Warfarin

Hello everyone! I am so glad I discovered this wonderful site. I had my WLS (RNY) in July 03. Due to a blood clot in my lung in Sept 06 my dr has me on warfarin for 1 year. For the last 6 months my INR levels continue to be too low. We suspect that my body is not absorbing the medication due to the surgery. Have any of you had simlar problems with medication not working as it should due to your surgery? 

Hey there.  Wow. Great question.  October 11, 01 - 1 month post op, I had massive bi-lateral Pulmonary Embolism (both lungs).  After 9 days ICU, 6 days CCU - released on 6 months Coumadin.   It took almost 3 months to "figure out" what dosage I needed to bring up the meds to desirable levels.   For me - 10 mg Coumadin achieved a level that most people were prescribed    2 mg for! So to answer your question - YES, I've noticed a difference in med efficiency.  I've learned - for me- that  certain pain meds (for subsequent surgeries: bowel obstruction, gallbladder, both wrists - tendon disease) are far more effective than others. Again - for ME -  Although Vicodin has an almost immediate effect  - it wears off far too soon (I'm not talking about "overtaking" the med where it becomes less effective, I'm fully talking about incomplete absorption) I've gotten longer lasting benefit from a Tylenol 3 or 4.  Dunno why, just know FOR ME that's what my doc & I have discovered.  Complete trial and error! I'm so glad you are a PE survivor! You're a miracle!  We both are! Take care!

10 mg gets me to an INR of 2.2.  Most folks would bleed out in seconds with that dosage.  I concur with DX.  We process Coumadin differently the other folks.

Everyone is so different. It only took about 3 weeks to get my INR stable. I'm taking 7.5 and last week it was 2.1. I'm sorry you are having problems. I've read other people say they cannot get levels regulated so it probably does have some to do with the surgery and not absorbing. I hope you can find a happy medium soon. Good luck.