I have been taking warfarin for some years now and have asked my GP if I could be provided with another medication, the answer was no.

[Vivante]

Has anyone else had the same problem? I am a bit concerned now, I havea lesion on the right kidney, (cancer). I know the oncologist is a bit concerned if surgery is needed.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Vivante.

Not sure I understand, personally I am of the "if it's not broke don't fix it" party, and if warfarin is working then why change?

If you need an operation for anything, then at least warfarin can be controlled before and after the operation with Vitamin K, but the newer anti-coagulants have no reversal agents (yet) so you'd need to come off them prior to the op and put yourself at risk.

However on a different tack, if you need a different anti-coagulant (and I am not sure that you do) then I think you can now appeal your doctor to the local health group, perhaps someone else can pick this up with more information than me.

Be well

Ian

[Vivante in reply to Beancounter]

I think I will take your advice. It makes sense, especially as I had open heart surgery in 2006 after being on warfarin since 2004, I stopped taking warfarin for a few days prior to the (big Cut).

Thank you again.

[Hidden]

I'm in the same boat. I asked my EP if I could/should change but he said no because I am, hopefully, coming up for another op, so Warfarin is best.

[Vivante in reply to Hidden]

Hello Koll,

Hope the op. is successful. Warfarin it is then.