MIL back in hospital, warfarin related.

[Rainicorn]

So after a 6 month stay last year, she has been out for 4 months but has been taken back in today.

She got released last year with warfarin, had a routine blood test and got a call really early this morning telling her an ambulance was in its way to pick her up as it was dangerously thin. She should have been for a few hours, but is now on oxygen and being kept in. She has also had a scan but we are not sure what. DH is going to visit as I type to see what the hell is going on this time.

Anyone got experience of warfarin?

I'm hoping it will be just an overnight visit because, selfishly, I really can't cope with another 6 months worth of visits.

[CMOTDibbler]

I think Warfarin takes a few days to settle when they adjust the dose (dad is on it and the minimum time between INR tests is a week), so I'd guess your mum might be in more than just overnight.

6 months must have been a massive strain for you, and heres hoping its only a really short stay

[Rainicorn]

She seemed to think this morning when I spoke to her they were going to take her off it completely as her blood was -10.

A few days I can cope with.

I have three dc, one with SN and as well as helping MIL with a lot of things I'm also my SIL's carer. I'm knackered this week, have that horrible virus that's going around.

Fingers crossed she will be ok to come home by the end of the week.

[Rainicorn]

She is spending the weekend there, and they suspect she has COPD. Why this wasn't discovered in hospital last time I don't know.

[Oldieandgoldie]

Since my mum (84) was taken off warfarin, and given a modern substitute, her general health has been so much better, and she's needed no GP or hospital visits. (Previously she'd had all sorts of problems!)

It maybe worth a chat with her consultant.

[Theas18]

The wafarin " number" can be brought down swiftly but they need to look at why it shot up. Is she mentally 100% with tablet taking etc? Has she accudentally or deliberately been mucking about with it? ( and check she has the right strength tablets in the house. ). Medical reasons exist for unstable wafarin but it's usually tablet issues.

When settled they need to discuss the pros/ cons of any blood thinning for her, yes the novel anticoagulants might be a good choice. However they aren't suitable for everyone on wafarin - mum couldn't have them because if renal failure for instance . They are also not reversible - so in the case of bleeding you just have to wait for them to " wear off".