My Mother was put on Warfarin after a stroke and having 2 DVT's due to reduced mobility with paralysis. First she was put on Asprin then after the 2nd DVT, lifelong on warfarin.
She has been on this for 18months and this weekend started coughing up fresh blood and thicked clottish blood. She is now in hospital whilst they bring her levels down. When admitted she had to have an IV line in and after the cough improved they removed the IV line from her arm. However due to her levels it had continued to bleed internally and now she has an arm that is scarlet and blue going from under the arm down to the palm.
Her GP has never looked at her repeat prescriptions and in the hospital we were told that she should never have been on asprin adn warfarin. It is either one or the other. So even question and review your precription with your GP and don't think they all know best! get second opinons.
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You can always check in the Pharmacy when you collect your medicines. It is always accessible you don't
need to make an appointment.
It wont be the aspirin and warfarin that has caused the increased levels - warfarin levels need to be monitored regularity by a blood test - when was this last done? Also if she has been on antibiotics recently, she shodul ahve had a bllod test for clotting afterwards as antibiotics change the clotting levels. She will be well loooked after when she leaves hospital but will need regualr blood tests until her clotting is back to normal x
The most important factor on taking \warfarin is regular measuring INR so it will always be between 2 and 3. Missing appointments for blood test can be very risky, as bioavalability of Warfarin could rise for many reasons. Doubling the dose by mistak, changing diet specialy vegetables, getting infetion, drinking alcohol, taking drugs prescroed or bought Over the counter or herbak medicines. Drinking vranbery juices. Taking aspirin, unaware of warning signes of bleeding. Carrying the yellow card and recording the esult of tests of INR and the times aand recording any new symptoms. Therefore you should always show the yellow card to the pharmacist whenever you collect warfarin tablets, he will be able to check the INR the dose and advice you on taking other medicines