 |
 |
My father (~74), PD with sinemet and on coumadin after a heart valve replacement, has his coumadin level or clotting capability checked periodically and if necessary the dosage is adjusted up or down. I'm not an MD but my understanding of what happens is: When coumadin lowers your bodies ability to clot, a fall by a PD results in bruises that do not stop bleeding as fast. Banging the head may be more serious. If you are in the hospital after a fall hitting your head, they may want a CT scan. Changes in diet affect clotting ability, i think a vitamin (K?) is involved. If you change your diet enough, the coumadin dosage may have to change. Being in the hospital and back out can change your diet (different places, different foods). It may take a while for the doctors to get you to the desired clotting ability after you leave the hospital. Sol