Coumadin and Multivitamins

Hello All;

I imagine this question has been asked, but I've had difficulty finding the answers through the search feature, so I'll just ask the question and hope folks answer.  For those of you on coumadin for life, I'm facing that possibility as I had a clot develop behind my right knee and we cannot determine a cause.  That would technically be a second occurrence, but even though my docs have not yet said "coumadin-for-life," I'm preparing myself for that possibility.  I've been off of coumadin since november of last year and as of Monday afternoon am back on because of this clot.

My question is this, what multi-vitamin do you take.  Is the amount of vitamin K in them negligible enough to not worry about?  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  I currently take the Equate multi from Walmart that is supposed to be the same as the centrum.

Please tell me you're taking more than just a multivitamin every day????

OH, GOOD GOD-A-MIGHTY . . . YESS!!!!!!!!  I'm taking more than a multi-vitamin.  I've got a daily container with over 30 supplements split into 6 doses typically 3 hours apart.  I was just asking specifically about the multi-vitamin because I know they usually have "some" K in them.  I don't take extra K, just A, D and E and I know to adjust my E because it can magnify the affects of the coumadin and I had already eliminated K, so the only thing I need to be sure of was the multi (unless I'm missing something).

Whew - you scared me!

I don't know much about Coumadin, but I wouldn't expect any need for a different multi.  As for the E and K, let your bloodwork guide you.  I didn't add them until I was more than 5 years out, I saw the levels start to change.

I am a coumadin lifer too.  I HAVE to take Vitamin K in order to keep my INR stable.  Without it, my INR goes all over the place.  It is fine to get Vitamin K as long as you keep it stable.  Of course you will have to adjust your coumadin up to compensate for it.  I have a home INR machine and that is a Godsend to help me keep my levels right.

I'm not a doctor or medical type of any sort, but if I were you, I'd ask to take a blood thinner other than coumadin (only name I know is Pradaxa, but there are others).

I'm surprised you don't need/take vitamin K (K1 or K2). I'm too worried about osteoporosis to not take any k2. 

Vitamin K is only an antidote to coumadin, not the other blood thinners, and the other blood thinners don't need the constant monitoring and blood draws. I think coumadin is usually the first line just because it's cheap. It would be worth a chat with your doctor.