Warfarin Sodium and dvt

I have been on Warfarin for three months for a DVT in my femoral vein. I get some headaches, fatigue, feel cold, tired and have gained weight. I am a fit middle aged male, back at the gym now and cycling. I eat a balanced low fat high fiber diet, but still cannot shift the weight. I have been a depressive for most of my life and although manage without drugs have resorted to Valium to help me sleep, as insomnia has also been a significant side effect. I do not sit around, drink excessively or eat like a pig, so where is the weight coming from? My GP's seems ambivalent and it took five weeks to diagnose my DVT after my complaining about Phlebitis and pains in my groin. Not a happy bunny.

Hi I posted this on the Coumadin site when I should have been here,

I am a 66 year old female and up to a year ago I felt 20 years younger now I feel 20 years older.

I fell and broke my hip June '08. Had a hip replacement and developed a blood clot (DVT) in my left leg.

They put me on Coumadin and when that didn’t do the job they added Lovanox (another blood thinner requiring shots in the stomach).

Not only has they not helped but my blood clot is growing.

My symptoms:
daily headaches, debilitating leg pain (the pain is so bad that it is crippling me), fatigue (an overwhelming feeling of tiredness, I set down for a few minutes and wake up hours later.), loss my concentration (trouble doing simple crosswords), can’t study simple directions, numbness in toes and hands. I can go on.

And the doctors? “It’s all in my head. It can’t be the blood thinners.”

I am going to copy your blogs and take them to my doctor and demand something be done.

Thanks again to this site and all of you. I was beginning to think there was something wrong with my mind.

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?

I am 26 years old. I've been on warfarin for almost eight years. I wish I had seen a site like this eight years ago when I started on warfarin (after DVT and P.E) I may have had some insight into the hellish two years that were to follow: hair-loss, depression, weight-gain. But I attributed all this to stress (it was pre-med varsity and I was under a lot of pressure academically).
Anyway, now my life is more settled, I eat right, exercise furiously 5 times a week...but I have digestive problems. Bloating, gas, overall discomfort in my stomach almost every night. I've cut out milk, wheat, coffee...nothing.
But tonight I started thinking...could it be the warfarin?
Does anyone experience or know about possible side-effects of warfarin on the digestive system, and does anyone have some useful advice????

I am a 46 yr old woman. After developing 3 DVT's in my lower rt calf after major foot surgery, I was prescribed Coumadin/Warfarin. My doses have fluctuated between 1mg to 7.5mg (I have just lowered my dose from 6mg to 5mg as my INR yesterday was 3.9). I have noticed a lot of the symptoms listed above (others comments), but have bumbled along. The symptom that is bothering is my mouth! I can hardly eat or talk - my lower jaw especially aches constantly and even despite using an extra soft toddlers toothbrush, my gums bleed profusely. I only read of one other persons symptom regarding teeth/gums/mouth. I know it sounds melodramatic, but my mouth aches as though I had mouth cancer!!! I can't wait to get off this rat poison! Good luck to all.

I recently delivered a healthy baby girl (Feb 9th) in which 1 week later I developed a blood clot on my brain and was hospitalized for 1 week after experiencing 4 seizures. They told me it was pregnancy related and I would be on warfarin for 6-9 months until the clot dissolved. I too am experiencing: fatigue, extreme dizziness, light headedness, I am seeing spots all of the time, I am getting leg cramps and foot cramps a lot, I feel really weak, and just plain old. I will be 37 years old this July, and I feel way too young to be feeling this way all of the time. I can not handle going to the lab 2-3 times every week for blood work, my veins are collapsing and bruising really bad. I cry every time I leave, my husband must think I'm such a loser. It has been almost 3 months now and I just got my first period since my daughter was born. I thought I was going to bleed to death. My husband had to watch me around the clock to make sure I didn't have to be rushed into emergency. This sucks....I'm trying to remain strong, and doing lots of praying these days....Thanks for letting me share my story.....

I am a 43 year old female, I got a couple of clots in my left leg, caused by taking birth control. I was taking the bc to control my menstrual cycle, I took it against my better judgment, even though my dr. said it was not a high risk since I didn't smoke. Well that wasn't true.
The side effects are extreme dizziness, I went to walk down a set of stairs recently and almost fell down them, That would have been tragic, Thank god my friend grabbed my arm. I know for a fact that it is a side effect from the coumadin because prior to this dvt I had no dizziness, as a matter of fact I was very healthy, I exercised 4 times a week, boxing, weight lifting ect. I was "NORMAL" I can't wait until the doctor says ok, stop taking the blood thinner. I want my life back. I just want to get back to the way I was before my dvt.

I've been on Wafarin since September of 2008 because of a massive DVT stretching from my jugular vein to my right arm. Since the initial injection of Heparin and oral consumption of Wafarin I have experienced daily migraines. They seem almost like 'pressure-headaches' pushing on the sides of my head, temples, forehead and the bridge of my nose. My thrombosis doctors have sent me for Ophthalmology tests, MRIs, and plan to send me for Neurology tests as well to discover the cause of my headaches. They've put me on codeine, Tylenol 3's, Gabapentin, Naproxen, and Co Sumatriptan because of the fact that I'm so immune to painkillers in general (For the blood clot pains themselves, I was on Hydromorphone, Morphine and Codeine). Although the Co Sumatriptan along with the Tylenol 3's give me some relief, I can't help but wonder if the cause of my daily migraines are from the Warfarin itself.
My doctors are reluctant to agree with me, saying that they plan to take me of Warfarin within the next few months, but aren't certain of exactly when.

I was taking warfarin for about 2 months 8 mg daily due to a blood clot in my left arm, i also have witnessed headaches, dizziness, always tired and fatigue. I also told the doctor about all this and he said it's not the medicine, I don't know what else it could of been because i wasn't taking any other medication. my life remained the same as previous with the exception of the warfarin. Anyway, i discontinued taking the medication because it was killing me to take it. I will now have to take my chances.

How long does it take to go back to working out?I had a DVT in my right calf a month ago.I am a 33yr old male.I am on 17 1/2 grams of warfarin they say my liver is good processing it.I now walk a mile and have shortness of breath and have to elevate my leg because the blood pools to my foot even when I just got the support stockings.I've used to run five mile a week and work out with free weights.I was advised to swim but I was wondering when I could got back to the gym or run outside?Does this last a while......? or for life? I usually bounce back from things I had cancer 5 yrs ago.I have the pressure stockings 30-40 pressure and they help a lot.The symptoms of baldness remind me of the chemotherapy.I am naturally bald any ways.So to all the DVT suffers keep your heads up there are always worse medical conditions that I see a lot....because I work in a medical feild.

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.

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.

I had open heart surgery August 23rd 2006 for a conginital heart defeat (Aortic Valve replaced with mechanical St Jude valve). I wanted a bio valve but Drs insisted I should have the mechanical valve because of my age (45 at the time).

Prior to my heart surgery I was a performer, singer/songwriter/actress/comedianne and I loved what I did. It was my life. Now, after 2+ years post-op and on Warfarin (7.5 mg daily for life) I feel like life has ended and I'm just a walking dead person. The effects I feel daily are as follows...

Dizziness
Severe Headaches
Blurred vision
Memory Loss
Fatigue
Weight Gain
Trouble concentating
Fluttering effect in my head/ears- Hard to explain
Hair loss
Unexplained pains in chest & left side of my body
Unable to sleep well
Tiredness- even when I've done nothing to be tired for
Nausea
Gas & Diarrhea off and on
teeth pain- Like I've drank something very cold
feeling in my head similar to a brain freeze- like you ate ice cream too fast
Night bleeds in my month- wake up with a mouth full of blood daily
What do think, is that enough??

I'm going in tomorrow for a cat scan because the headaches have been so bad they feel I need to be checked for brain tumor and/or internal bleeding. When I tell the Drs I think this is due to Wafarin they pratically laugh in my face as if to say, "Silly silly woman, don't be foolish! We know whats best for you. Remember, we saved your life!" Really? Did you?!

I want nothing more than to get off this rat poison and regain my life, but to do so could mean a stroke or heart attack. I would go under the knife again to have the mechanical valve removed and replaced with a biological valve, but do you think my insurance company (Kieser) would pay for a "silly" thing like that? Right!

Welcome to the greatest country in the world!

I'm going to start a website to help people like us. I want your stories, please send me your info, together we might make a change, what can it hurt to try? Email me ******

B.

Hi, I am a 47 year old female and have been on Coumadin since Nov 1997 after developing several DVT's after surgery for a broken kneecap. Coumadin makes me feel like crap and the only time i have felt good in the last 11 years is when i have come off the medication for dental work or surgery. Some of my side effects are cold chills and cannot warm up, upset stomach, retaining fluid, heavy periods, added weight and my fat looks flabby even though i work out 4 times a week, lethargy, a very heavy neck on occasions and the list goes on and on. My coumadin has become very sensitive to what i put in my mouth. With "nutrients" added to so many foods i find i am now reading labels more than ever. The worst "nutrient" is Omega-3. This can cause bruising and bleeding without any help from Coumadin. Several deaths have been reported in the Australian media. I believe there is research being conducted in Norway using Kiwifruit as an alternative to Warfarin. I hope this is so and they are successful soon.

My dad was started on warfarin for DVT's and PE's after his surgery. He said every time he took a 5mg warfarin he felt dizzy and lightheaded, got very tired and got headaches. My sister said by law, GENERIC medicine only has to have 85% of the medicine in it and can be 15% filler. So we got him changed to name brand coumadin and he hasn't had any of those side effects since. May be worth a try.......

I’m a 52 year old female diagnosed with bi-lateral pulmonary embolisms three months ago. I’ve been on Warfarin for those three months. The reason I’m searching this blog is because I experience chills at about 4:00 am every morning. It’s interesting to hear of others having the same issue. However, I have not experienced other side effects mentioned: weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, headaches, depression... One thing that I’ve not read about here is the actual physical effects from the embolisms. I do experience shortness of breath and fatigue but I attribute it to the healing process that is occurring in my lungs. I have a wonderful doctor that told me that the road to recovery will not be easy and there will be some set-backs along the way. She listened to my concerns about shortness of breath and prescribed a couple of inhalers that I use to make my breathing more productive. She told me me to exercise “gently” to help my blood circulate to aid the healing that needs to take place. I admit that it’s hard to exercise when I’m not feeling my best but the benefits are worth it. I’m now feeling better than I’ve felt in three months. I also reduced my calorie intake knowing that with my limited activity my metabolism would slow down and weight gain would be a risk. So I ask the people writing in with side effects to look at their situation honestly and see what changes they could make to help their bodies heal. Those with PE and DVT, are you exercising? Are you overweight and need to alter your eating habits? Do you still smoke? We need to take responsibility for our health. I am a healthy, active, non-smoker. My PE’s are probably the result of starting Hormone Replacement Therapy four months prior to my PE’s. I have no other risk factors. Once I’m off Warfarin my doctor will run blood tests to see if I have other clotting factors, meanwhile I’m doing all that I can to help my body heal. I wish everyone here well and hope that your health improves.

I suffered a DVT in 2006 followed by a venous cranial clot in March 2008. I have been on Coumadin since March. My experience has not been too bad, I have gained about seven pounds. The positive side effect is better erections. (Must be the thinner blood) I am a 52 yr old male.

I'm 39 and have been on Coumadin for about a month. Was diagnosed with DVT in right calf after taking Yaz birth control for only about 4-5 months (no other pre-conditions - I'm a non-smoker, fairly active, not overweight, no recent airplane trips or long car rides.) I was on Yaz to treat severe problems with my period which has been the case since I was a teenager, but I was tired of having to call in sick to work every month, and had hoped Yaz would eliminate that problem. I had been on other BCPs when I was in my 20's, and never had any symptoms of clotting, so didn't think that it would be all that risky to try again, despite me being slightly older than the typical woman on BCP. Obviously, I am not taking Yaz anymore, and will not be able to take any other hormonal therapies for the rest of my life. But I guess that's minor compared to the risk of developing PE from an undiagnosed blood clot.

Anyway, I've been noticing I've been getting sudden, severe headaches since starting the Coumadin. I have a history of migraines but I usually only get one or two per year at most. Now I've had what feels a lot like a migraine twice in a matter of a couple weeks. My husband has also commented that I've been irritable and acting "spacy".

My INR has also been all over the place. They've been alternating me between 5 mg and 7.5 mg per day. For the first few weeks I was right where they wanted me - between 2 and 3, but then last Friday my results were 4.6!! Way too high. I go back this afternoon to see if anything's changed over the weekend, after skipping a dose and then doing 5 mg Sat. and Sun. I do hope they can find the right balance and don't have to keep tinkering with the dosage. I'm wondering if that's what's contributing to the headaches. Maybe if they can stabilize how much I'm taking from day to day, my body will adjust.

I wonder if anyone "official" is tracking the number of DVT/PE patients that can trace their onset of symptoms to Yaz. My sense is that this is a much more serious and prevalent side effect than their marketing dept. would like to admit.....

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.

I have been on warfarin for approximately 16 years for DVT and PE x 2. i have my labs done and dosage adjusted as required. Now, I have been diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gerhigs Disease. It is such a rare disease that I have tried to find out if Warfarin for so many years may have contributed to my contracting ALS. I have asked "how long can a patient take Warfarin and what can happen with long time use?" No real answers to that question except that I would probably have died of a clot without the Warfarin. I really would like to know about long time use (15-20years) of Warfarin and any side effects or other complaints. Ken

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.

I am a 39 year-old man who has been on warfarin for just under three years. To date, there have been no adverse side-effects for me that have really jumped out as being due to the drug. I have noticed that my memory is not as sharp as I once remember it being (no pun intended). One thing most of the posters have to remember is that once you are over age 25 or so, then things really start to go on our bodies. I feel horrible for people suffering from side-effects, but don't forget, not only are our bodies starting to show signs of aging, but most of use have gone through a major illness (which stresses the body) that forced us to be on warfarin in the first place. My illness was a DVT, which I thought was a leg cramp, that became a full-blown PE which almost killed me! I am surprised and thrilled that I haven't had the same side effects as many of the posters here. Don't forget to look at some of the positive things people have written too.

i have been on warfarin since April 2008 when i had a clot in my left leg. since, i haven`t really had much going on until last week. i was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. i got dizzy and had a very cold wave rush up my body twice. when it was over, i couldn`t hear anything and my temples were tingling and my heart rate was elevated along with my bp. the er drs didn`t seem concerned with any thing that had to do with the dvt or the warfarin. their response???????? you drink too much coffee. WELL. i haven`t had a cup of coffee for almost a week, and have also quit smoking. i am still dizzy. my head feels heavy. i get little cool rushes that almost take my breath away, i don`t feel like ME. i feel like someone has taken over the me i knew. my family doctor has done liver, mono, hepatitis, b12, folic acid profiles, all negative. had a ct scan yesterday, normal. having an echocardiogram next week and having a holter monitor put on for 24 hrs to monitor my heart. i have done nothing but sleep since this episode. my husband is scared to death i`m gonna die during the night, he wakes up just to check on me. i haven`t been sleeping very well, as i`m afraid i`m not gonna wake up. i am only 40. i am not ready to let my life go to pot because of a drug that all the doctors insist is "safe". well i don`t know. call me stupid, but if its so safe, why do they kill rats with it????????????

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!

Dealing leg pain and swelling fpr over 6 months - having 2 DVT test and 3 MRI's they finally found that I did have a DVT in my left leg and now I am taking Warfarin as of May 30th 2008. I now have severe joint pain, sore skin/sensitivity, my vision is going I can hardly read anything all of a sudden, so exhausted, sleeplessness - even after taking an ambien and getting some sleep, I can take a shower dry my hair and I am ready to go back and lay down because I am so tired. the doctor says thin blood does not carry oxygen as well so this is why I am tired. I am not anemic as I just had that checked. I can feel my muscles getting weaker. From reading what everyone else says it must be this drug, but I don't think I could live without it since my clot is so massive. I feel like my life will end soon I am getting weaker by the day...is this just my imagination? I know I am depressed but I do think all of the symptoms I am having is from the warfarin(besides the pain from the DVT which is still very painful)

I've been an extremely healthy and active individual all my life until I injured my back at work recently. I'm 36 years old and had back surgery in February 2008. I subsequently developed a severe DVT in my right leg which then turned into bilateral PE's. I've been on Warfarin since April 2008 and continue to feel extremely lightheaded, dizzy, and very weak. My blood pressure and heart rate have steadily climbed. The symptoms have been passed off as factors of the PE's, but I have been off of Warfarin for a couple short periods due to additional procedures and have felt better. My doctors say that my symptoms are not due to Warfarin and I've been thinking that I'm dying from something else as they run test after test with no real results. I wish I could find out if Warfarin is truly to blame. I thought maybe I was going crazy about also having difficulty concentrating and remembering simple things. I can't deal with living like this forever.

I'm 46, female.. developed blood clots on my lungs for apparently no reason, found them when going to ER and complaining of bad headache, nausea and left shoulder and back pain. I haven't had a recent surgery, nor was on birth control.

I'm dealing with anxiety, depression, unusual headache, horrible back and upper shoulder pain, itching of head, hair falling out during shampooing, , tightness in chest, trouble swallowing, really bad pain in hips, legs and feel like feet swell. I don't sleep well, even on Ambien.. doesn't keep me asleep. I awake in the mornings around 4:30 with diarrhea, nausea, headache and feel awful. Never get a good nights sleep. My hips hurt as well as dealing with parathesias down right arm and into hand.. feels like needles sticking in my hand. Most days I feel wiped out in the afternoon.. as I try and drag myself out of bed to get some excersise.

Does anyone deal with parathesia's down their arms or hands.. what feels like nerve pain?

Has anyone ever tried Aggrenox, also known as Dipyridamole instead?

Or actually tried the real Coumadin, instead of the generic Warfarin?

Has any other woman out there been told not to use a tampon when on her cycle, as this will cause more menstrual bleeding?

I'm so tired of Dr.'s not having personal experience of their own with this drug.. and telling the patient that they are crazy and need to be on anxiety meds or anti-depressants. I just found out that Warfarin is the main ingredient in RAT POISON..

Has anyone EVER gone the totally nutrition route, juiced and gone radical, telling their Dr.'s that they were getting off of all meds?

Does anyone suffer from feeling like their ears are full, or hearing loss?

I'm so tired of feeling afraid.. and tossed around by Dr.'s who really don't want to do the research, nor listen to their patients.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has some insight..on any or all of the questions..

Hi I am a 36 year old female, and have been on warfarin for about six months now, I was also on it back in 2004 for six months I had a blood clot in my left lung in 04, and was off of them after six months. But now i Dec 07 i had a clot in my leg, and several in my lungs. I have to be on it forever now according to my docs. It sucks, I am having very bad memory loss, blurred vision also, I get dizzy a lot, and as of last week my levels are not high. I was on a smaller dosage the first time around, but I am currently on 7.5 mg, and it sucks, I want to be off of these. So I also do experience the same symptoms as the rest of you. Memory loss is really affecting my everyday life. Also depression is a big symptom also, I have always been a happy person, not any longer.

my body is weak my neck hurts I cant keep my inr up My eyes and nose leak water and my face and left hand and foot stays swollen. PE and Dvt and Factor v homozygous and cushings syndrome. Nausea I lost over 20 lbs in one month tachycardia all the time. CANT CONTROL BLOOD SUGARS I HATE THIS DRUG. I AM 41 FEMALE

Hi,
I have been on Warfarin since 2002. I suffered multiple pulmonary embolism's in both lungs. My first was in May 2002 and even though I had excruciating pain in my left shoulder area & could not lay down as this worsened the pain, the NHS x-rayed my torso!!!! & sent me home with medication for a kidney infection. I gave it a few weeks but the pain did not go completely & was moving to my right side, I was coughing up 'tablespoon' size clots of blood. My GP was not happy & spoke to a colleague at the hospital. I was sent straight in,(July) thorough tests done & I was found to have suffered multiple PE's.
I tried to sue them for medical negligence but it was turned away by the court as there was not enough evidence on my notes ie; some info was not written down & most was unreadable to even other medical professionals.
Since Aug 2002 I have been on Warfarin & am on this for life.
A blood test showed that I had a genetic blood disorder called 'Factor V (5) Leiden heterozygote'. This causes my blood to form clots much easier & quicker than the average person. If you have this disorder, as a woman it is important that each time you have a child you are treated with Heperin after each birth. I had 5 children & was not treated therefore I suffered with my PE's.My children have been tested for this & 3 of them have it. My daughter was glad she found out before having children as she hasn't had to suffer what I went through.
I ask one thing.... Please TELL your GP that you want a test for the above disorder. As I suffered my PE's & that I have this blood disorder I have to stay on Warfarin for life.
If you need any more info I will tell you as much as I know. Feel free to ask questions. my email is; ******

I am 31 years old. I was first on warfarin when I was 15. I was on the BCP and a smoker as well. just 2 months of being on the pill I developed a DVT in my left leg. I was on the warfarin for about 2 years then came off. I reember being tired alot but that was it. Then again when I was 22 I developed yet again another DVT in my L leg.. as well as 3 PE in my lungs. I was prescribed warfarin and I was on that for 2 years .. was taken off due to dizzy spells. Now again I am on warfarin .. for the rest of my life. I have a genetic disorder for clots and had a mini stroke. By the grace of GOD I only have a limp in my right foot... the side effects I experiance now are dizzy spells, headaches, blurred vision, and muscle aches and spasms. If your docot is denieying these side effect they really just dont think its serious enough to take you off. All my doctors over the last 16 years have all told me of these side effects. What you eat and drink has alot to do with it and other meds you may be takeing. I am also on chantex and beleive the two together are to be the cuas se of my syptoms. I also experiance tingling for shor periods. I have been on it now for one week. My doctor told me once it is regulated to a point where I dont have to up my dosage or lower my dosage and I am pretty much at a steady dosage the side effect will cease, until then I think if you dont like your docotor and dont beleive hes looking out for you in your best interrest yo ushould find another one.... Thats important... you must have a docotor you can trrust and one whom will listen to you.

Natto Kinase is an alternative to Warfarin and I am now using it. I have had stomach upset and gas with Warfarin and do not trust most doctors anymore. I went to five doctors with pain and swelling in my left lower leg, and shortness of breath. I put the diagnosis in their pockets. I stated: "I'm on estrogen, couldn't this be a DVT?" Oh no, this is normal we women age. The US Health Care system is nothing more than about money. It is money-driven, not care-driven. The ultrasound was cheaper than the idiots I went to. I do not plan on staying on Warfarin and am delighted the Japanese can offer an alternative!!

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

I'm a 42 year old woman, been on Coumadin on and off for almost 8 yrs due to 2 DVT's after childbirth in February, 2000. The scar tissue has completely blocked the main vain in my left leg and am on Coumadin to prevent new clots from forming. Symptoms from the beginning have been: memory problems, concentration problems, fatigue, low libido, every muscle in my body hurts to the touch, my skin looks like I have smoker's skin (I don't smoke), anxiety, rash around my ankles, I have almost no patience on most days and continual hair loss. They changed my dosage 5 months ago to 10mg one day & 7.5mg the next 2 days. Since, then symptoms have gotten almost unbearable at times. My current Dr. claims the Coumadin isn't causing any of it and won't listen. 5 yrs. ago, during my second pregnancy, I was on heparin shots twice a day instead of theoumadin and I felt incredible. Why is it that when there are so many people that have problems with this medicine, nobody will listen and come up with a solution C?

Can anyone help please? My partner, whom I love dearly has been taking warfarin for approx 7 months following a DVT in his right calf. He is tired all the time b ut more recently has been having trouble gaining and maintining an erection. This is causing him great distress. Has anyone else suffered this and does anyone know if this is a side effect of this drug?

Masterepiece

developed a dvt after a flight in june. very fit person running several miles a day. now in oct my dvt has not gone away and im developing more clots despite being on 7.5mg of warfarin a day. i have been told that i have to take it indefinately. no side effects to start with but did have blurring of vision recently that was investigated but nothing found. now my leg is itchy and im developing blood blisters on my hand for no reason. more worried about these blisters than anything. has anyone had anything like this?

I've been on warfarin since april due to a torn calf muscle injury that developed a DVT. Yes, I have seen several side effects, but after getting off the drug now for two weeks, I find out today at my yearly physical that I now have diabetes? I am 57 years old and hopefully can control this with diet only. Has anyone else heard of diabetes as a possible side effect?

Have been on COUMADIN / Warfarin since 2001 for a diagnosed "LOW FUNCTIONAL S PROTEIN / DEFIENCY". Since then as a result, have been hospitalized for Pulmonary Embolism of the lung on three occasions not including a DVT in left deep vein (uptake vein to heart).
Presently take 12 mg/day.

I am a 47 year old female. I had superficial blood clots in my left leg in Dec 05 and Nov 06. Developed a DVT in left leg and a superficial clot in right leg in June 07. Now taking 9 mg of warfarin (coumadin) a day. Suffering from extreme fatigue, heavy periods and I just discovered the hard way that warfarin makes you sensitive to the sun (got a severe sunburn on my face, forearms, hands and the top of my head, all places that I do not normally burn). Called the pharmacist and she said sun sensitivity is not a side effect. Went to several websites before I finally it upon one that did say that sun sensitivity is a side effect. My doctor did not tell me this and it is not a warning on the prescription label. Please be careful in the sun. Also, if you are a cranberry lover, I found several websites that said no cranberries in any form, juice, dried, herbal supplements, etc.

I'm a 36 year old female who survived a DVT and pulmonary embolism.
I've been on warfarin for one year. I was diagnosed with a protein c
deficiency. (most likely congenital). I'm having a lot of trouble keeping my
PT\INR in between 2 and 3. My Doctor is a real jerk. I'm looking into see-
ing a different one. Anyway, my symptoms are: lightheadedness, hair
loss, weight gain(I'm hungry 24\7),fatigue,numbness in my hands and feet,
hot flashes,redness on my nose and cheeks, and some kind of rash on
my right ankle, tachycardia,headaches, and blurred vision. I never thought
life could suck this bad. I've been taking anywhere between 7.5mg to
15m.g\day. Oh yeah I forgot to mention the worse side effect of all:
My period for 7 to 10 days. The 3rd and 4th day being unbearable to take.
Of course my Doctor says your not bleeding to death because you're not
passing clots. What an ___!!! My sympathy's to all of you.

Hot hands seem almost arthritic. I'm 36M post PE year ago. Had to wear padded gloves at work to drive. Cant workout 9weights /bike ride0 without padded gloves. Knees get hot and sore after long walks. Can't practice my guitar as long as i used to without pain for 2 days.Worst part CANT TAKE IBUPROFEN FOR SORE JOINTS ARRGGG. This is the only side effect that is really annoying me right now and it wasnt even listed as such. Glad everyone else is feeling it to .

I've been on Warfarin since Dec 2006. I'm a big guy, 6'2 265. They have me on 12 mg daily to keep my INR in check. Only recently did i get to the one month period between INR tests. I'm 36 years old, likely 40 lbs overweight, formerly very active- played ice hoceky, competitive swimming, baseball, etc. Anyway foot surgery in Nov 2006 caused me to be in a cast which led to extensive DVT's which led to an almost fatal very significant PE in my right lung. Lost 15 lbs on the hospital which I since gained back...think that was just portion control. anyway having a tough time realizing if the warfarin is actually giving me side-effects. Just walking for 45 minutes recently left my whole body sore. Sleep isn't what it used to be and my overall "focus" is not there. Also find my self forgetting things that I've always been quite sharp with. I'm scheduled to be off the coumadin in the coming months if my vascular surgeon says the DVT's are all healed. By the way, when I had the PE I never had real difficulty breathing. The doctors said I had very good lung capacity and that helped me. Anyway, just like some of the other posts I read- Can't wait to get back to being ME !

Hi,

This is the second time I've been on warfarin in two years (prescribed following a DVT in both cases). I've noticed that each time I've been on it, even when I'm in the zone I'm supposed to be in, I feel tired. Even when I sleep well, I feel like my eyes are dry and bloodshot and my face feels like it is sort of flushed or red all the time. I'm very fit and healthy but it doesn't seem like these side effects are really mentioned anywhere. When I tell my doc, he says those are not really common side effects. I'd love to hear from anyone else who has experienced something similar.

I really do not have any side effects from Warafarin. I have experienced hair loss with Depo Provara, which is why I developed DVT and have to take warafarin in the first place. My problem is I might be pregnant. Any one know what affects this can have on a zygote, embryo, or fetus?