There are 519 ratings for the drug: COUMADIN in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for coumadin: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Page: 1  2 3 4 5 6    Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest.

Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken		Date Added
				F  M
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1	DVT/Lungs filled with clots	Massive hair loss. Depression. Mental fatigue. I also have fibro myalgia. I have taken coumadin for forty years! I have had many surgeries and I think the coumadin is responsible.	Last month I had to be off the 10mg. that I take every day for yet another procedure. I felt better after two days. I haven't felt that good in 15 years. I could go and play with my grandson. It was wondrful! I told my doctor who said coumadin had no side effects. I felt better every day for those five days you can't make me believe it was a five day miracle! I am going to try again tomorrow to talk with my doctor and hope that he can change my meds.	F	59	40 years		1/16/2008
3	dvt, p.e.	coldness, weight gain, bloating,	anyone with any feedback?	F	51	33 years		4/29/2007 Email
5	mitral valve replacement	bruising, cold all the time trouble keeping INR theraputic, diet restrictions are the pits. I love my spinach,asparagus and broccoliand a quarter cup is just a tease.	My sister died while on plavix I'm not saying it killed her but her quality of life was not as good while she was on it as mine has been on coumadin. I understand the young womans concerns about pregnancy and coumadin I was on it during the first 4and 1/2 months of my first pregnancy and was fortunate enough to have a healthy son. The reason I stopped taking it for the second half of the pregnancy was that they found out it wasn't needed with porcine xenografts. I worried thru the whole pregnancy then had another child, another pig valve, another child, then an artificial valve was installed necessitating coumadin again. the birth defects that can happen from Coumadin are horrific and pregnancy should be avoided at all costs. We were lucky not everyone is, but all in all I give Coumadin a big thumbs up.	F	54	30 years		12/6/2006 Email
3	Mitral valve replacement (twice)	Depression, anxiety, weight gain, severe fatigue, disturbed sleep and a lack of concentration. I have been taking wafarin for 27 years and I have found that the longer I am on drug the worse the symptoms seem to be getting. It has been sheer determination on my part to try to lead a normal life.	This drug did save my life and for that I am extremely grateful! The side effects have either not been sufficiently researched or ignored. I have been told by my Dr's on numerous occasions that there is no alternative for me. I have done what I could to alleviate or minimise the side effects, not to mention the money that I have spent trying to "heal" myself :0)The side effects can be debilitating at times. I think it is time that the manufacturer does something about it as there are more of us that suffer from the side effects than those that don't!!	F	41	27 years		12/23/2008 Email
4	A-fib, Stroke, Mech Heart Valve	Spacey Feeling, Chilled Easily, Dehydrated Skin, Frequent Episodes of Internal Bleeding, Short Term Memory Loss, Absent Mindedness, Tiredness, Bruising, Excessive Bleeding, Heavy Periods	I have been on Coumadin for over 21 years for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke/TIA history, and a mechanical heart valve. My target INR is 3.5, which may explain the unpleasant side effects. When my INR is at target range, I do not suffer strokes, TIA’s, or clotting near the valve, which is a blessing. But, high fluctuating INRs, do cause frequent internal bleeding episodes. Because I work full time, this is a major inconvenience. At this point, I have no other choice but to continue this medication. In all honesty, I am thankful for this medication, but if stopping it was an option (and I have been tempted), I would do it in a heart beat.	F	48	21 years		11/28/2008
4	Mitral Valve re-placement	Hair loss with good re-growth (not balding), fatigue if dosage is missed, issues with memory (could be due to aging)and depression (stuck with this for the rest of my life - no wonder I am depressed), issues with bleeding and had 2 strokes - blot clots at the base of my brain.	Wonder drug, I am still alive, but much prefer the Heprin needles I took when I was pregnant. No brusing,no bleeding and its just the best. But has very damaging effects on ones bones. Oh and very expensive $12.00 per needle per day.	F	41	21 years		1/4/2010
2	DVT	I have been on coumadin for almost 22 years. I think of coumadin as both good and bad. The good is that it has saved my life. The bad is the side effects. When I first went on coumadin I began having trouble sleeping, which has still continued. I do not have the energy I once had. I have also felt like I have ADD while on coumadin. To summarize: anxiiety, lack of energy, sadness, and yes at times depression. I asked for almost twenty years if there were any side effects of coumadin, to which my hematologist said no. Finally, a primary care doctor informed me that there may be links to coumadin and depression/anxiety. He began to study this after his mother went on coumadin and he noticed the effects on her.	There is yet to be any other alternative for people with DVT. I am 100% convinced that there are grave side effects. (lack of energy, sadness, and depression/anxiety)	M	38	21 years		4/28/2008 Email
3	DVT	Initially, for about the first three years my extremities were very cold. Now, I do not have that effect. However, I can say that I have suffered bouts of anxiety/depression over the years from coumadin. My doctor would always say that it was all in my mind. Recently, I have seen a different doctor that explained that there is a link between coumadin and anxiety/depression. He has placed me on an anti anxiety drug. I think it is somewhat working.	Coumadin is a very strong drug, and other people need to be educated about it.	M	36	19 years		10/25/2005 Email
5	atrial fib., stroke	Frequent bruising, often spontaneous. Nose bleeds.	I started Coounadin in 1992. At that time I was monitored at a finger-stick INR clinic. When the clinic closed in 2003 because it was losing money under the federally regulated system of reimbursement, I went off Coumadin, stayed on baby aspirin one a day. My INRs fluctuated too much. Then I had a stroke in 2005. I decided to go back on Coumadin, found the one and only Coumadin Clinic in a doctor's office in town. Then I had some coronary drug-eluting stents put in. That cardiologist put me on Plavix in addition to Coumadin and aspirin. He instructed me to keep the INR between 1.8 and 2.5. I weigh and measure vitamin K foods, and take 2.5mg. Coumadin daily. Well, the stents are still patent after almost 3 years. And no new stroke, yet. Ginger potentiates warfarin unpredictably. Amiodarone raises INR off the scale. Once a month INR monitoring is usually not often enough, for me, at least, in spite of measuring my food. Too many other oncontrolled variables. Patients who can	M	79	18 years		1/5/2008
3	Two artificial heart valves	I have been on coumadin for roughly 16 years and the more time that goes by the more I hate being on a blood thinner. Not that I have a choice, but my hair is INCREDIBLY thin. I eat a very healthy diet and even take supplements and basically my doctor said I would just have to live with it because Coumadin can have that effect.	While growing up I was under the impression that I could still safely have children, just as long it is planned and I get onto heparin for the first trimester. Now I've been told that it's extremely risky having a child when you've been on coumadin for awhile. My doctor actually told me I should look into adoption because monitoring my pregnancy would give him grey hair and be extremely high risk.	F	28	16 years		10/13/2007 Email
5	Mechanical Aortic Valve	The medication is literally a life saver. You have to watch your blood levels very closely so your blood does not get to thick or thin. I bruise easily.	It is very important to educate yourself on any drug you are taking as much as possible. I am also a big believer in the self testing machines offered. I manage my own I&R and it works well with my busy life style. My surgeon highly recommended it.	M	46	15 years		9/19/2006 Email
1	5 dvt's in left thigh	Tiredness, weight gain, moodiness, hair loss, a feeling of being	I feel terrible all the time. The higher the dose the worse I feel. I need to be on it for life. At this time I think I would rather take my chances!!! I am so tired of feeling this way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	F	39	15 years		8/5/2005 Email
5	Aortic Valve Replacement	The only side effect that I can with confidence blame on coumadin is that I get cold much easier than before. I'm losing my hair even though there is no evidence of balding on either side. On the good side, bruising isn't as bad as I expected. I don't play with sharp things anymore.	My history is that I was very unstable. For the first few years I was getting tested 2-3 times per week. I've stablized at about once per week, although I occasionally make every 2 weeks and even made it to 3 weeks one time!	M	51	14 years		4/10/2005 Email
4	DVT - Knee to hip	weight gain, irritability, stomach/digestive issues	I've been on this for 13 years and will be taking it for the rest of my life.	M	37	13 years		4/20/2009 Email
1	Mitro Valve Replacement	Depression, No energy, Bruise to easy, Gums bleed when level to high, and clots in kidney and bladder.	I've been on coumadin since dec of 96. That is when I had a mitro valve replacement. What was suppose to be a fairly routine surgery turned into a 13 hr surgery. Long story short, 2 open heart operations, lungs collapsed twice, respirator twice and I coded 3 times, Once on the table and 2 times in room. I have been on this rat poison for to long. I have 2 incidents where my bladder was filling up with clots. Energy is gone, And everytime I ask my doctor why they cant level off my coumadin, he says he is not sure, I wonder sometimes if it is even worth taking.	M	31	13 years		12/8/2009 Email
5	Aortic valve replacement	No side effects that I am aware of.It is just a bit of a pain for any invasive tests or surgeries.	I have been on Coumadin for over twelve years due to aortic valve replacement with a St. Jude mechanical valve. For patients like me there is no alternative and I wouldn't be here without it. For those having trouble staying in range, consistency is the key. This includes diet and activity level. The really bad thing about this drug is the total lack of understanding by so many medical and dental professionals. It DOES NOT thin your blood, that is an old wives tale. Coumadin(warfarin) prevents the absorbtion of vitamin K in your liver(vitamin K is the blood clotter in your system. It also does not make you cold because your blood is too thin, that is pure baloney.	M	70	12 years		9/2/2008 Email
4	Heart attack	Due to a heart attack 12yrs ago I was put on Coumadin.They say it was a genetic clotting factor and I would take coumadin for life. When I was in the hospital(12 yrs ago) I had my first experience with a UTI. I had been married for 42 yrs without having any bladder problems. Since then I have had recurring UTI and for the past few years they are becoming more frequent. I am now having them at least every 3 months. Of course this means treatment with antibiotics,pyridine and antifungus meds for yeast infections. Coumadin inhibits Vitamin K which helps the good FLORA in the intestines,vagina and urinary tract. Could this be the reason for so many UTI's and yeast infections?Theatibiotics are killing the good flora and the body is unable to regroup due to coumadin preventing vitamin K to replenish the flora. I have been to specalists and have been MRIed,scoped,CAT scanned. All parts are fine and I know the drill(Cranberries,which way to wipe etc). If any one has this s		F	71	12 years		5/18/2007
4	I had DVT when I was 14.	longlasting bruising. Especially if I accidently hit my leg or arm to a chair or a table the bruise gets too dark and stays for years. Really I am not exagerating.		F	26	12 years		12/25/2004 Email
5		Just the usual bruising and a little additional bleeding when I cut myself.	I have a blood clotting disease, APS, Coumadin has saved my life.	M	76	11 years		7/5/2009 Email
4	Factor V Leiden	I have been on Coumadin since 1998 got my first blood clot in 1995 and after surgery in 1998 was diagnosed with Factor V. Really I haven't had any side effects.	If it wasnt for coumadin I would not probaly be alive.. Living with Factor V you have to be on coumadin the rest of your life. Right now I am off the coumadin and taking Lovinex shots for I am having 6 teeth pulled. In 2005 I had a tooth pulled and ended up with a clot in my colon..that was scarey.. have had clots in my right leg and lung..	F	47	11 years		12/13/2009 Email
4	Aortic Valve Replacement	Anxiety, depression, dizziness, stomach problems the last 2 years. The dizziness is the worst thing. Can't drive over high bridges, can't look at high bridges. Feels like I'm leaning sideways.	I take 8-9 mg per night, depending upon INR results	M	52	11 years		7/27/2006 Email
4	DVT in leg, encompassing every vein	slight loss of hair, bruising lasting longer than normal, and when bumping into table or chair occurring deaper. Skin thinning, sunburn easily, nail thining, and in my opinion, my teeth are suffering from it as well. They are just falling apart.	I have been on coumadin for 11 years. I have noticed the hair falling out, the nails thinning and the skin thinning. I would like to have a tester at home to call in the results, otherwise it is an hour trip to my doctor or I have to go to the local hospital and pay $40 for a test. If anyone out there is experiencing any teeth problems, I would like to hear from you. I too have recently noticed a weight gain.	F	49	11 years		10/1/2005 Email
1	mechanical aorta valve replacement	dizzeness, hairloss, legs feel so heavy they burn, scalp itches, memory loss, pain in shoulders, easy brusing, no sleep, numbness in fingertips, tired,	i opted for a mechanical valve on advice of my doctor----had i researched this drug i would have went for a pig valve or even a cadavere one--------wish i could get off this pill-i also have to take a high blood pressure pill, which also have bad side effects-have to take for the rest of my life-----hopefully one day they will find a better drug-	F	63	11 years		1/14/2008 Email
5	I'm a clotter it runs in my family	your either to thin or not thin enough , weight gain	If it hadn't been for Coumadin : I wouldn't be alive today , I've had clots in heart my lungs and my legs and my brian as well, I even had 1 blow up in my lower part of my head I'm very very lucky to be living and alive the clot had caused a stroke and ever since then I have major migraine headaches daily and taking meds for them and will be to no end , Tho taking this med changes your life is because you have to be very careful, I have been on it for many years and will be for the rest of my life , I did gain weight while taking this med and yes it hard to lose it but it takes will power to lose it , eat a normal diet and you'll do fine	F	47	10 years		8/5/2008 Email
4	Anti-phospholipid; 3 strokes	Tiredness and fatigue mainly. Some depression including one severe case. Disrupted sleep patterns - either too much or not enough. Also on a lesser scale aching legs, stomach cramps, bloating, and sensitive skin including sun burn very easily (ie while wearing sun screen). None of these things were a problem pre-Coumadin. INR fluctuates wildly at times and has never been considered stable.	It is not the nicest thing to be told the drug you have to take for the rest of your life is a poison, but without it I would be either dead or brain damaged. Coumadin, for all its problems, has more than likely saved my life (which is why I rated it a four). I have often spoken to my doctor about the tiredness, had any number of tests but never put it down to the Coumadin. Seeing that about half of the respondents cited tiredness or fatigue I guess I have my answer. It sounds strange but it is oddly reassuring to read about the common experiences so many have had and feel "normal" for a Coumadin patient. Until something better comes along I will stick with it. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences too. Stay well.	M	37	10 years		2/4/2008
4	DVT - right leg	Obviously, bruise easier now. Definitely get colder easier than before the coumadin - kind of a deep chill that takes a long while to go away. Cold hands & feet. Stomach upset, especially gas. (Also take Plaquenil, so I get a combined effect.)	Have had no recurrence of DVTs, but have antiphospholipid syndrome, so will remain on the meds indefinitely. Have had a few problems with ovarian cysts & had one rupture about 3 years ago - not a good thing when taking coumadin - bled out & had a clot form in my abdomen the size of a honeydew melon. Also have Lupus, so hard to say whether the coumadin is a factor in my fatigue. Dosage has been very stable over the past few years - now only have to get tested every 6 weeks.	F	33	10 years		10/14/2005
4	DVT 2X and Pulmonary Embolism 2X	Often experience cold hands and feet. Beginning of hair loss may be side effect.	I am grateful for this drug since it is keeping me alive but I want to be off it sooo bad! I want my life back...I want to play hockey and football again without the risk of getting serious bleeding.	M	37	10 years		9/16/2005 Email
3	DVT	I took this medicine for 10 years. I thought I had all of the side effects everyone else is complaining about....	However, I have recently quit and I still have headaches, stomache aches, insomnia, blurry vision... Maybe it wasnt the coumadin..	F	44	10 years		11/19/2009
5	DVT, PE , genetic clotting	Extremely lucky not to have side effects that bother me.. no headaches or weight gain. Hair loss, but guess that's more age than medicine.	With my second blood clot, dr said I just barely missed having a "catastrophic event". I would be dead without coumadin. Both parents died from PE before family realized they each carried an inherited blood disorder. When I started on coumadin, dr told me not to change my lifestyle. Told me not to eat a lot of food with high vit K, but to go ahead and have salads everyday if I want and the dr would adjust my coumadin to my diet. I still play tennis 2-3 times a week (I do bruise badly if hit by a ball, but figure that is a small price to pay to be alive), and eat pretty much what I want. I have been on 10 to 12 mg daily for 9 years and my monthly INR stays pretty much in the acceptable range.	M	59	9 years		9/29/2008
5	amputee, dvt	tenderness of skin, no bruising, swelling or other visual signs.		F	65	9 years		8/15/2004 Email
4	Mechanical Aortic Valve, a-fib	Excessive bruising, some weakness in legs.	vary between 3 & 5 mg daily. No real change in 'quality of life'. It is a pain in the butt when you need any type of surgery, the get 'off' then back on.	M	75	8 years		7/10/2007
2	TIAS	Dizziness no energy felt like my legs were on fire painful bones body ached all over could'nt understand what was wrong with me, my Dr. has now put me on baby asprin and the difference I feel is unreal feel like I am back to normal.		F	67	8 years		11/5/2007 Email
5	DVT	Hair Loss, Headaches, Mood Swings, Nervousness, Weight Stabilization (I can't seem to lose weight)	I developed a DVT after a bunionectomy. My hematologist performed lab tests & found I am Positive Factor V & also positive anticardiolipin. It seems that patients who have Lupus have the positive anticardiopin HOWEVER, I have tested negative on all counts for Lupus which puts me in the "rare" group. Due to these two positive lab rslts, I will be on Coumadin for the rest of my life. At the beginning, my INR was very regular. I have to be at a high(about a 3.2). However, in the past two yrs, my dr cannot stablilize my dosing. My headaches are recurrent & I was put on high blood pressure pills for my migraines. I feel as though this treatment is a cop-out. To this day, I still feel very strongly that my headaches are contributed to the Coumadin. When my dosage changes from mth to mth, it takes a toll on my body. This is when I become increasingly tired & without a doubt, more headaches are observed (BY ME!). It's as if my body is trying to adjust to the ch	F	38	7 years		6/3/2008 Email
5	heart valve replacement	Often feel chilled to the bone. Tired. Use to have a lot of patience and now get quickly frustrated. Bruise easily. Sick to my stomach all of the time.	Take it to keep alive, however, long for a day when I am not sick to my stomach and feel cold,tired and edgy. Wish someone would find an alternative or a diet list.	M	58	7 years		9/24/2004
5	3 DVTs	I'm always colder then everyone else. I didn't think it was the coumadin but now I see it might be that. I also think I get out of breath quickly. I feel like my blood is too thin. Today 7-1-05 It was about 85 degress and really humid. I was cleaning deck chairs with my son and by the time I finished I was sweating profusely and thought I was gooing to pass out. I get out of breath easy I can't walk up the stairs withoug getting out of breath. Yes I am overweight.		M	49	7 years		7/1/2005 Email
4	3 DVT's lower left leg	Have not really had any side effects. Have recently been having frequent headaches, but I don't know if that is truly related to the medicine.	Found out after my DVT's in 1998 that I have a Factor V mutation and was initially put on coumadin life long. Had to switch to heparin while trying get pregnant and then pregnant w/my son. After that was told I didn't really have to be on it life long, so there was a gap of about three years of no medicine - and I worried every time I had a pain in my left leg. Was on Lovenox while pregnant w/my daughter (born in 2004). My hematologist told me that the opinion had changed and I really **should** be on life long anti-coagulant therapy so went back on to coumadin. Because of my insurance I had to switch to warfarin and have not had any regulatory problems - my INR has been between 2 and 3, and my dosage is 7.5mg M,W,F and 10 mg the rest of the week (I get checked once a month and have been on this dosage for five months). I truly do not like taking this medicine, but I feel much better about taking it rather than having more clots. I recently found out that both of my children inh	F	37	7 years		1/24/2006 Email
4	Massive PE 2001, PTE surgery 2002	Clouded memory, word mixing, short term memory issues, extreme nervousness in stressful situations... As for my Weight gain I believe this to be due to too many cheeseburgers and not necessarily the warfarin. I have days where I feel like crap, but I put my mind towards getting off my behind and doing something constructive. Usually after I start doing something I feel better.	I am a lifer on this stuff. Have been taking it for 7 years now. I do find that I have trouble mixing words in stressful situations like giving presentations or talking to my boss...makes me feel like a retard sometimes...Oh well, I just get over it, life is way too short to stress especially over what other people think. I do not have any other issues really...I play bass in a rock band and do not have problems learning songs so doing what I love is not affected by this. Yes it is a poison, but so is breathing Los Angeles air. The choice is yours, and a positive attitude is 100% the solution.	M	29	7 years		7/2/2009 Email
3	3 DVT in right upper thigh	Headaches, heavy periods, irritable, itchy skin, hair loss, hot and cold all the time.	I have been taking coumadin since 2000, 2 months after the birth of my daughter. I was on coumadin for a year and a half. Doc said it was ok to get pregnant again. 6 weeks into that pregnancy, I got another clot in the same area. Then a 3rd clot in 2005. I am now on coumadin for the rest of my life. I have constant pain and swelling in my leg. I have to wear the anti-embolism stocking. I have had all the genetic testing done and everything comes back negative. However blood clots have been on both sides of my family. No one can give me an answer as to why I get blood clots, so therefore I can't go off the medication. I take Zoloft for stress, and was taking Topamax for my headaches (which made me feel like I was in another world). I took myself off of the Topamax, and now the headaches have returned. I hate having to deal with this everyday, especially for the rest of my life. I have also taken Lovenox and Heparin injections, which make me more sick. I cannot get my INR at a	F	29	7 years		1/28/2008 Email
3	Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement	Cold in winter, very tired, spacey, slight to moderate depression, no weight gain, lost weight, no hair loss, sex drive lowered	Taking it for life 10mg per day, able to stabilize PT/INR level as I measure my lettuce, greens, etc very carefully, have been stabile - on same amount - for years.	M	45	7 years		6/29/2007 Email
2	aortic valve replacement	I have had migrains for over 25 years, now the headaches are worse, with new dx of occipacal neralgia (nerve HA). Mood swings very irritable and snappy. Gastro upset (bloating, gas, pain in right side) ct, xrays and US all negative. Pretty much feel crappy all the time with no energy. Just thought it was me until I read this sight. I am a CMA and work at a clinic. Thought I was going crazey until I see many people feel the same.	There is hope, Im in the medical field and the drug companys have been working on an alternative drug which wouldnt interfere with food and vitamins. This is the most frustating thing with this med. I like my greens, sneeky trick one large salad/broccili one drink, keeps your INR in range. For people that complain about chest pain check your magnezium level, mine was low due to decreased vit k intake. Low mag. causes muscle spasms, which your heart is one big muscle. Im sensitive to any adjustment done on my med., for people that dont stay in range, the generic has a tendency to flucuate your INR. I pay a higher copay for coumadin and my ranges are now stable. Plus the generic gave me the worst acid reflux I had ever had. Hope some of this helps others. Wish the ins. company's would read this sight so I wouldn't have to pay 40 instead of 10.	F	43	7 years		12/1/2007 Email
5	PE/Factor V	Periodic anemia, heavier periods, bruising, and worst of all...I am FREEZING most of the time. Summer is bearable, but winter is unbearable. I have to sit in front of my heater with layers of clothes, drinking coffee and still COLD. The other troublesome side effect is low blood pressure, which really sucks.I have other symptoms many of you mentioned, but as I also take other meds and have other conditions, I cannot be sure they are related to warfarin. Those would include, tiredness, mild weight gain, dry skin, some hair loss, reduced physical endurance.	Coumadin and Lovenox saved life in 2002. I have Factor V and am told I will take it the rest of my life. I have accepted that. Staying alive is more important than the discomforts and other associated risks. I have noticed that my side effects were worse when I first started the drug. I don't know if they have lessened or I have just gotten used to it. The only thing I can't get used to is being cold. The hypotension and anemia are not pleasant either, but I have adapted.	F	33	6 years		1/14/2009
5	Pulmonary Embolism	None.	At first I thought it was going to effect my diet (eliminate leafy green vegetables, etc.) but by loading up on the leafy greens one month and limiting them to almost none in another month, the doctor was able to adjust my coumadin to a level where diet is not a factor. My INR is always in range no matter what I eat. So far I haven't had any bleeding problems.	F	58	6 years		8/11/2008
5	Pulmonary emboli	Nothing remarkable. Maybe I have become more impatient but I have always had that problem and think I just get worse with age - not because of Coumadin.	I have been taking coumadin since January 2001 and was supposed to take it for only 6 months. Then I had a second episode of P.E and the standard protocol seems to be a lifetime sentence on Coumadin. They could not find the source of the clots so this was the only recourse. I have not changed my diet and eat lots of greens almost every day. The Coumadin dosage was adjusted to suit my diet. It took a while to stabilize but I have been on 5 mg/2.5 mg on alternating days for about 3 years. Maybe it helps that I execercise for at least one hour every day.	M	73	6 years		4/21/2007 Email
4	DVT/Homozygous Factor V Leiden	General feeling of depression is a constant battle for me on coumadin. I've decided to find alternative ways to keep my blood thin because of the depression, weight gain, and headaches brought on by the drug.		M	20	6 years		1/31/2008 Email
3	DVT..Factor V Leiden.	Hairloss....Dizziness..Sleepiness...Loss of energy..Burning in my legs and arms..Stomach pains..Depression..	I am giving my rating a 3 because it is stopping the blood clots..but causing other problems...Is it worth it? I Started taking Coumadin for a DVT I got in 2001...I received the filter...I was to take coumadin only for 6 months..Then they ran the genetic tests for FVL and I have it so I have to take it for life. I have been told that there are no side effects of this drug..but I did not feel this way before...I now am told that I have tumors in my spleen and paraaortic lymph nodes...Possiable Lymphoma. I feel it is from this drug...I want to know I am not losing my mind. I used to be so out going and intersted in life. Now it is all I can do but to get out of bed. The pain in my right leg, spleen, and right ovary area, is more than I can take. If anyone out there is having a simular problem please email me.	F	30	6 years		11/20/2007 Email
3	dvt/pe/factor v leiden	HAIRLOSS, weight gain, flatulence, dry skin...numerous issues, not sure if they're related.		F	52	6 years		1/2/2008 Email
3	Clotting disorder due to lupus. APL	Hard to say what are side effects of the drug or symptoms of the lupus. They are very simular. When I first went on it after throwing small venous clots to my fingers, the first thing I noticed was it changed my T3 lab value. My T4 was normal and my T3 climbed to 11. I'm not on cytamel and I'm not hyperthyroid. Fatique has steadily gotten worse but so have my heart valves so not sure cause. The weight gain has been very difficult to take. My weight was stable for several years. After being on coumadin for 6 years now I've gone up 20lbs and it will not budge with dieting at all. My hair fell out after back surgery 18 months ago but has all grown back in. My joints always hurt but I do think they got worse on the coumadin. I'm holding on to the hope that the new drugs in trials will be out soon and we can replace coumadin.......it has too many restrictions and side effects.	Something that struck me when I found this site was the number of people that developed clots after orthopedic surgery. I'm a nurse and we see that here too. I wonder how many patients have underlying clotting diorders or autoimmunity, they do not know about, before they have surgery. So many of the side effects people talk about here are what we with autoimmumity deal with everyday. Any of the Docs on here have a opinion on that? And do you no when the other drugs will be available? It will mean so much to so many to have new anticoag. meds.	F	54	6 years		3/8/2009 Email
3	PE, DVT, Factor V, Prothrombin	Severe weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, heavy periods, more susceptible to cold, joint pain, memory loss, trouble focusing.	I initially started taking Coumadin when I was 24 after I had a PE and was diagnosed with Factor V, and Prothrombin abnormalities. After two years on the medication I was begging the doctor to take me off. I could not do anything except sleep. I had tremendous weight gain going from a size 8 to a size 14! I was switched to Lovenox shots when I began trying to have a family and there was an immediate difference. I began losing weight without even trying, even when I was pregnant and trying to put on more weight. Shortly after my children were weaned I was put back on Coumadin because of the side effects of Lovenox and all of the old symptoms came back, including the weight. The only difference is the fatigue either it is not as severe as before or having been sleep deprived with young children my body has adjusted.	F	34	6 years		6/7/2009
2	stroke	horrible joint pain, extreme hoarseness of voice, sometimes loss of voice, headaches, insomnia, extremely heavy periods, trouble concentrating, high anxiety, issues with my teeth, shortness of breath	This is rat poison! I guess I should'nt expect it to do anything good without causing major problems when its other use is to kill. I have extreme highs and lows in my INR's for all of the 6 years I have been taking the medication. I have had to get my blood tested an average of 1x a week for 6 years now. The most frustrating out of all of the side effects has to be the voice issue. I used to be an award winning speech competitor and now I can barely complete a sentence that anyone can hear, if I dont run out of breath first. I thought something else was wrong with me before coming to this web site and finding that there are side effects to this drug since my doctor kept telling me it was all in my mind.	F	38	6 years		12/6/2005 Email
2	TIAs, strokes, PFO	Always cold, fatigue, very heavy periods, weak nails	I've had no success with staying regulated, no matter how well I comply with doctor's orders. I also continue to have TIAs, even on coumadin AND Plavix.	F	43	6 years		3/21/2006
1	mitral and aortic valve replacement	MAJOR HAIR LOSS! Very dry, extremely itchy sensitive skin! Thinning of skin and nails! I bruise easily and bleed a lot.	The worst is the major hair loss and very itchy skin, which started several months after starting coumadin! I am currently up to 7.5 mg a day and I HATE it! This is not a stable drug at all. Last time I missed a dose and my reading was HIGH rather than low. A couple of times I ate less greens and the reading also was HIGH rather than low. Then for no reason it drops too low. Go figure. I keep my diet the same as much as possible but the readings fluctuate and I think a lot of things affect it -- when I'm in hot weather and the sun is shining, I need less coumadin so even the sunshine affects it. The major hair loss and the extremely itchy skin (I have to put on anti-itch lotions several times a day and wear baggy clothes. I've had to throw out my wardrobe and wear only silk and pima cotton or natural fiber but everything has to be seamless and baggy. My skin is so dry and thin that I can't have seams touch it. So, I'm always wearing silk shirts and pants underneath with the	F	52	6 years		7/24/2006
1	mitral and aortic valve replacement	MAJOR HAIR LOSS! Very dry, extremely itchy sensitive skin! Thinning of skin and nails! I bruise easily and bleed a lot.	The worst is the major hair loss and very itchy skin, which started several months after starting coumadin! I am currently up to 7.5 mg a day and I HATE it! This is not a stable drug at all. The readings fluctuate even tho my diet doesn't change. I think a lot of things affect it -- when I'm in hot weather and the sun is shining, I need less coumadin so even the sunshine affects it. Also, I have to put on anti-itch lotions several times a day and wear baggy clothes with something underneath so that seams don't touch my skin. I was told (after a scalp biopsy) that the hair loss was undoubtedly a drug reaction. Before coumadin I had waist-length thick hair. Now it's thin, short and curly. Nothing helps my skin either. Lately I have begun to think about just not taking it. How I wish I had been told about these side effects when I was 46.	F	52	6 years		7/24/2006
1	irregular heart rate	Extreme problems with short term memory loss, weight gain, bruising, cold all the time, sleeping problems	This medication is rat poison. If the reason you are taking coumadin doesn't kill you coumadin will.	M	46	6 years		1/13/2009 Email
4	Mechanical Mitral valve	I have noticed a substantial thinning of my hair. It was thick and wavy/curly now it is getting thin and the curl is gone. My skin is dry most of the time. I sometimes get very tired and then at other times feel good. I don't sleep as well as I used to and the dreams are sometimes disconsorting. I bruise easily and if I pick at a dry spot on my skin the bleeding takes hours to stop even though my INR is in the theraputic range of 2.5 - 3.5. I have been on coumadin for 5 and one-half years.	I noticed many comments about mood etc. I know that since the introduction of coumadin to my life(although no other alternative is offered if I want to live) I get more easily down in the dumps. It also has created some erectile dysfunction issues. I would love an alternative so that I can get off the "rat poison" and on to something with fewer side effects.	M	56	5 years		1/9/2008 Email
4	Anticardiolipin Antibody Syndrome	I had very heavy periods I decided to use the Merena IUD, and now my periods are almost nonexistent (and the birth control worry is gone, our choices are so limited). I love to hike and have found if I go up to high altitudes that my breathing is effected b/c my blood is thinner, I just take it slower. I also loved to rock climb and no longer do that b/c of my fear of hitting my head (I had a close call and stopped).	I monitor it at home with a machine that's like a large blood glucose monitor, my INR is pretty stable and my insurance requires I test weekly. I had an INR of 10.1 recently with no medical explaination, but they gave me vit. K and I got back to normal, that was the only time I have had issues. I am happy b/c I had a lot of PE's and leg DVT's when I was diagnosed, I have not had a blood clot for 5 years. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.	F	28	5 years		4/21/2006 Email
3	DVT (3 times)/IVC filter placement	Fatigue, difficulty regulating temperature (either too hot or too cold), mood swings, weight gain, frequent headaches.	I have had to have INR checks weekly for the past 3 years because I can't stay regulated. My target range is 3 to 3.5 and it fluctuates wildly, even though I only alternate 2 and 2.5 mg. Sometimes I just say	F	36	5 years		10/4/2004
3	DVT (3 times)/IVC filter placement	Fatigue, difficulty regulating temperature (either too hot or too cold), mood swings, weight gain, frequent headaches.	I have had to have INR checks weekly for the past 3 years because I can't stay regulated. My target range is 3 to 3.5 and it fluctuates wildly, even though I only alternate 2 and 2.5 mg.	F	36	5 years		10/4/2004
5	Following By Pass Surgery	Weight gain up to 5Kgs Hair thinning Lethhargy Dizziness and loss of balance Blood in urine	Am taking 3mg one night 4mg the next maintaining INR 2.4 to 2.6 hate having to take it but at my age what the heck enjoy glass of good red most nights My best bit of advice to others is a positive attitude it definately helps.	M	76	4 years		6/20/2006 Email
5	stroke/ t.i.a.'s	some hair loss,extensive bruising;especially when doing yard work.queasyness,strange metallic taste to lips and skin,bruising to feet and knees;I walk 3-4 miles per day and my feet and toes swell and turn dark colored.	This drug has been a blessing to me because I was unable to take Plavix(strange mood swings)and injecting Heparin caused worse bruises/pain than the coumadin.The worse part of taking this medication is the embarisment of constantly being covered with bruises;people wonder if my husband is a wife beater.Wearing shorts and a t-shirt,or a bathingsuit is upsetting because everyone stares at my bruises. I tell many people I have a blood clotting disorder,and take medications to treat it; everyone seems o.k. with the reason.The bruises ache and hurt constantly. I will have to take this medication for life(oh joy!!!!)	F	46	4 years		2/1/2008
5	DVT in hepatic portal vein	None that I can pinpoint, other than the *wonderful* side effect of it curing all of my fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue symptoms that I had for over ten years. If Coumadin is causing any of the symptoms I deal with, they're nothing compared to those caused by chronic fatigue syndrome.	To those who consider Coumadin a poison, remember that it's poison to rats, not humans. Chocolate, for example, is sheer delight for people, but it will kill a cat quickly. Also, keep in mind that many of the symptoms reported on this site can also be related to the actual disease going on. I've had great results with it.	F	49	4 years		2/22/2008 Email
5	Multiple large PE's	I can't say that I have noticed any specific side effects. My problem with it is the testing required. We travel a lot and I am having trouble finding clinics that will do the INR for me	Does anyone know of any anti-coagulant clinics in San Diego?	F	62	4 years		2/1/2008 Email
4	Factor V Leiden	not sure if the side affects are related to coumadin...but definite weight gain :-( and occasional headaches since taking this drug	I had a blood clot travel to my colon 4 years ago, and through testing, discovered it was FVL. Initial diagnosis was crohn's disease but a great gastroenterologist was suspicious of that and ordered the blood testing. My doctor told me that this is now happening due to age - our veins become less flexible as we become older and most likely any clots in earlier years were passed easily. I never had any problems until this happened and was surprised at the diagnosis. I have not had any clots since taking coumadin and so will continue. I'm not perfect with it, but having a home testing kit is wonderful - no more hospital visits for testing; I just call in the results. I've been working out and watching my diet for 4 weeks with NO weight loss - so frustrating! Probably due more to age than the coumadin?	F	53	4 years		2/2/2008
4	Blood clots & strokes	Factor 5 Leiden here, too. I had 3 strokes in one year all on the right side, but but damage left in 4 different locations on the right side. Docs thought it must be a hole in my heart. It wasn't. It wasn't until 3rd stroke that Leiden 5 disorder was discovered in my tests. No particular side effects during the first six months.	After taking coumadin for six months my PCP prescribed an antibiotic for an upper respiratory infection. She didn't have me check my coumadin pt or inr while taking it. The interaction caused my pt to go up to 5.6 and I developed a 3x2cm cranial bleed. This time the bleed was in the occipital area in the left hemisphere. I had difficulty processing what I was seeing. Ultimately, I couldn't read. My neurologist was quite angry at my PCP. My PCP thought that 5.6 was high, but not enough to worry about, but my neurologist said we should worry if it reaches any amount over 3.0. Lessen learned, the hard way! Gotta remember those interactions! I can read and write now, as evidenced by my post, but it was the strangest feeling in the world.	F	55	4 years		1/7/2010 Email
4	Mitral valve replaced mech.+ CAD	Hair loss, weight gain, sensitive skin (sunburned feeling),very foggy, cognitive problems. Feeling of extreme cold or heat in my feet, can't tell which. Bruising.	Lifelong commitment for me, as well as asprin. Still had clot problems even with theraputic levels ( hence the asprin addition) Hate getting tested, as my INR's vary greatly. No more horse jumping:( dentist visits are awful. My feet drive me crazy...can't tell if they are burning or cold. peculiar	F	51	4 years		12/4/2005
4	2-DVT's	I experienced thrombo phlybitis. Hand swelling due to water retention. High blood pressure. Hair loss. Weight gain. Anxiety. Joint aches. Exhaustion.	I have been on warfarin sodium for 4 years now and am always looking for an alternative medicine to be approved. I read about all the herbal medicines you should avoid while on coumadin. Why can't they be used instead of "rat poison"? I have no pre existing incidents to explain why I have gotten 2 DVT's. Since my first one in 1998, my sister has also had 2 of them. Her and I have been through every test imaginable(went to the same Dr.)and no answers were found. Both of our daughters were also tested and no indicators were found. I hate not being able to go white water rafting any longer and the worry everyday....what if I'm in a car accident is overwhelming. For the exhaustion I take 3 mgs of Melatonin each night to help get a more restful sleep. This has somewhat helped with the exhaustion.	F	51	4 years		3/13/2007 Email
3	Factor V Leiden /strokes	fatigue, weight gain, when cold hard to get warm, but hot most of the time		F	51	4 years		1/7/2006
3	DVT	Hair loss, weight gain, feet turn blue, excessive sweating, chills become noticable if air temperature drops to 72 degrees F.	Wish there was a better oral blood thinner than this, because aside from the side effects, there's a long list of drugs and foods that can increase or decrease coumadin's ability to thin the blood. Maybe at some point AstraZeneca's blood thinner	M	44	4 years		8/13/2005
3	pace maker implant	Tiredness/fatigue, bruising and bleeding easily, weight gain and vivid dreams	Reviewing some of the comments here I feel like I am reading about myself. I had a pace maker implanted in me about four years ago. Though I have had no blood clots the recommendation from my doctor was to stay on Coumindin. I do have fatigue the vivid dreams that I did not have before sure do wake me up at times. Other times I just sleep the whole night without waking but feel like I have not had enough sleep. Hated the weight gain of 40 plus pounds. Did go on a diet last year and am down to my goal weight of 195 which is where I feel good at. I am 6'1". I have not lost any of the other effects of this medicine but I have an appointment with my doctor to get off this dangerous drug.	M	58	4 years		7/14/2008 Email
3	PE in both lungs	I am not sure if from the medication, but lately my mind feels foggy, extremely anxious, lethargic, and sensitivity to external stimuli. Very easily become cold and it feels the cold feels intolerable.	I was on 2-3 INR for a year and then have been on 1.5-2.0 for three years. I think I became addicted to diet colas for energy and now feel really lousy so have stopped the colas, nutrasweet, suppplements used along with South Beach diet. Dr. does not see any neurological signs so may be Coumadin related.	M	52	4 years		4/6/2008 Email
1	stroke	After taking warfarin about 3 months, we went on a trip to see our son and family in colorado. We got permission from my doctor, he had me on a 9mg tablet. I became ill and thought we best come home..unknown to me I was bleeding internally. We went straigt to emergency room, was in ICU 7 days with blood and plasma transfusions. the trunk of my body was totally black and blue. I had a large hematoma in my abdomen and they never could tell where I was bleeding from. One clot went to a kidney and killed half of it. All of that was 4 1/2 yrs ago. I feel the warfarin is taking its toll...weight gain..tiredness, Itchy scalp with sores, tingling feet and hands. I feel that I haven't much of a life left because of it. I have a hard time breathing at times..bloated & stomach upset constantly. I have always been a small person...around 115 lbs but have shot up to 160..is horrible. I try to walk and exercise and keep very busy but is very difficult. I am on 5 mgs a day...INR is a		F	70	4 years		12/10/2006 Email
5	Massive PE with extensive thrombus	breathless, chest and uper back pain, swelling left leg, pain inner thighs,palpitations, dizziness,cold hands and feet, hair loss, extreme fear of it happening again but not surviving the next time! Anxiety is awful, concentration diminished, totally exhausted and fed up. Can't sleep,	I am on this drug for life and would still experience most of the initial side effects. I get daily headaches now which is a thing I never suffered from. The anxiety of it happening again is the worst thing for me now. I purchased a self testing machine which has somewhat alleviated the anxiety as I can test as and when I choose, particularly if I want to have an alcoholic drink or have taken too many 'greens'. I will be on the drug for life as there were no factors why I should have had such a massive PE. I never took the 'pill', I didn't smoke, I was extremely healthy and mildly exercised. I am slowly regaining my pre morbid state but I will never be the same person again. However if this drug keeps me alive I will continue to take it.....obviously!	F	43	3 years		1/8/2007
5	pex2 and Dvt Factor V and Fx 2	Appetite not as good as it used to be. Started getting anxiety and mild depression about 3 months ago, wonder if it's related. My Dr. also mentioned that having a drink is ok, just not the night before a blood draw. I am nurse, that helps with the knowlege of it, sometimes to much I think.		F	38	3 years		1/3/2006 Email
5	DVT and PE	The only real side effect I have is an itchy scalp. I occassionally get these little red dots on my right leg where the DVT is but other than that I don't have an issues with this drug	I am a lifer - Factor V both genes not too mention I have 2 femoral in my leg - only should have one both severly clotted 3 years ago. Was on birth control at the time. My INR is usually all over the place - I go 1x every month to get it checked.	F	36	3 years		2/2/2006 Email
5	double pulmanary large emboli	none. Careful avoiding getting cut.	Got clots on trans Atlantic flight. Hadn't had this problem before on long flights. Probably genetic. Had several genetic tests and they were negative including MTHFR. Sister carries double defective MTHFR gene. Have stayed at 4 mil.1x a day all the time for stable PT control.		68	3 years		12/23/2009
4	Aortic Valve Implant	Hair Loss, Weight Gain, Heavy Menstration	I had open heart surgery in December of 2006 (I was 33) as a result of a dissected aorta. Dr's decided to go with an Aortic Valve Implant which, in their opinion, will allow me to live a next-to-normal life without another surgery. Unfortunately, I will have to be on Coumadin for the rest of my life and I probably won't be able to have children because of the need for Coumadin. I've been working out (swimming 1 mile & Bike 4 miles five times weekly) for two months now and have been frustrated because, while I feel my body changing, I have not lost one pound. Now, I'm wondering if it's the Coumadin. If so, there is not much I can do about it other than keep working out.	F	35	3 years		6/21/2009 Email
4	Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome	Well, I have had my share of problems from an unstable INR. My theraputic INR is 3.5-4.5 because I have reclotted on Warfarin so many times. I also have to take a baby aspirin if I do not want to have a full blown stroke.	I have APS via the Lupus Anticoagulant. It has caused numerous DVTs, TIAs, amarousis fugax, heart attack and the like. I will be on Warfarin Life Long. As I read others stories on here, I can't help if everyone has been tested for multiple coagulapathies. For more information go to www.apsfa.org. This was one of the last ones they tested me for and it was one of the culprits.		33	3 years		10/23/2005
4	Mechanical Aortic Valve	Excessive fluid build up in my lower legs. Pain in both knees like a burning sensation.	I've been on different doses of coumadin since Mar 2003 and it seems like when I have to take 5mg or more per doctors orders I get an excessive amont of fluid build up in my lower legs. I also get moderate pain / burning in my knees that can be overwhelming to the point where I have problems with climbing stairs and other daily activities that require "bending the knees" Has anyone experienced these side affects since taking coumadin? My email address is pga-legends@cox.net	F	49	3 years		11/20/2006 Email
3	atrial fib	weight loss, and (possibly related) osteoporosis		M		3 years		3/11/2007
3	3 PE's	Tired all the time-hot-night sweats-anyone else-trying to look up side effects (not very specific)-has anyone tried that-Gold of pleasure (wild flax) oil found info at siberiantigernaturals.com		M	55	3 years		3/20/2006 Email
3	Aortic Valve Replacement	Where should I start? Migrane headaches, difficulty swallowing/having to clear my throat constantly, fatigue, numbness of the skin on my hands/extremities, and severe PUFFY EYES!	I take it only because I have to. Since I have so many side affects I'm also worried about jaundice/liver damage	M	37	3 years		10/19/2004 Email
3	Splenic infarct; multiple PE's	The biggest concern is hair loss. As a 68 year old woman, I am terrified that I will soon be bald. In the 3 years on coumadin, I have lost more than half of my hair. I am truly weighing life as a bald person or taking my chsnces w/o coumiden.	Does ANYONE have an alternate treatment that doesn't cause hair loss? Please help me.	F	68	3 years		6/21/2009 Email
3	AVR and aortic aneurysm graft	Fatigue attacks! Tiredness descends and I HAVE to go to sleep, but then I'm ok again. Always extremely cold or extremely hot. TIAs when coumadin levels have dropped and temporarily lost eyesight. Bleeding from bowels. A general fogginess/forgetfulness. Also, goes without saying, very bad bruising.	I have a high tagert INR due to TIAs. INR levels fluctate badly for no apparent reason,(Alcohol, vitamin K, aspirin etc. all monitored carefully.)	M	41	3 years		2/9/2009
2	Aortic Valve Replacement	Constantly fatiqued I sometimes feel like I am in shrink wrap.Joint pain and upper body aches.it seems my mind wonders easily.I get cold very easily	I have good days and bad days,Iwish I could predict them	M	54	3 years		10/29/2008 Email
1	Atrial Fibrilation	My 84 year old husband was taking Coumadin for three years. He expeienced a very minor fall in our driveway which resulted in a hematoma on his spinal cord. We were told by his doctors that this is being seen more and more and only in Coumadin users. He experienced severe pain, paralysis, incontenance and anxiety for six weeks before his death from "spinal cord hemorrhage". It was worse than the stroke he had hoped to avoid. We were never advised about this risk!	This "worst-case" scenario regarding the use of Coumadin should be made better known by the pharmaceutical industry. Think twice before taking it.	M	84	3 years		12/17/2007
1	I quit due to hairloss	I quit taking this drug and my Dr switched me to Lovenox because I lost over 50% of my hair. Rat poisen!		F	40	3 years		11/4/2007 Email
1	atrial fib	Tiredness, trips and cost to have Dr monitor, weight gain, no salads or grapefruit	Research needed to find a substitute. Everyone knows that it is rat poison in a reduced dose!	M	73	3 years		8/5/2009 Email
1	mitral valve replacement	nausea, tired all the time, nighmares,dry itchy skin, hair loss, weight gain, depression, bruising, joint pain, and headaches	I never seemed to have enough air in my lungs to walk anywhere; and believe me I try. I have good days and bad with depression. Lost interest in most things, INR is all over the place at this time why?? same food. Doctors hears complaints but it keeps me alive. I am grateful to be alive after four years of being mis-dignosed and having a blood clot over the diseased valve. had rheumatic fever as a child. Wish there was something else to take!	F	55	3 years		3/29/2009 Email
3	DVT - double PE	Weight gain, lethargy, blurry vision in the morning	I had a venous thrombolysis to remove a 2 foot petrified blood clot. Was in the ICU for 5 days. Two weeks later I clotted again and they repeated the procedure and put in 18 inches of stents in the artery. I am on 12.5 mg but they have trouble keeping me theraputic. One week I am at 1.5 PT/INR and the next week in the ER getting a brain CT because the INR is so high. I put up with the drug because I kind of like living. I still fly and ride the harley and do other nonsensical stuff.	M	55	2.5 years		7/2/2009 Email
3	Two clots in leg, one in brain	Weight gain, heavy periods, mood swings	I don't know if my dissatisfaction is due to the drug or the simple fact that I am chained to it by my blood clotting condition. My first episode was caused by birth control pills and the second two by pregnancy. I was even on heprin and then lovenox during the pregnancy.	F	31	2.5 years		3/15/2008 Email
5	mech heart valve	none	I'm lucky and have yet to have a single real problem past first week brusing while dose was all over the place and also on amioderone. I exercise hard, work hard, ski, bike, and take an occasional bruse that I expected to change my life but I've never had an event more serious than a handnail that bled for 2hrs or 50% more severe bruses when I really banged myself up.	M	43	2 years		9/2/2007
5	DVT	None	I am on Coumadin for life. I have taken the Lovenox shots for 7 months through a pregnancy and after the 3rd DVT. I have never experienced weight gain and actually have lost 20 pounds in the last 2 years. On the other hand, I have experienced enhanced side effects from taking other drugs while on Coumadin. Zoloft made me feel drunk. The side effects of antiepileptic drugs of Gabepentin and Lyrica (dizziness, disorientation, loss of balance, and excess sleep)were magnified to such an extent that I chose not to keep taking them. I just wish there was more literature out there about the way Coumadin interacts with negatively with prescription sedatives.	F	51	2 years		5/21/2007
5	PE both lungs w/ DVT lower rt leg	Had my PE & DVT in Apr '06 and been taking Warfarin/Coumadin ever since. Occasionally I get cold hands or full body, but only during the winter. I tire very easily but that may well be due to potential lung damage from the clots. I tend to sunburn easily too, however I have NOT had any memory or hair loss or most of the other things others are having. No problems sleeping however I am experiencing a few small bouts with depression lately and am going to my Dr to sort that out. I do not think its related to the Coumadin as this is 2+ years since I started taking it.	Spent a week in the hospital with it all. D-dimer test had a reading of over 5000 and I was told by the Dr that I was extremely lucky to be alive after I passed out. Many die within the first 60 minutes. I was given a 'test' drug w/ my approval to break up the clots and clear them out, plus I had a filter installed for a couple months, otherwise I'd have been on oxygen for a minimum of 6 months. The Dr thinks the PE may have damaged my lungs somewhat, thus my tiring easily. Otherwise I'm a happy camper with it. Until something better comes along I'll continue to take it as I'm told I'll be a Coumadin (Warfarin) lifer.	M	59	2 years		6/9/2008
5	1 DVT + 6 PE,Prothrombin Factor II	easy bruising, heavier and markedly more painful menstrual cycles, hair loss, always extremely cold, bleeding gums, extended bleeding episodes when I cut myself or have dental work	I started Coumadin in 12/2007 after suffering 7 clots post surgery. I was then diagnosed with genetic thrombophilia (Prothrombin Factor II). Coumadin saved my life. After my sister died from a single PE and the same blood disorder, I was put back on Coumadin for life. My doctor will NOT permit Warfarin (generic) because he states it is not as closely regulated for dosages in generic form. Name brand only for me. It saved my life -- and keeps me alive. http://stoptheclot.org	F	39	2 years		7/28/2009 Email
5	Atrial Fib	Bruise easily - even from somehting as benign as a massage.				2 years		3/9/2005
5	anti-cardiolipin syndrome	Hair loss, weight gain and a little more chilly than others.	I spent a month in the hosp. after the birth of my son in 2001. I had multiple blood clots in my left leg and blood poisoning set it. It was scary... but I was so sick I don't remember much of it. Coumadin can seem scary, but the alternative of clots scare me much more. Feel free to e-mail me regarding this disorder. It is genetic and my mom and sister also have it... luck is on my children's side though, neither have it. I take 14mg daily. I wasn't actually dignosed until my mom was.. she had a clot in her portal vein (liver).	F	38	2 years		4/7/2006 Email
5	Have 2 artificial heart valves	Bruise very easily and bruises take longer to heal. Any cuts I get seem to take longer to heal (and also bleed lots more than before.) I notice my heart beats faster at night, sometimes keeping me awake. Don't know if it's related to Coumadin or something else. It (heart pounding) has happened since my valve replacement surgery. Haven't noticed hair loss or weight gain. But, I'm much more sensitive to extremes of heat and cold now. I'm taking Warfarin. 5MG 3x's/week. 3MG the rest.	I'd rather not be on this drug, but I have no choice. I'm thankful to God I was able to get new valves to keep me alive. Taking the medicine is necessary for my artificial heart valves. It was overwhelming, at first, learning how certain foods could impact my blood thinning. I'm used to it now. What I really hate is having to get my blood tested every 2 weeks... and realize I'll do this until I die.	F	52	2 years		7/2/2006
5	Blood disorder	I have been on Coumadin for 2 years now. I use to go get my blood drawn every 2 days. Now I am at every two weeks my INR is always changing. I am on 5 and 6 mg a day. I had a P.E after they found clots in my left leg. Side effects cold and bruising, nose bleeds, and heavy periods. Nothing that I can't handle.	I have a rare blood disorder Proththian Gene Mute (I think it is like the V-factor) where my system does not break up clots. They just found this out 2 years ago. I was born with it. And it did get passed on to my son even though they said it is rare to pass it on to him. They said I didn't need to get him tested but I did thank god because he has it as well. But he is healthy and just has to be aware of it he does not have to take anything. But needs to notify doctors before surgery or if he gets in an accident. Clots are scary I had one in my lung they didn't even know about until after the fact. So thank god for Coumadin I will be on it the rest of my life. Yes it is a pain getting tested all the time but better then a clot:)	F	44	2 years		11/14/2006 Email
4	mechanical mitral valve	I get very dizzy and headachy when my INR is high. I also get visual disturbances, clear-like spots that impede my vision when my INR is high. It is very hard to regulate even though I stick to the schedule prescribed.	I would rather die that have a stroke, so I am very good about taking it exactly as prescribed, but, it is not as easy as talked about before my surgery. I resent the fact I need to do this after being such a health-nut and eating and exercising the way I should my whole life. It is though the price I pay for being alive!	F	54	2 years		10/24/2006
4	Recovering from DVD	Hi Various side-effects including tiredness and nausea. The entire set of presently available food supplements seems to augment the 'blood-thinning' action of Warfarin. I want to take pycnogenol but I know it'll increase my INR value and the clinic will try to prevent me using this valuable supplement. In this connection, Warfarin is a nuisance but one must have it. Can't we have a better - more user friendly anticoagulant? Aspirin is just useless.		M	70	2 years		8/19/2006 Email
4	DVT left leg	Actually taking Warfarin: headaches, COLD, tired, anxious, weight gain, nails & skin are changing, hot flashes much worse but they help me get warm! Mouth burns constantly, mood swings, strange dreams, rarely sleep the night through.	The cold is simple to explain - thinner blood, but I never related the other symptoms to the drug. I'm having extreme joint pain & ran across this in the search. Clot due to HRT, so I thought a lot of symptoms were from eleminating HRT. I noticed the mood swings & severity of hot flashes increase or decrease with drug changes.	F	54	2 years		8/3/2006 Email

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Average rating for drug: 3.2. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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