Outpatient Heart Procedure - Update Sunday June 3rd

[robinh]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, especially during the waiting period before the test.

[mrspunkysmom]

Just an update on the medicine issue.

I'm now on Warfarin, 4mg per day. I had to research why diabetics have a greater risk for stroke before I took the med tonight. Still it's scary because I have all the risk factors for NOT taking Warfarin, such as frequent falls and stumbles leading to bruising, Celiac disease, diabetes (have to check my blood every day) infrequent kidney stones, frequent kidney infections, infrequent gallstones, hypothyroidism (drug interferes with thyroxine absorption, I believe). I have to drink cranberry juice which is high in Vitamin K. I can't have lettuce so I have to use other greens which are high in Vitamin K. The pharmacist even called the doctor to verify that he wanted me on Warfarin because of some of the issues I face.

So I took one-half of the 4mg tablet. It is not coated, I'm making an appt with my Internist to act as my liaison with the arrhythmia specialist. While my stroke risk is higher than the average population, it isn't that high. Depending on the calculator you use, it's anywhere from 4 to 15%, both of which are reasonable risks considering the probability that I will fall or trip on any day is at least 50%. I am a real clutz.

Given a choice between my thyroid and stroke risk, I'll choose Thyroid every time. I know what will happen there. The stroke risk is still a probability. My diabetes is well controlled as is the BP and both are improving! I'm also losing weight! I am hoping they will let me keep the INR at a low rate but still not too low.