Warfarin as a preventative.
Posted , 5 users are following.
after a pulmonary embolism five years ago i was put on warfarin as a preventative measure. i have just discovered it has affected my kidney function and will continue to do so. i am of a mind to discontinue and take my chances as i do not wish to compromise my kidneys any further. whatever i do i have a dilemma on my hands. i am absolutely shocked that drs did not give advice that warfarin long term can cause kidney problems and i think it should be in the public domain.
0 likes, 10 replies
jen86183 ann55375
Posted
Ann,
I am sorry you are suffering like this was this your first PE? Reading other people's stories on here, they say after their second they are put on an anticoagulant for life not normally first.
I had a P.E June 2018 after a hip replacement, I was put on a three month course of apixaban (eliquis) but, after a month I felt so ill I stopped taking them. I was offered warfarin but refused it as you apparently need to test every so often the levels. I am very anti pharmaceutical drugs anyway, I have seen the damage caused to my hubby by them. I will always go natural when possible, your story highlights why I feel this.
Educating ourselves makes a huge difference, thank god for the internet, doctors hate us doing this (they do though) because we learn their failings and know they are not super human but ordinary people, after all you are only as good as the person teaching you therefore, if you are give wrong information, that is what you are passing on.
ann55375 jen86183
Posted
thank you for your reply. yes it was my first pe and in my mind no doubt it was caused by six weeks post spinal surgery, even though i had been exercising as per physio. i had never had surgery before this. i had a dvt 20 years ago which never returned and was not medicated for it. i feel they were too quick to immediately put me on lifelong warafarin for the pe five years ago, and now i had wondered why i was urniating often and having nausea i find that my kidney function is affected and this has been caused by warfarin. i am feeling that i will take my chances and come off it as any more deterioration in kidneys is not good long term, in fact worse than the
possibility of pe. i am very angry at dr for not giving me details of this at the start.
jen86183 ann55375
Posted
Ann,
If you do come off please look after yourself. When I refused the warfarin from my GP he told me to buy root ginger to make tea, I started drinking two cups per day, I take bromelain which has anti coagulant properties, make sure I drink 1 - 2 litres everyday. The hospital doctor said moving is very important, I have always exercised to that is not a problem, I tend to try not to sit for more than around an hour without moving. Educate yourself and take lots of blood thinning foods.
Good luck.
Guest ann55375
Posted
Hi there. I'm old. I mean, really old, well, in age anyway. From the neck down, problems. Worst one, kidneys. I don't drink nor do I smoke but kidneys evidently don't like being old. I was on the blood thinner, Pradaxa and could eat anything but as it was changed to Warfarin as being 'kinder' to the kidneys, I
now have to have the blood tests, sometimes every week. Loathe them as my veins are so tender but
if I go off Warfarin, it seems it's riskier. My brain says 'get over over it, you are lucky' and I guess I am
too so looking forward (if possible) to see kidney specialist and see how latest tests were. Good luck,
Ann.
ann55375 Guest
Posted
do send a rep,y when youve seen kidney specialist as i would like to hear what they say. my dr says my reading is CkD3, i never smoked and dont drink. dont understand where its come from but bi suspect warfarin
jen86183 ann55375
Posted
Ann,
You are probably right. I just looked it up, I have taken out the address as they will not post with one on.
Recently, it was found that warfarin causes renal damage in patients with chronic kidney disease and is also associated with progression of renal disease. Warfarin causing acute kidney injury in patients with normal renal function is a rare manifestation.
Guest ann55375
Posted
Truly, sometimes I feel like giving up but I won't. I was told Warfarin is kinder to the kidneys so have kept on it. I'm not happy about it but having reached what is called 'very elderly', maybe the devil I know is better than the one I don't. My weight is good, blood pressure not so good. Most medications upset me and it's hard to find some that are OK. The next time I see my kidney specialist, I'll ask him exactly what stage I'm at and then I'll let you all know.
ann55375 Guest
Posted
look forward to hearing what yours says. i have also devil you know etc but ever told about effect on kidneys
Guest ann55375
Posted
My kidney specialist told me that Warfarin would be kinder to my kidneys and I took
his word for it being true. I am not happy to have to have blood tests but then, if they
are a check on the second more important organ in the body, excellent! Heart of course,
I consider the first. You'll always find someone who says no, it's no good, etc.etc.etc.
Go by your gut feelings. I do & question everything. Best wishes to you all.
joshuapryce1987 ann55375
Posted
I suppose its important to always ask questions and do some research on medication that we anticipate on taking. Always check the side effects.