I had a dvt blood clot behind my right knee about a year ago. My doctor put me on Coumadin, and although the clot dissolved, she says I have to continue taking Coumadin indefinitely. I have read some comments by doctors who say that prolonged use of Coumadin is dangerous. What are the long-term effects of this medicine? Also, can Coumadin cause a person to have an iron deficiency? If so, what can be done about it? Thank you in advance for your help.

My husband had heart surgery 9 years ago at the age of 23. Following that surgery he was put on coumadin and has been on it ever since. He has been told that he will be on it for life. He needs to keep his blood from clotting around his new plastic valve.

I personally haven't heard about the long term effects of coumadin however I would expect there would be very few because some people do have to take the medication forever. I will ask him though and see if he knows anything more.

I also don't get why if your clot has dissolved why you can't stop taking it. My grandfather was on it for a short period of time and went off it. Maybe you would consider a second opinion on that one. :)

i agree. i think most people go on coumadin for about 6 months following a dvt. i am aware of no long term affects with it, i am on it for life for 2 blood diseases. i have had stroke caused by the blood thing. the only thing to be careful about is cuttng or injuring yourself and for women of course their periods if your inr is a bit high. i ended up having a blood tranfusions a few months back after a brutal period where my inr was too high.

Hi guys,

I am wondering how old you were when you had the DVT and if they told you why you had it? There is a blood clotting disorder called Antiphospholipid Syndrome which causes the blood to become "sticky" and clot easier. Mostly women get this syndrome with Lupus or as a primary condition. People that have this syndrome have migraines/headaches, lots of "neuro" symptoms like tingling/weakness in the extremities, seizure disorders, clots in the leg, stroke, history of miscarraige(s), heart attacks, lesions on the brain, etc. Often women with APS are misdiagnosed with MS! Also, APS is responsible for 1 in 5 clots in women under the age of 40. If you think that this could be you, please go to the Lupus forum on the boards here and you will see the "Criteria to diagnose Antiphospholipid Syndrome/Hughes Syndrome". Please check that out and let me know. I also have to remind you that APS can occur in the absence of Lupus!

~Angelic