Warfarin

Yes, I did have discussion etc but it is a lot to take in and to adjust to. I enjoy a drink at weekends and it's like I'm being told that I can't do that again. I just wondered about other people's thoughts/experiences and if it's really that vital that you don't have more than a couple of drinks ...

For what it's worth, Christine (and am in no way recommending this), I drink half a bottle of wine a night. I do dilute it 50/50 with water, but that's just my preference. It doesn't seem to have had any negative effect, though I'm sure it would be best for me to abstain. Life's been a pretty dire struggle with physical issues over recent years. I just decided I wanted to retain at least one 'pleasure'. 

I have told the medics and got the impression that they believe it's more important to maintain dietary etc consistency, hence bingeing no/no, which I do. 

 

Does diluting it make any difference?

I stick to 200mls of wine a day.

No. That's why I said it's just my preference. Not deluding myself!

The French often do that at home.

I had a very old doctor many years ago who put his great age down to,  'Moderation in all things and an excess of Whisky'

Yes, I believe so. My reason was more prosaic. Many years ago, worried that I was possibly drinking more than I should, I came across the recommendation to have alternate glasses of wine and water. That seemed rather daft to me: I reasoned that, since it was all going to end up in the same place anyway, I'd simply combine them. 

It didn't dilute my appreciation of the wine at all. I still have a very discerning palette; though I'm more than used to people regarding it as some sort of sacrilege. 

Dont care. I'm happy to be a Philistine. 

What does it do to the pleasure of dnking it?

Or can you get away with buying a cheaper rougher wine and making it blander.

Ha!  Neither adds nor detracts; just makes it last twice as long. Though I guess someone trying it for first time would consider it bland. 

Don't know about the second part of your question. I suppose that might work. For myself, I stick to medium-range stuff - red, usually Cabernet Sauvignon. 

 

Hi Avril. Alternative drug was mentioned but I'm still waiting to see the specialist to see if he agrees with my doc's diagnosis and treatment. I've got atrial fibrillation at the tender age of 54. I don't mind which medication I'm on, it's the restrictions I don't like!

Hi Christine. I too have atrial fibrilation and also have two stents in two of my arteries. I can only say to you this. When I was told by my cardiologist that he wanted me to go on Warfarin, I knew that I did not fancy the idea of all the regular blood tests that go with it. I just wanted to be able to take a tablet and be able to get on with my life without the constant monitoring. On discussing this with a cardiac nurse she pointed out to me that there were new drugs available instead of warfarin. She actually recommended that I asked for Apixaban. Luckily when I went to the hospital to discuss my treatment at the anticoagulant clinic, although the doctor was suggesting warfarin, I mentioned Apixaban and so I was given it. I don't think they will readily offer one of the new drugs unless you ask for it! There are definitely more restrictions if on warfarin! Good luck when you see the specialist. Go armed with as much information as you can.

Myhusband has just started apixaban. So far no problems. Only thing is if you have an accident/bleed then you have to go to A&E and have a reversal injection. But as the warfarin was so awful with the side effects this is a relief.

What side effects did he have? I had pain in my weight bearing joints.

Hugely swollen left ankle, hair loss, blood blisters, eye bleeds and really awful moods.

The apixaban has caused a small eye bleed, but nothing like as much as the warfarin...we even bought a coaguchek machine for the warfarin to try and keep leval at 2 INR but it went all over the place daily. As soon as INR above 2 all side effects kicked in.