Anticoagulant

[SpritzerAce]

Hi. Hope everyone is keeping safe. I would like to know from your experience if taking anticoagulant like Pradaxa or Apixaban will make healing of wounds or ulcers last longer? Have anyone of you experienced this? Thanks.

[Finvola]

I’ve been taking Apixaban for over 6 years and haven’t noticed any problem with healing.

[bantam12]

Apixaban hasn't affected healing time for me, I recently had surgery and it wasn't a problem at all.

[BobD Volunteer]

Anticoagulants do not affect healing but open wounds will take longer to clot over is all.

[Auriculaire in reply to BobD]

Well the scratches on my arms from gardening take longer to heal since being on Apixaban and leave worse scars. I bleed for a lot longer than before. At least I can see it's working!

[lixaian in reply to Auriculaire]

Hi Auriculaire, I have the same problem, I have 9 cuts around my arms n hands felling a tree, my daughter wasn't happy as it was the wrong tree I felled! [we have /had 14 trees] but today she is happy as the sun hits the patio, mind no mention about the cuts I have or the bruises. But when on Apixaban each time I cut myself it took ages to heal up. How ever, I found that spray on plaster stopped the bleeding. Good luck

[SpritzerAce in reply to BobD]

How about mouth or tongue ulcer?

[10gingercats]

Had a big wound from surgery in 2016 while on Apixaban. Healing time was fast so no problems with Apix. stoping or interferring with healing process.

[7164]

Spritzer

I am a podiatrist and see 50 % of my patients on anticoagulants. No problem with healing. In fact no problem at all

My Chadvas score is 0 but will prob start on an anticoagulant as my paf is becoming more frequent and I don't get on with most drugs.

Don't worry

Rod

[MarkS in reply to 7164]

That's interesting that 50% of your customers have AF, Rod, given that only 2% of people generally and 9% over 65 are supposed to have it. Why do you think that is?

I guess your customers are generally over 65. They are also probably better off than most. Of the people I know, the prevalence is probably nearer 25% and that includes younger people.

I did also start taking warfarin 10 years ago, then had plantar fasciitis 8 years ago. I don't know if there is a connection there to anticoags?

[7164 in reply to MarkS]

Mark

No a large proportion of my customers take anticoagulant of some description. Most gave no trouble with it. Yes most are over 65. Those with our beloved Afib are a small percentage. I have learnt a lot from them.

[Desanthony]

No. It hasn't changed healing time for me either and I don't notice I bleed much more either. I do bruise more easily but this may also have something to do with age as I am now 76. I have been on apixaban since early 2017. I recently had a Total Knee Replacement and I didn't bleed a lot from that but did find the swelling took a long time to go down and the surgeon did say that could have something to do with the anticoagulant - though I did come of for 3 days before the op and went onto half dose for a month afterwards. However, comparing myself to a friend who has also just had the same operation and is 6 years younger than me, is not on anticoagulants and bled much more than I did and had to have his dressing changed twice int he first 10 days whereas mine stayed clean for the whole 10 days only being changed when I had the staples taken out. As far as welling goes he is just as bad at the same point in time after the operation as I was. So actually this may be a personal thing and have little to do with being on anticoagulants.

[irene75359]

I am on warfarin, and two years ago I slipped and caught my shin on the metal step of our motorhome. My lower leg was quite swollen and I had it checked at a local walk-in clinic, where they said I had a haematoma. However, some weeks later, the skin broke open, not at the point of impact but about a couple of centimetres away. Apparently, the haematoma had become infected and all-in-all I had about three courses of antibiotics, and the ulcer took about 6 months to heal. I don't know if being on warfarin made me develop the haematoma in the first place as my shin took a considerable blow and I am sure would have swollen up anyway. And my legs were never in great condition even before being on warfarin so having an ulcer may have happened anyway too.

Sorry, I have written all this and not really answered your question - however, now you know my experience!

[Cookery1960]

Yes it does I try not to cut myself as I know I will be about 3 to 4weeks healing time and I bruise easily to

[avrambaer]

Yes. Definitely.

[trtoothdr]

Definitely. Taking xarelto, skin wounds take longer to heal, and scabs break down before healing.

[Hidden]

Yes, even minor injuries bleed more and take longer to heal and I ‘ve always bruised badly/ easily. I recently started on Apixaban. It’s worse now but with a good outcome - I am very much more careful and thoughtful of possible outcomes from anything I might be doing and I keep a good selection

of plasters and bandages handy , just in case something unexpected happens. I think it’s well worth it to lessen the risk of clotting .