"MIKE"

Hi Nickel You seem to know what you are talking about. I have been on Previscan since undergoing a heart valve operation here in 2002. I had 2 metal valves inserted. Everything has turned out fine, The only problem is trying to keep the INR at a steady level, mine should be between 3 - 4.5. INR. Over the last year it has been all over the place, (for really no apparent reason), I am aware of the effects of eating food containing vitimin K, and this is not a factor. I normally take a 20m tablet once a day, and twice a week augment that with an extra 1/4. But this changes from month to month. Last month I decided to stay with one 20m per day for the month, because the previous months my INR had been getting too high (consistantly above 5). Last week I had a blood test and the result came back as 2.29 INR- (dangerously  low!). I therefore increased the dose by an extra 1/2 over 2 days, ie: plus 20m, and then continued with 1 per day as normal. A week later (yesterday) I had another blood test and the result came back as an alarming 7+. this is crazy- a rise of 5+. It does not make any sense! Today I have had yet another blood test and am awaiting the result. Meanwhile my arms look like those of a lifetime junkie!! Mike