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Not Warfarin anymore

Having been on Warfarin for many years but not very stable on it.

Im keen to switch to one of the newer types of anticoagulants , one that works really well without my having to worry about what im eating

I need one that comes highly recommended by you

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Apixaban seems popular

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

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Thanks very helpful

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I was on Warfarin previously but, like you, was never stable on it. Switched to Apixaban and the difference is amazing. No need for regular blood tests and I know it is definitely doing what it needs to do. Only downside for me is that as I’m ‘a woman of childbearing age’ it has had a massive impact on my monthly cycle - to the point that I was worried to leave the house - so I’m now on meds to stop that. I guess that if the Warfarin had been working properly I’d have experienced the same problem on that though.

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Thank you I'm leaning towards the same choice as yours

Just wondered what happens when you need surgery as with warfarin I just had to come off it a few days beforehand and back on it soon afterwards how does it work with these NOACs

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The DOACS (new name for NOACS as they aren’t Novel anymore) all clear the system quite quickly so 48 hours is the recommended time to stop before any procedure which may cause bleeding.

There isn’t the uncertainty with DOACS as there is with Wafarin so need for testing.

There are pros & cons and some people suffer some side effects from all of the DOACS but I was originally on Dabigatran- which my husband still is on - can give digestive problems GERD mostly so you need to take with protein/fat & x 2 a day. I chose Apixaban then and have had no problems and the only side effects I have heard of is that some people can develop a skin rash. Rivaroxaban is once a day but needs to be taken at the same time each day and with a main meal so ok if you eat at the same time every day, but many people don’t.

In most studies Apixaban comes out as the one less likely to cause a brain bleed, which is of course the one we are all hoping to avoid!

Choice is really for you to discuss with your doctor but do research for yourself before that discussion and see which one they may recommend for your circumstances.

Best wishes CD.

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Thank you for your reply one more question is there any risk of bleeding to death on any of these without any blood test how can i be sure

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There is a small risk of bleeding with any anti-coagulant (or even without). The DOACs just do the job, you don't need to worry about whether they are working or not - they are so long as you take them according to instructions.

I'm on Apixaban. I had a punctured artery last year (under strange circumstances) but the hospital managed the situation well - and afterwards said they are so used to dealing with people on DOACs that it isn't a problem.

The risk of bleeding to death is really minimal.

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Thank you for your reply I feel much more confident that is the one for me

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Your a fountain of knowledge CD

Every one seems to agree with you

So I'm definitely thinking it's for me just maybe a bit more research

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I've got on with Apixaban fine. It worked better for me not only in terms of lifestyle but the lack of blood tests and the struggle to get into range on warfarin was also a nightmare.

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All good then so far all positive answers

What made you decide which was the right one for you?

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EP told me it would "work faster" as the warfarin took me 3/4 months just to get into range. And there was less dietary restriction on it. I found the warfarin to be irritating, restricting in terms of having to plod off for blood tests, and controlling.

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Yes me too fed up with constant blood tests and each time I've had surgery ages to get back into therapeutic range and the list of things I couldn't eat made me look for something else

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Yes. I changed to Apixaban 3 years ago after about 6 years on Warfarin, that drove me nuts with all the testing......I am a rabbitty greens person. Feel brilliant.Go for it.

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What made you choose apixaban rather than any others?

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Some 'New' anticoagulants have to be taken with food,some seem to have more problems,all problems, than Apixaban, and I talked it through with my GP and friends already on Apixaban. I also researched the internet ......all this took about 1 year. More people on this site seemed to favour Apixaban over other anticoags. so I decided to give it a try. I had major surgery with it in 2016 ....bad accident and then hip replace....and had no probs. and no need for blood trans.So for me, it all adds up.We are all different but you will not know until you try 'it'....whatever the 'it' will be.

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I'm certainly convinced now you talked about surgery as I had to have blood transfusions after an operation went wrong so if it stops the risk of that happening again I'm going to change

To apixaban as I have another op coming up in November

Thanks for you input

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It would be nice if you all added your country when you reply to get to know you bettet

I'm in New Zealand

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Good idea. I'm always interested to learn more about how health problems are handled under other healthcare symptoms. I have shared info with my electrophysiologist when I thought it might be a solution for me. I'm in the US and we are not the only game in town. My doctor has frequently been receptive to different ideas I've gotten from other posters outside the US. Take care. irina

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I am in the UK

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Hi fairgo45. I was put straight on Rivaroxaban as my job at the time would have made it difficult to get to regular tests for warfarin. I take it and blood pressure medication which advises being taken in the morning, every morning with a decent breakfast. Two ‘pill times’ would be too confusing for me plus I don’t always have lunch or dinner at the same times. No problems with it, except for when I had a heavy cold and blew my nose too hard rupturing a blood vessel in my nose. It took a while to stem the bleeding and I had to stay in hospital for 48 hours while the monitored me. But the rupture wasn’t caused by the Rivaroxaban and would have happened without it. But I was well looked after and at no time was I in danger of bleeding to death. No problems before or since so the medics are happy for me to stay on it. On the positive side at least it proved that the Rivaroxaban is doing its job and slowing down my blood clotting! Val

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I’m on my third anticoagulant in 3 months. Initially I was on Rivaroxiban but that was changed when a blood clot was discovered when I went in for an ablation (doctor thinks clot formed in the 2 days pre procedure when I had to be off them but wasn’t taking any chances). I was put in Apixaban but had post menopausal bleeding with that so was switched to Pradaxa. So far so good 🤞🏻Everyone is different and reacts differently.

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Pradaxa is a no go for me as the digestive problems are too high but glad it works for you

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I take Apixiban and am now in my 3rd year with no bad effects.

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Unfortunately here in New Zealand Apixiban is not funded so looks like my choices are limited

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