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Blood Thinners–how soon do they act, how long to stay on them?
Eliquis, xarelto, others... So how long do they take to thin the blood and reduce the chance of blood clot for those of us with on/off Afib?
For example, I seem to go in and out of Afib; can go a month without it, then get it 3 days in a row, or 4 hours/day for 4 days, or or or... Seems a waste to keep taking $ 400/month medicine when it is not needed 90% of the time, and for that 90% of the time not needed, I have to be extra careful to not cut myself and I love to cut firewood, work in my workshop with all kinds of tools.
The latest fad seems to be implanting devices to send cell phone sig to Dr. if one begins Afib: in otherwords, one begins an Afib bout, device calls Dr., his office checks messages 1/day, so the next day his nurse calls you and says they will put a prescription in for you for Eliquis. You are at work, so cannot get to the drug store until afterwork, so you finally get it and begin taking it 3 days AFTER the bout!?
This begs a SECOND question: You get a afib attack; how long does it take for a dangerous blood clot to form? From the above scenario, it MUST be more than 3 days?
OK, so isn't this the proof that one should not need to dilute their blood unless required due to an episode?
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I, too, appreciate this discussion. I have been in Afib (this time) for 2 months. My doctor put me on a low dose antiarrhythmic when it began, and I have been on Xarelto daily for several years. However, I recently had surgery and had to be off the Xarelto for about a week. My doctor had me discontinue the antiarrhythmic since the week before the surgery. He wants to schedule a TEECV and only resume the antiarrhythmic (at a higher dose) AFTER my heart is back in rhythm. I have now been off the antiarrhythmic for nearly a month. I don't understand why I should not resume the antiarrhythmic, if the goal is to stop my Afib. Although I have called, they won't give me answers over the phone and can't schedule an appointment for a month. This is very frustrating. Obviously, I do not want a stroke - but since I am back on Xarelto, is a stroke a major concern if I resume the antiarrhythmic? Thanks!
My husband recently had a loop recorder installed like a pacemaker. It transmits at midnight and is reviewed the next day in the cardiologist office. Since January 2 he has only been in AFib once for 40 minutes. He is on Xarelto since December. They have not said anything yet about ever taking him off it.
Now my story….I am 80 and was diagnosed several years ago with AFib. I knew when I was in it because my heart would race. Now I am not getting episodes I am aware of, I have been taking Eliquis since then. I worry about taking it because I am a fall risk. I bought a Kardia device but any time I use it I am never in AFib. I have my annual cardiologist appointment on July 1 so I will discuss the issue with him.
Best wishes to all. Eileen
I would make sure you keep a supply of Eliquis at work and home,
Eileen
The purpose for the Xarelto is primarily to prevent a stroke (CVA). There's always a possibility that even though you are on antiarryhthmic meds or have had a cardio versions or ablations you can still convert back into atrial fib or flutter. This is the reason I was instructed to stay on my blood thinner for the rest of my life. I don't like the bruising issues it causes but absolutely do not want to experience a CVA. I'm an old RN and have seen too many of these, therefore, I've decided to take it every single day forever.
I have no plans to stop the Xarelto. I take it faithfully (unless I had to be off due to a surgery), and I plan to - like you - stay on it for the rest of my life. My question was about restarting the antiarrhythmic meds. My doctor seems to think (since I had a week off Xarelto) that restarting the antiarrhythmic meds may cause a stroke. I was hoping someone could advise on that issue. Thanks.