much more likely to get a full-blown stroke, so if you're getting them, you must see your doctor and get some treatment.