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What Causes Soreness In Fingers And Toes While On Warfarin?
I have been taking Wafarin for 2 years (I have AF and had a small stroke). Each winter since then I have had broken chilblains on my fingers just below the nail. These have been so severe that I cannot function normally. I have a dog and spend several hours every day walking in all weather. My toes also get sore but my fingers are really bad.I take all sensible precautions but they still come. Even now, (no cold weather yet) one finger is red and swollen. I cannot face this again and wondered if changing to a alternative anticoagulant may help. I am dreading this winter. Can you help
Mon, 2 Mar 2015
Thanks for your concerns about your health!
Warfarin is known to cause purple discoloration of the toes in some people. However, the fact remains that there is another condition called Raynaud's
syndrome wherein, the fingers become discolored, on exposure to cold weather. Thus, the real reason behind the chilblain formation might not be Warfarin treatment. Thus there may be no real need to switch to another anticoagulant. As regards chilblains in general, there is a medication called Nifedipine, that can be used to lessen their severity. I would kindly advise you to see a physician for ascertaining the dosage of Nifedipine required to treat your chilblains. Please do not self medicate!
Warfarin is known to cause purple discoloration of the toes in some people. However, the fact remains that there is another condition called Raynaud's
syndrome wherein, the fingers become discolored, on exposure to cold weather. Thus, the real reason behind the chilblain formation might not be Warfarin treatment. Thus there may be no real need to switch to another anticoagulant. As regards chilblains in general, there is a medication called Nifedipine, that can be used to lessen their severity. I would kindly advise you to see a physician for ascertaining the dosage of Nifedipine required to treat your chilblains. Please do not self medicate!
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