Anti coagulants: terminology. Ongoing... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,304 members38,577 posts

Anti coagulants: terminology. Ongoing annoyance!

Staffsgirl profile image
144 Replies

It is me? Went for my second vaccine last week and was asked if I’m on ‘blood thinners’. It’s always tempting to say no. Why is the public constantly being exposed to this incorrect term? I find it demeaning and patronising when, in a medical setting, this incorrect term is used. We are not stupid: why not use the correct term?

It infuriates me.

Written by
Staffsgirl profile image
Staffsgirl
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
144 Replies
Finvola profile image
Finvola

It irritates a lot of people too Staffsgirl - I think it is a throwback to the 'olden days' when the last person to be informed of anything was the patient who was prescribed 'The Tablets' or 'The medicine'. Apart from anything else, it is a totally inaccurate description of the function of anticoagulation.

Hey ho - I don't think it will change any time soon - when asked the question about blood thinners, I just reply 'I take Apixaban'.

Cumbremar5 profile image
Cumbremar5 in reply toFinvola

I'd say that too most nurses don't know what apixaban implies, even my dentist said what's that ? I've had my first jab wasn't asked if on anticoagulants still have a bruise in injection site a week later. Will proffer the other arm if still there when I have second in two weeks time ! I live in Spain four week gap between jabs here.

Superdave profile image
Superdave in reply toCumbremar5

Yeah, I get occasional localized under the skin bleeds from shots or blood draws. Because of my mechanical heart valve my INR range is 2.5-3.5. My doc gave me a grid to adjust my dosage up/down with 2.5mg tabs. I test at home which is very convenient.I’ve never had a bleeding problem other then those under skin bruise-like tiny bleeds. I tend to make only small adjustments if my INR is too high because throwing clots is more dangerous for me then bleeds.

in reply toSuperdave

Mevanical heart valve? Don't you mean a supranomainal transcardial flubber jubber ??? The technical term please don't patronise us all like we are idiots !!

Cumbremar5 profile image
Cumbremar5 in reply to

Don't be a meanie

in reply toCumbremar5

Ah just trying to be funny. Not mean.

Cumbremar5 profile image
Cumbremar5 in reply to

I'm on apixaban no level checks with inr

Surreychica_1 profile image
Surreychica_1 in reply toCumbremar5

I live in Spain too. I do no know one person who has had the vaccine yet!! How did you manage that. I am in Malaga province!!

in reply toFinvola

Its not totally inaccurate !! coagulation is thickening anti coagulation is anti thickening and thinners is saying the same thing as anti thickening. It's a shorter way to say the exact same thing lol!

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony

Yes it is annoying! I am so tempted to say no I am on anticoagulants and watch the cogs turn around in their brains as they work out what i have said.

in reply toDesanthony

Oh their cogs would be turning alright lol!

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I love you! I have spent the last fourteen years fighting this matter. Every time I am asked to proof read any literature I change it . People here get fed up with me banging on about it. I agree it suggests that patients are unable to understand simple things and it is insulting but sadly once the media got hold of it there was little chance of it changing. My worry is that by so miss-describing the function many people are scared that their blood will be so thin that they will spontaniously leak for every orifice! We spend a lot of time explaining why this won't happen.

Staffsgirl profile image
Staffsgirl in reply toBobD

Maybe we can start a Pedants’ Revolution together? Seriously.

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45 in reply toStaffsgirl

It's not pedantry. The term "blood thinner" is inaccurate. I've known people who've believed that as a result they need to put more clothes on because their blood is being thinned and so they will be colder.

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply toBobD

My poor elderly neighbour was so frightened by being put on 'blood thinners' because it meant that his blood was 'so thick he might have a stroke'. Talk about mis-communication.

Aprilbday profile image
Aprilbday in reply toBobD

Bob, about 4 years ago, I received my diagnosis and joined this forum. I was guilty of such ignorance and you taught me the correct terminology. I am grateful. You did not seem to get angry or lose patience. You recognized that I simply did not know. Thank you for that. Now, I am informed and use the correct term. I find myself correcting others as you did for me. Thank you.

Nannie-C profile image
Nannie-C in reply toBobD

So agree, I’m always changing things too!

paolina profile image
paolina in reply toBobD

I don't think you annoy anyone by going on about it you just converted us all to do the same. Luckily (or not?) in Italy most medical things are known by their proper names - I used to be really impressed by the Italian knowledge of medical matters. 😁

Snookersteve profile image
Snookersteve

I think the problem is that only a very small proportion of the tens of millions of people being asked if they are on "blood thinners" actually take anticoagulants and know what that term means. I don't think it is really patronising because it is not a term in general everyday usage. If they asked everyone being vaccinated if they are on anticoagulants then they would have to explain to the vast majority of those people not on anticoagulants what they are and this would waste a lot of time at a time when they are trying to push through as many people as possible as quickly as possible. So as frustrating as it is the term will remain in general use merely as a matter of expediency.

The medical professionals clearly know the correct terminology but don't want to confuse the majority of the public by using a term not familiar to most people but of course very familiar to those of us who have to take anticoagulants. It's the same problem in the press and on TV. We'll either just have to take it on the cheek and not get frustrated or keep banging our heads against a brick wall and try to get the terminology changed! Just my opinion, Steve

Staffsgirl profile image
Staffsgirl in reply toSnookersteve

I’m not a medical professional, and have only been involved personally with anti coagulants for three years, but I’ve been aware for many years that ‘blood thinners’ is the incorrect term. I don’t think that the use of the correct term would confuse the public. I’m happy to continue banging my head against the brick wall😉. Small steps...!

Snookersteve profile image
Snookersteve in reply toStaffsgirl

You clearly have a higher opinion of the general publics knowledge than I do, so we'll just have to respectfully disagree on this one. No problem Steve

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toSnookersteve

Hey snook agreed ...I can’t see it making MY blood boil any time soon ( metaphorically speaking). I’ve got much bigger things to worry about. Keep smiling.

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45 in reply toSnookersteve

I have a twice daily anti- histamine but have never heard an inaccurate alternative name for it.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs

Hey Staffer (if that’s allowed)...I don’t think they mean any harm by it. I suppose it’s the layman’s term for anticoagulant. Bit like a.m and morning and p.m and afternoon. Most of us know that anticoagulants don’t actually THIN the blood but does it matter❓

Staffsgirl profile image
Staffsgirl in reply toTickerprobs

In a medical setting, yes, I think it does.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toStaffsgirl

Hey Staffs...With all due respect (which is normally in my nature) why does it matter. Is there actually such a thing as a ‘blood thinner’. If there was, then I could understand the descriptions being a confusion issue.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

According to Wikipedia “anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners “

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Yes Peo...I remember when I was first diagnosed with Afib (abbreviation for atrial fibrillation) I was informed by my GP ( general practitioner) that I would go onto ‘blood thinners’... I can’t remember being offended and definitely didn’t storm out of the surgery.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

According to Merriam Webster ( and just about every other dictionary )” Definition of blood thinner “a drug used to prevent the formation of blood clots by hindering coagulation of the blood.” It would seem to be an accepted alternative term

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Hey Peo...I may be wrong and normally am but I don’t think that anticoagulant specifically refers to blood 🩸 ONLY.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

May be. But I am just quoting how they are defined in the dictionary . Aspirin etc are anti platelet work in a different way . You can understand why HCPs try to keep it simple in first instance. Am guessing if someone answered yes to being on a blood thinner they would then ask what they were taking . You are very right in that if asked are you on an anticoagulant someone may say no when it might be relevant to mention they take aspirin or something else . They probably do use blood thinner as a catch all term or they would be there all day

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toPeony4575

If you say it’s acceptable p then it must be 🤣🤣 all jokes aside I don’t really see an issue with it even if it’s not “officially” acceptable. Sometimes it’s just easier to use a different term or abbreviation etc in order to make things easier/quicker and ensure that everyone understands.

Well I take your point, but do you feel just as strongly with the use of heart attack for myocardial infarction, or stroke for cerebral infarction?

Language evolves, words come to mean what the majority wants them to mean. Perhaps in part because of the stubbornness of the Academie Francaise, english remains the lingua franca (ironically) of the western world.

Superdave profile image
Superdave in reply to

Yeah, I had a subdural hematoma, called an aneurysm, brain bleed or stroke, take your pic. The docs understand and that’s all that counts. I have a mechanical heart valve and Afib, so I take an anti-coagulant or commonly known as a blood thinner.

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce

I see your point Staffsgirl.

It's a tough one I think. I know when I found out I had afib the term anticogulants would have meant nothing to me. Now I'm 'more in the know' I use it all the time.

It is confusing. Asprin is a blood thinner - anticogulants make the blood less 'sticky' and not as likely to cause a blood clot. They are different things though.

Maybe it depends on how long you have been on the afib train for. I remember going to the pharmacist when I first started on Pradaxa and asking for my blood thinners. I think it's more of a laymans term and how afibbers start their journey. I remember when I first saw my cardio I first used the term blood thinners - no correction was made (from memory).

Awareness is key here. I don't know how to solve it - but yes you are quite right.

Have a great Bank Holiday Monday.

Paul

Seawalk profile image
Seawalk

In January when i went for my first covid vac i ask the nurse if it was a 12 week gap, yes she said i shrugged and passed no comment yet she launch into a tirade about its not our fault its the government, repeated herself while myself and others remained silent. She was stressed but so was i after her diatribe

She then asked. Was i on a blood thinners on the list so i was ready for her,

“no i on an anticoagulant and its not on the list” Edoxaban).

She sneered and said “same thing”

“no its not” I replied“ they don’t actually thin the blood they work on the Xa factor in the clotting cascade.” That shut her up.

With that i then got a painful injection. When i said that was too high she replied “no its two fingers below the acromium”

I got thin arms, so ask for second vac (8 weeks after First) to be in the middle of the deltoid muscle. Interestingly this time They actually asked if i was on a anticoagulant! And couldn’t have been nicer when i explained about the first jab. No pain from second jab into the deltoid.

I’m second day into Afib flare up at present. So a bit tired!

Staffsgirl profile image
Staffsgirl in reply toSeawalk

Sorry you had such a bad first vaccine experience, but good to know the second one was so good. Delighted to learn they asked about anticoagulant! Take care.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86

Funny enough mine actually asked me if I was on anticoagulants but I’ll be totally honest it wouldn’t have bothered me if she’d said blood thinners instead. Don’t think it’s really something we need to be getting ourselves in a knot over. Maybe if an EP used the term then you’d think it slightly unprofessional but still wouldn’t bother me I don’t think. Just my opinion 👍

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Hey Elli/SPROG...I wondered when you’d be sticking your nose in but as usual I totally agree withya. Great minds think alike Ehh.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

🤣🤣 I do have a rather large nose stew so it’s hard to keep it out of anywhere

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Yes E...I’ve heard that Essex individuals have large ones. Keep taking your medication and it may become smaller. 👃

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

We have mate. It’s like hurricane Katrina in my gaff when I’ve got a cold.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

E...Have you noticed what a collection of nit pickers we’ve all become. It must be remnants of the lockup (lockdown). We all love each other to pieces really. DONT WE❓❓

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

😍🥰😘

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toElli86

When you say collection stew do you mean nation or global community?

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

E...don’t know what you mean but YEH. ‼️‼️‼️

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

In reference to the nit picking stew 🙄 keep up old boy 🤣

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

You Essex fellows are very vague. You’re so far away, you might as well be in France.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

tu dois garder le rythme vieux garçon 🤣

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Detached with three bedrooms and a conservatory.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

magnifique

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

300xZOOM

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

E...possibly but don’t you think that these harpoonists can certainly do without any sarcasm. After all they’re only trying to save our lives. God bless them, even though I don’t believe in that myth. If such a being did exist, there wouldn’t be a pandemic ‼️‼️

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

And some of the harpoonists are nurses volunteering after their shifts they do indeed deserve our respect and gratitude

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Exactly right P...Without a shadow of doubt, this pandemic has had a very negative affect on human kind. I’m just about the only person I know who hasn’t suffered in a negative way. Apart from a modicum of madness. 🤪

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

There is a lot to be said for a modicum of madness !

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

P...I’m thriving on it. I’m not even gonna take any meds (short for medication) for the condition.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

I would think the anti psychotics still need to be taken stew. I did think your behaviour was becoming rather brackish 🤣

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Well E...Divv’nt tark sa daft man.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

Is that traditional geordie your talking?

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toPeony4575

Is there more to be said about a torrential downpour of it? 🤣

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

Maybe people get more like they are , so the kind get get kinder etc both good and bad traits

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Not sure what you mean P but I totally agree ‼️‼️

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toPeony4575

The fact that I’m becoming more childish and stupid rings alarm bells then 🤔

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toElli86

Wouldn’t have described you as either of those things !

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toPeony4575

Oh p you are quite the charmer 😉 unless you had a more damaging word in mind 🤣

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toElli86

Absolutely not, au contraire

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toPeony4575

vous êtes très gentille madame 😃👍

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toElli86

Merci beau coups

baba profile image
baba in reply toPeony4575

And not everyone welding a syringe and needle is a nurse, many are trained volunteers.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply tobaba

The vaccination programme and the staff and volunteers , and the woman who gave of her time pro Bono to organise the whole thing are awesome !!!!!!

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

Ye of little faith stew! This is all but a test from the big G in the sky! He will swoop in last minute and save us all! Have the medals and flowers at the ready for the big day 🎖 💐🤔🤔🤔🤔

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Is that before or after the asteroid strike❓❓

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

I think it’s before the asteroid strike but after total nuclear destruction. He/she/it/him/her/ can’t do everything at once mate

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

All those billions for nothing then.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

I didn’t realise he recieved funding as well. Is that cash, cheque or bank transfer? Would make more sense if it went straight into the cloud I suppose ⛅️

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Bitcoin

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

Ah so hes the one pulling all the strings! Makes sense

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply toTickerprobs

I think we may need to stop talking rubbish for a minute stew for 3 main reasons....

A) p will retract her statement about me not being childish

B) we will get removed from the forum never to be seen again

C) no one will help me with my most recent post 🤣

2 of those I can live with but p thinking im a childish idiot will just about send me over the edge 🤣

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toElli86

Maybe PM ing would be advisable. Au revoir. 😘

Elli86 profile image
Elli86

🤣🤣🤣 now that’s taking it a step too far! Bet I can guess who said that though 🙄

doodle68 profile image
doodle68

When I went for my vaccination I was asked if I took 'The blood thinner Warfarin ' I said I wasn't sure what a blood thinner was but I take the anticoagulant Apixaban.

in reply todoodle68

“Blood thinner” is the colloquial term for anticoagulant.

doodle68 profile image
doodle68 in reply to

quite so Redvers .......:-)

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45 in reply to

And z very inaccurate one according to the NHS website

EsteleW profile image
EsteleW

"Blood thinners" is the least of it. When the haematologist crouches down next to where you're sitting and tells you in a baby voice that "you've got a blood clot in your tummy and you need blood thinners so we're going to give you tablets to take", but you know the DOACs disagree with you and you need enoxaparin instead... Then you've got a problem. The haematologist clearly thinks you're cognitively impaired. She doesn't want to trust you with "a needle". By the time you've made your case she seems to hate you because you're not cognitively impaired.

I think doctors, and specialists in particular, like to see the distinction of rank preserved. The baby-talk and simple language is their way of drawing a line between us and them. This then carries over into all interactions between health care professionals and their patients.

You have my sympathy. It is demeaning and patronising, and maybe worse things too. Good luck with fighting it!

barbly1 profile image
barbly1 in reply toEsteleW

Did she call you "young lady"? I HATE that, and it seems to set up whatever demeaning down-talking and simplifying is getting ready to come your way. Since I am obviously a senior citizen, and I do mean obviously, I don't want to be called "young lady."

EsteleW profile image
EsteleW in reply tobarbly1

Oh, that condescending pat-on-the head! I was older than that particular doctor, but not yet senior enough at the time to warrant an ironic "young lady". I think it has only happened once, but how I hate it. I can't have confidence in a doctor - or nurse - if they are too busy to adapt their speech to their patient when they are talking about something as important as medication.

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45 in reply tobarbly1

I hate it when people who are clearly younger than me call me a "young man". I'm coming up to 76.

AussieHeart profile image
AussieHeart

well never knew that! I was dx with aFIB three weeks ago and tried to enrol into a cardio rehab exercise class but when asked if on “blood thinners” and answered “no”, I was refused. Is everyone who is put on a beta blocker (mine is Sotalol) also put on an anticoagulant?

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toAussieHeart

Not automatically it depends on age, whether you have other conditions eg hypertension , diabetes. And whether you have a known bleeding risk. They use formulae to tot up your points and you are either put on anticoagulant or not . In a nutshell

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Ohh P ...I assumed that it was standard that more or less everyone diagnosed with AF, went onto anticoags. Is there an issue with diabetes and warfarin. I’m diabetic and haven’t heard of anything of that nature.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

I think that’s a reason to put you on it rather than there is a clash . Younger people with lone AF are not always anti coagulated . Although some of them have strokes as a result

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toAussieHeart

Hey Ozz...I don’t know if Sotalol is a factor but simply being an AFer qualifies you (in general as far as I know) to be prescribed anticoagulants. Do check on this though.

Silvasava profile image
Silvasava

Due to go for my second AZ jab today. Last time I was asked if I was on blood thinners , I just smiled and said no, anti co-ag, Edoxaban. Nurse laughed and said she says that because most people understand that.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toSilvasava

Exactly . Most people understand it

Silvasava profile image
Silvasava in reply toPeony4575

Had my AZ jab, asked if I was on blood thinners, I said anti co-ag, and they asked me which one. I think maybe there could be a difference between warfarin and the newer treatments. All done and dusted in 10 minutes, happy bunny!

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

This topic was discussed only recently and led to a long thread. In my case, you'd think with my being an English teacher with a background in science that it would bother me, but it doesn't. I don't know why that is, as I do prefer precise language, in general.

One thing that I have noticed in my many years of studying language change is that people have moved from using traditional words for the names of illnesses, often now preferring more prestige-sounding medical terms, but this isn't universal. "Blood thinners" is one that has stayed generally unchanged, although the more prestige and precise term "anticoagulants" is catching on.

Why we prefer some language over others is a fascinating area of social study, and the move towards prestige forms especially so since it is in contrast with a general move towards not wanting to sound especially educated. Now that is something that does irritate me.

Steve

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toPpiman

It is important in areas such as medicine that language used does not create a barrier between medical staff and patients and I guess after years of being critiqued for using language and terms that perhaps a majority are not familiar with and is therefore not easily accessible to them they have embraced the “plain English “ concept . I too generally like proper terms ( am a devil with Latin names for plants but not to the staff in garden centres) but I don’t feel a need to try and prove I am as clever/ well informed as the medical staff or indulge in a prestige language / snobbery towards people who are generally well meaning and trying to be kind. They can’t win . Accused of either using too technical terms or not technical enough they have to shoot for the lowest common denominator

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toPeony4575

I used to pride myself in knowing the Latin term for most plants. They are fascinating. I'm a keen bird watcher, too (or do I mean ornithologist?), and I know many Latin names for the birds I see. Some are wonderful. The wren, for example, is troglodytes troglodytes! But the name "wren", on the other hand, is so much more friendly and comforting.

I agree with you regarding medical terminology and medical staff. It seems these days that they cannot win and come in for a lot of criticism. I spent twenty years of my life working with doctors, visiting hospitals around the world and, myself, I still hold doctors and medical staff in the highest respect and fully appreciate that, like all of us, they don't always get things right. A bugbear I do have is their love of over-specialisation which seems to mean that, for example, a cardiologist won't look at a hiatus hernia, even if the latter is what is causing the heart issue. That is annoying.

Steve

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toPpiman

Hallelujah for common sense. I think the specialisation has evolved as diagnoses and treatment have become more complex. You can see the reverse in play with GPS being generalists have a superficial knowledge of a lot of things. It is true the consultant General Physician seems to be an endangered species

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toPeony4575

The difficulty is that the GP, once he or she refers the patient onto a specialist, then tends (in my experience) to hand over all care. It is true, however, that medical specialisation is vital, so I mustn't complain - and, certainly, the amazing complexity of each body area is something to behold.

Steve

in reply toPeony4575

Peony, I rather think the General Physician in the UK became extinct more than 20 years ago, with the gap being plugged by the GP and the Geriatrician. It was cleverly put here recently that specialists know more and more about less and less.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply toPpiman

It bugs me enormously that here plants in garden centres are in order of their French common names and not their Latin names. I know the Latin names of most of the plants in my garden and by dint of perusing on line catalogues have learnt the French common names of a few plants ,but not all plants ( especially non native ones) have a common name even in English. To me this shows a lack of horticultural seriousness! I am a pedant about a lot of things but like you the term "blood thinners" does not bother me that much . How many people use anti aggregants for things like aspirin and Plavix?

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toAuriculaire

I was thinking along similar lines; in fact, I was wondering whether the term “anticoagulant” wasn’t, itself, a vague rather than precise scientific term?

There was a time when the best garden centres used Latin nomenclature but those days are gone it seems. I agree about the precision.

Language use is such an interesting area. In general, people today like to use prestige technical forms as some kind of signifier of intelligence or authority, but many will use casual, slang or even taboo words as a signifier of social class affiliation. It’s a funny old world.

Steve

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Agreed there Peo...Although I’ve got to say I wouldn’t like to be referred to as a ‘young lady’, even with bright red lipstick applied (cos I’m a bloke). Another thing to take into account, is that some patients are as thick as two short planks (technically speaking)🥴

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

All good points Ticker ! 😆

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Hey P...only do good points (speciality of mine but don’t tell Essex)

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPpiman

Hey Pp...Agreed with you. The thing that absolutely annoys the living daylights out of me, is the lack of proper pronunciation of words. Not sounding ‘T’s. Ending every sentence with a ❓. Projecting the voice from somewhere down in the stomach. The object seems to be, to speak as badly as possible. Have I lost the plot, do you think❓

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toTickerprobs

Both of us then. They’re called “glottal stops” and they’ve caught on to prove that one is not posh!

Steve

🙄😊

Steve

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

Not about this anyway ! 😀 it’s G gone missing off the end of words that irritate me. Particularly in the advert “Get into teachin “. Makes it harder for children to learn to read

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Hey P...no where near as missing ‘T’s.

Morzine profile image
Morzine

Yes general conception of them isn’t it....I say Apixaban now.....

There is an NHS page which discusses the “language of health” and, specifically, why they use words like “poo” and “pee” in their literature and on websites: https: digital.nhs.uk/blog/transfo...

Their justification is that such language is “clear, direct, anyone can understand it and it’s pitched at the right level”. At least two of these justifications seem to be flimsy: why is it necessarily desirable to be more “direct”-? This should, surely, depend on context. The last reason (“pitched at the right level”) seems to involve circular reasoning. In addition, if the terms used are not the correct medical ones, this might unconsciously affect perception of the nurse or doctor’s level of expertise.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply to

In our increasingly litigious society doctors are required to be direct so no one is in any doubt as to what has gone on as equally they are required to document everything . They are on a hiding to nothing as they definitely won’t please all of the people all of the time and a subset are impossible to please at all

Superdave profile image
Superdave

It’s just the public’s simple way of explaining away the need to prevent blood clots. I even have some people ask me why I take the “rat poison” Warfarin. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.

Storminnormin44 profile image
Storminnormin44

Oh please!!! Aren't we getting a bit pedantic here? As long as people understand what you are on about , why get het up? How many of you actually have a Hoover to vacuum the floors, but have a Dyson, Miele etc. they are vacuum cleaners!!

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toStorminnormin44

Indeed ! As Shakespeare said “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet “ and he defo had the last word on language !

Hatten28 profile image
Hatten28

Think I have better things to worry about, than blood thinners or anti- coagulants, in the present climate ,does it matter which terminology people use providing you understand. Relax and enjoy life, if you have to fret find a worthwhile cause.

momist profile image
momist

Hey Staffsgirl you took a tiger by the tail here! Well done in waking up the crowd though. I'm with you all the way, I can't stand those who misuse the language and in a medical setting especially, accuracy and honesty are surely required elements.

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66

Reading some of the posts and replys lately, people really do need get out more 😂, this lockdown is definitely beginning to push some to the brink.Personally, don't think it's that much of an issue as long as it's recognised for those that want to adhere strictly to the terminology, and those that don't, or don't care ! Are they doing any harm? ...

Fawtly Towers is beginning to look like a docusoap 🤔

It shouldn't infuriate you. Coagulate means to thicken ...anti coagulate means to thin..

.they are saying the correct thing. I've heard people on here call them coagulants ...which is incorrect and arse backwards and lazy... But thinners is not wrong.

It is saying exactly the same thing. Like instead of saying anticontraction they say relaxing... Same same, just a positive form of a negative term.

It would also be really stupid to say no because you don't understand that amticoagulants are blood thinners out of some petty hearted spite and irritation. Ehich isn't good for the heart.

All through your time ithe health service people constantly *patronise* you by saying can you show me your tongue not can you extend your linguis via the oral appature or something... The medical terms for things are very different. You know when the doctor said " vaccine in your arm" what was going on...if he had given you the medical term you wouldn't have had a clue. But you know one little thing about anticoagulants that they don't technically make your blood more thin and you think you've got it all sussed. But anticoagulants DO thin your blood. Not in the way you thought thinning meant like watering it down...but they do make your blood " thinner" slippery flowing moving mobile agile etc many words can be used to decrube anticoagulation... and anticoagulation is just one of them. It is also inaccurate as your blood doesn't not coagulate when youre on them...it only aids in reducing coagulation effect ...doesn't stop it entirely from coagulating...so even that isn't perfectly accurate for a pedant .

So I'd suggest you stop stressing about little things big time, cos if there's one thing that's bad for your heart and blood its the getting cranky over stupid things ...I mean I do it myself so I get it... But its not good and will antithinulate your blood!

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to

Hey Gonna...I fully agree with everything single thing you’ve uttered, apart from quite a few things but we’ll not go into that. 🤣

What I’d like to mention is, that I’m on warfarin (for AF). I’ve also got type 2 diabetes and I am suffering with flaking and discoloured legs. Now I’m thinking that, if the blood is extra fluidy, would that not be more difficult for the blood to return to the heart via the ‘blood valves’, for want of a better description, in the legs. In other words, if the viscosity is lower, would the blood work as well against gravity via the valves. If you know what I mean.

in reply toTickerprobs

I just wrote an enormous message there and then my phone decided to crash and lose it all.. Boo hiss... I will redraft it later if I haven't forgotten everything by then lol! Have to go put moldy old rotten wood in a skip now for a few hours ...blugh!! And hope it doesn't hailstone again! Drat and bother! 🤣

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to

Hey Gonna...When I was a lad, putting moody old wood in a skip was a Christmas treat. 🎅

in reply toTickerprobs

Lived in a cardboard box ate gravel for breakfast woke up half and hour before going to bed...and you tell the kids that these days they don't beleive you! Lol! ..it is in many ways a treat because it is my grannies house where I grew up...I've inherited my great grandmothers sewing machines...there's a rusty Los tin oven which lights up!!.. There are all manner of strange and wonderful things...letters from my grandad when he was in the IRA and in kilmainham jail during the 1916 rising... A lead ...cannon ball from the Boer war...an old stabby thing in a scabbard...(sword? Or maybe a dagger) an old Santa clause still in his box from goodness knows when....a monkey that Clangs symbols...old dollies with porcelain faces...it is a treasure trove and I intend to not throw any of it out and spend the rest of my life restoring it all... But its very dusty. And there's lots of rotten floor boards and really rank crap as well... Its like if a beautiful museum was buried under a rubbish dump for 70 years. I've restored a lot of things but still so much to do. and I still haven't budged from my chair. I'm daunted by it all some days and other days I dive right in. You're welcome to come over and help! It will be like Christmas every day!

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to

Hey Gonna...never had gravel for breakfast but had pea gravel for dinner if we were good and had hewed sufficient coal from ‘the pit’. Aye them was the days them was. If we were able to break the ice we could have a lovely relaxing bath, complete with carbolic soap, about the size of a brick.

in reply toTickerprobs

Hahaha brilliant!

Peileen profile image
Peileen

Hi Staffsgirl, I'm on Epixaba, similar to Apixaban. There is another in the New Anticoaculant groups whose name I'd have to look up to spell it correctly. Each of these also has in possible usage the brand name. The older type Warfarin sometimes called Coumadin is also an anticoagulant whereas Aspirin is an antiplatelet. Not everyone 'manning' or 'personning' the vaccine sites is medically trained to the extent of differentiating between all these drugs or knowing the difference between anticoagulants and antiplatelets. I was on Aspirin for many years before Epixaban which had to be likewise stopped before surgery. There is enough going on at vaccine centres without increasing the list or complexity of questions. All the administerers of the vaccine need to know is whether or not the vaccine site is more or less likely to bleed a bit and be at the ready with a ball or two of cotton wool. I hope I have helped. I'm not medically trained. I'm just a 74 year old pensioner glad to be getting a vaccine. Best wishes.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeileen

Well said Pei...the only thing I would pick you up on is, the correct terminology for an administerer, is a harpoonist but I’ll let it go this time. 🥸

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply toTickerprobs

You are very kind !!

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply toPeony4575

Hey Peo...I told you I was a goodun. 😇

in reply toPeileen

Also whether you inhibit fibrin or inhibit cox or inhibit glycoprotien receptors or thromowhatnot etc...doesn't make a blind bit of difference ...like if the paper won't stick to the glue or the glue won't stick to the paper the outcome is the same. Whether you use methylmethalcrylate or white spirits to thin your paint at the end if the day the outcome is you've thinned your paint. which is exactly why they say " blood thinners" and not "anticoagulants"because there are other forms of blood thinners and it doesn't really matter to them which one you're on all they want to know is if your blood might be under the influence of one or another of the thinning agents.

Nannie-C profile image
Nannie-C

Ex nurse of 49 years, I tell everyone about to treat me in any way that I’m on the anticoagulant warfarin and tell them if I’m in range or not. I remind them before they get to ask or not sometimes. I remind them not to rub vaccine sites and to allow me more time for pressure on venepuncture site. That way I’m in control and know everything is done ‘right’! By the way when people ask about my warfarin after telling why I’m on it, AFib, I also say it’s really handy to have in the house in case we get rats!.

in reply toNannie-C

I don't get the rats thing?? Why would it be handy if you have rats!!!! 🤔

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply to

Because before it was used as an anticoagulant warfarin was used, and still is I believe , as rat poison

in reply toPeony4575

Oh wow! Poor ratty!!

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply to

Indeed . Not a nice way to go

Nannie-C profile image
Nannie-C in reply to

Still used as a rodent bait!

babayaga profile image
babayaga

I don't get this, what's the problem? A lot of people don't know medical terminology, and don't know what an "anticoagulant" is. I know all the names of my medicines, but most of the people I know just can't remember them, even if they were told, because the words don't make sense to them.

I do occasionally feel patronised, but I have to remember that the doctors don't know that I know what these words mean.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs

Hey Paulb... A little bit of banter between trouble and strife does the spirit (turps) the world of good. Don’t you think. ❓

in reply toTickerprobs

And turps is a great thinner too!! And probably kills rats! Lol! It all makes sense🤣

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply to

Hysteria is setting in ! lol 😂 😂

collywob profile image
collywob

Oh I am new to this site and you guys just seem like you are a Facebook gripe site ..144 replies and nobody says anything worth reading..if you don't have anything valid to say ..why say it..if a word annoys you this much ..you need help..

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Anti coagulants

Sorry everyone I have asked this question many times before, but haven’t actually received an...
Tapanac profile image

Anti coagulants

I am now 3 months post Cryoablation and my heart seems more settled, no crazy rhythm (ectopics) for...
Jeanette49 profile image

Anti coagulants

I have suffered from AF for 7 years and have only ever taken aspirin as a blood thinner and have...
chammer profile image

Best Anti-coagulants

Hi Everyone, I know I've written on here once before, but I went to St Georges, Tooting, for the...
Tapanac profile image

Using correct terminology

There is, and always will be debates about the terminology sometimes used on this forum. I think...

Moderation team

See all
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.