[lenjan]

Does anybody out there take Coumadin (warfarin)? It is driving me out of my mind and I could use some help. I get the flu and don't feel like eating for a couple of days -- my level goes nuts. I eat like a pig but exercise a lot -- my level goes nuts. I'd rather eat chocolate than a salad one day -- my level goes nuts. Not to mention all the drugs it interacts with. I'm so frustrated!!

Just curious as to whether anyone has any tips for getting to a STABLE level. I am sick and tired of running to the thrombo clinic every 2 days to get it checked out!

Thanks,
Candy

[Sarah116]

Talk to your doctor and read about the frug on the net.

[lenjan]

You know, I've done both those things. I'm just looking for real-life experiences, which you can't get from drs. or the Net.

[eskielover]

Coumadin is a blood thinner which is used to keep the blood from clotting & causing a heart attack or stroke. I don't know when you started taking it, but a med like that is in constant need of being monitored......that is just a fact of life.

I know that my Mother was put on that med just before she died of the cancer because there were blood clots found in her legs. I looked up information about the med at that time & couldn't figure out why her Dr hadn't left any information on monitoring my Mothers blood.....needless to say, her Dr didn't think she would live long enough to matter about the monitoring.

There is always such a fine line with that med as to if the blood is too thick or too thin. It seems to me that it is kinda like dealing with diabeties or any other illness that needs to be watched for our own health good. It is just something that has to be taken care of for your own safety whether we like it or not.

I know when I was having weight problems, monitoring was constantly necessary & would get plunked into the hospital when I got too anemic. While on the central line, they would constantly check my blood sugar just like with diabeties. Sugar level too high could have killed me. There are just some things in our lives that we have to learn to live with no matter how much we hate doing it......but it is for our own good that the Dr's care enough about us to require this amount of care.

I guess I would be thankful that you have a Dr that cares enough about you to make sure that you are doing ok. It is important for you to be completely open with him as to everything you are feeling & experiencing while on this med. That is the only way that he can best treat you along with the blood tests that he takes are necessary.

Just step back & take a huge breath & be thankful that you have a wonderful Dr that is taking care of you no matter how much frustration & angry the situation causes.

Take care,
Debbie