I know we on Warfarin are routinely told to notify our Anticoagulation Team of any changes, such as:
Being in hospital, missing a dose of Warfarin, any unexplained bruising/ bleeding or starting any new medications.
But it did not occur to me that my 2 Pfizer vaccines might adversly affect my INR level and consequently was on the wrong Warfarin level. In hindsight (a wonderful thing) , I or my Doctor should have reported having had the vaccines and gotten my INR specifically monitored for a month, following each vax, to checked for any possible increase/decrease in INR levels and consequent adjustment in Warfarin dosage.
I had my first Pfizer 24th Feb. and my second Pfizer on 24th March. I had my first ever nose bleed 3 days later on 27 March, which lasted half an hour. On 5th April, Easter Monday I was ambulanced into hospital for four days with a flooding unprovoked 10 hour unstoppable nose bleed. My Warfarin had to be stopped and my INR was too high at 3.8. and blood pressure which is usually low, was 200. Finally stemmed on 8th April , ENT Dr restarted my Warfarin and sent home for close monitoring of INR levels for the next two weeks. So yes, I had
been admitted to hospital, missed doses of warfarin, had unexplained bleeding, and the only 'medication' that was new , was my two Pfizer vaccines, 24 Feb and 24 March.
I am categorically not saying the covid vaccines caused my INR to rise to 3.8 and caused nose bleeds. I am asking if everyone on Warfarin should be informed they must have their INR levels closely monitored for a month following thier Covid Vaccines, because it thier INR goes above or below target, their Warfarin dose will need to be adjusted.
I have reported the unprovoked nosebleeds and unprovoked raised INR to the Yellow Card Scheme ,as they do ask us to report any changes, however obscure, following our vaccines.
Does the covid vaccination fall into the Alert category 'have you started any new medications?' It is a vaccination, not a 'new medication'; but if there is a possibility the covid vaccine is triggering INR levels to rise causing haemorrhaging, or falling possibly causing clots, should all us Warfarin users be officially informed they must get their INR levels monitored for a month following our Covid vaccinations.
Best wishes, slightly traumatised Polly.