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warfarin and 23 years

Posted , 8 users are following.

jennifer79808
jennifer79808

I've been on warfarin A couple months now. I recently in Nov 2014 had a DVT in my left leg. Im a female and 23 years of age. My whole leg was swollen and started changing colors. .. purple, black and even blue... then about a month later the docotrs realize that i have blood clots in my lungs. I've noticed I haven't been able to remember a lot of things since I've been on this medicine. I have had lots of hair loss. I rarely eat cause of no appetite. . . I'm exhausted all the time even with a 5 month old. But I've noticed this once I started taking this medicine. Is there any other medicine that won't lead to soo much side effects. . . I'm scared to be took en off of it but I need to take it. I don't want too cause of the side effects!

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • rob60599
    rob60599 jennifer79808

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer,

    I've been on warfarin for just over a year after suffering bloodclot in my right leg. In my experience there are quite a few side effects e.g. memory loss, tiredness, irritability, hair loss to name bt a few. There are other blood thinners but unfortunately GP's dont really put you on them as they are generally still still quite new and more expensive. A short time ago I tried to change from warfarin to something else, I spoke to my GP who wouldn't play ball and so I'm waiting to see a haemotologist to discuss it further. My advice would be to have a chat with your GP and see if they will put you on another thinner or get referred to a haemotologist as they know all of the new and upcoming blood thinners.

  • gill43753
    gill43753 jennifer79808

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer,I've been on Warfarin for 18 years on a permanent basis,and have not had these side-effects.If I understand right,you gave birth 5 months ago? I would write down all the symptoms you are experiencing,and tell your GP everything.Also check out foods/other medications you shouldn't have with Warfarin.My main problem with it has been headaches.
    • derek76
      derek76 gill43753

      Posted

      Hair thining and loss quite a common side effect with ladies.
  • gill43753
    gill43753 jennifer79808

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer,just a thought,I would ask your doctor if your thyroid is showing signs of being underactive after giving birth.This is called postpartum hypothyroidism.Hope you feel much better soon.
  • Pam143
    Pam143 jennifer79808

    Posted

    The newer drugs are much better, Jennifer.  I am on apixaban and no side effects at all!  However, I agree with everyne else on here, get your health thoroughly checked out by your GP, it sounds like you need some expert advice.  Take careof yourself!
  • jasmine57186
    jasmine57186 jennifer79808

    Posted

    Hi. Did u have a C section with ur baby? Could be the cause of your blood clot. I also got a blood clot on my lungs after surgery, im 33 yrs old. Was on warfarin 6 months. Now Ecotrin ( low dose asprin) for 8 months. I test my D dimer every second month and no bloodclots since. So if ur bloid clot is from surgery, u only need to drink it for 6 months. Hope this info helps.
    • jennifer79808
      jennifer79808 jasmine57186

      Posted

      Yes, my surgeon said it was from when I was pregnant with with my son and he sat on my main artery in my left leg.
    • jasmine57186
      jasmine57186 jennifer79808

      Posted

      Jennifer, then you only need to take it for 6 months? My specialist physician says if you have a unprovoked Dvt, u will be on warfarin for life. But a provoked dvt is 6 months treatment. The only down side is you will always be at risk. It never goes back to zero. I had a op last year and had to inject with clexane pre op and 2 weeks post op. Then back to asprin. Yes i will be on asprin for life, but beats warfarin by far. Hope my story helps u in some way.....
    • jasmine57186
      jasmine57186

      Posted

      By the way...i also had terrible side effects, was wishing the 6 months away....had bleeding gums, hair falling out, no appetite....lost 12kg on warfarin. Not to mention the killer headaches.....even had a mri for headaches.....when i stopped warfarin....all the above went away......
    • jasmine57186
      jasmine57186

      Posted

      Which country do you live in Jennifer?
  • avril87463
    avril87463 jennifer79808

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer. So sorry that you are experiencing side effects to Warfarin. Not good especially as you are so young. I was told to go on Warfarin by a Cardiologist. However, because I had heard all about the possible side effects of it I was able to discuss my view with a Cardiac Nurse. She actually advised me not to go on it but to try one of the newer drugs. She listed the three, which are, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran and Apixaban. I am like Pam and on Apixaban with absolutely no side effects at all. My advice to you is to to go back to you doctor to discuss everything with him. I was actually sent to a special Anticoagulant Clinic at the Haemotology Unit of my hospital. I was able to fully discuss all the drugs with the doctor and although they wanted me to go on Warfarin, I stuck out for one of the new drugs. Warfarin is always suggested as it is so much cheaper to the new ones, but if you feel strongly enough about your medication, then stick out for one of the new ones. I am on mine for life, so not sure about the position you are in, whether it is short term or not! Good luck and I hope you feel better very soon.
  • lucy02639
    lucy02639 jennifer79808

    Posted

    I would definitely go back to your doctor with your list of symptoms, which sound like they need a thorough checking. As someone else has suggested, thyroid investigation would seem like a good idea. I have been taking Warfarin for a year with no side effects at all.
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