My GP wants me to start taking blood thinners. I have PAF for the last 12 years controlled with bisoprolol when needed. I do not want to take them. I am a vegetarian and my food intake is greens, greens, greens, lentils, nuts, fish, fruit and vegetables, no dairy and gluten free. Am I being an idiot. By the way I am 77.
AF and blood thinners: My GP wants me... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AF and blood thinners
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Holly10
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Yes ! Strokes are terrible! Death by stroke, even worse . If you have family and are able to, consult them.
Thanks for your reply, Holly
Holly, as an after thought. I have been on Warfarin since my original diagnosis over 14 years ago. I am now 79 ... I have led a full and active life, and tomorrow I retire from bus driving after 32 years of it. I have passed every medical thrown at me ( including those by DVLA ) notwithstanding rattling full of drugs. My employer ( a major national UK bus operator ) has never had a worry about me being behind the wheel of a double decker bus. In addition I have had 3 or 4 ( can't remember how many now ) medical procedures which have required me to stop Warfarin and restart it afterwards .......... including knee replacement surgery - in this case I had to stop it 6 days prior to surgery. After I was returned to my room following surgery I was given two doses of Fragmin ( a bridging anticoagulant) to kick start me on anticoagulants again , then later in the evening I returned to my normal Warfarin doses. Surgery was about 3 hours or so and I might add AF never reared its ugly head either.
I would never dream of not taking an anticoagulant as I have lived a perfectly normal life with Warfarin. I also have never made any concessions to Warfarin, I have always continued boozing with alcohol ( although have recently cut it out ) and I still eat greens, yep even the green leafy veggies like cabbage. I also self test my INR which tells me the state of my blood and have .......... simply ........... no problems.
John
john you are an INSPIRATION. my darling dad was bus driver too. conductor first then driver then inspector then he died at 53 with a massive coronary. life is precious.
bluepettals7,
Thank you. Sorry to read about your Dad, I guess this is a big benefit we have today with modern science and technology. I've had a ball on the buses both with my workmates and a great many of passengers too. Sad to leave it all ...... but I've always said to freinds and family when the time comes to stop a little voice inside my head will tell me its time.
i have corrected my typing now, yes i was 18 when he died i am in my 70s now and still miss my mum n dad i hope you have a super retirement benhall1/john. i exprect its the same everywhere but busmen have reunion days etc? so you can all still enjoy social stuff?
That is true bluepettals ........... I shall use my old gits pass quite a bit and threatened my colleagues that I'll catch their services to places like St. Ives ( Cornwall ) and Penzance and call in the drivers room at both locations for Donuts and coffee. I promised them I could be a silent shopper and do informal driver driving assessments. You can imagine their collective comments. 😂😂😂
you sound like a lovely person God bless you xxx
Congratulations on your retirement!! You've worked hard. Enjoy every minute
Thank you Camelia23,
Yes at times it has been hard work, and quite demanding at times too but its good for the brain. Over the years I have lost friends and family to assorted conditions, (Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia some as young as 59 others at early 70's ) and I've come to the conclusion the human brain is not designed to 'retire' or rather to stop. It must work, and keep working.
Hi Holly. I eat greens and greens and more greens too. Our allotment is full of them. And loads of nuts and lentils and fruit. The reason I take anticoagulants is because I want to go on working my allotment and enjoying my food into the future which can be difficult after a major stroke.
So called “blood thinners” are not blood thinners at all, but work to slow up blood clotting. Hence anticoagulant is the better description. The science is interesting but I’ll leave you to research this. The risk of blood clots forming when in AF is high and clots can then travel to the brain - so please take the advice of your GP.
Thank you Rainfern, interesting about anticoagulants not thinners. Holly
Which antigoagulant take please?
BobDVolunteer
YES!. AF makes people five times more likely to have a stroke.
OK if it kills you but often it doesn't and AF related strokes are amongst the least recoverable and most dissabling. These days with modern anticoagulants (they don't realy thin your blood that just a description that confuses) diet is of no consquence. You have four choics other than warfarin (though rivaroxaban may not be great as you need some fat in your diet) so please rethink this.
BobD, I hoped you would reply! so much info - my doctor is suggesting Edoxaban. Many thanks, Holly
"AF makes people five times more likely to have a stroke."
The risk varies considerably from person to person depending upon their own circumstances including health, medical history, age and sex. Needless to say though that AF increases the risk of stroke, in some cases significantly.
Anyone with AF should have a meaningful discussion with their medical professional about the pros and cons of taking AC based on their own personal circumstances. Taking AC also has risks, which again are dependant on the patient's own circumstances. I would encourage anyone with AF to ensure they make a fully informed decision on this important matter and if need be, seek a second opinion from a medical professional. If the decision is made to not take AC then the decision should be reviewed periodically as the person's circumstances change e.g. get older, new co-morbidity etc
Can you say more about riveroxaban please? I've been through them all but am always ill on them, presently taking Xarelto it's just easiest but I do know someone who's had a stroke on it. The private cardiologist said "makes no difference, eliquis, xarelto, some people just get strokes. Keep taking xarelto."
Rivaroxaban had a special notice a couple of years ago advising that it MUST be taken with a proper meal containing some fat. It seems that some people who had been taking it with coffee or tea at breakfast time with no meal had strokes as it was not being absorbed properly. That is what I remember.
Thank you, Bob. It does say take with or after food. I'll check with the lady who had a stroke what if anything she had and has now with hers
I refused anticoagulants and had a TIA. Lucky it was only a TIA.Went on to anticoags. immediately after that as it was a salutary warning of what may be to come.
Lessons to be learned - many thanks, Holly
I also suffered a TIA after 2 ablations and 12 months free of AF so with the agreement of my EP stopped anticoagulants who told me they would insist I restart when I was 65. That was thirteen years ago but I didn’t wait until I was 65, couldn’t wait to get back on them and like 10gingercats - saw it as a salutary warning. The risk of stroke does not lessen just because you think you no longer have AF was my learning.
Good afternoon Holly10
Thank you for your post on the Atrial Fibrillation support forum.
Hopefully another member will be able to advise you about taking 'blood thinners' I am sure a GP would not recommend it to you if they thought you didn't need it.
I have linked a booklet about 'Preventing AF- related stroke' which might give you some more information about taking 'blood thinners'
api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
Please let me know if you require any other information.
Kind regards
SamAdmin
Booklet
what is your concern with taking them? I am 57 and am taking them for a few months following an ablation My Mum is 91 and just tripped up the stairs and smacked her forehead really hard into furniture -she has an enormous bruise which looks even worse because of the anticoagulants-spread from her head down her face and half of her neck, but no brain bleed even with the force of the bump. Off the eliquis for a week and hopefully there will not be a stroke. The point is one can have a head injury and still be ok (CT scan was clear)
Bless her…I’m on AC..don’t bleed any worse and don’t bruise any more than I did before.
You should take the anticoagulant. The risk is vastly outweighed by the risk of stroke. I am speaking as someone who was also reluctant to take an anticoagulant initially. Why not ring British Heart Foundation helpline and discuss your concerns with one of the cardiac nurses? They may be able to reassure you. I see no reason why you cannot take an anticoagulant and be a vegetarian btw.
All I can tell you is that I had a stroke caused by P/A/F about a year after diagnosis, I was not on anticoags but was taking 375mg Soluable Asprin daily together with a heart control drug. Thankfully, I believe anyway, the Aspirin saved me from a much more severe stroke however the one I had was bad enough and it forced retirement from my career. I have been taking anticoagulants since, I am now 80. We all have to make our own decisions in life, some right and some wrong, then live by them, make sure the decision you make is the right one for you........
Anticoagulation is the only medication I am happy to take for AF since being diagnosed seven years ago. ( I am 76. ) It is not a blood thinner: it infuriates me that even professionals sometimes refer to it as a blood thinner. The word should be banned.
I have always been extremely reluctant to take any medication at all, but, having researched the facts, I chose to take advice and agree to anticoagulation. I eat a very largely plant-based diet and have been involved in healthy eating education for most of my life. I am gluten free. I have never had a single problem with the anticoagulant.
I have extremely close personal experience, over many years, of stroke and its effects on life (if you survive!) . I know how devastating it can be.
I, too, have hashimotos and a number of associated problems. In your shoes, I would not hesitate to take it. I think you probably recognise the strength of feeling in some of these replies! Your post asks if you are being an idiot. It’s up to you to decide.
I had a stroke while in hospital for pacemaker had to stop anticiagulantsbriefly hospital on it at once Rehab has been amazing - so much help & support in our area of Essex I have a great life travel & make the most of every day.
You don't say how long your AF episodes have been or if you have any other comorbidities.
I had Lone PAF for 11 years with only two short (under 2hrs) episodes but still my cardiologist was recommending taking ACs. It was a difficult decision but as all pills come with potential side effects I turned down his offer. However, this year my AF symptoms changed to a type of 'flutter' and more often plus I am now 70yo, so I have started ACs.
For anyone to take the right decision, they need to read widely here and elsewhere and have a frank discussion with their cardiologist; don't be fobbed off with 'everyone takes them'. Also bear in mind most medics will prescribe rather than not as they have nothing to loose. The commonest research quoted is that you are x5 more likely to have a stroke without ACs; however not enough IMHO context is added eg one old small study, sorry can't remember who funded it.
Lastly, check you are prescribed the right AC dose for your age and that you have a kidney blood test as recently I have learned that can affect which DOAC you take.
If y ou have a cardiologist…I’ve been signed off by the hospital ..never seen one..all by phone if you are lucky
Your GP should still be monitoring you and offering you regular blood tests, if not ring and ask for them and don’t take no for answer. I don’t ever see a doctor but I am monitored every 3 months, I book an appointment for a blood draw, see a nurse and get the results same or following day. ONLY if there is a problem will you be contacted. That’s enough for me, but I know many want the reassurance a doctor could give, unfortunately too few GPs, too many patients so we have to rely on systems.
Yes I do have regular bloods
Further to your comments on the "5 times more likely to have a stroke" and its subsequent ubiquitous adoption, and hoping you are interested, the following clarification was given in a previous reply by a now hidden Forum member ...
“This study is the source of the "x5 risk for stroke in AFibbers" figure regularly quoted by all and sundry and can be found here:
Wolf PA, Dawber TR, Thomas HE, Jr, Kannel WB. Epidemiologic assessment of chronic atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke: the Framingham study. Neurology. 1978;28:973–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
On first glance I could see that the study compared people with AFib and RHD (rheumatic heart disease) with people with AFib and no RHD, the conclusion being that there is a x17 risk of stroke in the former and a x5 risk in the latter.HOWEVER (drum roll....) this evening I took some time to read through the Wolf study more fully than my original quick scan....and imagine my surprise when I discovered the following:
"We excluded subjects with stroke prior to the onset of AF. Persons found to be in AF for the first time when hospitalized for stroke were excluded, as were those with known paroxysmal fibrillation. In order to provide a clear and prospective picture of the development of stroke in AF, we included only subjects who were fibrillating on biennial examination."
"This means that people with paroxysmal AFib weren't even included in this particular study and that all subjects had persistent AFib!I'm staggered that this figure (of x5 risk) is applied so indiscriminately…….."
My own take is that it seems extraordinary to me that the result of one study have become fact that is never questioned, or if it is, such questioning seems to generate a very strong negative response from sections of the community."
I endorse the recommendations in your reply about the effort needed to find the "right" individual decision re anticoagulation.
I hope my contribution is helpful and is not meant to cause harm.
Holly10
PS. The research I quoted above is simply to report the historical origins and limitations of the "5 times the risk of stroke" statement when presented as dogma. However I am saying nothing about later and more recent research that gives qualitatively better assessments of the stroke risks that undoubtedly accompany an AF diagnosis. In this regard I recommend the more refined table in the article “Pill-in-Pocket” anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation" where the variables of duration of an AF event and your cha2ds2-vasc score (your comorbidities) are taken into account. See ...
im 64 and was told that when I reach 65 I need to take blood thinners, ..I asked the dr ..why wait..why not now….so I’m on them, no problem, regular blood checks ..take them. Better that than a stroke.
YES! I was refused a blood thinner because I was too 'young' and too healthy. I have no comorbidities, eat extremely healthily, exercise regularly etc etc etc. The only thing not right with me is Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.
I'm still struggling to get over my resentment at not being prescribed an anti-coagulant when I asked because I had a stroke. I was so healthy that I had no physical or cognitive consequences from it, but four months on, I am still very much mentally and emotionally affected by it and receiving therapy. The trauma of being rushed to hospital and the treatment and the coming to terms with it has been life-changing. I was a confident stable person and now there is fear all around me. I am praying that will gradually change but seriously, to refuse a potentially life-saving drug that doesn't affect life one tiny bit apart from upsetting the notion of contaminating your near-perfect body is catastrophically misguided in my opinion. Anyway, I hope you remain safe whatever your decision.
Ilovedogs12• in reply to
So sorry to hear this, what a frightening time for you. I hope you soon come to terms with it and feel better and more confident.
• in reply toIlovedogs12
Thank you so much 🙏
Auriculaire• in reply to
Not everybody is unaffected by taking an anticoagulant. Some of us get unpleasant side effects that affect our QOL but continue with it anyway.
Do you feel you can say what your side effects are? Don,t worry if you do not want to. Thank you for your reply. Holly
The worst is amplification of skeletal pain. I know it does this because I have come off 3 times for operations and a colonoscopy. Each time the joint pain that I have has improved considerably and has returned when restarting. As a result I have tinkered with the dose and can definitely say that the pain is dose dependent. I akso get digestive issues- bloating and reflux - again dise dependent.
ozziebob• in reply to
All drugs including DOACs have side effects that are not intended. Many on the Forum tell of the side effects in their particular AF journey, and which sometimes lead to cessation of DOACs and other solutions researched.
In my case, with previous unexplained chronic bilateral subdural haematomas, my fear when several years later I was offered apixaban for pAF was that a similar repeat bleed when living alone could well prove catastrophic (because of bleeding longer) before I was able to call for help. Consequently, I have so far refused apixaban, but do keep my decision under review. Further I don't consider my choice as reckless, but more a sensible balance of probabilities. So it's not always an obvious choice to opt for a DOAC as you suggest.
• in reply toozziebob
Thanks everyone, though I suppose I was expecting a tad more sympathy for the trauma I have sufferedand and from which I am still reeling. Topics can quickly become 'intellectualised' I've noticed! We are all vulnerable people here who hope for understanding and support. My doctors have been awful which hasn't helped. It is leading me to remove myself from this website. Most people are so very helpful but since I am experiencing high anxiety at present (never previously) it is unsettling that overall there is not always a balance between kindness and scare-mongering.
Perhaps more people write on this website who have had complications like extreme side-effects et cetera and have other medical issues, which is understandable. And perhaps the majority of people with AF and no other issues don't have any problems with any medication and don't write here.
It also seems common to lose sight of the original question. I have zero comorbidities and I took it that Holly was the same so for me and for her, it is absolutely an obvious choice to take an anti-coagulant. It's not going to kill you (like a stroke could) and why wouldn't anyone try out an anti-coagulant ? We all have the choice to stop taking a drug if it doesn't suit is.
ozziebob• in reply to
You gave your experience and I gave my different experience. The idea is to allow Holly10 to read various experiences to help with her decision making. I certainly didn't intend to make you feel attacked in any way. No need to leave the Forum.
Trst your GP, he or she has your best interests at heart.
In some, perhaps many, people, during AF, the heart produces tiny clots in a small sac like pocket in the top of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). From there the clots can easily move to the lungs or brain.
Some people have different shaped LAAs which don't seem to cause this, but it's not easy to find this out, so anti-coagulation is the norm to prevent strokes.
Steve
I was a vegetarian and 74, took lots of regular exercise and swallowed my daily aspirin with my beta blocker. Nobody suggested a proper blood thinner not even my regular doctor who used to comment on my irregular heart beat. I had not even been referred to a cardiologist for many years.
It only takes ONE blood clot to form, for whatever reason. You don't know when it's coming. And you don't really understand why it has happened. Why that day, at that time?
Listen to your doctor's advice. He doesn't 'want you to take blood thinners'. He wants to prevent you from having a premature death or permanent disablement at worst or your life changed for ever in other ways.
Why would you NOT take them? Just look at the risk statistics.
I just wish someone had given me the same advice and access to blood thinners four years ago.
Hi, Holly. I had a very serious gastrointestinal bleed last October not long after starting an anticoagulant (Rivaroxaban) for Afib. A gifted interventional radiologist and his team performed an emergency procedure to stop the bleed. I was in the hospital four days including two days in ICU. I have no way of knowing if the anticoagulant caused the bleed but it certainly exacerbated it. The anticoagulant was stopped for several days and I was switched to an anticoagulant less likely to cause bleeds (Apixaban). I should also mention that the interventional radiologist noted that I was at high risk for another bleed. With all that being said, I chose to continue anticoagulant therapy. In my mind, the risk of a stroke far outweighs the risk associated with taking an anticoagulant and I experienced what many people fear most when taking an anticoagulant. I wish you all the best as you make a decision that you feel is in your best interest. Thank you for posting your question here.
Brian
Hi holly, even if you’re afib is well controlled with meds you’re still at higher risk of stroke unfortunately.! Have a good think about it. Nobody wants a stroke and Iv read that AFIB strokes can be more damaging. !!
I’m in my mid 50s and taking anticoagulants and have no problems or concerns I work full time and also do DIY projects etc. I personally would rather take them and decrease my risk of stroke.
I wish you well whatever you choose to do👍
Stay safe and take care.
Ron
hi I’ve been on them for about 5 years some people don’t have any reaction to them. I get loads of bruises that takes months to go.
Makes wearing a sleeveless dress out of the question, I dread summer but I love the sun.
My GP says come off them and then I will be open to a heart/stroke. So stayed on them.
Hi
Well, unknown to me I had Thyroid cancer and probably had some AF, but not sure before.
In Sept 2019 after Russian Riverboat 12day cruise, I contracted Australian strain flu. Suspect it arrived through airconditioning as I was keeping distant from the 2 elderly females who brought it aboard.
Just 6weeks later in hospital with STROKE, Rapid & Persistent AF and Papillary Thyroid cancer proved after a shadow on my Thyroid showing to the scanner of my CLEAR Carotid Arteries.
My Chads count is 5.
I take 110mg PRADAXA x twice daily.
A little overweight waist 3-4 inches over. Now 1-2 inches over.
The above changed my life. I used to come first in 100 yds even at 38 years.
Now 75.
The risk is yours. AF causes the risk.
I'd had mowed the 2 small lawns. I had eaten a light dinner, flaked out on the sofa. Got up and bed was at 11pm. Awoke 2am with a splitting head. Wandered to loo. I didn't look in the mirror. Went back to bed.
At 5.30am reawoke, didn't make loo, had a shower. Looked in the mirror. Oh. Moved dog to front unit. Back ready. No pills then.
111 couldn't get my correct address with my 2G cell. Moved back to main house. I had right hand dropsy. Right face drop, couldn't talk and cried because that was spooky.
Luckily my homephone placed me at my address.
Ambulence came and I was transferred into the helicopter from Whangarei to return me there.
The risk is yours.
I chose twice a day PRADAXA because I worked out
1) There is an antidote
2) twice a day means at any one time I was taking theminimum
3) If I missed a dose by a couple hours no worries
4) If I took double I reckon better than taking double the 1 dose daily.
Never had any trouble.
I've had 3 operations (not heart) since 2019 no problems, stop 3 clear days have operation leave 2 days and restart.
Never had haemohraging etc.
I was lucky with the stroke, I sang in my choir for Christmas Carols.
Voice still different, face almost lost 'drop'.
Fingers swollen on right hand so I had to take that ring off.
So some things need improving still and swallowing was another thing I need to be careful with.
Its a diagnosis you don't want.
That's my true story.
cheriojOY. 75. (NZ)
I refuse statins, flu jab, RAI and suppression in thyroidectomy.
Why wouldn't you take them, a stroke can leave you completely disabled. I can honestly say I don't bleed or bruise any more than I did before. The stroke from af has nothing to do with your diet, its from the blood pooling.
Hay Holly,
I have been on anticoagulant for many years due to my high blood cholesterol. In 2011 AF arrived and after changing cardiologist and made him aware I was on a vegan diet I was prescribed Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) instead of Warfarin. So far, I can’t notice in side effects. I'm 86...
Hope this help in some ways.
There is a person in my village who has constant AF and simply takes Omega 3 every day. He is over 80 walks a lot and seems to be fine. On the other hand you don’t want a stroke. I have been blood thinners since I was 65. I hate being on them as I rarely have AF. The good news is that the modern blood thinners are less restrictive than warfarin so you can eat most things. I am surprised that your doctor has not suggested blood thinners before!!
he would want you to take anti coagulants. They are not blood thinners to avoid the possibility of a stroke.
I was put on apixaban many years ago as was told this was the kindest anticoagulant to brain and stomach And there is a reversal drug for this one
Many people are out on edoxaban because they are the cheapest. I found rivaroxaban didn’t agree with me (UTIs)
Think carefully about risk of stroke
All the best to you
Most of the people on here who recommend anticoagulants are the lucky ones who are able to take them and suffer no side efects. Well I am not one of those. Instead of regarding that little pink pill (I am on Apixaban )as my bestfriend I think of it as the pink poison . But I still take it because I had a TIA in 2019 . This was 6 months after my previous afib attack. I do not want another let alone a stroke . I would advise you to take the Edoxaban . Your healthy diet and lifestyle will not stop blood pooling in your atria the next time you have an episode of afib. Nor will the Bisoprolol. Only an anticoagulant will do that.
Short answer,yes you are!Your lifestyle is good but offers no protection against AF stroke. I saw my mum die from this and had a mini stroke myself before being out on anti coagulation ( wrongly called blood thinners)
It's always good to take an active interest in our health and to question but in this case,please follow the advice given xx
hi Holly, you’ve already been given loads of good advice on why it’s better to take an anticoagulant, so I’ll add a few tips should you decide not to. Cayenne pepper is good for thinning the blood, and vitamin C too. Dr Sanjay Gupta, York cardiologist has a video on You Tube about Vitamin C. Edoxaban is a good one for me as it’s one a day. I too have hypothyroidism. Good luck with your decision.
Hi Holly,
One of our family friends was like you, ate well, he was active and didn’t take any medications. He was around 78 at the time, I remember him saying ‘I refused to take any medication’, that was in December 2022. He said at that time, his BP was a bit high and he was advised to start medication, he refused and had to sign a form to say he has been advised to take medication but refused. He has since had a HA and a stroke. I understand that medications have so many side effects, but you have to balance out the benefits too. As people are saying on here, a stroke can cause so much damage.
Hi Holly. I think the majority of us don't want to take medication. I for one have dreadful side effects but in some cases, I'm afraid, it's necessary (and essential). Anti coagulants won't halt an active lifestyle and in fact they could save your life. Better to be safe than sorry. I am also 77. Lynne
Please look at your CHA2DS2 score andby virtue of your age ,you seriously have to consider taking a blood thinnerlike APIXABAN or RIVAROXABAN.
VERNO COLEMAN A RETIRED UK DOCTOR.SAID HE TOOK A DISSOLVABLE ASPRIN EVERY DAY.
NOT WHAT THE DOCTORS PRESCRIBED.
I TAKE ONE MOST DAYS, BUT NOT EVERY DAY.
I BELIEVE IF YOUR BLOOD IS TOO THIN, IT CANT HEAL YOUR BODY OR ITS DEFENSES.
YES , why take the risk ? Being a vego has nothing to do with it. Having strokes is 5 x more likely for us no matter what. Heh im a fish eating vego and i take 15mg rivaroxaban because 20mg made me a bit nauseas. Thats it. Grab that peace of mind ,if not for you but your family. Having a stroke is a terrible end. Improve your chances and it doesnt seem to hurt.
i have got "pill phobia" however over past 2 years i have had to put my big girl knickers on and start taking 7 tablets a day, some for my mental health and the rest for heart issues, which includes edoxaban. I still hate taken them but i look at my grandchildren and think,"im still here". Every time that advert comes on the tv for the kardia and the guy says about AF and stroke i always get a bit twitchy.
Holly,
As a final offering to your search for further insight re stroke and bleed risks and anticoagulation, you might find a current USA trial (REACT-AF) of interest. See this paper re details ...
“Pill-in-Pocket” anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...
Good luck, bob.
Holly, im 64 and have to wait another year before i am offered anticoagulants, i have af 30 plus years chads score of 0 , but i wish they would give me anticoagulants now, im not a lover of any medication but when it comes to af i want them.
no, you are not crazy. Anti-coagulants are very serious drugs. It depends on your circumstances if you have any of the comorbidities listed on the Chad Vasc score and the frequency of your a fib and the length of time you have them. It is not a one size fits all but many doctors make it a one size fits all.
Again I don’t know your circumstances I’m not a trained professional just someone who’s researched a lot.
I’ve had a fibs for 19 years and they tell you it’s progressive they say a lot of things that are well meaning that they learned in school but sometimes they provoke a lot of fear in all of us
all the best on your journey.
I am on 2.5 of Eliquis 2x a day. You are close to 80 when that is allowed.
l held out for many years … refusing to take blood thinner … eventually l gave in to my cardiologist and husband insisting that l take a blood thinner … so l am now on Eliquis low dose twice per day. Zero side effects and total peace of mind. Why take chances?
Hi Holly
I'm mostly vegan, occasionally vegetarian, and take Apixaban 5 mg twice a day without any problems. I'm over 80 now so the Dr gives me a kidney function test every 6 months as I also have a very low body weight due to my high activity levels.
Better than having a stroke I can assure you.
All the best,
Roy
My paternal family had history of strokes, no one knew of Atrial Fibrillation. GM was paralysed for some years, dad died at 50 several strokes one after the other. I have also inherited Haemochromatosis from both parents that’s in the mix. I’ve been a ‘bleeder’ for as long as I remember, no diagnosis, sister is too. I was put on high dose of Apixaban, 5mg’s twice a day.
End Feb I had an ablation, so far so good 🤞🏻
Went on holiday in June to Italy, 3rd day had bad fall leaving me with a ‘massive’ black bruise and haematoma! Bruising dropped down the leg! My husband and I feel I’m over anticoagulated. My bleeding problem has never been investigated and Gp tells me hard to do now I’m in the drug. Hoping my younger sister can get the blood test.
I can get no assistance with the problem as the medics are reluctant to help
Hi Holly, I've been on Rivaroxaban for several years now and take it after the largest meal of the day which for me is dinner in the evening. Happy to report no ill effects.
Holly - sorry but Yeah you are being a plonker - I’m in Apixaban and the only tablet I’m in that I make damned sure I don’t run out of - stroke risk: you don’t want to go there - I’ve had no problems on Apixaban and just the thought of it helping to keep my blood flowing and stopping clots forming … good luck 🤞
Anti coagulants are standard in Scotland for AF patients from age 65. I was against but I find Apixaban suits. Occasional bruising if I bump myself but so far so good.
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Blood thinners
Blood thinners
Blood Thinners
Worries and anxiety over stroke and AF can’t take blood thinners 
