Cranberries

[Gerardina]

It's that time of year again, but it's my first Christmas on warfarin. What is the concensus about eating cranberry sauce? I've heard many different theories about whether it's safe to eat, I'd like to be able to eat a little! However, if it is likely to give me a bleed, I'd sooner leave it out x

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi cranberries are on the no list regarding Warfarin. MaryF

[Gerardina in reply to MaryF]

Thought they might be

[Gerardina in reply to Gerardina]

Does that list also include sprouts? My sister is cooking Xmas dinner and has asked for a list of forbidden foods, lol. The only ones I know are spinach and grapefruit. Thanks x

[Lure2 in reply to Gerardina]

I eat broccoli and sometimes brusselsprouts. They are full of K-vitamin and are forbidden if you do not eat them every day. as I do. If you eat them you can count on a lower INR the next day. If i were in your shoes on Christmas I would eat something else.

I wish you a Merry Christmas from Stockholm!

[Manofmendip]

Cranberries are on the no list for Warfarin.

I used to eat Brussels Sprouts but, like Kerstin said, beware of them hitting your INR down big time. Do you self test your INR and self manage your dose? I did, so I could adjust my Warfarin accordingly.

Dave

[rlupus]

I was told never t eat them because of INR .

[Lure2 in reply to rlupus]

Of course you can eat K-vit rich vegetables. It is good for you but you must then do it every day.

CONSTANCY is the key when you are on warfarin, Make notes what you eat. Be aware if you suddenly eat brussel sprouts or broccoli (most likely to have a big fall of INR) . Just start with a little amount. I selftest and I eat more of it if I want to reduce my INR. In 12 - 24 hours my INR is reduced as I can see when I selftest every second day.

Kerstin

[Lure2 in reply to rlupus]

Hi again,

I did misunderstand you. Gerardina asked about brusselsprouts for Christmas dinner but you meant perhaps the "cranberries". I do not know about them but I have learnt like you to avoid them like Mary said also.

Kerstin

[rlupus in reply to Lure2]

Thanks for your replys

[Hidden]

As Lure says - the key is consistency with green veg containing vitamin K. Have the same amount every day and they won't affect your INR. It is better to have some green vegetables rather than totally avoid as it has shown to help stabilise your INR, as long as it's the same amount every day.

Cranberries - well, years ago there was a case of a woman on warfarin who had a bleed after drinking cranberry juice. However, she drank about three cartons! I don't think it's very wise to drink three cartons of anything in one go - not even water.

Ever since then there has been a warning about warfarin and cranberries, but a little cranberry sauce isn't equivalent to three cartons of cranberry juice, so many people on warfarin do indulge without any nasty side effects.

Hope that helps

[GinaD]

Well, no doctor would recommend this, but . . . What I do? I'll have a small serving of cranberry sauce, then forego any wine or anything spiced with ginger, and use the cranberry sauce as reason to have broccoli and/or a greens salad or brussel sprouts or green cabbage. ( of course, the thickening effects of K rich veggies takes a day or so, though the thinning effect of cranberries or ginger takes hours instead of days. My argument you see, is more of a rationalization to do something I want to do rather then a sound and safe behavior.)

By the way -- in case you haven't run across this info yet: broccoli, green cabbage, spring greens and spinach are high in K. Cauliflower, red cabbage and iceberg lettuce are not, so substitutions from the "red" category are always good ones to make.

Gina

[jetjetjet]

Cranberries isn't on my Vit. List------------------what is it then with the crans.??????

[jetjetjet]

OOOPS----------- should of read Vitamin " K " list.

Just a brain cramp this morning .. Just another lovely day in the neighborhood. LOL

Hi All still battling the sudden drop of the platelets on my liver tests--out come could be bleak at best .

Fibroscan to be done first

then

if not good enough

transjugular liver biopsy -- of which my 5 other top hitter Doc's may not go along with as they have stopped any other liver biopsy's in the past as i am to high of a risk and the liver biopsy can be a bloody procedure.

SO we shall see--------------------holding tight here in Penacook -----C & J

[Lure2 in reply to jetjetjet]

I wish I could do something - but I cannot.

You have your humour and you finished your last sentence with a big smile.

Keep on and give Casey a hug also!

Kerstin

[olleberj]

I eat all kinds of blood thinning and thickening foods including broccoli, cabbage, cranberries, tuna fish, spinach, and even an occasional glass of wine. I eat in moderation and have my blood tested often. I refuse to allow the fact that I've been on Warfarin for nearly twenty years to affect my ability to eat a healthy, varied diet.

[Lure2 in reply to olleberj]

Good to hear. I agree. Stay well!

Kerstin

[Gerardina in reply to olleberj]

I'm glad to hear it! Being on warfarin has felt sooo restrictive! I wish I could self test using a machine, but my hosp won't provide one or prescribe strips...so I have to go to hosp every other week for tests.

[Lure2]

Thank you so much! That was a very good list and also good info about something that effects us every day when we are on warfarin.

Hope everyone saw this.

Keep well!

Kerstin