Warfarin diet

[Cordellia Amethyste Rose]

As some of you know, in early September, I went into acute liver failure, and they also discovered blood clots in my leg and lung.  I'm doing better, but it's really scary that I came extremely close to death.  I've learned that having had a pulmonary embolism once puts me a much greater risk of having another.  When I had it, I didn't recognize the symptoms and almost didn't go to the hospital.  I could have died.  Please learn the risks and be aware.  Many people get them after a long plane or car ride, lying around for an extended period, having surgery, or taking birth control pills.  Mine was probably caused by my surgery, but we don't know for sure.  BE CAREFUL!  PROMISE me that if you ever have chest pain and/or feel out of breath for no reason, that you'll seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY.  I didn't even have chest pain.  I just got home from the hospital and felt extremely weak and out of breath.  I thought it was nothing.  I'm glad I called the on-call doc who told me to go right back to the hospital.  Pulmonary embolisms can be extremely deadly.

Since they discovered my blood clots, I've been on Warfarin, also known as Coumadin.  I'm learning a lot about that medicine, too.  I have to go in and have my blood tested periodically to see if my medicine is within range.  At first I went twice a week, but now I go once a week.  Since I've been on it, I've only been within range twice.  It's a very tricky medicine.  If eventually I stay within range a few times, I may be able to get checked less often.  

One of the things I have to be careful about is my diet.  I have to maintain a consistent level of vitamin K because it can affect my Warfarin level and blood test.  I have to avoid food high in vitamin K like leafy greens.  Here's a list of things I can and can't eat, but it doesn't cover everything.  It doesn't mention that I also have to be careful not to have more than a cup of cranberry juice a day or more than a small amount of raw carrots.  (It only mentions boiled carrots.)  

http://www.med.unc.edu/im/files/patient-education-handouts/nutritio...

Can you imagine having to remember all this?  I guess before I eat or drink anything, I have to check its vitamin K level.  

Please look out for the signs of pulmonary embolism.  It's a very serious thing to happen.  I'm really lucky to be alive.  

[Tony]

Good luck with this.  A close friend who I work with has this.  He's been on the medicine as well.  Thought it was a heart attack at first.  He will be finishing up his meds in January.