Warfarin Side Effects ?

Treatment and medication
1

I've been told that apart from the bleeding situation there are no 'significant' side effects with warfarin. since my Aortic Valve surgery in 2011 i've been symptomatic [dizzy, tired, heavy legs, headache, laboured breathing, unsteady, fuzzy head, brain zaps etc] My cardiologist has checked my heart ....all OK there & we have tried every combination of all the other meds I've been on & still no real improvement. The only thing that hasn't changed [as there is no option] is the warfarin. Has anybody on the forum experienced symptoms like mine that they can put down to warfarin ?

Although I know I can't do anything about it if it is the warfarin it would still be good to know

Thanks everybody

2

Maybe not too much help to you as you have been on Warfarin since 2011.

I have been on Warfarin for a week due DVT, 2-3 mg per day, for INR 2.5

So far no side effects.

3

Hi,I've been on warfarin on a permanent basis for 18,since I was 32.I've always experienced headaches with it,and if it's on the higher level of my range,I get nightmares.

You don't say what other meds you're on,so could they be the cause of your other symptoms,or interaction of them with your warfarin,or each other?

I'm on a cocktail now of 10 medications,so not easy to tell what side effects come from what.When first put on warfarin,it was my only medication,though.I used to get a racing heart if I had any alcohol,but now don't drink.Have you been informed of food and supplement interactions? I wasn't until years after starting it.Gill

4

Sorry that should read,been on warfarin for 18 years.Gill

5

Hi exhogg,

I've been on Warfarin for just over a year and am now on it for life. The side effects you've have listed I have suffered from too, especially the tiredness and head fuzzyness. Joint pain is another thing people seem to suffer from along with the feeling of "coldness"

I have talked with quite a lot of other people who are on Warfarin at my Warfarin/INR clinic and some people have had memory loss, mood swings, aggression and hair loss.

The other thing I've found out is that men seem to suffer more side effects than women but I don't know why. I will ask my specialist when I next see him.

I hope this has been of help to you.

6

I'm on so many drugs I don't know which ones are causing the side effects but I do have nightmares and vivid dreams but I tend to blame beta blockers for them . I feel the cold but I have thyroid - under- well known for feeling the cold. It's a minefield .i don't notice any difference with the warfarin but you might be right. 

7

Hi there, sorry to hear you are experiencing bad side effects.  I have been on Warfarin since 1998, having had an aortic valve replacement.  Usual problems were experienced until INR was satisfactory.  The only side effects I think I now suffer are cold feet (not good in the wintertime!)  and some joint pain.

Hope you eventually manage to sort your problem out with your GP.

8

How long did it take for the joint pain to start and how badly does it affect you? In my case it was within a few weeks of going into AF after my aortic valve replaced with a tissue one.I stopped warfarin soon after getting back into sinus rhythm after a cardioversion. A few weeks later the joint pain stopped.

Another procedure put me back into AF and again Warfarin quickly caused joint pain.

9

Hi Kathleen,I'm also hypothyroid,hypopituitary,and on warfarin.I,too,don't know what causes my side effects now,but initially I was only on warfarin,experiencing the headaches and nightmares.Have you managed to sort your level out now? Gill

10

Hi Betty,Interesting you should say that,I thought I experienced those from having underactive thyroid.Gill

11

Sorry cannot remember exact time period as it was so long ago.  I seem to recall that for at least perhaps 7 years I did not suffer too much pain other than back and neck pains.  Whether this was due to Warfarin I do not know.  The cold feet only started about 3-4 years ago and I always thought that it was probably due to either another operation I had had, or other medication.  Who knows for sure??

Sorry I cannot be more use to you.

12

One of my neighbours has joint pain and hair loss another is always cold.

Another person I know wears an overcoat even on the hottest day.

 

13

I have been on warfarin for 6 months, after developing a blood clot in my brain.

Before diagnosis I had painful and constant headaches for 2-3 months, constant tiredness, lack of motivation.

Since on warfarin (INR level betweek 2 and 3) I have found I have memory recall issues, tiredness, occasional headaches, occasional vision blur.

I have also experienced hair loss (shedding) which has been diagnosed as Teflum Elluvium (sp), which can be associated with anti-coags but can also be triggered by your body going through a trauma. Using Nioxin products to encourgage re-growth.

I steer clear of suppliments, anti inflammatory meds, cranberry and grapefruit, but my diet has always consisted of A LOT of dark green veg - something I haven't changed. I think for the most part, we are all such individual creatures, no one thing can lend itself to everyone. 

Tomorrow I find out if I have Lupus Anticoagulant, meaning I might also be a lifer

I am 32