August 23th
2009
9:33 PM
I am a 40 year old female. I found out 3 years ago that I have factor V. I've been hospitalized for 17 PE's. I was being treated with coumadin, plavix, lovenox. My INR will not stabilize. The doctor has now put me on 30mg. of warfarin a day. and my INR still sets at 1.2. My side effects are awful. I feel tired, week, cold, weight gain, but most of all the terrible headaches. The doctor says it has nothing to do with the warfarin. I stay depressed and now losing hair. I've taken my doctors advice and I'm going back to the cancer center where they are more experienced. I feel like I'm dying everyday and its not in my head. I do believe its side effects. And if its not moving my INR than to me it seems useless to take such a high dosage. Its a catch 22.
-- By traby21169 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
July 19th
2009
12:50 PM
After reading these posts I am more confused than before, because my experience is so far very different. I was diagnosed with DVT about two weeks ago and now take Coumadin daily; the Lovenox injections have been discontinued. The reason I'm so confused is I now feel the best I have in 5 (five) years.
Before being placed on the anti-coagulants I had memory and concentration issues that were progressively getting worse and greatly affecting my job, and had daily headaches. I had joint pain that made it difficult to get up after sitting for awhile; they felt constantly inflamed. I felt fatigued all the time and my muscles hurt like I had really pushed them; I just didn't have any strength, and had muscle cramps. I was constantly yawning and found my jaws hurt from clinching my teeth, subconsciously trying not to yawn. I was extremely sensitive to physical touch, even hugs hurt. I also felt extremely depressed and cried almost daily. My lips and left cheek tingled, as well as other parts of my body. Plus I would get the feeling of sudden pressure in my head (different from a headache) like it was going to pop off, and I my eyes didn't seem to track what I looking at and had difficulty in remembering or comprehending what I just read.
About 6 (six) days after starting treatment it completely changed and these symptoms are essentially gone. I have talked with my doctor and pharmacist and they are baffled. I am concerned this change, while welcomed, may indicate an underlying condition that is not yet diagnosed. Has anyone ever heard of such an impact from starting Coumadin treatment?
-- By janiannd | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
July 8th
2009
4:43 PM
Hi, I am a 47 year old woman and started Warfarin and Lovenox June 29th as a result of blood clots in my left leg from knee surgery. I was able to go off the Lovenox July 4th (Yay!) because my INR levels were above 2. I thought the Lovenox was the cause of the nausea I experienced, but apparently that is not the case. I keep telling the clinicians at the Anticoagulant Clinic about the nausea and their response is that they haven't heard of it as a side effect. Thank you all for posting to this website, there is some comfort in learning you are not alone with these strange side effects. I also experience dizziness and have difficulty finding words. I think I will switch from Warfarin to Coumadin to see if the side effects are less, though many of you have written about weight gain ~ yikes. For those of you bruising with Lovenox I was told if the needle is dry when it goes in there is much less bruising. And to everyone my thoughts and prayers are with you. Oh yeah, I also have nerve pain in the bottom of my left foot, the compression hose do help website is ******
-- By goawayclots | Reply | Private Message me
July 6th
2009
9:53 PM
My husband was taking coumadin and developed an infection in his leg. He was ordered Bactrim DS bid. By the third day of the Bactrim, his INR was 4.7 and he was having mental status changes and vomiting. A head CT Scan showed he was bleeding in his brain from the interaction of the coumadin and Bactrim. He had to have 2 bilateral crainiotomies to flush out the blood from his brain. He nearly died. He has severe headaches and short term memory loss.
-- By sal6 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 4th
2009
4:23 AM
I'm 21 years old and I had a PE December 2008 (a week after my birthday) and spent the Christmas holiday in the hospital. They don't know what caused it. I started out doing lovenox shots (which was horrible) and then switched to Warfarin. I have not been able to stabilize my INR and I've had to go to get it checked at least every other week for 5 months. It's so draining. At first I did everything by the book as far as eating right, not drinking alcohol, not shaving my legs but honestly I'm getting fed up. I'm tired of having to restrict my diet so much and be tired and depressed ALL the time. I started shaving with a razor again a few months ago bc the electric one does nothing. I also go out to the bars with my friends a lot more but it's so hard to be a new 21 year old in a college town. I want to be like all my friends and go out and have fun without having to think about the consequences.
Supposedly, I'm finding out on June 17 whether or not I'll be on warfarin for life. Sometimes I think that if that is what the doctor says, I will tell him no! I just don't think I can do this forever. It doesn't get easier and none of my friends understand. They don't know how bad I wanna cry every time they say "At least you are alive." Give me a break...
April 25th
2009
1:54 PM
I had a several small PEs in my right lung 2 weeks after cosmetic surgery. I just turned 37, run every day and in great shape. I was put on both lovenox shots for 5 days and Coumadin for 6 months. After 6 weeks the side effects with Coumadin were so severe (weight gain 14 pounds in 6 weeks, joint pain, tiredness, hair loss) that I took myself off cold turkey and started on NATTOKINASE. I am doing great! I would recommend searching the natural approach like Nattokinase, vitamin E, cayenne pepper, etc. I have stopped gaining the weight and it's starting to come off. All of my other side effects went away too. I've been off 4 weeks now. All of the doctors were mad and scared me when I went off of Coumadin. I had to do my own research and listen to my body.
-- By tannabo | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 14th
2009
2:16 AM
I am 37, and developed a DVT in my left calf possibly due to birth control pills. I was tested for Factor 5 Leiden and since I was positive that may have been a contributing factor as well. Waking up in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning with excruciating pain was a daily occurrence and finally after 2 weeks of Lovenox injections and warfarin the pain subsided. I still experience post thrombotic pain in the back of my leg three months after starting the medication. My INRs are inconsistent and my doctor keeps changing my dosage. I have been avoiding all food that that can interact with the meds, it is extremely irritating. I have been doing an hour of low impact exercise daily and am looking forward to when I can finally go jogging and increase my cardio workouts. I can't wait till I can finally be off the medication it affects everything I do.
-- By anita72 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 3th
2009
7:39 PM
During my 6 months on Warfarin (Coumidin) I experienced tremendous lethargy and short term memory loss. No issues with other commonly reported symptoms of hair loss, heavy legs,…
I am a 49 year old male. In January 2008 I was diagnosed with DVT's in my right lung. Interestingly I experienced 100% of the pain on my left side though the DVT’s were on the right. The onset of symptoms was a pain in my chest like I pulled a muscle lifting something. The pain progressed from "notable" to progressively uncomfortable, where I was restless in bed to the point of not sleeping. On the 3rd day after fitful sleeping and progressively more painful breathing, I made a doctor's appointment for that afternoon. By the time I got to the Dr. I was sure I had made the right decision (I am male and avoid these things).
My primary care did an EKG to rule out a heart attack which the symptoms were identical to; sharp pain in chest toward left shoulder and arm, trouble breathing. I was sent for an X-ray and was very uncomfortable laying still on the Xray bed as the pain as I inhaled had gotten sharper. I went home and resumed office work but soon was in extreme pain with each breath. So much pain that I could not lay or sit, but collapsed to my knees where I stayed for 20 minutes until I could move again. I called the doctor's office and was advised to go directly to the ER. Duh. The ER again ran an EKG and ruled out cardiac issues.
Three ER Attendings pondered my condition for an hour or so and then began asking as series of questions and at the 3rd question – had I flown any long flights recently? Yes, several transatlantic – at which I saw their glances and was whisked off to a CAT scan which confirmed DVT’s. I was put on morphine and some IV’s and admitted for 5 days. I started Lovenox shots and by the 4th day was feeling better.
Blood tests did not revel any genetic disposition (factor V) for clots and no family history so it was recorded as “Coach Class Syndrome”. I was put on Warfarin for (5mg/day) for 6 months. I was able to keep relatively good INR’s. I came off Warfarin (12 August 2008). I will have to take Lovenox shots before long flights. I am happy to come off the Warfarin as I experienced tremendous lethargy and short term memory loss. No issues and I have been off coumadim for 6 months now. Glad to have that behind me… hopefully.
February 9th
2009
10:56 AM
I started taking Yasmin March 2008. I did not know I was pregnant at the time. I only took it for 1 month. Once I found out I was pregnant I stopped taking it. Withing just a couple of months I had a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) in my right thigh. I was admitted through the emergency to the hospital where I stayed for 6 days while they overlooked me & my unborn baby. They wanted me to not move around much for chance of a pulmonary embolism. They were also afraid that if a piece of the clot moved to my uterus it might have killed my baby. I was out of work for three weeks while the swelling & the purplish color went away from my legs. I still has severe swelling in my ankles, calves & sides of my feet after walking for a very short period of time which was not linked to my pregnancy. I was 28 weeks pregnant at the time. I started out with some hip socket paid in within 3 days time my this was swollen down to my knee. I figured I would call my doctor the next morning to see if I could get checked out. Over the course of the night when I had to go to the bathroom I was just about screaming in paid as the tears soaked my face as I tried to walk. It was unbearable. My leg was now a purplish color & the swelling has extended down my calf & into the sides of my feet. I could not wear normal pants since the swelling had gotten so bad. I was on Lovenox blood thinner injections twice a day for the rest of my pregnancy.
-- By rubystar2001 | Reply | Private Message me
January 26th
2009
5:22 PM
I experienced a DVT 6 months ago, out of the blue. Did the Lovenox injections for a month, twice daily. Have been taking warfarin sodium since August. My hair was always very thick and healthy. I noticed in November that there was lots of hair in the bathtub whenever I shampooed. My hairdresser has also noticed the change. My hair is getting very thin and it is also getting brittle. Is there something that can be done to correct the hair loss...other than stopping the WS which I apparently be on for the rest of my life.
-- By eg1054 | Reply | Private Message me
January 12th
2009
9:13 PM
I stumbled on this site while doing research on DVT's. I am a nurse and was on YAZ continuously (skipping the inactive pills and going straight to a new pack) to control my migraines for about a year. I developed 3 DVT's in my left calf and behind my left knee. I have been having charlie horse cramps as well. I am now on lovenox injections 2 times a day and 7.5 mg. of coumadin to deal with the clots.I have also had the issues with heart palpitations, chest tightness, and feeling like i can't catch my breath. I read in one of the posts where it was described as she "had to think to catch her breath". I totally agree! I thought this drug was great, until now. I stopped it last wed 1/7/09 when they found the clots in my calf/knee. Can anyone with experience tell me how long it took them to recover from the palpitations and breathing issues. I am a very health person, non smoker, with no prior or family history of any clotting issues. Thanks for all the info on here and God Bless everyone who has suffered!
-- By pjm1206 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
October 6th
2008
11:37 AM
Hi, I have a blood clot in my arm,From mri dye.Since then my life has been a nightmare.On lovenox 2x time daily on my 20 with the shot. my stomach is black and blue and yellow from the shot.And i have big bumps in the stomach area.Now taking 6mg of Warfarin. Must a gain 6 lbs on that drug. I told the doctors about the side affect. They just look at you with a puzzle face.I go for weekly blood test. and my blood is still real thick.
-- By puddycat | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 28th
2008
6:10 PM
Hello! After a 3 1/2 day stay in the hospital for atrial Fibb. which has since gone away and was likely cuased by extreme low blood potassium and sodium which has since been brought to all but normal levels.. I was taken off of Plavix a blood thinner which I had been taking since a heart attack in 2003, and put on the Warfarin, that was on June 22nd that I began taking Warfarin/Coumadin!. About 2 weeks ago I began having neck and shoulder pain, then slowly side and back pains deep down in the muscles. It is much worse in laying down position, have a hard time to sleep well, and if I trun or move while lying down the pain is very intense. I am going to assk the Dr. to take me off of the Warfarin and put me back on Plavix so I can see it it is the reason for the pains. I am quite sure it is! Please reply if you have the same symptoms as I do! Thanks, B.E.
-- By myself | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
September 13th
2008
3:30 PM
I have Antiphospholipid syndrome and can not get my INR stable, I am taking 150mg of lovenox per day and 7.5 to 15 mg of warfarin each day. Does anybody know how long this high dose of lovenox is safe.
-- By tpk1962 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 24th
2008
3:50 AM
In Oct. 2006 I too became one of Yasmin's victims. I ended up in ICU with multiple bilateral pulmonary embolism's. I spent a week in the hospital and a year on Coumadin/Lovenox. Even though I survived the PE's I continue to have nerve damage in the leg that was affected, along with lung problems as a result from the PE's. I was amazed when I searched the internet for information regarding PE's/DVT's how many were on Yasmin compared to any other birth control on the market.
-- By gigglekids | Reply | Private Message me
August 14th
2008
12:00 PM
Last week I had an issue with my INR - it has always been unstable, but this time was weird. My INR had been 6 and so I stopped the warfarin for 4 days, and went back on my regular 2 mg dose. Then we went on holiday to Washington DC for a week. 3 days in, my pee was the colour of cherry kool aid. Went to the local hospital (thank god for travel insurance). My INR was 7.89 - In the US this is considered critical and I was admitted, and treated with Vitamin K and 2 units of plasma. Within 8 hours my INR had dropped to 1.8 - now too low. The next day down to 1.25, and a week later I am still 1. I am taking fragmin now until I can get my INR theraputic again but Fragmin shots are even worse than warfarin.
An ultrasound showed now issues with my bladder or kidneys, but I do not understand why I was bleeding.
Guess that this just shows the importance of regular checking of INR levels while on warfarin.
-- By fiona | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 3th
2008
7:30 AM
I am 24 years old and I had a pulmonary embolism last month. I was on the birth control YAZ for only 3 months, and that's what doctors seem to think caused it. My insurance only paid for me to be in the hospital for three daysand I was sent home with lovenox shots and Coumadin pills.
One month later, my INR is still unstable, fluctuating so much that they are checking it twice per week. My dosage is constantly changing. I have a red, painful rash on my buttocks - it hurts of sit for more than a few minutes. I am losing clumps of hair. I have lost my libido. I am very irritable and snap at my husband several times per day. I have a headache almost daily and frequent nausea.
I hate these side effects!
-- By sigmachideltachick | Reply | (7) replies | Private Message me
June 20th
2008
2:17 PM
I was just discharged from the hospital on Saturday. I had been taking Yasmin for almost two years now and until recently, had no problems. Last Wednesday I went to the ER for severe pain and inability to breath with my left lung. They admitted me after finding a blood clot in the right, as a result of Yasmin! Turns out, I had pneumonia in the left and since I had no symptoms that the clot was there, the pneumonia saved my life! I too had to take those fun Lovenox shots in the stomach and now I'm on Coumadin for 6 months. I am 29 years old, never smoked a day in my life. I do not drink, I am a healthy weight and I work out regularly. I do not have a history of blood clots in the family. How could this happen especially with a drug my doctors told me was safe?
With the amount of occurrences, I'm interested in a class action lawsuit as well. I will never take a birth control pill again EVER.
-- By twinklebug | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 9th
2008
11:39 AM
I had used NR for six weeks when I woke up at 3 am with SEVERE chest pains. Went to the ER and was diagnosed with *substantial* pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). I was hospitalized for five days and am now under the direction of a pulmonologist and hematologist for the next six months while I'm on blood thinner therapy. I had to do injections into my abdomen twice a day to prevent further clotting until my blood reached a theraputic level with the Coumadin (blood thinning drug).
Usually, pulmonary embolism afflicts sedentary people or those who have recently had surgery or those who have cancer . .. etc etc etc. I am a 33 year old personal trainer. I have ZERO risk factors for this to have happened to me . .. other than the nuvaring. It was determined that it was the cause and I was told to remove it immediately and to never never never use it again.
Please be careful in your decisions to use this product. I used it for the convenience of not popping a pill daily as I would usually forget. Wish I would have just looked a bit further into the possible side effects before choosing to go ahead with it.
-- By jhurley | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
April 27th
2008
10:49 AM
I had surgery two months ago and on 4/8 developed a Pulmonary Embolism. I am now on two shots of Lovenox per day and 10mg of Warfarin. My INR is only at 1.9 after 3 weeks. I have recently developed pain in my left leg starting in the hip and radiating to the knee. Is this normal? Also, I have one hard lump in my stomach most likely at an injection site. Is this normal?
-- By jmschwind | Reply | Private Message me
April 7th
2008
11:29 PM
I am a 33-year-old female. I was taking YAZ birth control. I woke up on a Friday morning with a bad cramping feeling in my left calf. By the end of the day, I was limping. By the middle of that night into Saturday morning, I woke up in such excruciating pain. I could not walk without help. I went to the ER. They ran an ultrasound and found nothing. They said I had a "pulled muscle" and sent me home. Went to my PCP on Monday. He said it was "phlebitis" and sent me home. He told me to return in 3 days. Did that. This whole time I told them my left foot was cold, the leg was discolored, and that I could not walk! Hello! I went back in 3 days, but this time he was finally alarmed when he couldn't find a pulse in my left foot (never checked that in the first place) and sent me back to the ER. The same jerk ran another ultrasound, and there was the clot. I've been on warfarin since February. In the beginning, I had TERRIBLE HEADACHES (which have since subsided). Now I am dealing with this: CONSTANT BODY PAINS (especially my back and ribs), OVERALL BODY SORENESS (kind of like when you have the flu), FATIGUE, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, BLOATING AND GAS (I wake up with a huge painful puffy stomach every morning), CRAMPS (like having a period without one), sometimes DIARRHEA, STOMACH ACHES. When I reported the initial body pains to both the specialist and my PCP upon my follow-up visits after being discharged, both looked at me like I was crazy or making it up or something. I came home in tears after seeing the specialist. I thought he would be the one to know about this stuff! Instead, he made me feel like an idiot or crazy person. I was totally insulted and cried on the way home. I am so annoyed and have lost all faith in doctors. They should all have to retake their Anatomy and Physiology courses so they can be reminded what their ears are for. Why don't they listen to their patients? This is insane! I am so disgusted with this whole mess. I just want to give up.
-- By trice621 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
February 11th
2008
5:14 PM
In July my calf hurt for over a week I went and had it checked out and they found a small DVT I was sent home and prescribed Lovenox and taken off my birth control. The next morning I had trouble breathing and went to the ER I had multiple PEs in both lungs. I was in the hospital for 5 days and sent home with a non-therapeutic INR, Lovenox shots and warfarin sodium. I have to regularly increase my dosage I am now up to 15mgs 6days a week and 10 the 7th day. I have recently started seeing small unexplainable bruises, even though my INR is still not and only has been for a short time since my release from the hospital. I have had severe chest, leg and other body pain. I have been to the ER so much I have just stopped going. I have horrible headaches and fatigue especially after they re-up my meds. My periods have been off the charts as well. I think I am done with this and I am really considering taking myself off the meds
-- By tracy3577 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 3th
2008
5:16 PM
I have been on Warfarin since Sept 2004 when I had multiple blood clots in both lungs. Since then I have had two more PE's (one with a therapeutic INR) and a blood clot in my left arm (INR was also therapeutic). Genetic tests show nothing.
Since starting Warfarin I have had
- dizziness issues,
- eternal extreme fatigue
- hair loss
- short term memory and cognitive issues,
- joint pain and
- head aches all the time. I think the headaches are the worse since I can't take any NSAID's for them.
I have lost weight and push myself to exercise because it is supposed to make you feel better, right? Well not yet. I keep waiting.
I have not been able to return to work and worry about the long term implications of this.
Many times I have wondered about my sanity and if I was imagining all of this, so finding this forum at least lets me know that there is a possibility that it is not all in my mind.
I have been seeing a psychiatrist to help me work through the almost dying 3 times thing, but it is hard to accept since no one knows why I throw the clots. My INR is not stable in spite of close monitoring of Vit K and other drugs, and my INR must be taken twice a week.
-- By fiona | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
October 8th
2007
4:08 PM
After sinus surgery March of 07, I developed a large superficial blood clot in my left thigh. The doctor started my on 1 Lovenox shot and 5 mg of Warfarin a day. After 4 days, I felt a pressure and heaviness in my chest, and was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary embolisms. Was in the hospital for 3 days and Lovenox was increased to 2 times a day. After being discharged, it took me nearly 2 months to feel normal again, but I still had to remain on 5 mg of Warfaring for 4 more months. Everything was fine until mid August when I missed taking the Warfarin for 6 days. Once I started taking it again, I started feeling terrible......pressure and squeezing feeling in my chest, anxiety attacks, dizziness, feeling hungry, diarrhea and nausea at times. One evening I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. All the tests showed I was not having a heart attack, and the D-dimer test showed I was not having blood clots. Even had a cardiac CT scan that was completely normal. It is time for me to get off the Warfarin now, but my doctor doesn't want to take me off it until these other symptoms go away. The doctor now has me taking Lexapro (for anxiety) and Prevacid (for acid reflux), and I am going to see a Gastroenterologist to see if I have acid reflux. I don't know if Warfarin is the cause of my problems, but until all this happened, I was a healthy 59 year old female. I just want to feel normal again!
-- By mary47 | Reply | Private Message me
Warfarin Sodium (24) Lovenox (7) Yasmin (4) Toprol-XL (1) Cymbalta (1) NuvaRing (1) Fragmin (1)
October 29th
2009
2:36 PM
32 year old male. Admitted to ER with A-Fib. Treated with lovenox and atenolol. Cardioverted 3 days later. The headaches began as soon as I started the coumadin and have persisted everyday since. Worked with doctor to find cause of headaches, tried switching blockers, no avail. The only other med I'm on is warfarin. What else could it be? I love how a quick search shows "coumadin, no known side effects", but here's a room full of people with the same headaches. Now I see, headaches are just the beginning. What kills me, is instead of finding out why I went into A-Fib, and working to fix the real problem, the doctor's would rather thin my blood, so I don't have a stroke when my A-Fib comes back! I refuse to poison myself to death, just to avoid death by stroke. Come get me, I'm done with this qwuap!
-- By 98turboteg | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me