Pradaxa v Warfarin??GP wants to change my medication.

[YannyD]

Hi, just wondered if anyone has had my recent problem. I've recently been diagnosed with Proxy AF and have been put on Pradaxa by the specialist. Recently I had a phone call at home from the GP,s office asking why I had been put on Pradaxa? All I knew was that this was temporary until I have the electric treatment. As it turns out, the treatment is no good in my case,as I have Proxy AF. Therefore, I am on tablets for life. I'm expecting another phone call from the GP,s office now, tho I did tell the specialist my concerns about the GP. He has written up my notes and is to advise the GP I should be left on Pradaxa, but I'm worried. They do suit me,no side effects really. Evidently there's some kind of chart?graph? I don't have enough points to warrant taking Pradaxa? I have 1 point, that's for being a woman. Sorry long winded, any one else hit this problem please? Thankyou.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Yanny

I think your GP is confusing two issues yes there is a test to see if you should be anti-coagulated, it's called CHADS2Vasc and you can google it and find it easily and check your score.

If you are a 1, most specialists agree that its your choice, although they reccomend it, if 2, then they insist even more.

However once you have made that choice, which anti-coagulant is up to you, NOT your GP see NICE guidelines to that effect. Both warfarin and Pradaxa have their good and bad points, but yes in general the NOACs are easier to take.

I may have to be corrected here as not sure, but I do not think Wales have taken on NICE gudileines, but someone please correct me.

If you are in England, simply tell your GP it's my choice and my consultant agrees.

Be well

Ian

[YannyD in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks so much for that! You,be put my mind at rest. I see so many things on telly where people are being denied drugs for cancers etc so I thought mine pales by comparison so I,ll get changed. Thankyou Ian. And stay well to you too.x

[jennydog in reply to Beancounter]

Ian, I am in Wales and I understand that they resist alternatives to warfarin on the grounds of cost. I was prescribed Pradaxa by my EP in Liverpool due to my unstable INR. Interestingly a neighbour was diagnosed with AF recently and he has been given Apaxiban so I think that things are improving.

[Hidden]

I would ask your GP what qualifies him to disagree with a cardiologist as to what your treatment should be. If you cardiologist says you need anticoagulants then you do. Go on line nice guidelines and AF association information to inform yourself as much as you can that way you are informed and better able to discuss. Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ps I changed from warfarin to pradaxa

[YannyD in reply to Hidden]

I will do. Have you seen that Pradaxa is better? I've no experience of Warfarin. You're right I must read up should the phone call come. Thankyou.

[Hidden in reply to YannyD]

On warfarin they test your INR mine wasn't stable so I requested the change with my cardiologist blessing. Have you seen a doc who specialises in the electrics of the heart.

[YannyD in reply to Hidden]

I'm not sure about the doctor who specialises in the electrics? I saw a specialist whilst on the ward, he explained about the electrics. Then I had the heart test? Electrocardiogram?? You can tell I don't know much. Lol. I then saw a doctor/specialist about the results of that. He said its PAF and no cure, so meds for life. What's the INR pls?

[Hidden in reply to YannyD]

Sorry INR is a regular test to check clotting of blood they want to keep it at a level. Pradaxa doesn't require same testing which suits me. I don't think I'm the person to answer whether there is treatment or not. As I said read around it to improve your knowledge usually for AF we see an electro physicist. I would question if your specialist is one and why no treatment . Keep asking we are a friendly lot

[YannyD in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou. They say no treatment because its PAF so all they can do it treat it with meds. Yes, its a really smashing site, and great to know its here. Thanks so much.

[Hidden in reply to YannyD]

By PAF do you mean permanent or paroxysmal AF check AF association website re treatments

[YannyD in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, never realised, its paroxysmal. Lol, its difficult to get my head round, I got the diagnosis just a week ago. The first episode I had which led to me going to hospital was in Sept. Its taken over 5 months!

[Hidden in reply to YannyD]

Still think you need to ask about treatment options night

[YannyD in reply to Hidden]

Will do. And thankyou for being so helpful. Night to you too.😊

[seasider18 in reply to YannyD]

Can you change your GP?

Disagree with one to often and they may tell you to go elsewhere.

[NiceNana]

It might help you to know my history.

I had paroxysmal AF and asked to see an Electro Physicist as I wasn't happy with the treatment that I was receiving from the cardiologist at my local hospital. I was referred to Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital, where they are taking part in an Avatar trial, where you are blindly assigned one of three possible treatments. I was lucky and was chosen to have an ablation. It was successful. On my last follow up the lovely EP told me "You know you no longer have AF, and I know you longer have AF" 😁 As I score 2 on the CHADS2Vasc I am on anticoagulant for life, but because I didn't like the effect of Warfarin on my hair and nails I was changed onto Rivaroxaban.

Read all about the condition and don't be afraid to ask questions. This forum is a great font of knowledge.

Good luck, Lynn.

[YannyD in reply to NiceNana]

Is warfarin one that gives hair loss Lynn? I'm trying to gather an argument to keep me on Pradaxa because they seem to suit me. No side effects. Thankyou.

[NiceNana in reply to YannyD]

Yes, quite a few people who are on Warfarin have problems with thinning hair and brittle nails.

[YannyD in reply to NiceNana]

Thankyou.x

[gateman]

I'm a zero Chad's but chose to stay on warfarin following my unsuccessful cardioversion. GP agreed, no problem. I thought better safecthan sorry and I'm protected from stroke for any reason, not just AF.

Trouble with warfarin is INR checks. You go months testing every six weeks, then you tell below and your tasted weekly. It's a nuincance if you work.

Also if you like to travel and want insurance, the companies are more concerned about warfarin than the AF. Many companies will not cover you if you are checked more often than once every four weeks. So if you have a problem just before you go away you might have bigger problems.

If you sit at home with nothing to do then a trip to the warfarin clinic might be a highlight of your week.

If like me it was an inconvenience I would say go for an NOAC.

I saw my GP and said I wanted to change to apixaban.He agreed at once. Touch wood no problems on it.

Good luck.

[YannyD in reply to gateman]

Ythankyou, I have a 7 week holiday planned, deposit paid so that good to know.

[RiderontheStorm]

I was on Pradaxa prior to Ablation and for weeks after and THAT did not work for me as I caught a PE or Lung Embolism so I am now on Warfarin, that is managed by blood tests weekly. Nothing works 100% guaranteed and all is managed risk it seems.