Apixaban, oestrogen and knee op.

[Heartfelt46]

Has anyone else had this issue. I have had AF with flutter for about 14 years, we rub along together and I lead a good life. I went in yesterday for a pre op assessment for a knee replacement in two weeks time. When the nurse saw that I was on HRT, oestrogen, alarm bells rang. Now I know I have to stop Apixaban for the duration but now the oestrogen and have to give at least a month for it to leave my system, DVT issues. Awaiting confirmation from Consultant that a month is sufficient, what worries me is that he hadn’t noticed this in my notes! Anyone else had this problem?

[Hidden]

rosyG may be able to help you. I have made her aware of your question.....

[CDreamer]

Just for clarification - the medical issue or the consultant not reading the notes?

Certainly had the latter - frequently unfortunately- which is why I carry my own files with me when going to a consult & question everything. I even had one who signed the letter & then denied it existed - because they couldn’t find it in my file. Only when I produced a copy did they back down.

[Desanthony]

I had to come off Apixaban for 3 days prior to my total knee replacement just over a year ago they then put me back on half dose of the apixaban for a month. All fine. As for the HT oestrogen can't help there I am afraid. As for consultants not reading notes yes I thik we have all had some instances where one Doc has not read what another has noted and sent to them.

[secondtry]

Re the point about doctors' oversights, I think you have to accept now that (due to the way they work) you should double check any decisions they make whilst there or later according to the information you have e.g. I maintain a clear cumulative list of all blood test results I have had taken over the last 10 years and take it with me to appointments.

[Heartfelt46 in reply to secondtry]

Thank you for that.

[rosyG]

I had to stop Apixaban a few days before my knee ops and oesrugen is a risk for dvt but I don’t know usual withdrawal period. dVT risk is high with TKA so obviously follow advice from doctor. Probably not too many patients on it ( age) so seems to have been overlooked fir you

[Reidel]

Looking on the plus side, at least they have now picked it up and are now dealing with it properly. No doubt you will be able to go back on the Apixaban and oestrogen after you get your knee sorted out. I guess the lesson for all of us is to make sure we tell the important things to the medics ourselves just in case they don’t register it from the notes.

I was recently let down by my GP practice who had failed to refer me for an echocardiogram as they had said they would. I was asked if I would like to make a formal complaint but I elected to request that a letter was sent to the consultant explaining the circumstances. The GP said he would do that but “it’s very difficult to get a letter onto the correct desk“.

I wrote a personal letter to the consultant and had a very nice personal letter back from him though he did say that my letter had taken two weeks to reach him!