Posted on 01/31/2017 11:59:38 AM PST by Allen In Texas Hill Country
I’ve had a couple of pulmonary embolism episodes, with the second one nearly fatal. Subsequent testing shows that I have a genetic issue that slightly increases my chance of a blood clot. Seeing as how I’ve already had two episodes, I opted for Xarelto. I’ve been on it nearly 3 years and have no problems whatsoever. I’m fairly active and cut myself on occasion, and have never had any problem whatsoever with uncontrolled bleeding.
Eat more salmon for the Omega-3s.
Thanks for the reply, thanks to all. I go back for an echo cardiogram, I think that is what it is called. The cardiologist taught me to feel my pulse and for me to recognize the intermittancy. Yes it is there. No real regular rhythm over 15 or 20 seconds. A big swallow coming up and I’m not talking about taking the pill..........
I was on Coumadin for over four years. It’s a pain to watch the diet and get frequent INR checks, but after a awhile you get used to it. The nurses and technicians who did the blood checks told me to stay away from Xarelto, but then their livelihood depended on Coumadin. The doctors seemed to like Xarelto, though. The antidote for Coumadin is simple, vitamin K. The doctors said there is an antidote for Xarelto, too, but it’s expensive.
If I had to do it over again I think I’d give the new drug a try. Coumadin can be a real hassle when you’re first starting.
I work full-time with lots of out-of-town travel, so getting tested within my doctor's practice at different offices got interesting. And I was at the point where I had to test every 2 weeks, which was a major hassle.
Last summer I asked about switching to a different drug to prevent DVT, and the doctor's recommendation was Xarelto. "Yes, there have been lawsuits, but my patients have not experienced any issues."
So I switched to Xarelto last summer. Now my blood clot MD monitors my quarterly blood test ordered by my GP, and I need to make an annual appointment with the blood clot guy for a routine checkup. One pill a day and I am done. And no dietary restrictions for Xarelto reactions.
It comes down to, do you trust your doctor? I do, and I am going with his recommendation. Long term, I hope that by the time I retire and have to use Medicare instead of private insurance, Cumadin will have been retired and replaced by more modern alternatives such as Xarelto. (Have to wait for the patents to expire and the drug goes generic.)
I also suffer from Afib and my Cardiologist recommended an asprin and 1,000 mg of fish oil every morning then, only if my heart rate exceeds 100 BPM, I take a Propranolol tablet (Beta Blocker) to get my heart rate back where it is supposed to be. I typically only take 1/2 pill, wait 15 minutes and take the other half only if I need it. My Dr is the head of the Cardio dept at the Regional Hospital and won’t recommend a drug if there is any other way to control the situation. I follow his advice and haven’t had an issue in a couple of years.
There is also a treatment that involves finding out what cardiac nerves are causing the issue then using a laser or microwave to kill them. The resulting scar tissue “short circuits” the impulses and corrects the condition.
Since you are in Texas have you looked into taking cayenne supplements? Opens up all the blood vessels for better flow.
In general, it is a bad idea to seek medical advice for a potentially serious problem on a political bulletin board.
There are alternatives to this medication.
If you are concerned about taking this medicine, get a second opinion from a good cardiologist.
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Reasonable advice. But having been here awhile I feel comfortable conversing with the makeup of the group. I guess I was needing to hear responses from users that had no problems.
Thanks.
The low dose aspirin and “see a Cardiologist” replies apply to me. Low dose is no problem for me, I just have to be careful shaving. Use a sharp blade to avoid bearing down to get a close shave. I see my Cardiologist every six months!
GET A SECOND OPINION .. FIND A GOOD DOCTOR WITH ADDITIONAL SKILLS RE YOUR ISSUE.
I have an allergy to any medication which causes the swelling of the face, tongue or throat (my tongue swelled up). Sadly, I’ve had 3 doctors try to get me to take a prescription with that warning, and they get very upset when you won’t take it. I even had one doctor tell me - “Just don’t read the literature”. How scary is that ..??
However, I finally talked my primary doctor into trying a product I had read a lot about - and talked to my pharmacist about. So, my doctor and I went on a 120 day test. Each month, I would have a blood test to see what was happening; after the 120 days, my cholesterol was 186 points lower (much better than the statins had ever done) .. and my doctor stopped trying to push statins (which do have that swelling warning).
So, just check around; You have the right to know the real dangers.
You definitely need to treat atrial fib with a blood thinner. Please check Eliquis. My daughter who is in her early 40’s took Xarelto for a DVT and had a major abdominal bleed that per her doctors was related to the Xarelto.
It seems many here have done well on Xarelto, but there have indeed been horror stories. I have not heard any such about Eliquis. Our daughter was in ICU for 5 days and we came very close to losing her.
Your physician is irresponsible if he or she doesn’t prescribe a conversion. Go to an electorphysiologist. You NOT want a standard cardiologist or internis to handle this and you do NOT want to remain on any anticoagulant if you don’t have to. I repeat, go to an electrophysiologist who is board certified.
But a cardio who is a board certified electrophysiologist.
C a crdio who is an electrophysiologist. Trust me, after 10 years of dealing with the run of the mill cardio is NOT trained to deal with afib or flutter or any of the multitue of possible arrhythmias.
I have been on Pradaxa for 4-5 yrs with no problem. Last June I had a bleeding incident a couple of weeks after throat surgery. Was taken to hospital and was told the antidote for Pradaxa had just been approved. Was given that.
I had a friend that was put on xarelto and had internal bleeding. There are a number of choices besides warfarin or xarelto.
no, no and no, only from a cardio who is board certified in electrophysiology.
no, no and no, only from a cardio who is board certified in electrophysiology.
Get an ablation, cryo preferably.
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