Coumadin side effects... Your experiences?

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

In mid-March deep vein clots were discovered in my right leg.
Shots in the gut and then Arixtra syringes (10mg/0.8mL) were prescribed.

I injected each day while on our tour of Hawaii and out-west drive. We returned on 3 June.

My INR was 1.1. Injections were continued and coumadin pills were prescribed. After a week, Arixtra was stopped. The reading increased to 3.2. The coumadin dosage has been adjusted, in an attempt to attain a consistent INR of 2.5.

I'm presently taking 4.5mg.

Thus far I experience slight headaches, drying skin, some loss of balance, blurred vision with achy bloodshot eyes, loss of ambition, tiredness...

The coumadin doc seems unconcerned. He claims it can be several months before the clotting danger is over.

I’m curious if these side effects are experienced by any of you. Do they get worse?


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Robert

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Thus far I experience slight headaches, drying skin, some loss of balance, blurred vision with achy bloodshot eyes, loss of ambition, tiredness ...

The coumadin doc seems unconcerned. He claims it can be several months before the clotting danger is over.

The side effects sound terrible Robert, so sorry to hear you are going through this. I do hope you can finish the treatment soon.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

These do not sound like normal side effects from coumadin. On the other hand, they do sound like neurologic symptoms. Since coumadin interfers with the synthesis of Vit. K, one of the clotting factors, I think I'd press my doctor a little harder to pay attention to what you're experiencing.

I work with patients who are frequently on coumadin and your description has my attention. I'm not sure why it doesn't have the attention of your doctor.

[grest Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grest]

My husband has been taking coumadin for at least 25 years. Though he has some of the symptoms you describe, they are not from the medication. Please check further with your doctor.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

My DH started coumadin 3 weeks ago, without any side effects. He is taking 4.5 mg.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

My DH has been on Coumadin for several years. Besides heart problems, he has several other serious diseases, so he may have some of your symptoms, but not from coumadin per se. We monitor his INR closely to keep it in the normal range.

Good luck.

Nancy

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

My daughter has been on it for 16 years, none of those side effects.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Robert, something doesn't sound right to me. I'd get a second opinion. My mom was on coumadin for years and it made her bleed at just a slight touch ( her skin got so thing) and she had horrible swelling but nothing like you described. shaggy

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Friday's reading was 2.7. The coumadin dosage remains at 4.5mg.
Doc expects I'll continue the coumadin into September.

I'm thinking some of my symptoms (headaches, drying skin, some loss of balance, blurred vision with achy bloodshot eyes, loss of ambition, tiredness...) may be due to coming home. We should have stayed out there sightseeing!

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Friday's reading was 2.7. The coumadin dosage remains at 4.5mg.
Doc expects I'll continue the coumadin into September.

I'm thinking some of my symptoms (headaches, drying skin, some loss of balance, blurred vision with achy bloodshot eyes, loss of ambition, tiredness...) may be due to coming home. We should have stayed out there sightseeing!

These are all potential signs of a stroke. Coumadin affect the bloods ability to clot. Don't kid yourself. With the exception of the dry skin, these are significant symptoms that should be followed up on. Where I work, the headache, loss of balance and blurred vision would trigger a responce from the stroke team for further evaluation. A C.T. scan of the head would be an expected physicians order. IMHO, if I had a relative with your symptoms, I'd be wanting it checked into further or, at the very least I'd be getting a second opinion.

Perhaps there is another reason for the symptoms but, ruling out a potential bleed in the brain would be something I'd want done under any circumstance regardless of what differential diagnosis there might be. These are NOT normal side effects of coumadin. There is something else going on. It needs to be explored and an explanation should be found. Even if it turns out to be something minor, it's better to rule out something major.