The FastDay Forum

Just discovered that I have to go on a course of warfarin, for a proceedure later this year.....not happy. I am really into this 'eating regime' and don't want silly medical hiccups to get in the way. I have not started the course (warfarin) yet, have to go to the surgery for a chat on Thursday, so perhaps had better not get too carried away before I know the facts But I have googled.....I know, fatal!!! and read that you have to be fairly consistent with what you eat, no excesses of anything. Spinach and broccoli can effect the blood readings. I LOVE SPINACH!!!!

Can any one give me any good news? Also my daughter is getting married in August and I have heard that warfarin can cause the hair to thin.....great!!!!!!!! That will look good in the wedding photos !!!!!!! My hair is my crowning glory.

Warfarin as a very common medicine for those who are in danger of blood clots or their blood to thicken (forgive me if the terms are use aren't medical). It is taken by many people, for many years, with good results.
All medicines have side effects, so does warfarin but nowadays they are rare because they now have more means to determine what is the recommended does for each patient individually.
Since you will only take it for a short while, I will advice you to not worry. You are taking it for a good reason and it will reduce all risks during your operation which is the most important!
Ι don't know about spinach and broccoli but I'm sure that your doctor will advise you regarding what to eat/not eat while on the medication. Still since you'll be taking it for a while and not the rest of your life, it is not such a big deal.

Something very important is to consult your doctor for how long before the operation you must stop taking it, since it is a blood thinner and you don't want your blood to be too thin when they operate on you.

[carorees]

There's a thread on warfarin and fasting: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4975

Hubby has had warfarin twice and, whilst I can't help with the fasting side of things, I know we were told that he should avoid eating large portions of things high in Vitamin K as Vit K is actually the antidote to warfarin. That is basically wholewheat/bran cereals, dark leafy veg, liver etc. You will be given a proper list. Basically we were told to eat normal portions and to limit things on the high list to once a day and the things with less Vit K to two portions.

If you stick with moderation they will adjust your dose to accommodate what you like to eat. The problems arise if you eat a whole load of food off the list in one day as it will alter your INR level and throw out the doseages.

For reasons too long to discuss here hubby a bad reaction to warfarin this time and had to go onto a different medication but I would far rather have him on the warfarin with its dietary restrictions because in the event of a medical emergency it is easily reversible. Now we have to live with the knowledge that if he had a serious accident there is no foolproof antidote to the anti clotting drug he has to take and he could end up needing to go on dialysis to get it out of his system!

Warfarin is a nuisance but its not really something to get in a tizzy about.

I don't know anything about warfarin except my father in law took it for years. He had very thick healthy hair. It certainly didnt seem to give him any problems. I guess everyone is different but don't stress that's usually worse than the drug itself. Oh and when I say years at least 30 maybe more.

Warfarin was used prophylactically for *everyone* (except those with bleeding disorders) undergoing surgery on the orthopaedic wards I was in, each of the last four times I was getting my leg sorted out (2004 - 2009). It was utterly standard, for prevention of deep vein thrombosis methinks, and should be nowt to worry about If you were turfed out of the ward before two weeks were up you went on doing your jags at home (but not me, there aren't many advantages to being a bleeder but that's was one of them!). I honestly don't remember anyone mentioning dietary restrictions, so hopefully this shouldn't be an issue for you either. All the very best, FatDog.