So, here goes....
(Mini back story for those who have just joined us)...
At the end of August last year, I developed a blood clot in my leg and didn't know the warning signs so that I could get my ass to a hospital. I was unaware.
This developed into a life threatening pulmonary embolism and a right arm that I could no longer use - not even a little bit. The hospital was way more than required. A week stay and a prescription for Warfarin (the famous rat poison) and I was on my way home.
Months of recovery followed (on my own at home) and my own prescription for stubborn and determination were added to the toolbox I needed to return to wellness.
I attended monthly doctors appointments to check my INR levels and make sure I was on the right path to healing.
So that's the back story.....returning to present time.
The other day I went to my doctor to have my INR checked. It was as it most always is - in between the range of 2.0 and 3.0 - I was a 2.8 that day. I was already having a great day - and it was about to get better.
They have a blood lab I attended once for tests in their building in October of 2012. They took almost 30 ml of blood and conducted a bunch of tests - one of which determined I am protein C and protein S deficient. These proteins assist my body in knowing appropriate times to clot my blood (injury, etc) - I just didn't seem to be creating as much as I needed.
So the recommendation letter......
The recommendation is that my 'treatment' on Warfarin is now over. I can stop.
"Just stop?" I asked?
"That's what the letter says," my doctor informed me.
I admit, I was shocked. I had never heard to just stop the blood thinners - not ever - and not by someone who hardly knew about my situation.....I had never actually met the doctor who made the recommendation.
....and that doesn't mean I have to take one doctors word as truth (my medical doctor is a TERRIFIC guy too). I went home sort of confused about the recommendation. Don't misunderstand, I was so happy that this recommendation applied to me! I had heard that pulmonary embolisms never get off Warfarin. I heard a lot of things.
My doctor let me know he had never seen an 'extensive' pulmonary embolism like mine. I told him he probably had never met anyone so determined either. He was extremely understanding, helpful and informative. He really listened and respected not only the questions I asked (no matter how silly they sounded) and explained things so I really understood them. He took the time and I left feeling confident I had accomplished what I arrived to do. That's how a doctor's appointment should be.
It turns out - Warfarin patients are being told to stop cold turkey all over the place. This is how it seems to be done. Forums, talking to Warfarin (Coumadin) patients - they all have verified that their own doctors told them the same thing. I started feeling better about it.
When I got home - I let my guard down and panicked for about 30 seconds. My doctor had told me to go and live my life - to stop the Warfarin and not worry. Watch for warning signs, stay hydrated and be sure to move and exercise. Now that I was home, I checked my Warfarin prescription and realized I had 2 weeks left.
It suddenly seemed like a life bouy I didn't want to let go of. Was I losing my mind? I had wished and hoped to be off of Warfarin for the whole year I was on it - why panic now? Thoughts of my blood coagulating and leaving me a pile of skin n the floor flashed thrugh my mind repeatedly and I realized I had started using fear against myself.
It had to stop.
I talked myself through the logic of the situation and researched some more. Knowledge is power (when you find the right knowledge) and I wanted a full arsenal in this latest chapter of the saga.
I have discovered there are so many other viable blood thinning methods......
Simple things like garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, turmeric - all of these are natural blood thinners. I am also learning about something called Nattokinase.
I wasn't told to add any additional blood thinning agents to my world - I was told to stop taking my prescription and live my life. I can totally do that - although I will still eat blood thinning foods because I enjoy them.
I am an avid online reader - and I find many places that explain my situation (DVT, pulmonary embolism, Warfarin). Although we are each the same with differences (I love that) I can relate to the fear people feel, but I choose not to hang on to it. I will use the fear to power my world, not implode it.
I was given the all clear a couple of weeks ago - and I have yet to stop the Warfarin. I have been in a place where processing the information has to come first. I was not in an emergency situation to go off of it - I asked if I could have this time and there is no harm in taking my meds for an extra couple weeks. I was given the option of staying on it forever (still not a guarantee for anything) - and I know that is not the choice I want to make.It's almost like standing on the edge of a cliff - knowing you want to jump into that blue water - but holding back for whatever reason you have.
I have Warfarin to last me until Sunday. I feel entirely better - and fearless about the whole thing. I will continue to be aware of my body and all things related. I now begin the climb back up to prescription free! I love that the most! The right arm is 99% better and I move more, hydrate more and live every day gratefully and fully.
There may be folks in my life who hold on to fear and worry when it comes to my situation, but please know that this will not help me at all. Positive thoughts and visualizing me well is what helps the most. Fear can be used for us or against us - I choose to use to move forward and be better.
I stop Warfarin on Sunday, August 18th. I am excited!
Wellness is ours.
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