Change from warfarin

[AlisonClark]

I would really like to move from warfarin to one of the new tablets. Can anyone help me on how to go about it? Should I start discussions with the anticoagulant clinic or the go.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Hidden]

Have a chat to your gp or the clinic and say you are interested in finding out about the more modern anticoagulants like rivaroxaban.

I am on rivaroxaban and have been since December after a pulmonary embolism and I have had no problems with them.

No harm in asking about them.

[AlisonClark in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I'll have a chat with the clinic on my next test

[Terry2407 in reply to Hidden]

I have put on almost 2stones in weight in 6 months since being switched from warfarin Glad you haven't been affected

[Hidden]

The clinic should be your first port of call - if they agree, and you find the new tablets suit you, then they will set up "shared care" with your GP who can then prescribe for you (and the chemist will take over ordering your repeat prescriptions, too!).

[AlisonClark in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I'll have a chat with the clinic on my next test

[werd]

It depends on the reasonyou are taking warfarin.if you have had a valve replacment then you are on warfarin for life

[AlisonClark in reply to werd]

I'm taking it as I had an unprovoked PE 3 years ago and because I moved house (and NHS areas) no one seems interested to do a review of any kind.

[Hullensian]

I agree with other correspondents, it does depend on your medical problem as to which one is "best" for you. I was prescribed Apixaban last May and have not had any major side effects and it is good not to have to go for regular blood tests, as one has to with Warfarin. However, as far as I can ascertain, the major downside of Apixaban is that there is no antidote for major bleeds in, eg the brain, the stomach, whilst I have read that there are fewer incidences of major bleeds compared with Warfarin. I have found It is very difficult to get a firm opinion from anyone, as my doctor refused to give an opinion on which one to chose. But, do consult both your GP and the clinic as they may be more helpful than my doctor.

[AlisonClark in reply to Hullensian]

Thanks, I'm taking it as I had an unprovoked PE 3 years ago and because I moved house (and NHS areas) no one seems interested to do a review of any kind. I don't want to spend the rest of my life chained to hospital clinics!

[Kempsh0tt]

Interested to know why you want to move from Warfarin. Is it just the blood test hassle - shot veins, frequently fluctuating INR levels, side effects etc?

Those or similar are most likely to qualify you in for DOAC consideration I suspect. TC

[AlisonClark]

I don't want to spend the rest of my life chained to hospital clinics! I want to go travelling, my life is not done with yet :). Warfarin makes my skin very dry and itchy, especially my legs (right now they feel quite painful with it).

I will talk to the clinic at my next INR test and see what they say.

[moo196]

One can self test.....

I've been travelling on warfarin and considered getting a self test machine but was allowed 6-8week appointment breaks so opted for that instead.

Personally I didn't want to risk the bleeds..... Even if you fell off your bike or tripped off the road or chopped your finger in the kitchen it could be dangerous blood loss without any antidote.

One can also have inr testing abroad. I organised this in India.

Where to next!?

☺️

[drumcannon]

Have been on pradaxa for a good few years other than slight indigestion no problems there is also a antidote available my G P has many patients on this drug transferred from warfarin with no resultant problems

[Skana]

I am in Canada so not sure how it works in England but I also was on warfarin and wanted to change so I went to my dr and said I wanted to switch to eliquis(paxaban) and she helped so that I could do that and for me the transition was no problem. I think I did have to go for an eco cardio gram .The specifics unfortunately I don’t recall but it was easy for me. And so much nicer to not have to worry too much with what I eat. Would thoroughly recommend it if your dr agrees.

[MazzyB]

Sorry to hear you don’t get on with warfarin I take it and am ok. Hope you get on ok.

[Pammy1966]

I go abroad alot, i bought my own inr testing machine i just call docs with my reading and they tell me how much warfarin to take same as i do when i go to clinic to have bloods done.

[wilsond]

Well,I am on Apixaban,and although I was pleased at first (my dad was on warfarin for 15 years and got fed up of the blood tests and no green leafy veg etc) Recently I have begun to worry abiut the lack of antidote,also a good point was raised on the Arrythmia Alliance forum here about the lack of individualisation with the newer drugs.In other words there is a set dosage,with no way of knowing if the level of protection is too low,or overkill and making blood too "thin" for want of a better word.With warfarin,it is obvious because of the testing and careful adjustment possible.

I went to the dentist this morning and we discussed options for a tooth problem,and he said he prefers warfarin patients because he has the yellow card evidence that bloods are correct,whereas with rivoxaban apixaban etc he is not.He recommends stopping dose 48 hours beore extractions and start again 24 hours after.

As I have Afib and Aflutter ,I would be really worried! Good result thouhg,the tooth was saved!

I wish you all the best in your journey!

[Mallard]

Hi Alison did you manage to change to one of the newer anticoagulants? I'm asking because I have started the ball rolling to change from Warfarin to either Apixaban or Rivaroxaban. I am doing it for the same reasons you described in your post. Best Wishes

[AlisonClark in reply to Mallard]

Hi Mallard

I managed to get an appointment with the NOAC clinic but they would not change me to the new tablets. They said I was "too stable" on warfarin and also carrying too much weight. They did, however, explain a lot of things to me that no one has explained in the 4 years of taking warfarin. I came away a bit deflated but much more informed. I do get tge feeling that it probably depends on the NHS trust where you live as she kept saying "here in Bucks......"

I'm going to do self testing in conjunction with the anti-coagulant clinic and see how that goes.

Go for it though if that's what you want. You have to take ownership of your health these days and fight for what you want.

Sorry for the rambling reply. Hope it helps

[Mallard in reply to AlisonClark]

Thanks Alison- this is very helpful- to be honest if my trust would help me with self testing I might feel differently but they won't, I have a self testing machine but they are adamant they don't support it's use. Thank you for replying and I think once you start self testing you'll see a difference and won't feel as shackled with warfarin. Take care