Hi I am a new to this group

[tk11]

I have been on blood thinners for almost a year for AF, also suffer from Angina.

I self test at home with coagichek xs and I love the freedom it gives me.

Recently been changed from Warfarin to Nicoumalone anyone else's anticoagulant been changed??

[warfarin1]

Hi and welcome to the group.

Nicoumalone is another name for Acenocoumarol (an anticoagulant). Did they say why they had changed you from one to another. Did you have a problem with warfarin?

[tk11 in reply to warfarin1]

Hi, I suffered acute hair loss so had to be changed to anothrr drug.

[Hidden]

Hi tk11 and welcome to the gang, it is good to have you with us. I'm still on Warfarin and also still test my own INR with the same instrument as you. Please keep writing blogs and questions as it is amazing how we all keep learning from each other. Do you still need to check your INR when you are on Nicoumalone? Is it easier to keep it constant than on warfarin? I'm keen to hear more of your experience with it as will be lots of others with AF. Some of the new drugs are only approved by NICE to replace Warfarin for AF and not for things like mechanical heart valves but I guess that eventualy most Warfarin users will move to newer drugs instead so your experience is very interesting for all of us. Good luck with it.

[tk11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, Nicoumalone works in exactly the same way as Warfarin. It only comes in 1mg tablets so takes a while of weekly testing to get levels right. I get excellent anticoagulation support from my nurse specialist at Harefield Hospital so tbe change has been easy.

[darceynjo]

Hi is this drug also called Sinthrome ????

[tk11 in reply to darceynjo]

Yes it has many names, is very similar to Warfarin and not oe of these new non- testing drugs. My professor did say I am a good candidate for Dabigatran but I wouldneed much more Iinformation before I would make the swap.

[jokelly]

I couldn't tolerate Warfarin due to hair and nail deterioration and also fatigue and sleeplessness. I had to have a very high dosage and even then my INR was always too low. So I went on low dose aspirin and refused to take Warfarin any more. After a quite lengthy battle with the NHS here in UK I have now been put on Pradaxa 150mg twice daily along with Flecainide, and am awaiting a second ablation to try to stop paroxysmal AFib. I may well be on lifelong anticoagulation due to a family history of heart problems.

I have experienced no side effects whatsoever from Pradaxa (dabigatran), not even heartburn which it is said to cause. No more blood tests (hooray!) but I do know I have an increased risk of difficult bleeding control, but then life is risky in its very nature!

[Wagnerm]

Had to change from Sinthrome 2 months ago as it was suddenly not available. I react badly to Warfarin - similar problems to the other replies - so was put on Rivaroxaban.

(Xarelto). So far, absolutely no problems, and ,of course, no more INR testing. Will have to have kidney function tests repeated in a year or so.

[tk11]

I am happy and well supported on nicoumalone, there is a bleeding risk with all these anticoags but my stroke risk is high so choosing med option was easy. It's interesting to hear other people's experiences as you sometimes feel a bit isolated. Thanks everyone!

[darceynjo]

HI i was taken of warfarin due to bad itching and hair loss, now I am on Sinthrome BUT I am finding it very hard to get hold of my daughter was driving around Sheffield yesterday trying to get hold of some, she finally got some from the local hospital and was told that it was the last box in any of the hospitals so why is the drug in such short supply Julia xx

[tk11]

I have also had this problem but now I have it on repeat prescription my chemist holds some in reserve for me.... have had to do one dash up to Harefield to pickup emergency supply in the beginning though. Not sure why this is happening and the chemist is baffled.

[tk11]

Julia do you also self test with coagichek xs? How stable have your results been? I am back to testing weekly. ...back to basics I'm hoping it will settle down soon. Nice to know I am not alone.Tina x

[darceynjo in reply to tk11]

Hi Tina no I dont self test and my results are bad very bad down to 1.3. They just cant seem to get it up to 2.5, I have to go to the hospital every 3 days this is causing me alot of stress and getting me really down, I have threatened to stop all my meds a few times I am that low take care Julia xxx

[tk11]

Julia I purchased a coagichek xs brand new for £299 (they broke it down to small monthly payments for me) I never realised how it would help....I ring my fantastic anticoagulation nirse with the result and she tells me how much to take. So easy no fuss and I love not queuing for blood tests all the time. You need to ask your nurse or GP about it...have a look at the Coagicheck xs webpage too. Always happy to chat to you about it. Tina x

[rachelsjulia]

I never tried using Warfarin. It's the best thing to do is consult the doctor first before taking such vitamins. When i experienced hair loss before, I had consult my doctor and He recommended me hair loss vitamins. I have used vitamins for hair loss and bought it at RELOXE. It's really proven and tested!