Warfarin Sodium Valve Replacement Surgery, Target Level, Blood Thinning Medication, Omega 3, Preferred Option

I am a 64 year old male and underwent aoritic valve replacement surgery eigth weeks ago. The surgeon and I agreed a tissue (bovine) value was the preferred option so that I would not require blood thinning medication for the rest of my life. Upon release from the hospital I was prescribed 5 mg warfarin daily. When my INR failed to reach the 2.0 to 4.0 target, the dosage was increased from 35mg/week to 42.5mg (5mg four times a week and 7.5mg three times weekly). The target level was reached, but within ten days I began experiencing stiffness and some pain on the inside of my right knee. A few days later my left knee began to exhibit the same symptoms. Then they appeared in my elbows and upper arms. Finally, the arthritis I knew I had in my neck, but have not bothered me for a couple of years, reasserted itself to where it was painful to turn my head. The pain and stiffness in my knees was not constant, but was intense when I would stand up and walk after sitting or laying down. It also was enough to wake me when turning over in bed. Some swelling was also evident in my knees. I reverted to the original dosage and within days noticed a marked reduction in my discomfort although now, even at the reduced level, some aches and pains persist. I have further reduced my dosage to 2.5mg daily in the hope of eliminating the residual discomfort. I continue taking 1200mg of Omega-3 and 81mg aspirin daily, as I have for years, to prevent my platelets for sticking. My coronaries are clear and I am otherwise in excellent health. I have not experienced any of the other problems, e.g. hair loss, weight gain or headaches, other warfarin users have described.