When I was placed on Pradaxa (Dabigatran) for AF I developed anal leakage within days and occasional lower abdominal ache after a few weeks. The ache is more than occasional now waking me in the early morning with painful wind then BM at 4am or so. Cardioversion has worked well and 6 months later still staying in sinus rhythm. At the latest follow up the cardiology nurse said I must stay on Pradaxa for life and when I mentioned the bowel problem she said that she had never heard of that as a side effect and that Gerd is usually the only problem. I think thats rot.
Have any of you folk had to deal with similar problems as mine and how did you deal with it? I'm sure it's the Pradaxa thats causing it.
I'm certain my GP would say to drop the Pradaxa and go back on aspirin but I'm nervous about that. Appreciate any advice.
Glenn
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Glenn50
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I have had no similar problem with Pradaxa which I have been taking for 3 years. It does need an acid stomach so antacids are a no- no. Magnesium supplements can cause problems like that.
You could consider warfarin or another of the new anticoagulants. Aspirin is of no use for AF sufferers and it upset my stomach badly.
I take Pradaxa, usually with lots of water and with food that has a little fat to it like an egg or toast with vegan butter. I take antacids because I had stomach surgery years ago and results of that.
My bowel- issue came from my gallbladder being removed.
Took a very brilliant gastrointestinal doctor to find out the cause. But that was it. Some people have this issue with bowels years after gall bladder removal. It’s an awful condition that can be limiting. Eating protein foods and non starchy veggies will reduce it. No raw diary-ever.
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