DOAC QUERY

[Carmel123]

I'm new. I have just been asked to take a DOAC and not sure whether to take or which one. I had AF 7 years ago and have been good since. Now reached 65 and doctors say that there is now increased chance of a stroke as getting older. Does anyone have any views. Would appreciate them.

[BobD Volunteer]

When you say you had AF seven years ago did you have an ablation or are you still taking control drugs of some type. or did it apparently go away on it's own?

Anticoagulation is advisable with a CHADSVASC score of 2 or higher which you now obviously have so up to you. Nobody can force you to take them but as has been said before, you can always stop anticoagulants but you can't undo a stroke.

[Hidden]

Afraid your Doctor is absolutely right and cannot add to what BobD has said. No one likes taking medication but the risk of stroke is probably the most important issue anyone with AF has to face. Take a peek at the first Pinned Post to the right of this page for Newbies and Oldies and you will be able to easily access lots of helpful information......

[Hidden]

If the advice is to take one then personally I would, apixaban appears to be the safest from the data and it's the one I take currently, it's a twice a day dose but you soon get used to that.

Andy

[bantam12]

As soon as I hit 65 I was put on them, I chose Apixaban as it seemed to be the favourite and I've had no problem at all with taking it.

[Hidden]

Our doctor has just moved me to Edoxaban from warfarin. No idea why this one but it seems to be a surgery favourite! I am only 62 but a history of AF and TIA in the family so I figured, pays to be cautious. As Bob says, you can stop an anti coagulant but you can't undo a stroke.

[CDreamer]

May I ask what is your concern about taking them?

The reason for anticoagulation is that it is a prophylactic treatment against stroke. The trouble with AF is that although you say you have had AF and now are good - for what ever reason - the risk of stroke remains and increases after the age of 65 which is a significant number as far as risk potential

[Carmel123 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for your reply. My concerns were when reading about side effects and the problems when undergoing surgery or dental treatment. It probably sounds silly but I expect I will get used to the life changes. I feel better reading your replies than I did before so will give DOACs a go. Thank you.

[Carmel123]

Thank you everyone for your replies which have reassured me. Not knowing anyone taking DOACs I did not know who to ask more until finding this site. 7 yrs ago I took bisoprolol when released from hospital. They said that they could not do anything further until I had another episode which thankfully I haven't. I have always put it down to stress as a lot was happening at the time with elderly relatives, home, work etc. I naively thought that was the end of things and then suddenly out of the blue doctors called me into the surgery and suggested going on DOACs. Reading possible side effects etc frightened me a little. After hearing from you I will probably say "yes" when I go back to doctors. As you say a stroke is much worse. Thank you.

[TamlaMotown in reply to Carmel123]

Hi Carmel, may I ask do you not have any trouble at all with your heart such as ectopics/palpitations & do you still take Bisoprolol?

[Carmel123 in reply to TamlaMotown]

No i have not had any problems since coming off bisoprolol after my only episode about 7yrs ago, that's why the doctors suggestion came out of the blue and was such a surprise, but i think it was reaching the magical age of 65 that triggered their response.

[TamlaMotown in reply to Carmel123]

I have not had another episode in my nearly 2yrs since diagnosis but I do have ectopics/palpitations every day. I've just reached the magical age of 65 in January so just started Apixaban.

Hope everything continues so well for you

[Carmel123 in reply to TamlaMotown]

Thank you. You too.

[gateman]

I take Apixaban with no problems whatsoever . The big plus is no testing as with warfarin. Makes life much easier, travel insurance don't have a problem with it either.

[marcyh]

Apixaban (Eliquis) here for the past year with no noticeable effects. I would rather have the peace of mind about a stroke than worry about bleeding. I've poked myself and bled but with no noticeable difference

marcyh

[Mugster]

I take Apixiban. No side effects. Had numerous dental treatments,knee surgery no problems.

[Carmel123]

Thank you. Very reassuring.

[Aus19]

I had a stroke in October 2018 at the age of 51 with no warning (non-smoker, fit, no previous medical conditions). After several weeks, I was diagnosed with AF and sinus node dysfunction; I have been taking Apixaban since then. I have no side effects from this medication. Having already had one stroke, this medication is probably my best chance of avoiding another one. My AF is managed but it is still present (as well as other arrhythmias). Put simply: stroke is no joke. What Bob D says is spot on.

[Carmel123]

Thank you for your words. I have now made up my mind to go onto apixaban, better to be safe than sorry. Really appreciated everyone's replies on this site and to speak to people already on medication. It was more the fear of the unknown. Hope all goes well with you.