I have been in persistent Afib since the beginning of January this year, previously I had paroxysmal Afib for 11 years. My Apple Watch says I am in Afib 100 per cent of the time.
I am 70 next month and need 1 molar and the wisdom tooth next to it extracted. I am worried that if I stop xarellto I may have a stroke.
I will be consulting my GP, but would be interested to know what others who are continually in Afib have done regarding tooth extractions.
My experience does not exactly mirror your concern BUT I have had three medical procedures, (the most challenging being a knee replacement) all whilst on Warfarin. The knee replacement required me to cease Warfarin totally for 6 days prior to surgery. No sweat, no problems at all. The other two required me to stop Warfarin for 2 and/or 4 days. Again no issues at all. At the time of all these I had been on Warfarin for several years.
TBH, I can't imagine your GP would see any problems. I was not in persistent AF, paroxysmal AF only .... however the twist here was I had already been identified as asymptomatic, meaning, that I could well be in AF and not experience any symptoms.
See what your GP says ..... good luck.
John
Thanks for responding!
I myself had a knee replacement whilst having paroxysmal Afib, but I wasn’t in Afib during the procedure. I also had 2 teeth extracted while in paroxysmal Afib, again I wasn’t in Afib at the time of the procedure. The difference is that now I’m in Afib continually I’m worried about stopping the blood thinners, whilst I stopped them with no worries when I wasn’t actually in Afib.
l am on warfarin and l didn’t have to stop my anticoagulation. My INR had to be in range and not over 3 which is higher than my normal range of between 2/3. I even had a gastric endoscopy without having to stop my anticoagulant. I don’t know about the newer DOAC’s but l would think it will probably be ok. I am sure someone will come along and provide the information you need. The dentist will also tell you, if you give them a call.
Thanks, my dentist has asked me to find out from my GP if I need to stop my anticoagulants, which I will do on Thursday, but I was hoping to hear from others experiences in my situation.
I am surprised at your Dentist not knowing as they are usually experienced with these matters. I expect someone will come along on here and reassure you soon. There must be lots that have been in your situation. There should be some links at the bottom of this page. Good luck.
Thank you!
Hi Isobel, I think the danger is more when the AF stops, so a clot which has formed is then whooshed off to cause damage. I had a large molar surgically extracted after only missing one Apixaban, was assured I wouldn’t have a problem with bleeding but I did. My dental surgery had a policy of not doing extractions for people on anticoagulants so I had a long long wait ……
Thanks for sharing that.
I am 67 and in permanent afib too . Been on rivaroxaban for 3 years and have had 2 wisdom teeth extracted. I didn’t stop taking the pills and was fine . Bled a little longer than usual but nothing scary. Made a compress from a damp teabag and it helped to stem the bleeding
Thanks, that’s encouraging.
my dentist in Wales goes along with nhs Scotland guidelines for doacs and tooth extraction. Look it up on google.
Yes, I had found the Scottish guidelines and have printed them off to take to my doctor.
Thankyou
I had a surgical extraction plus another extraction. My dentist said to stop Dabigatran for 2 days. I argued the case because I was in AF more than not at the time.
He agreed that I could just miss the tablet on the morning of the procedure. I was fine, no problems with bleeding.
Thanks!
Am also in permanent A F and have had 2 extractions at separate times. On neither occasion did I stop the Apixaban and was not asked to by the dentist. I had no issues.
Most encouraging, thanks!
I also take Rivaroxaban and had a tooth extraction and other work over the years without issue and without stopping it. My dentist is fully aware of my medication and never have I been asked to stop taking it. I've also had some minor skin surgery with stitches whilst in persistent AF - again, no issues, no stopping. I would seriously question why if asked to stop it for minor procedures.
Good luck with your extractions.
Thank you, that’s also very encouraging!
Had an extraction three months after ablation. Dentist advised beforehand to continue anticoagulant. Afterwards could not stop bleeding and ended up going to A&E, spent 5 hours at night waiting to be seen, finally doctor applied some gel which did the trick. Suspect if had stopped anticoagulant the day before extraction it would have been OK. Not an experience to be recommended.
Oh Dear! Not what I wanted to hear. I wonder what the gel was!
I had a significant bleed from piles recently and my cardiologist suggested I stop Edoxaban for 3 days in case it was stomach bleeding, did so no problems.
My wife had a bleed that wouldn't stop on her lip (takes the drug clopidogrel) which was fixed in A&E, so not a huge issue.
In your shoes with confirmation from the medics,I would probably stop taking the DOAC for 2 days and substitute, more water, more exercise and possibly fish oil (I already take Krill oil daily).
Best wishes.
Have you considered Horse Chestnut for the piles? Thanks.
Thank you, I haven't and will 🤔.
Thank you for sharing and for the advice,
I’ve had 2 extractions this year. I take 20mg rivaroxiban in the evening. It was okay to take it as usual but the dentist told me to book the appointment early morning. There was no problems with bleeding and it was okay. Do ask for the non adrenaline numbing injection as the usual one can cause palpitations. Basically ask your doctor Good luck
Thankyou. I wonder why he wanted the appointment in the morning? Wouldn’t the anti coagulant be at it’s most effective then, making you more likely to bleed?
Hi dentists vary on whether to stop anti coagulants before extraction. They should have an X-ray which will show how difficult the extractions will be. When i was working anyone on an anticoagulant they would use a sponge in the socket to ensure the bleeding stops. I have persistent af controlled by medication and had to stop the anticoagulant for two days before a procedure and all was fine.
Thank you
I wouldn't worry about coming off your blood thinner too much this year iv had to have 3 colonoscopy as first 2 didn't work i m to have a sigmoidoscopy this Thursday to make sure they got all that remains from a polyp so am off my apixoban for 3 days before same as before the colonoscopys I like you was petrified of coming off the apixoban but had to be done the lovely people on here told me about their experience before operations and they had been fine also I am in permant AF and was worried about heart rate shooting up but everything was fine so try not to worry as sure you'll be fine all the best
Hi
So different between a colonoscopy to a tooth extraction.. K.
If you read my reply you will see no stopping was mecessary.
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
ah so you don't have to stop anti coagulant that's good
Thankyou!
I was told to stop Xarelto for two days before my tooth extraction, then begin taking again the evening of the procedure.
Thanks!
Hi
If the molar and/or wisdom tooth are at the top the dentist will refer yu to have it done at hospital reason too close to your sinuses.
in the hospital location they said don't stop your PRADAXA 110 twice a day.
They explained that bleeding can be monitored in hospital.
But nevertheless I delayed takig it util after the procedure.
I've had 3 ops since my stroke and a 3 day rest from PRADAXA and 2 days after op have not caused any problems.
And my stroke was Ischaemic caused by a rogue AF clot.
I'm sure you will be OK. I.was diagnosed with Rapid and Persistent AF at the time of Stroke and diagnosed with Thyroid cancer with 4 days whilst in hospital.
2 different extracts molar top since my diagnosis.
Drink plenty and ask your Dr if you need antibiotics starting earler than the extraction.
cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)
Thankyou that’s helpful.
I have had lots of major dental work done in the last 2 years - should finish at the end of this month and when asking about stopping my anticoagulants told there was no need - I am on Apixaban and aged 81 now. I have had several extractions and implants and no problems. Ask your GP and dentist to discuss together if they can about whether or not you need to stop your anticoagulant. I did stop for my Total Knee Replacement for 3 days prior and then went onto half dose for a month afterwards. No problems there either but I was only 76 when I had my new knee - those few years might have made a difference? LOL
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