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AFib - Question about blood thinners
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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Have you considered checking into Warfarin? My mother takes this and she gets it with no copay.
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.
That is not good, low pulse rate means the metoprolol needs to be decreased....
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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1 ReactionYes I have, it is a major pain, too difficult to regulate, cant eat many different foods, etc. Dont want to take this either.
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.
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
Thank you so much for your explanation.
Thanks ! How did you get off Eliquis because I would love to get off it.
Thank you, Martin this is very useful information. Much appreciated.
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