AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question I had a pulmonary embolism Aug 07. Since then, I take Cumadin daily and have bi weekly blood tests for correct level. But, I've had chronic torso pain resembling Costochondritis since leaving hospital. I've had it in past and treated it with Ibuprofen for several days. No problem. But, now, on Cumadin, I can't. I've had blood tests, scans, xrays, pain tests, etc...all negative. Docs think it's muscular, but, no definitive answer. So, I'm wondering if I should ask to go off Cumadin in order to take the Ibuprofen. I've been given Skelaxin, but it doesn't do much good. Heat helps a lot, but, I'm becoming a couch potato with a heating pad. The pain is daily, but the cold weather does seem to make it worse. I've been told that Cumadin wouldn't cause or aggravate this condition, but, if I go off of it too soon...I may risk another embolism. So, I don't know what to do. Any advice?
Answer Daniel
As a user of anticoagulants myself, I can appreciate your dilemma.
Although many will say that users of coumadin should not take ibuprofen, this is not strictly accurate. Ibuprofen will increase the bleedng time, so increasing INR, but providing the dose of ibuprofen remains the same, the INR is checked and the coumadin dose adjusted accordingly, then ibuprofen can be used.
If your INR is checked so frequently as twice a week, then there is little risk of introducing a low dose of ibuprofen, so I would suggest you discuss this with the doctor / nurse at your next appointment. If the ibuprofen helps relieve your pain, then you can be stabilised at a regular dose.
