Would you prefer to take warfarin or ... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Would you prefer to take warfarin or one of the newer anticoagulants?
I have been taking apixaban for 20 months no problems
Xarelto - been taking it for 9 months without issues.
I have been on Apixaban three weeks...so far no problems and a lot of relief from my previous 6 years of Warfarin.
Read the NICE Guidelines on anticoagulation - NICE Implementation Collaborative, Collaboration - Supporting local implementation of NICE guidance on use of the novel (non-Vitamin K antagonist) oral
anticoagulants in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. See hyperlink; - (you may be advised to cut and paste the entire link to your own browser.) nice.org.uk/guidance/cg180/...
I'm afraid of both warfarin and the newer ones; thus, I take an aspirin 81mg
daily. I've had an ablation 10 months ago and have had no occurences of
afib or flutter since.
warfarin and others protec against stroke aspirin doesnt sorry
I have taken Warfarin for approx 1 1/2 years. It has been extremely difficult to get the right dosage for me. Three times I have come quite ill from either going too high or too low. I have very recently been prescribed Apixaban and it is too early to say if this suits me or not......
At present its finanacial and inconvenience,due to waiting for another condition to be treated it cost me £10 each visit.BUT did look into accuchek and they said I would have to buy this and the stripes to test.
I take Warfarin but I am not wanting to. The constant monitoring and so many things I can't eat gets to me! My hematologist will not allow me to change because Warfarin has the only antidote for serious bleeding - an injection of Vitamin K. I also have ITP and taking Warfarin has made it much worse.
Warfarin is in the bloodstream longer that's why it has antidote,the others have a shorter shelf life eg Apixaban is taken twice a day and is out of your system quicker than Warfarin!
In some Health Areas money is the problem!
Personally I would insist on a more modern treatment!
I eat and drink what I like and I'm on Warfarin. I have my own Coaguchek monitor so could check my INR every day but don't. Last time I checked was 4 weeks ago prior to cataract surgery.
I have been taking Warfarin (37 mg per week) for 5 and half years - no problems at all. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I currently take Warfarin and would love to give up the weekly INR checks. My GP has never even suggested using other drugs and I know nothing about them.
Likewise, I have been taking it for a year since developing AF. It's all very well to do surveys about choice but most of us do not get offered anything else let alone try the newer anti coagulants. Like you scrumpyjack my GP has never, ever mentioned any changes to my meds.
At first worried about danger of Xarelto, but actually no problems except cost. Switched temporarily to Warfarin for ablation, no problems except inconvenience. However, I read that (stopafib.com website) a high percentage of patients have a genetic predisposition to problems with Warfarin no matter how compliant with rules. I do wear emergency info necklace disk. My Thrombosis Clinic says new antidotes for bleeding problems with novel anticoagulants in process. That will be a welcome relief.
Warfarin needed frequent adjustment because I ate vegetables as recommended. Apixaban night and morning is fine - no tests and as far as I know no side effects.
I would prefer to take one of the NOACS.
In April GP said I must stay on warfarin as I was in range more than 65%. I then asked the cardiologist and his reply was the same.
I am not happy as my INR has recently been 2.0 and 2.1 and with 8 week testing intervals I'm sure I am out of range on several days.
I will mention it again when I next see my GP. His aim is to get me back to 12 week testing as he says this is what the guidelines say.
Been on Warfarin for ten years +. In range 98% of time with zero problems. Why change?
Thankfully Dabigatran has not affected me so much, albeit I do get prescribed 50 factor sun cream. Certainly gives me more peace of mind following a TIA three years ago.
I was put on Rivaroxaban early April this year "as a temporary emergency measure'' until an appointment at the local Anticoagulant Clinic could be arranged. Told Warfarin is the preferred anticoagulant, officially because " it's tried and tested " and "no antidote to new NOACs. Unofficially "due to NOACs being too expensive". Reluctantly, in spite of knowing my rights to insist on staying on Rivaroxaban, I started on Warfarin 21st May. No side effects so far, except sore and bruised needle site sometimes. I didn't change my diet drastically just let the Clinic decide my doses and survived the initial twice - weekly testing. Been within 2 and 3 INR for weeks so now put on monthly testing which is tolerable. But if I start losing my hair............... ! Can't see myself being allowed to change to NOACs easily in my circumstances.
Eliquis not listed, but I took it until ablation with 0 problems.
Eliquis is apixaban
Thanks, I see that now!
I am on apixaban because it is said to be the safest, as well as the one my cardiologist advises.
It does upset my stomach, always bloated, gurgling and uncomfortable, has only happened and continued since apixaban.
Won't take warfarin, I'm a vegetarian and very nervous of needles.
Not knowing the pros and cons of the available NOACS, I don't feel that I am able to make an educated decision.
I am currently taking warfarin, and have been doing so for the past 4.5 years, and to the best of my knowledge have suffered no significant side-effects as a consequence.
Was changed from Warfarin to Rivaroxaban over a year ago and have had no problems,even better not having to go for monthly INR checks!
Wendi
I have been on Dabagatrin for more than 2 years now. I have even had surgery with no problems. I much prefer it .
I am on pradaxa for two years with no problems. I had tooth extraction, a biopsy and cataracts done and did not have to stop taking it.
Placed on Apixaban about two months ago prior to an ablation for PAF. No problems that I am aware of and better than an earlier experience with warfarin a few years ago.
Rivaroxaban is far easier to take and manage than the others I've been prescribed
As its all new to me,I was started on Apixaban in Tenerife,no problems!,from March this year!
was on warfarin requested change due to fluctuating INR voted for pradaxa as thats what i take
i have been on warfarin now for about 5 months and feel o.k. I work with hand tools and am always cutting or grazing my self it takes a little longer to stop bleeding also keep to my normal diet with an occasional glass of wine or beer and am around 2.5 to 2.6.(watch out now i.ve said that my next test will probably be off the chart l.o.l.)
I'm beginning to think I might ask to change every few years, so I'm not on the same drugs for years and years. I assume they all have slightly different side-effects and risks, so it'd sort of spread them out if that makes sense !!! It does to me, but then that's probably why I'm a farmer not a doctor 
but I shall ask next time I see my EP.
Koll
I've been taking Rivaroxaban for a year now as we couldn't get the INR right with Warfarin. My doctor chose it because of my age (70) and high blood pressure. It apparently costs my GP £2.50 per tablet (day).
No problems and I can eat and drink what I like when I like!
Accidental bleeding (cuts) can be a bit of a problem, but that's no different to Warfarin.
Been on Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for 17 months with no problems at all. My father used to take Warfarin and was for ever having blood tests and adjusting his dosage.
Lal
Scared of Warfarin and can't take one of newer ones as have leaky. Heart valve so not suitable
Rock and hard place
So it's aspirin for me AF
Already had TIA .....
Help
I took a daily aspirin (never missed a single day) for more than 20 years and then had a TIA. Stroke professionals have told me aspirin is useless. It certainly did not protect me!!! - but who knows did it protect me from a more serious stroke? I am happy to be on warfarin and enjoy the frequent INR tests the staff are like friends.
Hi Barry,I also was on aspirin, then 7 years ago, I had a mini stroke when in Malaysia, the hospital was magnificent, after 24 hours , my speech came back. They put me on Warfarin, said aspirin no use. I had a few ups and downs with the Warfarin, but now settled down, and low dose of 2 mg daily, I wouldn't change, just have to go every 6 weeks for checks.
Am so grateful my cardiologist switched me from warfarin to apixaban. My GP was reluctant due to cost. Hospital assured me it would not stand back and let me bleed to death in event of a major accident. No side effects at all with Apixaban. Patricia.
I have been taking warfarin for about 2 years and have had no problems with it. Keep in range without difficulty and have not had to adjust diet. Regular checks in nearby clinic no problem. I am a keen cyclist and have been told that warfarin is quickly reversible so if I came off my bike and had a big bleed, medics could take action. That is providing I had not bled to death in the meantime!
I was on 300mg of Aspirin for many years and then put on Warfarin. After several months my INR hadn't stabilised so my GP put me on Rivaroxaban. Within a day of starting I had severe leg and buttock pains, which spread throughout my body. With my GP's agreement I stopped Rivaroxaban after 12 days and went back to Warfarin, buying my own Coaguchek monitor. I was offered another NOAC but preferred Warfarin. Rivaroxaban may or may not have been a contributory factor to the pains which were diagnosed a month later as Polymyalgia. My AF is nothing to the weakness which comes from Polymyalgia, an auto-immune condition.
After DVT's twice and one PE, I don't play games with my diet! You never forget the pain! The other meds have no generics and no antidote. It would cost me over $500 a month for a 30 day supply. I don't pay for Warfarin. I did not have to stop taking it for cataract surgery - I had both eyes done. Plus, laser afterwards. I've read that Warfarin is best for a history of DVTs. AF patients take the other meds. Perhaps their plan pays part of it. Mine doesn't. Social Security income doesn't allow for those kind of expenses - I take 14 meds. I order from Canada most of the time. Not only are they less expensive (for the formulary) but they do have generics for some of the formularies in the US that are not here yet.
I've taken Apixaban for 19 months without problems - my cardiologist said it was his preferred anticoagulant, so it is the only one with which I am familiar.
I have been on Apixaban one year now and waiting for the results of last weeks blood test.
It's certainly easier to take a 5 msg pill twice a day and an annual blood than trying to balance the Warfarin merry go round
I have been on Apixaban one year now and awaiting the results of my first blood test.
It's certainly easier than the merry go round of Warfarin and the problems I had prior to going on this.
I had made plans to buy a coaguchek machine and luckily the annual cardiologist appointment came up and he suggested the alternative.
I have been to see cardiologist about coming off warfarin and going on to another anticoagulant, he agrees with me on this, but cannot get them on perscription as I live in wales, if I lived in Bristol I could.
Would prefer Rivaroxaban as I have read a lot about the drug but have been told I have been on warfarin so long it's not worth changing as the ablation I have just had may be successful in which case I won't need either!
Have taken Warfarin for nearly 3 years now. I have had hair loss sincer taking Warfarin. I understand that the newer ones don't have antidotes, which I believe Warfarin has.
I would prefer one of the new anti coagulants as the inr testing plays havoc with trying to work full time
Have been on Apixaban for two years with no problems. I am a nurse and did research NOACs ( new anticoagulants ) to death before making my decision. I suffer from Atriel flutter and AF . I am aware there is no antidote for Apixaban as there is for Warfarin, but the effects of Apixaban only last for 12hours. There were two huge study's done which showed Apixaban to be as effective if not better than Warfarin. There are no regular bloods needed, therefor much more convienient.
Sorry but must also stress that for people with AF aspirin is no protection from stroke and should not be given. See the NICE guidelines.
Unfortunately was on Asprin when I had TIA. So EP decided I go on to Dabigatran which is now 3years ago.
No problems, plus a lot more peace of mind.
Mags
I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrilation early July this year, given bisoprolol 2.5mg a day by the hospital and sent home. Received a letter to see a cardiologist on Oct 5th. Have never been prescribed any anticoagulants to take at all as of yet, Ive had a few epidodes of afib scince, one lasting all day and night. Was I supposed to be taking any untill I see the cardiologist?
I would have preferred Riveroxabin, but because of my age (80) I was put on Dabagatrin
I have been on Warfarin for 16months and feel fine and my blood tests have remained steady. I do not know whether I should change to one of the new ones so I am going to the Conference in Birmingham tomorrow to hopefully get more information.
Was first given pradaxa and that gave me stomach problems. Then given pradaxa and that caused blood in urine. So I am stuck with warfarin.
I have tried for some time to come off warfarin, the next time I see my GP, I am going to insist on a change over now. It seems I now have thrombocytopenia. I also have Osteopenia and have had it for some years. I had my doubts regarding the low level of white blood cells, after reading the last leaflet, the information confirmed that.
Look at the ITP website.
Taking Xarelto is easier than rat poison (Warfarin) as it doesnt need monitoring but the downside is there is no cure like Vitamin K if you suffer a major bleed.
I do not trust taking a blood thinner that cannot be monitored to see if you take enough or not , its like playing Russian roulette , either bleed to death or get a clot . not knowing what my INR level is would drive me nuts .
I'd rather not be a "human trial" on a newer med. I'll stick with good old cheap & well know Warfarin. I also do home testing from Roche Labs 2x month...easy peasy! *In the US there are constant law suites from people having serious trouble with newer meds. To be fair though, we are a sue happy society on this side on the pond.
