Anticoagulants

[Hammerboy]

Just a quick question , I just realised my surgery is closed today (silly me) and I can’t pick up my latest prescription until Tuesday . I will run out of my anticoagulant Edoxaban tonight so I won’t be able to take any for the next 3 days . I haven’t had an AF episode for the last 4 months and they are usually very mild and short lived but I’m wondering if I’m running a risk and should seek to get an emergency prescription somehow. I’m cursing my stupidity as I write as I’ve not missed a dose in 7 years 🫤

[BenHall1]

Hammerboy ...if you are in UK over Easter phone 111 and seek their advice. Maybe they can recommend a pharmacy near you. Don't despair, don't wait 3 days, don't do it again .... good luck. 🙂

[Hammerboy in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks , suitably chastised 😉

[Desanthony in reply to Hammerboy]

As I answered to someone else we have gone to a hospital pharmacy to get medication when we were away once on holiday and my wife left her handbag with her asthma medication in it on her desk in work when I picked her up - we were 300 miles away when she realised - at least she didn't spend money over that bank holiday! Ring 111 or hospital pharmacy and see if they can help. There should be an on call pharmacy and you should be able to get an emergency supply - you will possibly need proof of identity and a recent prescription as proof that you take the medication. I very nearly did this as should have requested repeat prescription last week but didn't until Monday - thankfully got it all on Wednesday as we knew we were going to be away all day Thursday. You need to put a reminder on your calendar or on your phone - though I know we can miss them too!

[Hammerboy in reply to Desanthony]

All sorted now , 111 came to my rescue

[Singwell in reply to Hammerboy]

Glad to hear this. I've almost been in thus situation when the request for prescription hadn't got through to the pharmacy. Even though the surgery had okayed it. TBH I now have a small stash of spares for all my meds. Not a lot - just 4 of each type - don't want to be caught out without anticoagulants. Good to know re 111.

[Hammerboy in reply to Singwell]

Yes they were very helpful , I have my spares now

[wilsond]

I wouldn't tbh. Ring 111 and they'll help you. Just one of those things! Xx

[foxglove1]

I don’t know if it’s the same for you in your area but my pharmacy will give me an “emergency” weeks supply if I run out and then deduct from prescription. I haven’t had any episodes of af since my ablation 14 months ago but personally wouldn’t risk. But that’s just me. Happy Easter everyone

[Hammerboy in reply to foxglove1]

They are closed for the holiday

[Desanthony in reply to Hammerboy]

My wife now keeps a 1 day box of my tablets in her handbag and a couple of spare inhalers all over the place - but that doesn't help if you are going away and they are all at home does it

[CDreamer]

Yes you should request an emergency prescription. You can racing 111 as John suggests, they will organise for you and tell you the nearest emergency on call pharmacy. They will usually give you a maximum of 5 days supply.

We’ve all done it! I had to get an emergency supply because I left my pills at relations house and couldn’t get back to pick then up, don’t beat yourself up.

[Hammerboy in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks

[Rosie1066]

phone 111 they will help you

[BobD Volunteer]

There but for the grace of God etc etc. Managed to pick up my repeat ten minutes before they closed! Excellent advice above.

[Hammerboy in reply to BobD]

111 has come to my rescue thankfully , it only took 3 pharmacies to get it sorted . First one system down can’t help , second one no stock , third time lucky so on my way to pick up 🤞

[Moremy]

if you get in a muddle and can’t get any today I think I’m in the same area as you and I could lend you some. I think we met at NNUH a while back we were both having cardioversion. Edoxaban 60mg.

[Hammerboy in reply to Moremy]

That’s so kind , 111 has sorted me out thanks so much for the offer 👍

[Moremy in reply to Hammerboy]

You’re very welcome.

[Goosebumps]

In my experience something always goes wrong when it’s a bank holiday. Whether it’s the house or just plain life, it’s infuriating.

And I know it sounds silly, but not missing a dose in 7 years is part of the problem.

Let me explain before people jump on my comment!

I have had a number of procedures where there tell you not to take your anticoagulant for a day before. I’ve always kept these tablets as spares, and I’ve also missed a couple of doses accidentally so that’s added to the spare batch.

I recycle and use the spares every now and then to make sure they are still in date. I never thought to request the GP foran emergency supply though to keep as backup, that sounds sensible.

On the occasions where I do what you have done, and I haven’t organised the monthly re-order correctly, I have had my spares to carry me through a weekend. Really takes the pressure off me each month knowing I won’t run out.

Sorry this answer doesn’t help you with your current problem.

[Hammerboy in reply to Goosebumps]

It’s fine I’ll take that on board thanks

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Goosebumps]

Bank Holidays!!!! Like finding the soak away for your septic tank is blocked and everything backed up at mid day on Christmas Eve when you have all the family arriving! Amazing local firm came and emptied it in the dark so we could get through the holidays. (Ten years ago)

[Goosebumps in reply to BobD]

Sh*t happens!

[Hammerboy in reply to BobD]

You have to doubt it would get done now though Bob 😟

[cassie46]

It happened to me a couple of years ago. one friday evening I went to take my anticoagulant, last one in pack, was sure I had another pack but I did not. Went on line and found I could go to any chemist for an emergency supply. Both chemists near me were closed on saturday so took to the main Boots store. They confirmed it was me, I showed them my monthly repeat prescription and they gave me a month's supply but I had to pay the prescription charge. When my monthly prescription was due a few weeks later and still got my full supply. So now I do have a buffer if I forget again.

[Hammerboy in reply to cassie46]

Aim all sorted now , 111 sent a referral to a local Boots who supplied a months prescription. I now have spares which will prevent a repeat of todays drama 😊

[opal11uk]

There should be an open pharmacy in your area, I believe they take it in turns to provide this service for emergencies, failing that, call 111 for advice. Also, just checked, in my area the walk in centres are open, generally Bank Holiday times apply 9.0 a.m. to 9.0 pm. Good luck x

[Hammerboy in reply to opal11uk]

All sorted thanks 111 saved the day

[opal11uk in reply to Hammerboy]

Excellent, in most cases there is an answer x

[pusillanimous]

Fortunately my pharmacy puts a note of the label (in red)on the medication saying this is the last repeat (each script lasts 6 months). This gives you time to see the doctor for a new one and either she/he, will email the new one to your pharmacy of you can do it yourself. The Pharmacist then emails it to the chronic department of your Medical Aid Society and the pharmacist there passes it for payment under your chronic treatment plan.

[oscarfox49]

Better to be safe. When I had my stroke four years ago I thought I was no longer suffering from AF as I hadn't noticed any episodes for some weeks. Just because you feel fine doesn't mean you aren't experiencing the irregular beats which can cause blood clots. If it's just a simple matter of finding an emergency pharmacy do it. The alternative is so much worse and we can never know when we are particular risk.

Just noted you have got it fixed. Well done. Enjoy your Easter holiday. 😊

[Hammerboy in reply to oscarfox49]

Yes I agree , I managed to get 111 to do an emergency referral and picked up a prescription yesterday . Thanks and I hope you’re better now

[Karendeena]

I would get an emergency prescription. It can be detrimental to miss doses of anticoagulant as you sometimes don't know you are in AF

[Hammerboy in reply to Karendeena]

All sorted thank you 😊

[Vonnegut]

Don’t worry - I was told by an EP that unless you have an episode with a fast heart rate for a lengthy time, you are not at risk of strokes. I no longer take them since I have been taking Flecainide twice daily - only had one episode well over a year ago which was ended in a few hours with and extra Flecainide. Of course we are all different but I am sure you will be ok unless you have a lengthy episode of AF so if you might have one of those then perhaps try other’s advice on how to get some.

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

I now have an emergency supply but thanks anyway 😊👍

[Vonnegut]

That’s good if you can take them without problems. I found they either gave me diarrhoea or constipation and I can do without them and am still here at 80!

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

It’s a difficult one as we are all different . One cardiac professional after doing my yearly echo about 4 years ago said I was at a higher risk from bleeding to death than from a stroke , another said my AF was probably exacerbated by my stenotic aortic valve . After my second ablation the arrhythmia nurse said I’d be taken off anticoagulants after my annual review if I was not getting significant AF, which I don’t now by the way. I was never told about Bisoprolol lowering my already low HR so I came off them but have a supply just in case I get fast AF . I was not told statins also reduce blood pressure so taking them with my blood pressure tablets made me dizzy and reduced my BP too much so I stopped taking them and have an average BP of 130/80 but often lower . It’s a minefield but you have to find your way through it using common sense and listening to your body.

I now face open heart surgery for the stenotic aortic valve within the next couple of months which I’m sure will bring its own challenges and choices but hey ho I’m 69 and generally fit and well so what will be will be 😊

[Vonnegut in reply to Hammerboy]

Good luck with all that. I was fortunate to get to 75 before the AF arrived and the chronic fatigue that arrived around the same time is more difficult to cope with.

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

Thanks 👍

[Vonnegut in reply to Hammerboy]

And I didn’t know statins reduced blood pressure - I was prescribed them recently but ran out and I won’t be able to get any more until Tuesday but can’t see that it matters much.

[Tapanac]

could you go to your local chemist who usually prescribes your pills snd he will loan you some until your prescription comes through

We order repeat prescriptions from our surgery and it is digitally sent to our local chemist and they deliver them next day

In that way we know the pharmacist and he is brilliant so if we do run out (although fairly rare) he just gives us some to tide us over.

It is so much easier. Just get the form from your surgery and order your pills before they run out

as far as not taking your anticoagulant for 3 days, there are occasions where they have to be halted for surgery or other things so I’m sure that you will be ok, but if you are worried perhaps give 111 a ring or go up to A&E with your list of pills. Bit of a nuisance though

All the best

[Hammerboy in reply to Tapanac]

All sorted now thanks , 111 managed to get me an emergency supply 👍

[Tapanac in reply to Hammerboy]

Good I’m pleased for you

Happy Easter 🐣

[Hammerboy in reply to Tapanac]

Thanks

[Ellie-Ann]

I went on holiday and forgot my meds. I went to a pharmacy and they gave me what I needed. The next prescription was done accordingly… minus what I’d had in the emergency . So find your nearest on call pharmacy and go there. Good luck. Don’t just leave it that’s too Risky.

[Hammerboy in reply to Ellie-Ann]

Thanks I’m all sorted