[WillsAngel]

I am on cumadin for Factor IV Leidin disorder and am finding eating healthy vegetables a bit of a challenge. I am having to have blood work done weekly to make sure my levels are with in range - and I absolutely hate having to monitor vitamin K intake - any others out there with any ideas and/or recipes??

Vikki

[hlaoroo]

I survived a pulmonary embolism in January and have been taking cumadin since. My Dr has encouraged me to follow my normal diet and she adjusts my cumadin levels based on that. My diet overall is probably about 75% vegetarian. I have a small salad usually once a day and if I have a cucumber I peel it. I do avoid spinach and broccolli but do have them from time to time. Mainly for veg I eat lots of carrots, tomatos, radishes. My levels have been pretty steady, they have only had to adjust them once in the last few months and that was when I was taking antibiotics.

[2feelbetter]

I've been on Coumadin for about 12 years. I had blood clots then a pulmanary embolism.

I really don't watch what I eat and my levels have been consistent. I don't check them that often because I've been on it for so long.

I think the one time my levels were way off I thought it might have been from my multivitamin that has vitamin K in it. And the other thought was I switched from Coumadin to Warafin the generic brand. I still take a vitamin and the generic brand of coumadin and my levels are ok.

One interesting thing is I take Celebrex for my arthritis and my sister's doctor forbids her from taking it for her arthritis saying you shouldn't take Celebrex and Coumadin. I've been taking them both for years.

[WillsAngel]

aahh this is good news ........ i just love spinach soo much, and gag at the taste of tomatoes........i will keep hunting and searching
thank you both!!

[millyxoxo]

im also on coumadin as weel had a DVT in 2006 at the age of 19 and a pulmonary embolism in 2010 at 23 im 24 now and have to be on this for the rest of my life kinda sucks when im trying to eat good and things i cant eat plus i gained weight i was in icu for 3 months and 1 month home on steroids so i gained alot of weight .. so i know how it feels so now i have my doctor up my dosage twice a week to eat a small salad.. and eat fruits yogurt u know things like that i stopped soda intake and drink alot of water ;]

[JOLINA]

Coumadin (warfarin) WOW!
That's a blood thinner with complications.

I saw the complications my neighbor sufferered taking coumadin, so I researched it looking for an alternative. I found certain fruits that could thin the blood.

So I planted berry bushes and grape vines that produce fruit that will keep my blood thin and prevent blood clots and strokes. There are no complications with the fruit juices.

I am healthy, just trying to stave off strokes and heart disease in the future. And I don't ever want to take coumadin and deal with the complications.
My blood is thin. Last time I went to the dentist, he had a hard time stopping the bleeding when I had oral surgery. I got my blood a little too thin by drinking 12 ounces of juice per day. Now I dropped it down to 8 ounces so it won't be so thin. (Homegrown juice is very powerful compared to the watered down stuff sold commercially.) And my dentist has now added certain fruit juices to his diet too.

The fruit I grow also prevents macular degeneration and heart disease.
I grow blueberries, red and purple grapes, wild grapes, elderberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, pears, and wild Chinese peaches. I turn it all into juice and freeze it.

Another plus I didn't expect from the juice. My fingernails are now very strong, and I can grow them longer. But all those plants sure keep me busy with pruning, fertilizers and weeding. Another plus is that I am out in the sun and getting more exercize working in my garden now!

Best of luck to all of you. My heart goes out to those who have to take prescripton drugs long term.

[dgramie]

My husband had a PE and survived. He is on warafin for life now. He eats like he normally did but does try and stay away from alot of cabbage. He was eating alot of sourkraut and his levels dropped and had to increase the med. OUr dr said to just eat a steady amount of the green veggies. Not go on a all salad diet after not eating any for months.

I think everyone who has survived a PE is blessed. Yes this med is a pain but its so worth taking to stay alive. My dad is now on the new med that just put on the market but not sure how he is doing on it. Getting your labs drawn when its time is super important. I was also told if hubby was sick with even a cold to be sure they checked his levels. It doesnt take much to throw them off.

[blueheron777]

I had to take Warfarin for 6 months after a PE and am vegetarian, so I was very concerned about how to maintain a steady INR level.

In the end, I ate any vegetables I wanted but did so consistently. The dosage was based on a high intake of Vit K containing foods, so remained steady.

[geauxgirl]

I'm on coumadin/warfarin for life and it's always a challenge. Since I'm just now starting back with everything my plan is to cut my portion sizes in half. I wont deprive myself but I will just eat in moderation. I love leafy greens and of course that is a big no no. I am hoping to be able to at least eat a salad once or twice a week without my numbers going too far out of whack. I will try to stay away from alot of carbs too. Will see how things go with the reduced portions and exercising.

[hlaoroo]

The key is consistency. I have had very good inr readings for quite awhile now and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

[Faith Autumn]

I had to take Lovenox while pregnant because of Factor V Leiden. I didn't change my diet at all. No one told me to change my diet. I've known about the FVL for nine years now. Is this something I should be concerned about? I've only ever developed clots while pregnant and that was in the placenta or umbilical cord (resulting in miscarriages). I go in once a year for blood work. Everything has been ok with that. I have had some issues with my lupus testing coming back inconsistant. It's positive one time and negative the next! The doctor says that fairly normal for people with thicker blood. I guess I should look into these things more!

[Tina]

Vikki,
I feel your pain. I've been there, done that--twice! (Fortunately, the hematologist said I didn't have to stay on it for life.)
Here is a great site that helped me a lot.
www.drgourmet.com/warfarin