Coumadin linked to weight gain

AVR2008 over a year ago

I had an AVR procedure done in 2008 and received a mechanical valve. I was put on Coumadin for life. I gained about 30 pounds the first year and have steadily gained even though I try and eat right. Now I am up 45 pounds. (The doctor told me Coumadin did not cause weight gain! HA!! I was a weight watcher's leader at the time I had my surgery and had to quit due to the weight I gained and have been unable to lose.) I have besides the weight gain, been experiencing skin rashes, peeling skin, itching, intolerance to cold, hair thinning, and occasional bleeding in my stools and recently lots of bleeding in my urine ( I found out I was getting a UTI for which I had shown no symptoms) My protein level was 3.1. On the thin side for me. As I will be on this for life, I have read about the long term sides effects and dislike what I have found. I hate this drug and what it is doing to me. Praying for an alternative to come out that is safe

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Guest over a year ago

I am on xralta and the same thing happened to me. Maybe it's all blood thinners.

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Guest over a year ago

I have been taking Coumadin since 2002. I have gained about 50 pounds and my hair is falling to the point that you can see my scalp on the top of my head. Doctors have told me that Coumadin does not cause waight gain, but I know differently. There is no other drug for patients who have had valve replacement.

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Guest over a year ago

I have put on about 10 pounds since starting coumadin and I agree i look and feel more fatty-flabby and I weighed alot more in the past and didn't have this much flab! And am having trouble taking it off.

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Guest over a year ago

I had gastric bypass surgery in July and lost 67 lbs. Previous to surgery I had been on Coumadin for 2 years and put on a ton of weight. I took myself off and feel great! The Dr told me I had to go back on Coumadin for the rest of my life. That I will always need to be on this poison. Well, not only did I stop losing weight, I gained 4 lbs in one week. This is horrible. I am taking myself back off of the Coumadin to see if I lose the weight.

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Guest over a year ago

I don't know if I would go off the meds to lose weight as I have the same problem. But is it better to be over weight and be alive or be thin and get a blood clot that either kills you or leaves you totally disabled. A big decision for you to make.

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Guest over a year ago

I don't think anyone is seriously considering ignoring their health conditions in order to lose the weight--the frustration stems from a medical community that refuses to even acknowledge that there may be a link between warfarin and excessive weight gain, and the additional health concerns that excess weight raises. I'm not going to risk a stroke to lose the 60lbs, but it would be nice to have a doctor take me seriously when I voice my concerns that now, in addition to my stroke risk, I'm also at risk for heart disease and, with each pound I gain, the exercise that logically should keep my weight in check becomes more difficult as the excess lbs exacerbate my arthritis. Seems like I'm on a slippery slope here. That's where, yes, if my choice is between dying from a quick stroke or the slow spiral of watching my body become less and less functional due to weight gain--when I'm still not even 40!--the appeal of going off warfarin becomes a little more tempting. Again, not saying I would do it. Just wish a doctor/pharma company would actually listen so that maybe it wouldn't feel like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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Guest over a year ago

Right on !! Feel like who you are has been taken away from you for reasons nobody believes. You do not get rewarded looking or feeling slim and being in great shape for living the lifestyle you do. All you'll get is maybe try weight watchers or see a nutritionist. And the classic, weight gain is not because of the medication as it isn't in the literature.

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Guest over a year ago

I too, have gained over 30lbs since I started Coumadin in January 2015. My insensitive hematologist told me to stop overeating and exercise. She made me feel lazy and greedy, and I am not a big eater. Finally, hearing others stories about the weight gain let's me know I was right on target. Thank you all.

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Guest over a year ago

That's why your loosing weight ...you can't mix all that together..and Coumadin..u have purple toes...

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Guest over a year ago

OMG.!! My hair is falling out to. And I've gained 15-20 lbs. I'm 53 and female, I've been on warfarin for 6 months and have to stay on it another 6 months. I thought it was just me.

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Guest over a year ago

What should I do? I am afraid to stop the drug for fear of having a stroke

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Guest over a year ago

I had an accident and was injected with warfarin,I discovered I was getting puffy....before I was soo skinny and I was amazed what was happening....I suspected that the drug was making me gain weight and sure it is.

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Guest over a year ago

If you are taking Coumadin, warfarin, or another blood thinner because you are hypercoagulable, and forming dangerous life-threatening blood clots, count your blessings that you are alive, well, & under treatment for your condition. If the choice is putting on some extra weight, or having to worry about a debilitating stroke, heart attack, PE, or death caused by a blood clot; then I choose the extra weight. Coumadin & other blood thinners, when properly monitored by a physician, can save lives & the quality of life for people with too much clotting. I am on Coumadin for life after clots in my brain. Have I gained weight? Yes. Is it the Coumadin? Maybe. Although weight gain is not listed as a side effect, certainly it is possible that it contributes, even if drug companies, doctors, & the FDA say it doesn't. Let's face it, they don't know absolutely everything. However, Coumadin has been used for a very long time, and is tried and true for helping those of us with hypercoagulability conditions. I have been offered some of the newer blood thinners that do not require blood testing and have declined them. A blood test for me is a small price to pay to know if my blood is too thick, too thin, or just right. If Coumadin does in fact cause weight gain, I believe that too is a small price to pay to keep me from having another blood clot in my brain or anywhere else.

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Guest over a year ago

Coumadin is the link. Seeing all of these replies makes me feel so much better that I'm not alone. In September 2011(age17) I was diagnosed with having Prothrombin II gene mutation, same as my mother and her side of the family. I had spent a week in the recliner because I couldn't breathe painlessly laying down. Until one morning my mother insisted I go to the er, I was certain I just pulled a muscle, but on we went. After several tests, it was discovered I had a borderline saddle clot in my pulmonary artery where it branches and several more blood clots throughout my lungs. I spent a week in the hospital and for roughly two or three months I was on Pradaxa as my blood thinner until insurance would no longer cover so I switched to coumadin. Going into the hospital I weighed 160lbs. Now as a kid I weighed at my heaviest 180lbs due to unhealthy eating habits and no exercise. Once I got to higschool I began sports and routine exercise as if it were a religion. At my healthiest I was 155-160lbs 5'6" tall. By my checkup came I was 170lbs.l, I attributed that to less exercise with me not being able to breathe normally. And then the months into coumadin began to make me really discouraged. I was gaining roughly 10lbs a month. I am now 4 years on coumadin and weighing in at roughly 250lbs with countless attempts to lose weight and seems nothing I do helps me. I got to the point I slacked off of my med hoping it would help but was too worried of a clot. I don't know what to do anymore. This weight will kill me if the clots don't. I'm predisposed to diabetes as my father's side is full of diabetics as well as heart problems. I also have an irregular heartbeat as well. In the last few months my legs have began swelling. All I ever get in answers is eat healthy and exercise. Well it's damn discouraging when you follow directions and you still gain weight. Just know you all aren't alone. I long to go on lengthy runs again in a way I don't know if anyone could understand. Here's to praying for answers!

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