1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

AFib - Question about blood thinners

Posted by dogmom1 @dogmom1, Jun 30, 2019

I am on Sotalol to control blood pressure and heart rate. It seems to be working but I am tired and week all the time. I thought with more movement and exercise, I'd feel better, but it hasn't helped. I was on Xarelto until I developed blood in my urine. Thought it might be a kidney problem, but when the Xarelto stopped, the blood also disappeared. Kidneys okay. Now, the doctor wants to put me on Eliquis. I'm truthfully really scared of it. The "Common" side effects include bleeding - in the stomach, intestines, brain, or eyes. I know also, that once on it, you shouldn't stop for fear of blood clots. I really don't want to be on any blood thinners. Still hoping for more natural solution. Anyone else have experience with this?

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sunny617 | @sunny617 | Oct 5, 2021

Have you considered checking into Warfarin? My mother takes this and she gets it with no copay.

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1 reply
margreet | @margreet | Oct 5, 2021

What is a watchman, I am on xeralto and metoprolol because of Afib, my pulse rate is quite low lately, between 46 and 52 .this worries me.

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2 replies
hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @margreet "What is a watchman, I am on xeralto and metoprolol because of Afib, my pulse rate..." + (show)
@margreet

What is a watchman, I am on xeralto and metoprolol because of Afib, my pulse rate is quite low lately, between 46 and 52 .this worries me.

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That is not good, low pulse rate means the metoprolol needs to be decreased....

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "The Watchman does not stop a stroke from happening. It is used only to plug the..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

The Watchman does not stop a stroke from happening. It is used only to plug the opening in the LLA. This stops blood from entering the LLA and forming a blood clot. The only jjob of the Watchman is to stop a blood clot from forming in the LLA and then entering the blood stream. Bloodclots CAN form in other parts of the heart or other areas of the body.
I have a Watchamn installed and have had no problems with the device at all. You won't even know it is in there as you will not be able to feel it.

Yes, Eliquis is VERY expensive. I am so lucky I have good insurance and paid a very small price for mine. I am now off Eliquis and sure don't miss taking it twice a day.

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I dont want to take it either, I got info. on a new liquid over the counter pill that is good on the stomach, its called: Vasalore, could be this will work nicely. Not sure till I talk to my doctor.

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @sunny617 "Have you considered checking into Warfarin? My mother takes this and she gets it with no..." + (show)
@sunny617

Have you considered checking into Warfarin? My mother takes this and she gets it with no copay.

Jump to this post

Yes I have, it is a major pain, too difficult to regulate, cant eat many different foods, etc. Dont want to take this either.

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phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @margreet "What is a watchman, I am on xeralto and metoprolol because of Afib, my pulse rate..." + (show)
@margreet

What is a watchman, I am on xeralto and metoprolol because of Afib, my pulse rate is quite low lately, between 46 and 52 .this worries me.

Jump to this post

A Watchman is a small device they install in your heart to stop blood clots from forming in the LAA. Your doctor can check to see if you qualify for this device. There is a formula they use to assign points to see if you qualify. They put in the device during a heart cath. It is really a normal procedure now days. Mine took about one hour to do. Spent the night in hospital and was sent home next morning. I have had no problems from my device. Talk to your cardiologist.

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1 reply
Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @fiddlinchuck "I have found this discussion to be interesting and relevant to me. I have infrequent, mild..." + (show)
@fiddlinchuck

I have found this discussion to be interesting and relevant to me. I have infrequent, mild episodes of afib. I have been on Eliquis, 5 mg twice a day, for 6 months and am on track for a Watchman device as soon as soon as the volume of Covid 19 patients reduces and opens up some space at the hospital I have been working with. My cardiologist has informed me of risks due to anticoagulants, but this forum has elevated my awareness of bleeding issues associated with anticoagulants. One other issue I have had with Eliquis is the very high cost of the drug. No one else has mentioned this issue. Each 90-day refill costs around $200. Is there any other effective anticoagulant without significant side effects that does not cost as much as Eliquis? I am planning to pose that question to my cardiologist, too.

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Hi, @fiddlinchuck. I have two responses to your question about the availability of less expensive anticoagulants, both from my personal experience -- which includes A-fib for several years and a "small stroke" from a blood clot that formed in my heart. From the beginning, my anticoagulant has been Coumadin with the active ingredient Warfarin. My HMO charges me zero for a 90-supply, charging the cost to Medicare. My second response is to the two major inconveniences from Warfarin -- it requires regular lab tests to keep track of the level of coagulation in your blood when on Coumadin and, in addition, it's readily available antidote (Vitamin K solution) may not be on the shelf of the Emergency Room or hospital if you go there for treatment. Another point about Coumadin, I have immediate access to my PhD pharmacologist who manages anticoagulants for my HMO and calls me within hours of every lab test I have to give me the results and to discuss any changes they show. My lab tests, scheduled now every two months, involve about a half-hour away from home each time. Finally, whenever I go to my HMO, any clinic or hospital or emergency room, or an ambulance with EMT staff, I immediately announce my Coumadin treatment and ask whether they have the Vitamin K antidote on hand for immediate use if needed. I would do this with any anticoagulant, because some are not fully supported by the FDA and even those that are sometimes are not on the shelf as I said. I hope my experience will be helpful in your discussions with your doctor. Martin

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1 reply
margreet | @margreet | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "A Watchman is a small device they install in your heart to stop blood clots from..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

A Watchman is a small device they install in your heart to stop blood clots from forming in the LAA. Your doctor can check to see if you qualify for this device. There is a formula they use to assign points to see if you qualify. They put in the device during a heart cath. It is really a normal procedure now days. Mine took about one hour to do. Spent the night in hospital and was sent home next morning. I have had no problems from my device. Talk to your cardiologist.

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Thank you so much for your explanation.

REPLY
phillipdobrien | @phillipdobrien | Oct 6, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "The Watchman does not stop a stroke from happening. It is used only to plug the..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

The Watchman does not stop a stroke from happening. It is used only to plug the opening in the LLA. This stops blood from entering the LLA and forming a blood clot. The only jjob of the Watchman is to stop a blood clot from forming in the LLA and then entering the blood stream. Bloodclots CAN form in other parts of the heart or other areas of the body.
I have a Watchamn installed and have had no problems with the device at all. You won't even know it is in there as you will not be able to feel it.

Yes, Eliquis is VERY expensive. I am so lucky I have good insurance and paid a very small price for mine. I am now off Eliquis and sure don't miss taking it twice a day.

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Thanks ! How did you get off Eliquis because I would love to get off it.

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1 reply
fiddlinchuck | @fiddlinchuck | Oct 6, 2021
In reply to @predictable "Hi, @fiddlinchuck. I have two responses to your question about the availability of less expensive anticoagulants,..." + (show)
@predictable

Hi, @fiddlinchuck. I have two responses to your question about the availability of less expensive anticoagulants, both from my personal experience -- which includes A-fib for several years and a "small stroke" from a blood clot that formed in my heart. From the beginning, my anticoagulant has been Coumadin with the active ingredient Warfarin. My HMO charges me zero for a 90-supply, charging the cost to Medicare. My second response is to the two major inconveniences from Warfarin -- it requires regular lab tests to keep track of the level of coagulation in your blood when on Coumadin and, in addition, it's readily available antidote (Vitamin K solution) may not be on the shelf of the Emergency Room or hospital if you go there for treatment. Another point about Coumadin, I have immediate access to my PhD pharmacologist who manages anticoagulants for my HMO and calls me within hours of every lab test I have to give me the results and to discuss any changes they show. My lab tests, scheduled now every two months, involve about a half-hour away from home each time. Finally, whenever I go to my HMO, any clinic or hospital or emergency room, or an ambulance with EMT staff, I immediately announce my Coumadin treatment and ask whether they have the Vitamin K antidote on hand for immediate use if needed. I would do this with any anticoagulant, because some are not fully supported by the FDA and even those that are sometimes are not on the shelf as I said. I hope my experience will be helpful in your discussions with your doctor. Martin

Jump to this post

Thank you, Martin this is very useful information. Much appreciated.

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