Starting Warfarin in 7 days time. Taking aspirin just now. When should I stop the aspirin? I know I need a proper INR reading.

[Croyboy01]

Warfarin

[daisyd]

You need to discuss this with your doctor

[Lure2]

Hi again,

As Daisyd says you have to discuss this with your Specialist of APS!

He or she must decide what therapeutic INR level you should stay at when taking the Warfarin for APS. I must stay at an INR between 3.5 - 4.0.

I hope you have a Specialist now

[Croyboy01 in reply to Lure2]

Not seen anyone yet. I’ll get a phone call from the anticoagulant clinic on Wednesday. Then go for INR tests on Friday, only then, I will start warfarin. But what I need to know is, does Aspirin affect the INR readings? Asked my pharmacist, he wasn’t too sure, but he didn’t think it does!

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

No, ( not significantly) but it affects bleeding! Aspirin affects platelets for 5 days - really up to to 10 .

Warfarin will affect your bleeding in 24 hours and start getting stronger each hour . It accumulates.

So stop the aspirin… you will still have protection while warfarin builds in system, my opinion only but you need to call the hematologist on call a- or your hematologist directly- never listen to us on something this important.

Did hematologist not go over this with you?

[Croyboy01 in reply to KellyInTexas]

I haven’t seen or spoke with them yet. Only got a call from them to arrange the times for this week. But I’ll call them tomorrow (Monday) to get more info.

[RavenWolfnHoofUSA]

Hi there! I'm glad you found this site! Welcome. First, I have one question if you don't mind my asking, I really couldn't tell if you're a bit anxious or if I'm reading into it. Are you a bit anxious?

The situation of getting a new diagnosis can definitely evoke anxiety for most of us. Not to mention being placed on a new medication that's long term like warfarin. To me, It read like you've not gotten a lot of information about APS and warfarin. Is that correct?

On this site, as you've seen, You'll either get the answers to your questions or you'll be given references. On this site, because of our personal experience with APS you'll continue to get the absolute best personal advice regarding important aspects of being on warfarin and advise about APS from members here. We're here for you! So, I hope I'm being helpful as well by asking about any anxiety you may be experiencing.

BUT if I've misinterpreted and you're not anxious...😔well, just disregard my response...

Warfarin has been around for years and it's very safe. Several times my INR has gotten crazy elevated (8.9) I was given a small pill of vitamin k and I was fine. As inconvenient as it is to have blood levels drawn, warfarin is the safest because you can reverse the blood thinning effects rapidly with vitamin k should your INR get higher than the therapeutic range.

As for the proper INR reading, the anticoagulant clinic folks will get your INR where it's supposed to be. That's not something for you to worry about. The pharmacist will get you there. You may have to have labs drawn weekly for 2-3 weeks while they adjust your dosage of warfarin but that's all there is to it. That's perfectly normal.

Danny I hope this was helpful. If my take on your questions was accurate, please let us know what your thoughts are on the diagnosis and subsequent warfarin treatment and any other concerns regarding warfarin and APS.

Again, it doesn't sound like they gave you much information. I'm sure you'll get most if not all the information on APS from this site (or a reference site) which is helpful in that it's conscise, friendly and it's also from personal experience.

Hope to hear from you!

[Croyboy01 in reply to RavenWolfnHoofUSA]

Yes your answer is very helpful. And I called the anticoagulant clinic. I’ve to keep taking the aspirin till I get my appointment. In 4 days now. Yes I’m a bit anxious, but I think it’s more just the big unknown for me. And again, I thank everyone who’s taking time out to reply to me.

[RavenWolfnHoofUSA]

I understand completely! It is the big unknown that caused me to not feel like I was in control. Talk about anxiety. If you have specific questions, we'll try to address them. For you to learn more about your diagnosis, the medications and any symptoms you have questions about will definitely empower you as the "unknown" becomes "known". At least it did for me. Another thought that might be helpful. UNLESS a person works in the healthcare system, it can be intimidating to ask questions or to question a procedure etc from healthcare professionals. You did great asking about your aspirin here, then calling the coagulation clinic. Asking questions here is an option to"practice" before talking to your healthcare team if that's a concern.

As you're counting down the days, you might re read some of the others posts, myself included, about how we got our life back after the correct diagnosis and treatment with warfarin.

And, Thank you for responding! Looking forward to hearing updates if you care to share.