New GP and medication review.

[George2467814]

Have a new GP as regular one retired. Re a review of medication was thinking of asking about alternative to Warfarin as I do get side effects with it .but how do you know your INR is as it should be without regular checks ? Which you do not get with new drugs...?

[PeterWh]

Because the new drugs work in a completely different way. Look up on leaflets on main AFA website.

[Finvola]

I have been taking Apixaban for two and a half years and I trust it to do its job - the same as with most other drugs we take. I do get annual blood tests to check that my liver and kidney functions are normal but that's all that is needed. The leaflets Peter mentioned from the AFA website explain everything.

[George2467814 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you. I do agree you trust the drugs to do their job but I have had periods when reading have varied so I just need as you say to trust it wirks...although I could get one of these coag machines to check it myself I suppose.

[PeterWh in reply to George2467814]

The CoaguChek will NOT work of you take any of the NOACs. It will show your INR as anywahere between say 0.9 and 1.2 which is the range for a normal person.

Also look at the past presentations on the AFA Patients Day.

[George2467814 in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you will do so.

[jennydog]

I was prescribed dabigatran ( Pradaxa ) specifically because my INR was unstable. No testing, no food restrictions - freedom!

[Hidden]

My ep asked if I had any concerns and I said a brain bleed, even if unlikely. He imediately changed me over to Apixaban because, he said, it had a lower brain bleed risk. My GP then prescribed the Apixaban. There was no other reason required for the change.

[George2467814 in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks very helpful.

[dedeottie]

I was fine on warfarin. I self tested and felt confident I was well covered. Recently my E.P. swopped me to apixaban and I have to say that I feel so much more able to relax and eat whatever I want. This stops me from thinking about A.F. all the time too. Initially I was a little wary that I wasnt going to be tested regularly but now I just trust it to do its job and hopefully it will!

[squady in reply to dedeottie]

good morning hope you can help me, I'm about to be put on warfarin what is this self testing my hospital explained about the ablation and warfarin but left the testing part out

[irene75359 in reply to squady]

You don't necessarily have to self-test when you are on warfarin - you should be under the continuing care of your GP or clinic who will test your blood to make sure your INR is in range. However, some here (me included) have purchased a Coaguchek machine and self-test. I do this as I spend long periods out of the country. I email my results to my surgery and they adjust my dose of warfarin if needed. I purchase my own testing strips but some surgeries will prescribe testing strips - pot luck really!

[squady in reply to irene75359]

thanks for that at least know the score,it will be easier to do my own

[dedeottie in reply to squady]

Self testing seems to put many peoples mind at rest as you can keep on top of what your I.N.R. is doing and it gives you a good understanding of how your own body reacts to things you eat. However, some people would rather just visit the clinic for tests. It depends on your personality and how stable your I.N.R. levels are. It suited me to test myself partly because Im a bit of a control freak and partly as my I.N.R. was never very stable and I didnt fancy waiting months between tests. I bought my own machine but the testing strips were provided by my G.P. Hope this helps. X

[squady in reply to dedeottie]

hi dedeottie thanks for the reply just getting to my surgery is making me to puffy and it takes over a week t see the nurse and like you I want to be in control our nurse will tell you the results if she feels lke it or you have to see the doctor

[George2467814 in reply to irene75359]

Irene Many thanks

[seasider18]

A neighbour of mine when in her mid 80's had a medication review with a new GP. He asked why she was taking all of those meds (14) she of course had no idea. He said they were not all needed and reduced them to five and she felt much better for it. It evidently did not do her any harm as she lived to 93 and died as a result of a fall.

[George2467814]

I have been asked the same question on certain drugs in past to which I replied a previous doctor decided I needed it...nothing happened and I never saw either doctor again as neither was a regular at surgery..hardly inspires confidence.

[PeterWh in reply to George2467814]

How about arranging an appointment with your pharmacist (free) to do a medicine review and interactions review.

[George2467814]

I agree have done this but have found they refer you to your GP if you feel you wish to change current, meds