Does anyone that takes Coumadin ride a bike? Reason I ask is that the doc says I will need to take Coumadin for a few weeks and said I shouldn't ride my bike while I take it. I realize the reason is because if I get cut in an accident, my blood would not clot well after all you take Coumadin to keep you blood from clotting. So what do you guys think about this? Do you or would you take the chance? Just curious...

 

Your Doc is full of BS! If that were the case you had better not shave either. What about driving a car? You could wreck and bleed to death? Coumadin will slow the clot formation process down somewhat but unless you sever a limb or suffer some traumatic internal injuries, you are unlikely to die of exanguation (I love using that word!). Just go about business as usual. Hell, about 90% of the patients I encounter are on some sort of blood thinner.

 

I moonlite in an ER and I've been present when people have come in with a minor cut that bled profusely because they were on Coumadin. Multiply that cut to a compound fracture from a crash and it would probably be the end of you. If it's only a few weeks I'd follow the Docs instructions, no use in adding to the already present risk.

 

You think this wont happen in a bike accident? WTF kind of medic are you?. If you crash in Podunk and have to wait 60 minutes for the Volunteer FD to muster up I suppose one could bleed to death while waiting for help.

 

All I'm saying is that you can't live your life afraid of the "what ifs". Sure this guy could get into a bike wreck, and sure he could suffer some lacerations, and sure it could take the Podunk Vollys 20 minutes to get to him...and maybe, just maybe, he might bleed to death before getting to the Podunk ER. You could come up with thousands of "what ifs" and "why nots". You would end up never leaving the safety of your home because something "bad" might happen to you.
That said, I have treated hundreds of crash victims who were on coumadin and other anticoagulants who made out just fine. I have also treated hundreds who were young, dumb, and full of....(not coumadin) who died of their injuries long before ever reaching bright lights and cold steel. Go about you business sir, your time will come when it is time.

 

Doc shouldn't be telling you what to do do/not do. Doc should tell you the risks, you decide what to do. You could get killed any number of ways, Coumadin or no. Know the risk, choose your path.

 

I guess you guys look at it from a different perspective, something we lay people dont see the side of life you guys do, so your opinion makes sense if you really think about it.
I know 3 years ago I had a heart valve replaced and chose the hog valve (no pun intended) because I didnt want to have to take a thinner, as I ride a lot and didnt want to worry about bleeding out.
I had a DR friend use coumadin to get rid of his gophers, so depending on the dose anything will bleed. Anyway thanks for your perspective.

 

I've been doing it for the past 10 years. Had a crash last year and managed to skate by with no issues. It just so happens I'm typing this from a hospital bed recovering from a gastrointestinal bleed complicated by the Coumadin.

Rick

 

I agree with the medic. I'd ride as long as the medication(s) didn't mess with my ability to keep alert. It's not that much more of a risk than you're already taking without the meds, IMO.

 

I had a Doctor tell me that I should not ever ride my "murdercycle" again. ....... That was the LAST time that I ever went to visit with that Doctor!