Anticoagulation treatment stop

[jsheard]

I’m 72 ,I have had persistent slow AF now for 9 years

I have been taking warfarin now for the last 10 years

I have moderate weakness of the heart muscles ,enlarged heart ,my ejection fraction was 40% last year .

I have received a letter saying my consultant wants me to stop taking warfarin straight away

There is no reason why,surely I still need the warfarin,for the irregular heart beat

I don’t know what to do apart from phoning my GP and asking for an explanation ,as contacting the consultant is just about impossible

Has anyone else had their warfarin stopped after so many years .

[10gingercats]

You need a fast response in order to find out why this has happened. Speak urgently to your GP. I am not a medic but i cannot think of a reason why this should have happened suddenly and with no explanation.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've not heard of anyone on this forum being asked to stop Warfarin straight away. I'd ring your GP tomorrow and see if they can throw any light onto why you've been asked to do this.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Ring GP asap . This is a strange request

[BenHall1]

Hi,

There seems to be a number of issues here. How well they are solved depends on how mentally tough you are at taking on the " medical establishment" and fighting for your space.

I have been on Warfarin from Jan 2010 to August 2023. I came off it because my GP wanted me to go on to pain killers for which Edoxaban would be more appropriate. Mind you she has been trying to get me off Warfarin for a few years previously. I agreed. However over a few months Edoxaban gave me unpleasant side effects and I put myself back on Warfarin ......... and told her after the event !

I am now still on Warfarin. I also have my own INR testing device and carry out my own tests and adjust my own doses where I need to. My surgery has now agreed to provide test strips and Warfarin on prescription.

Warfarin does not primarily correct irregular heart beats. Warfarin is an anticoagulant. Unless your consultant provides you with a medical/scientific life threatening reason for stopping Warfarin I would contiunue it BUT discuss it with your GP. You could tell your GP that unless he can provide a reason, based on your other medical conditions, you have no choice but to refer the matter to the Care Quality Commission for a decision !

I hold the controversial and personal view that the medical world hosted by GP's, Consultants etc are conducting a form of warfare on Warfarin to get it off the market. Forgetting of course that a great many folk cannot tolerate these new anticoagulants and so Warfarin is the only option for them. Equally the reverse is also true.

Did your consultant offer an alternative to coming off Warfarin ? If not then I would suspect he is creating a potential big problem for you. Assumedly, your GP signs off your repeat prescriptions for Warfarin.

Warfarin has been used for some 70 years, well tried and well proven. There are plenty of INR Clinics who have a specialist team available to discuss your needs where necessary.

Good luck.

PS .... I recently spoke to my new Consultant Cardiologist and he questioned why I was still on Warfarin .... I duly explained the problems I had with Edoxaban ... he said - ok that's fine. Not fussed about it.

[Hidden]

Perhaps your INR is way out of range and this is a temporary measure. When did you last have your INR checked?

[jsheard in reply to Hidden]

Thursday

[pip_pip]

Is your consultant a cardiologist or electrophysiologist. ? I would contact the secretary of his/her office and ask him/her to question this issue. asap. They will get back to you .

Phil

[Ppiman]

I have read studies that show warfarin is less able to control coagulation successfully when the ejection fraction is reduced and that a DOAC drug would be more effective, such as, edoxaban.

That will be the reason, I expect - a change in protocols in your local health area. However, you need to speak to your GP, as everyone else is suggesting.

Steve

[Alphakiwi]

May be your age. I think once we are past a certain age the risks are different

[Dodie117 in reply to Alphakiwi]

That’s at least 80 I believe and even then just reduced. A lot if us in her are in our 70s and are anticoagulated unless some very specific reason.

[Rotsky in reply to Dodie117]

I am on Apixaban and started when it was new. I read weight could be a factor in dosage.

A few yrs ago got weight to 60 kg and asked if should reduce by 2.5 pd. as on same dose as a 20 stone man. GP said they only reduce after 80 yrs old if deemed ok…I am now 79 and ok on Apixaban, no problems.

[Tykelady]

Several people I know have had Warfarin withdrawn but they have all been given some other medication to replace it.

[TenorJK]

I have been on Warfarin 10years I am 86years old. Have they offered an alternative? If not seems very strange. Definately query this.

[Morges]

My father in law took a tablet (Bendroflorozide) for his blood pressure. He had an appointment with a locum GP for repeat prescription. The locum said there is a much better treatment these days - the tablet you are on is very old fashioned. And my father in law went home on Ramipril (ace inhibitor) Sadly he reacted to the Ramipril and went into kidney failure and died. This was partly bad management because he should have had his kidney function tested and the Ramipril titrated up with kidney function test before each increase in dose. I did not know his meds had been changed until it was too late. I wish he had been left on the old fashioned medication.

I hope you get your prescription sorted out.

[Pumpkkin33]

I stopped mine after a year was put on apixaban

[Tomred]

This happened with my late mother ,she was told she would be on warfarin for life then one day was taken off it, gps reason was that she didnt need it any longer, but still remained in afib, if i had of known what i know now about afib, i would have been shouting louder.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello

Thank you for your message on the Forum, perhaps your doctor will be halting the warfarin as they are planning to introduce you to a DOAC - Direct Oral Anticoagulant, they have the same function within the body, but less restricting with other medications and does not restrict your diet. The other bonus is that you no longer require regular INR testing.

You may find the booklet 'Preventing an AF-Related Stroke' booklet helpful: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Kind regards

TracyAdmin

booklet

[jsheard in reply to TracyAdmin]

thankyou