Factor V Leiden not AF causing strokes??

[secondtry]

A recent post here on Factor V Leiden has prompted me to reconsider taking anti-coagulants and maybe our old friend warfarin rather than a NOAC; either that or step up to a more active lifestyle with extra supplements.

Having been told by the medics (after my DVT in the leg 20 years ago) around 10-15% of the population have one or the other (double gene issue is more serious) form of FVL, I am left wondering whether those AF persons with FVL (and not knowing it) have blamed AF for a stroke, when in fact it was just an innocent bystander.

I suppose my message is if you are CHADS score 0 and still worried about strokes, have a simple blood test for FVL to reduce your anxiety. It can be important to know anyway if you are going into hospital nb don't assume all medics will test you or even if they know you have it, take it fully into account. As for me, I would welcome any comments or experience with FVL to help me decide what's best for the future. Thanks.

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Well you have opened a can of worms there. Thrombohilias like FVL cause problems relatively rarely but can have fatal outcomes. Stroke can occur but thrombosis in veins is the norm. DVT or pulmonary embolus at a young age would normally result in subsequent testing. A family history is common. I am not aware of evidence that warfarin is superior to DOACs in this situation.

That said, you make a good point.

[meadfoot]

I feared an earlier well meaning post would raise worries for people. Given we have no background to the particular persons dreadful demise all we can all do who either take this drug, I am one, or considering it, is to discuss with our medics the pros and cons and make a decision on balance as an informed patient and research for ourselves.

I hate taking drugs, loath them in fact, but have to accept that in some instances our choice is not that simple. Everything is a balancing act. All I would say is I hope no one stops taking this drug unilaterally without speaking to the relevant medics and personally researching it first.

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This is just my experience and thinking. I've had a fib since 2011 and I don't think anyone knows all the factors that might contribute to a stroke. I had a Watchman device inserted last January as I wanted to get off anticoagulants. I'm 74 and took warfarin until shortly after my procedure.

It was my choice to take warfarin which I monitered myself at home. I felt more secure always knowing exactly what my INR was. My EP allowed me to check weekly or more often if I felt the need. I also managed my own dosage adjustment and if the INR was too high or low I gave myself the following week to try correcting it with diet before changing the dose.

I sometimes had telephone skirmishes with the Coumadin nurse because I had to report results and dose changes to them. Often what I was doing didn't agree with their algorhythms but over time I learned what worked for me and kept my INR from bouncing around. Fortunately I have a very supportive Electrophysiologist who allowed me this independence. Otherwise I couldn't have done this.

This worked well for me. I was a nurse and liked having control of my INR's. When I first started I went to the Coumadin clinic and they would do them once a month as insurance wouldn't pay the lab for more frequent testing. I didn't like going a whole month between knowing my numbers. That being said I know warfarin is a harsh drug and I worried about what I called 'under the radar" mini bleeds so was very happy to get off all anticoagulants. It's been a year and so far so good.

The protocol here in the US is to take a baby aspirin daily indefinitely. I do and I add 400 IU Vit E to help prevent against clots in general (dvt's and pulmonary emboli). I also try to eat foods and spices that are said to help prevent clotting like turmeric, garlic, etc. I love Indian food and mix my own spices so I eat these spices almost every day.. Happy I had this done. I don't know if I have Factor V Leiden.

Hope this helps. Take care, irina