Beware of stroke

[Teignfisher]

Just a reminder to you all

I had a stroke 10 days ago but did not realise until the next day.

Fortunately it was not serious and was only in hospital for one night . I was told that it was a good job I was on Dabigatran as it could have been more serious had I not been. So blood pressure pills and a statin

My symptoms were an aching right arm and difficulty combing my hair which I put down to painting some large gates and various other awkward jobs.

So beware of any odd aches and pains and keeping taking the blood thinner .

Stay well and good health

[Jalia]

Good to hear that you are well now. Thank you for posting this. A timely reminder to those who are not diligent in taking their anticoagulant meds.

Regards

J

[jeanjeannie50]

Thank yo for the reminder. Did they confirm that you'd had one by doing a blood test?

[Teignfisher in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I had a CT scan where it was plainly visible

Thank you for asking

Mel

[Tikaneko]

So pleased to hear you are better, a great post as it answers questions keep taking the blood thinner or not. And I think we all the answer to that

[Hidden]

Thanks for posting and good to hear that you are on the mend......

[sewingscissors]

That’s very helpful Teignfisher. Thank you. So glad you are ok. Best wishes Liz

[Hidden]

Wow that is frightening! Happy to hear it was a light one but still scary. I am a believer in anticoagulation❤️ Thanks for the reminder. Hope it is smooth sailing for you now.

[Teignfisher in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hoski

No missed doses but my blood pressure had been rising so I suspect that was the main reason .

Physically back to normal but it was a shock!

Stay well

[Aprilbday]

What!!!!!!

Oh my goodness!!! You were already on an anti-coagulate? Did you miss a dose?

Thank you for posting this. I am so happy you are ok. I am terrified!!!!!

[Teignfisher in reply to Aprilbday]

I have been on Dabigatran for some years and not missed a single dose but was told that it prevented a more serious stroke .

An increase in blood pressure was I am told the most likely culprit.

Stay well

[Aprilbday in reply to Teignfisher]

Thank you for letting me know this.

[Hertbeat321]

Hi, glad it’s gone well for you, but how did you eventually find out please,

[Teignfisher in reply to Hertbeat321]

Only by seeing my GP who sent me to hospital immediately

[Hertbeat321 in reply to Teignfisher]

Sorry I’m being a pain.....

What took you to the GP?

As you said you thought the ache in arm was from doing Too much, so did you just get a feeling something wasn’t right, I like to know folks actual experiences, it’s good to know, as I keep an eye on all the family, I know women present angina slightly different from men, for instance...

Hope you don’t mind

[Teignfisher in reply to Hertbeat321]

Hi

Yes I just didn’t feel quite right so took myself off to the GP though not quickly enough for the magic injection to get rid of the problem

Stay well

[Hidden]

I'm very glad you're okay - I missed a dose of warfarin recently, and this is a good reminder that I mustn't.

[irene75359]

So very relieved to hear you are all right.

[cat55]

Thank you for the reminder from a reluctant anti coagulant taker. Keep well. Best wishes Kath.

[Pacific]

I’m very happy to hear that you are OK now. Are you on medication to control your heart rhythm, such as Fleicanide?

[Teignfisher in reply to Pacific]

Hi

I have had a pace and ablate procedure so not on any heart medication and my heart is in permanent AF not that I feel much.

Stay well

[Hidden in reply to Teignfisher]

Just as a matter of interest, my cardiologist told me that if I ever need a pacemaker in future, I would need to change from my NOAC (Apixaban), to Warfarin. It might be worth asking if others who have had pace & ablate are taking a NOAC?

Pat x

[Barb1]

Wow. Thank you for posting and glad you are ok.

[cbsrbpm]

Glad not too serious and all ok now. Keep taking the tablets 😊

[Teignfisher in reply to cbsrbpm]

Thank you

[kyoom]

thank you for the advice.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[MS444]

I think it's worthwhile when posting something like this to also define you condition and your CHADS score. Reading what's written here can be very misleading because blood thinners carry risks as well as mitigating them.

[Tapanac]

And you stay well

[TRheart13]

Wow! I wouldn’t think about arm pain with a stroke. Glad you are doing well now!

[Hidden]

Obviously can’t give medical advice but I think it may either have something to do with the license/NICE guidelines or efficacy, but he didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask as I was newly diagnosed and just starting treatment. He only mentioned it in case it might be required further down the line after drugs/ablation. I asked if Warfarin or a NOAC would be the preferable anticoagulant for me and he said ‘either, but you would have to change to Warfarin if you need a pacemaker in the future’. Everyone I know with a PM is on Warfarin.

This was July 2018. Things may have been updated recently.

Pat x

[Teignfisher in reply to Hidden]

I can only say that I was told to carry on taking Dabigatran after my pacemaker was fitted and my recent trip into the stroke ward was again told Dabigatran is the best blood thinner to be on in my situation.

[JaneFinn]

V glad you’re ok! Thanks so much for the warning. I wouldn't want to bother a doctor if I thought it was nothing significant- a good reminder that if in doubt get it checked x