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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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flan | @flan | Mar 6, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "If you just have afib once a year, and for only a few hours, you may..." + (show)
@windyshores

If you just have afib once a year, and for only a few hours, you may not need a blood thinner, but many docs will put you on one anyway. Another option would be to request short term anticoagulation after an episode, or request an echocardiogram to check for clots before leaving the hospital.

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This sounds so much more reasonable....I know the protocols dictate what is best for the "majority" of cases, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if drs. prescribe this stuff b/c it IS protocol and they don't want to get sued, also they do get perks from the drug companies at least in the US. How does it work in other countries?

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1 reply
strengthaxle66 | @strengthaxle66 | Mar 6, 2022
In reply to @pkbluff1 "i was on Eliquis and was always tired.... now i am on Xarelto and also tired..." + (show)
@pkbluff1

i was on Eliquis and was always tired.... now i am on Xarelto and also tired (but less than Eliquis) someone recommended a B12 injection...what do you think?

pkbluff1

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1) see a holistic practioner for some natural thinners 2) use youtube to find natural thinners 3) check your b12 folate vitamin d with a blood test

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 6, 2022
In reply to @strengthaxle66 "1) see a holistic practioner for some natural thinners 2) use youtube to find natural thinners..." + (show)
@strengthaxle66

1) see a holistic practioner for some natural thinners 2) use youtube to find natural thinners 3) check your b12 folate vitamin d with a blood test

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It is very difficult when prescriptions make us feel worse, and there comes a time when we will seek any other choice.
@pkbluff1 There are natural blood thinners around, however if you have a condition like afib or blood clots, any switch should be made with EXTREME caution.
Supplements are unregulated, so you cannot always be certain of the dosage you are getting from them. Supplements act differently from prescription blood thinners, so you must be sure you bridge to the effective dosage. Also, make sure your doctor or a registered pharmacist checks any and all interactions between your other meds and the supplements. Finally, if you chooee a holistic practitioner, be sure they are well trained in anatomy, physiology, disease and treatment. Too often, people who advertise, and who proclaim themselves experts have very limited training, and are in fact simply promoters.

Also, the internet would not be my choice of a diagnostician or prescribed, especially for something as life threatening as stroke or heart disease.
Sue

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Mar 6, 2022
In reply to @flan "This sounds so much more reasonable....I know the protocols dictate what is best for the "majority"..." + (show)
@flan

This sounds so much more reasonable....I know the protocols dictate what is best for the "majority" of cases, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if drs. prescribe this stuff b/c it IS protocol and they don't want to get sued, also they do get perks from the drug companies at least in the US. How does it work in other countries?

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There is no liability if they are following protocol. But there is also no liability if we decline blood thinners. I declined for 4 years and then the scoring system changed! And then the cardiologist told me they had been overmedicating and I had been right to decline. But he was annoyed with me that whole time. Too bad!

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windyshores | @windyshores | Mar 7, 2022

I would be very careful with natural blood thinners. Like nattokinase and the other kinases. If they work they have the same risks as prescribed anticoagulants but there is no way to know the level of anticoagulation. If I go on a blood thinner I may choose old-fashioned Coumadin because the level of anticoagulation can be measured and adjusted and there is an easy antidote with Vitamin K if bleeding occurs.

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strengthaxle66 | @strengthaxle66 | Mar 7, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "It is very difficult when prescriptions make us feel worse, and there comes a time when..." + (show)
@sueinmn

It is very difficult when prescriptions make us feel worse, and there comes a time when we will seek any other choice.
@pkbluff1 There are natural blood thinners around, however if you have a condition like afib or blood clots, any switch should be made with EXTREME caution.
Supplements are unregulated, so you cannot always be certain of the dosage you are getting from them. Supplements act differently from prescription blood thinners, so you must be sure you bridge to the effective dosage. Also, make sure your doctor or a registered pharmacist checks any and all interactions between your other meds and the supplements. Finally, if you chooee a holistic practitioner, be sure they are well trained in anatomy, physiology, disease and treatment. Too often, people who advertise, and who proclaim themselves experts have very limited training, and are in fact simply promoters.

Also, the internet would not be my choice of a diagnostician or prescribed, especially for something as life threatening as stroke or heart disease.
Sue

Jump to this post

I've been poisoned by inept doctors, if not for hours of research on the internet, I would probably be dead.

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