watchman

[Eastwick]

I seem to be not able to tolerate ‘blood thinners’ and a watchman has been suggested, any advice from someone who has one? Thanks

[Pottsgene]

I have just started on blood thinners and it appears to be exacerbating my AF at present. What reasons why you cannot tolerate if don’t mind me asking.

[ozziebob]

Your concerns are not uncommon on the Forum. I have entered "Watchman" in the HU Search 🔍option at the top of the page. Here are the previous relevant Posts ...

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Hope you find something useful.

Incidentally, if I was in your situation, I would be drawn more towards the "Atriclip" device.

[RoyMacDonald]

What form does the intolerance to the anti clotting drugs take? I'm over 80 and have been on Apixaban for about 8 years now.

All the best.

Roy

[Eastwick in reply to RoyMacDonald]

I have been on Apixaban for some time. I cannot even touch my shins without coming out in great blood blisters, and they are very painful apart from being downright ugly! It’s now happening on my arms as well. I fell and broke my hip and had internal bleeding there too. I don’t tolerate many drugs well.

[Alphakiwi]

The only one i can tolerate now is Asprin which i eas told is not much use for AF sufferers.I will be awaiting replies to you about this so please let me know. Apparently there us another device more favoured called ATRICLIP.

[Sweetmelody]

I had a Watchman implant 3 months ago. It’s healing up well, the embolization proceeding as it should, meaning my body is miraculously growing tissue over it that will complete the closure of the left atrial appendage where over 90% of blood clots form.

I am 82 and come from a family with a history of strokes. The Watchman gives me such peace of mind because it lowers my stroke risk hugely.

Also important to me is that the Watchman allows me to get off blood thinners for the rest of my life. Ugh. Some if not many people find them of no mind. I do. They have a negative effect on my quality of life. I’m active and tired of bandaids on my hands. I’ve had three serious falls resulting in broken bones. Another fall in which I hit my head could kill me. (I’m going to PT to improve my balance.)

The risk of internal bleeding is practically nil if not taking blood thinners, but rises dramatically if one is on blood thinners. I’d prefer not to have a bleeding stomach ulcer.

In addition, I have aches and pains not unusual for an 82-year-old. They include TMJ and osteoarthritis. The best pain relief for me is aspirin, which is forbidden if on blood thinners, or wise use of NSAIDs, also forbidden. Acetaminophen is of limited efficacy because it is not an anti-inflammatory. And longterm use can do in your liver.

I find it curious that my EP people are disinterested in my pain issues. They take away my go-to’s for pain, but offer no alternative other than the semi-ineffectual acetaminophen. Surely they must realize that pain issues are a major consideration when they blithely prescribe anticoagulants for a lifetime? It appears not.

Anyway, those are some of my reasons for proactively seeking and getting a Watchman:

I don’t want a stroke. I’m old and prone to falling. Bleeding like a stuck pig from a minor insignificant wound is not pleasant. I choose not to invite internal bleeding risk where otherwise there is none. I need access to pain relief nostrums other than acetaminophen, and certainly do not want to turn to opioids. And I choose not to become an overmedicated old lady lining up her pills two or three times a day. All drugs have side effects, including anticoagulants. The fewer the drugs, the better.

I am delighted to have a Watchman.

[Eastwick in reply to Sweetmelody]

Thank you very much for your reply. Glad you’re happy- hope I feel the same

[drobert393]

I am 76 y/o and have had a Watchman for 3 years and it has been great. It was inserted at Cleveland Clinic as part of a research study in the U.S. in conjunction with an ablation for AFib. I had been on blood thinners for awhile and did not like them at all. Although there is always a risk involved in procedures involving the heart, mine went very well and the Watchman was found to be seated properly and doing its job. It's also good to be on one less medication. My AFib is also very much improved thanks to the ablation.