Economizing on Blood Thinners

The one I use is a Roche CoaguChek® Vantus meter.

I have serious vision problems as well due to the medical roller coaster I got on and can't get off of. My nightmare began around September of 2022 and during a 7 day coma, I was given truly high doses of steroids to combat a horrible bought of pneumonia. For the following months after I would fight for my life with more stays in ICU and more steroids in very large doses as I fought pneumonia, sepsis, autoimmune flares, COPD flares among so much more.
I noticed that my sight was deteriorating fast. Blurry vision, double vision, can't see detail which really messed up watching the television. I'm unable to leave my home because I'm just unable to see and tripping is a huge fear since my balance is off kilter too. I did see an optomologist about 2 weeks ago (finally), and scared to death to find out WHAT NOW. I have Cataract in both eyes which the damage was actually expedited because of the high doses of steroids.
My Optometrist didn't even know about my recent illnesses and was very knowledgeable.
It seems like it just never gets any easier when you do get on a particular roller coaster. I have been through some extremely difficult and very frightening times with my health in the last 10 months that would make anyone's head spin in disbelief. I do know others must go through similar circumstances too and I tell you, my heart (although damaged now) certainly goes out to us all.
This has been a real struggle. So many issues and spinning just trying to figure out where to go next.
I just wanted to chime in on your vision as if everything else we have or are going through is just to warm us up. I know losing my vision has been very scary for me but now with a wonderful optometrist on board, a game plan in place, I feel optimistic about my vision. I see an eye surgeon next month to consult about cataract surgery. . It is a slow process for medical here and that is something I am having to get used to after living my entire life in South Texas. This has been a big obstacle for me.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth, Wow, it sounds like you’ve earned your place in heaven already. Hopefully that rollercoaster ride is slowing down for you.

A word about cataract surgery from an old-timer: I was profoundly myopic (20-800 vision) and had both eyes done in 12/2016 at the age of 75. I thought this would be a blessing and finally be able to see my toes when I woke up in the morning. The surgery improved my vision acuity but left me with another unplanned problem: I suffered until a few weeks ago with double vision that couldn’t be solved by contact lenses and eyeglasses with prisms. The problem was the intraocular lenses purposely installed were of two very different diopter powers, one for distance, one for closer vision. My brain was supposed to merge the two…but at that age those synapses just weren’t getting the job done. Finally the problem was solved by Lasik surgery on one eye to bring the two eyes closer together in vision. No more double vision after 5.5 years of feeling off-balance!

I understand that new changeable toric lens technology may have solved that problem. I’d recommend telling this story to your cornea surgeon just in case you fall into the same vision category as I did.
Best of luck with everything, Elizabeth 😀

@predictable
When I was diagnosed with A-Fib by the Physician Assistant for my GP, the 1st drug prescribed was Warfarin ... within a week or 2 after starting it I felt (& was acting) like "A Space Cadet"! My next appt. was with my GP (Internist), I told him I'd like to either Go Off or have this Med. changed. His answer was, "Just Keep taking it, sooner or later the side effects will go away." I asked him why I wasn't seeing a Cardiologist, his answer, "If you want to see one, I'll refer you, but we can take care of this, you really don't need to see a Cardiologist!" Reluctantly he referred me to one, but she couldn't change a drug another Dr. had prescribed ... I asked her, "WHAT Do I Have to do to get off this Poison?" She advised, 'leave the practice you're using, I'll refer you to a new GP, then I can change your prescription.
Turns out I'm Much Happier with the new GP, & the Cardiologist can now prescribe appropriate Meds for A-Fib. I'm one of the 'Lucky Ones', from the beginning I'm totally unaware that I have A-Fib. I've Never had any noticeable symptoms ... Lots of problems with the Drugs prescribed, though!
Recently my Cardiologist referred me to an Electro-cardiologist, who performed a TEE & Electric Cardio Version ... (shocked my heart back into a more normal heartbeat). In addition he prescribed a daily medication. I still wonder just how serious my A-Fib was ... From Day 1 (4-1/2 years ago when 1st diagnosed) I never feel anything more than some fatigue from time to time. Reading side-effects of some of the drugs I've been given Fatigue can be one of the "side effects"! So ... I Have to wonder just how "life threatening" is my A-Fib really is!

Recently my Cardiologist prescribed 140 mg Dabigatran, twice-a-day. It's a A Very Expensive Drug, & 140mg is the strongest dose the pharmaceutical Co. makes available. I've noticed since starting, I have trouble sleeping more than 4-5 hours a night & I have NO Appetite, some foods actually taste bitter. Why am I surprised I've lost 20 lbs. since starting it. I mentioned it to my Cardiologist, he shrugged & said I'd probably gain it back in time.
I told one of my friends who is a Retired PA, she was somewhat astonished ... her response was "If you're 5'3" & weigh 124#'s I wonder what your Dr. prescribes for a patient who is 6' 4" & weighs 280#'s? If starting this drug you lost 20#'s, keep an eye on it & BE SURE to call this to your Cardiologists' attention."
I've been giving her comment a lot of thought ... next time I'm refilling my Prescrip. I'll ask the Pharmacist.
If there's an Up-Side to this, All my life I've fought "The Battle Of The Bulge" (I'm Hypothyroid)! The last time I weight'd 124 was when I was single, eating like a bird & getting Lots of Exercise! After giving birth to my daughter it was impossible for me to get back to 124-126. I struggled to get to 135-136! Now all of a sudden my closet is full of clothes that are too big ... I'm out shopping for a new wardrobe.

@margaretfriel, I recognize the feelings of doubt you have dealt with effectively. I have had them too, primarily because my A-Fib has been asymptomatic from almost its diagnosis. I was on Warfarin for years but my surgeons switched me to Eliquis as I approached my colectomy surgery a little over two years ago. It's easier to start and stop around major surgery. One difference is the high cost of Eliquis (now $143 for a 90-day supply). The other difference is less need for regular lab tests to make sure its anticlotting level remains in effect. My cardiologist is content with my status and endurance, partly because a specialist in these "blood thinners" is on my medical team, so I can ask my cardiologist for less time and attention. He's pleased to see that a 50-year hypertensive patient (me) has found a way to normal blood pressure every day since the first week of 2026. I call it a miracle, but I know it results from great medical advice and attention from my medical team. Martin

@margaretfriel I had ablation 8 yrs ago and now am pretty much AF free although in 2024 I was experiencing a lot of ectopic beats-PVC and PACs which were producing AF symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath. After adjusting my thyroid hormone to a lower dosage arrhythmias ceased. Some things I’ve learned, read or been told over the years-Ablation is the best treatment. Meds have side effects and will become less effective with time. It’s best to get ablation sooner as AF gets worse with time.

@chickenfarmer
I've heard about Ablation ... & now there's another option.
The cardiologist I'm seeing referred me to an electro-cardiologist ... the New Dr. suggested doing a TEE (transesophageal Echocardiogram), followed immediately by an ECV (Electric Cardio-Version). When he suggested it, it sounded terrifying to me, but he & his assistant reassured me in Most Cases it helps immensely. I agreed, (then almost cancelled twice) but finally put on my "Big Girl Panties" & went ahead with the procedure. May I say it was So Much Easier than I'd anticipated ... I checked in for the procedure at 10:00am, they did the TEE followed by the ECV (Both done under anesthesia). After a brief recovery from the sedative I was discharged at 2:30PM. Both the Cardiologist & his assistant were extremely happy ... said with 1 "charge" my heart-beat restored to normal. I have a pulse oximeter & wear an Apple Watch, both track the pulse, heartbeat, & I can see my pulse-beating normally.
It's now 3 weeks after the procedure ... I'm Happy to say every day I feel just a "click" better ... more like my Old Self again ... after 4-1/2 years of A-Fib & med.'s that caused "Beaucoup" side effects this is Amazing!
I can only hope & wish that Everyone who subscribes to this Web Site will have the Good Fortune that I have had.

@margaretfriel my experience is similat. I had cardioversion in 2017. But cardioversion doesn’t cure AF. You need an ablation

@predictable Martin, I am jealous! Where in the world did you get Eliquis (90 Day supply) for $143.00? I had to pay $650.00 for a 90 day supply, which blew my budget. You think that $143.00 is expensive? I tried getting help from the manufacturer’s foundation, and the Cardiologist’s, and got nowhere! I had to pay full price, even with my Medicare Plan D prescription insurer. i’m almost 80, and never am offered senior discounts, on anything!