Anticoagulation & Mental Health

[KivetonGuy]

Hi I was wondering if people have found anticoagulation therapy and of course the reason for anticoagulation triggers any mental health?

If so what support did you access ?

[Hidden]

No impact at all - positive or negative. Just eternally grateful I was able to have it. Still am, after 12 years and counting.

[Hidden]

I think many of us suffer from anxiety, every twinge or creak of our bodies is a new clot.... but it does wear off after awhile. Comes back if you have to stop anticoagulation for any reason (often a few days either side of a procedure), of course, or if you get unwell or aches and pains again.... I have never sought therapy, but your first port of call for such things is always your GP.

[Marcwoollard]

Yes anxiety is a big part, for me I am a big person, but was very active and quite fit, to having a dvt and being diagnosed with factor 5 and aps has had a colossal impact mentally on me. Yes every twinge every pain you do think the worst is happening, you have to balance things out. You know your body and what’s right or wrong. It’s for me just getting the docs to listen and understand is my biggest issue

[SpeedyH]

Absolutely as others have said, ongoing anxiety. On the one hand we are told that our ‘bolt out of the blue’ PEs could have killed us and we are lucky to be alive and that we must take medication for the rest of our lives to try and prevent premature death; and on the other hand after being handed the first packet of pills we are totally left to get on with it without any further help from anyone.

[Kempsh0tt]

I am an AF patient and have been on blood thinners for 20+ years and rarely worry these days. I am safer since diagnosis is my thinking.

I am also a voluntary patient rep with AHSN (Academic Health Science Network - Google it to find out more) on their AF and Medicines Optimisation programmes.

The latter is indicating that finally, NHS is realising the huge gap for many patients is counselling, reassurance and a properly managed relationship. Won't be overnight, but change is gradually coming, despite funding, resource and political games played with the NHS.

[Buttercups22 in reply to Kempsh0tt]

HiYou mention that you’ve been taking blood thinners for 20+ years and I’m interested in your experience. I’ve had a cardiac ablation for AF and I’m now on Edoxaban lifelong - I’m in my early 50s. I’ve been taking the Edoxaban now for several months and have few side effects; I bleed for slightly longer if I cut myself, but no major bruising, etc. so far. However I am terrified of having a bleed on the brain as a result of this medication. I was told the risk is 1% every year. Feeling very anxious.

[Kempsh0tt in reply to Buttercups22]

Hi, Yes, I am aware of the increasing possibility of a bleed with advancing age.

However, I understand that still to be small compared with stroke/clot risk had you not been prescribed anticoagulant s or been diagnosed with AF.

Perhaps someone on the forum with clinical knowledge might care to comment and be more specific. TC