Xmas

[Lindaj754]

To everyone who has taken the time to answer the questions of my anxious mind,a HUGE thank you.

Wishing everyone here a wonderful Xmas/ holiday season. Health and happiness for the new year!

[Hidden]

And a healthy happy holiday and New Year to you as well

[CDreamer]

Hi - LindaJ

I just read your thread and you obviously have a lot of information there but there were 2 things not mentioned - 1. Warfarin is good IF you can keep in INR range - out of range and it is either not affective or will increase bleed risk. 2. The bleed risk is not from falls or cuts or bruises - except to blow to the head which would always require immediate screening - but from internal bleeds which no-one can see. Wafarin is known to have an increased risk of micro brain bleeds which can affect cognitive functioning whilst DOACs have slightly higher risk of intestinal bleeds.

An intestinal bleed can be serious - but can be controlled whereas a brain bleed can be much more serious and far more difficult to control and cause long lasting damage or stroke.

I think we are all biased and don’t like change so usually make decisions based on emotion and I had an immediate emotional reaction to the suggestion of Warfarin so I’ve only ever used DOACS - Dabigatran and now Apixaban for about 4 years. I have never had any problems and had a couple of procedures without incident.

Some people are frightened of bleeds whereas most of us experienced AF’ers tend to be far more frightened of strokes so really it doesn’t matter which you take, whatever suits you best, but as long as you take something.

Do let us know what you decide and why and what information you found helpful.

Best wishes CD.

[Lindaj754 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. Up to now have been taking apixiban when I have had an episode, as recommended by cardiologist. This has only been a few times yearly. Now have reached 65 and require daily anticoagulant.

I think my main problem is really anxiety and the more I think about this ,the more anxious I am. I will definitely take something as doing nothing is not an option.

[meadfoot]

Hope you have a heart calm Christmas.

[Lindaj754 in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you