Heart Disease - I have had, on two separate occasions, very high coumadin levels, and it manifested... itself as confusion, slurred speech and eventually passing out. Is this a common side-effect of high PT/INR (over 6) or am I drawing conclusions that are not really there?
Can high coumadin levels or high PT/INR cause confusion, slurred speech and eventual passing out?
- Posted:
- 18 Oct 2010 by jeepdoc513
- Topics:
- coumadin, heart disease
Details:
Responses (3)
marjorie ...19 Oct 2010
Hello jeepdoc513, I have been on Coumadin for many years and will be on it for life because of a blood clotting disorder called Factor 5 Leiden and I have been warned of those very same side effects by a Hematologist so you are not off base my friend. Please keep a close eye on your PT/INR results it sounds like they may need to be checked more frequently than they are if this is happening. Do you have a Hematologist or just an internist? Coumadin is a very tricky drug so you have to really watch your diet also as well as other medicines you may take especially antibiotics and fish oils as well. If I can be of any help I will try so feel free to ask anytime. marjorie zych
1 Nov 2010
Hello jeepdoc513. I used to work in an Anticoagulation Clinic. I saw many patients over the years with INRs >6, but more often than not, they were not symptomatic. Often times the patients had other conditions that caused their INRs to go up in the first place (heat stroke, heart failure exacerbation, infection, antibiotic use that they forgot to mention to the Anticoag Clinic staff... ) Is it possible that you had something else going on that may have affected your diet or activity level, or perhaps a medication change, or even a change in your medical condition?
jeepdoc513
1 Nov 2010
I am also diabetic, and after I started with these symptoms, maybe 2 hours after, I remember (in a dream like state) getting up and eating two cupcakes with frosting, thinking that my blood sugar may have been down. I didn't check it, but the symptoms escalated to the point of me passing out. When I got to the ER, my coumadin level was >6 and my blood sugar was >500. A), my blood sugar apparently was not low, as two cupcakes would not raise it that much. B), The symptoms didn't change, and the same thing happened to me about 18 months ago, same symptoms, coumadin >7, BS within normal range. So now it just gets more interesting. Could a high coumadin level increase my blood sugar, since the blood would be thinner, or is it being "thinner" a misnomer? I appreciate everyone who has read this and those that have responded.
marjorie zych
1 Nov 2010
Coumadin does not affect your blood sugar. I am also a diabetic type 2 and like I said on Coumadin for life and never has Coumadin affected my blood sugars. I have also consulted my Hematologist and Coumadin does NOT affect blood sugars so I think you need to look elsewhere for an issue and not with the Coumadin. Good luck, marjorie zych
10 Oct 2011
I have a friend who had a high INR level who passed out shortly after dialing 911. She had been placed on warfarin and heparin by a doctor for a superficial DVT. No other health issues at the time. Her INR at the time was greater than 8 if I recall correctly. This is a 30 year old woman who ran regularly and in good shape. No diabetes, etc.
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Thanks for your input Marjorie. Please read the comment I made to the second response. I thought it would show up differently, but it showed as a comment to their reply only.
Hi Marjorie. I too have Factor V Leiden and was recently hospitalized for 2 wks for a clot in my colon. Though I'd had clots in my legs 3 yrs ago post back surgery I was only prescribed coumadin for 6 mos. Now I'm told I'll be on it for life. Like this poster I too have been feeling a bit 'forgetful' and am concerned. Last night I couldn't remember whether or not I'd taken the coumadin so I decided to skip it & contact my phys this morning. Has anything like that ever happened to you? Any advice @ Factor V? (thanks in advance)
do you have a hematologist? I would highly recommend you have one who knows about factor V leiden. You may want to ask for the whole panel of blood work for clotting disorders I did and I also have more stuff so as they say knowing is half the battle. You do need a specialist in this though to keep you healthy. Stress, illnesses, medicines, diet all affect how you do with your PT/INR's good luck if I can help in any way add my name to your friends list and feel free to send me a personal message if you want. marjorie zych