Warfarin - Advice Please.
Hi, I was wondering if anyone here had any knowledge about the following just as a matter of interest.
When I first had to start taking blood thinners indefinitely almost six years ago, I had a leaflet which pointed out which foods to eat and which foods to avoid with regard to Vitimin K, in order for my blood count to remain stable at all time, as too much vitimin K is dangerous.
One of my SILs is also on blood thinners but she is allowed to eat anything, even foodstuffs high in Vitimin K, but the one I am on Warfarin), I am not.
I did originally try to get as much information as I could by talking to the INR Nurse and a Doctor at the medical centre, but to be honest, they were unable to help and suggested I see a Dietician. I said great, the Doc said not really, we don't have one in Oswestry, you will have to make an appointment in Shrewsbury or Wrexham Hospital to see one (both 18 miles as the cock crows). So I went online and found a very comprehensive list of every foodstuff that it was safe to eat and those that I should studiously avoid. It gave the daily count of each food that I could eat and of course my favourite vegetables were one of the highest. It did add that I needn't cut them out altogether but for my blood count to remain stable I needed to eat the same amount of the same food with high Vitimin K, every day!! Now, as this included all of the Brassica family, i.e.any type of Cabbage, Sprouts, Lettuce, Parsley, Cucumber, Coleslaw etc, (everything I love) I feel really put out. I don't want a portion of cabbage and then keep on having cabbage every day thereafter to maintain stability with my INR count until my next appointment with the INR Nurse for my blood test..
Is there anyone here on Warfarin? How do you manage with foodstuffs high in Vitimin K? Do you still eat foods that are high and should be avoided as branded dangerous?
I was thinking of asking the Doc if I could change to the blood thinners my SIL is on, but it took such a long time for the Warfarin to reach the INR count of 2.5 which is where they want it to be, with me feeling really ill while trying to reach the same, I really don't feel like going through all that again with a new blood thinner. I really envy her being able to eat anything she fancies though, without having to worry about it.
I'm afraid I just don't eat the above anymore but I really miss them, especially when I cook them for HWMO or make him a salad sandwich. Groan!
Would be very grateful if you could respond on how you deal with foods high in Vitimin K while taking Warfarin. Do you do as advised and ignore those foods or do you take a devil may care attitude and just eat them when you feel like it, even though it could affect your INR count?
Thanks very much in advance.