Blood thinners advice

[O2Trees]

Morning friends, on Thursday I had a third tachycardia episode - with the previous two my heart rate came down without need for drugs after about 3 hours and I could come home. It was not thought serious, just standard tachycardia.

But not Thursday as heart rate would not come down. I ended up in resus with what has turned out to be atrial flutter (same risk etc as Afib though different presentation). Terrifying process where they use adenosine to stop your heart for a few seconds to try to reset it - anyone who's had that will know what I mean! And it didn't even work, but another medication did. Now on blood thinners for the rest of my natural as I think lots of others here must be too. Thankfully no breathlessness before, during or since. Blood pressure is good. Getting referred to the arrhythmia clinic.

Being on thinners feels like a whole new thing to get used to and Im interested in how others here cope with either Afib or atrial flutter, any tips etc. Hope everyone is handling the hot weather - I find having a plant mister nearby is useful for keeping cool - I might start sprouting leaves.

Take care all

[sassy59]

Good morning Jean, Pete and l both have AFib but present in different ways. He has no symptoms really but blood pressure can plummet and he almost passes out.

I sometimes have atrial flutter or an irregular fast heartbeat. It’s pretty scary stuff so I do empathise. Only treatment I have is Bisoprolol daily and Rivaroxaban as a blood thinner. Pete has Rivaroxaban too. It works well but obviously you need to be aware of excessive bleeding if you injure yourself. Stopping it a few days before surgery is also a must.

I do wish you well and hope things settle down for you. Which blood thinner have you had prescribed? Take care dear friend. Stay cool

Love, Carole xxxx❤️😎

[O2Trees in reply to sassy59]

Hey Carole - thank you for telling me of yours and Pete's situation. Ive also been prescribed Rivaroxaban for thinner, and Verapamil to keep heart rate down. I researched using them both and found a couple of reputable sites saying it can be a problem taking those both together. Ive been referred to arrhythmia clinic so will check with them whether any dose adjustment is needed. My blood pressure has always been on the low side so something to watch too.

I hope you're both ok today, so damn hot. Take good care of yourselves, love to both jean xxx

[Will57 in reply to O2Trees]

I am also on rivaroxban and Verapamil. I do get high heart rate very frequently.

[O2Trees in reply to Will57]

Ah, so far I don't Will57. Two previous episodes with several months between them all. I assume it will progress. Do hope yours is sufficiently under control. Best,

[sassy59 in reply to O2Trees]

You’re welcome Jean. Getting things right is important so hoping the arrythmia clinic can help. Keep a close eye on things.

It’s too hot for me but we’re taking things easy. You take care too and sending love as always. Carole xxxx

[O2Trees in reply to sassy59]

Further question Carole if you don't mind

Im happy (well not thrilled but resigned!) to take the thinners, but the Verapamil which Ive been prescribed alongside the thinners, besides keeping your heart rate down reduces blood pressure and angina pain. And my blood pressure right now without having taken the Verapamil since Friday is 114/66. Yesterday 114/59. So pretty low already; plus I have no angina whatsoever. Also I woke up this morning with my heart rate at 72 which is pretty much the same every morning.

So not sure what to do. I think I must be my doctor's worst nightmare as Im always arguing the toss and (like many of course) loathe taking meds. But she is very patient and we get on well. Rita suggests I take it for a month and record blood pressure and speak to her again. Just wondered if you have any thoughts Carole (and anyone else reading this). Hope today is treating you both well, it's still so hot. Love to you jean xxx

[sassy59 in reply to O2Trees]

Hello Jean, that is a conundrum as your blood pressure isn’t high and you have no angina. Yes you could try the Verapamil for a month as Rita says and definitely record your blood pressure or just see if you can have a chat with your GP about it. There might be something else that would work well for you.

Sorry not to be of more help but you do need something to work for you and not cause more problems.

It’s a bit cooler today but still warm. We have the three grand children here tomorrow so have been conserving our energy today.

Love to you and Rita,

Carole xxx

[O2Trees in reply to sassy59]

Thanks for your considered reply Carole - enjoy your grandchildren! xxxxx

[sassy59 in reply to O2Trees]

👍😘 will do Jean xxx❤️

[Patk1]

I've had iv adenosine a number of times,over the years, for svt and a couple of difficult ablation operations to reduce it.Ha plant mister is a good idea 😅 x

[O2Trees in reply to Patk1]

Wow - you've had a lot of adenosine? I couldnt believe how awful that felt like - the doctor warned me about it but at least it only lasted a few seconds. I hope you're ok now Patk1 x

[Patk1 in reply to O2Trees]

Yes,sometimes few times in a wk when at worst.not nice but controlled breathing got me thro that point where u can't breathe.2nd ablation helped.still on bisoprolol and still have does but I mainly can slow it with extra bisoorolol + flecanide. I do feel 4u and glad they've pinpointed the cause.x

[O2Trees in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk1 xx

[Alberta56]

Blood pressure problems sound a real bummer. I hopeyou get accustomed to the new regime soon. As for growing leaves, there is a precedent. Daphne turned into a bush in the classical story, when she was being chased by Apollo. I hope he doesn't come sniffing round your way. 🌳🌳🌴🌴🌿🌿 (🌵 preferred option if there are any classical gods about) xxx

[O2Trees in reply to Alberta56]

That made me laugh out loud! Huntress Diana more my cup of tea Hope you're ok today xxx

[Ern007]

Hi 02 Trees.

First I have A Fib and Flutter - I also have a history of Tachy/Brady syndrome and VT.

I am on Rivaroxiban a modern blood thinner. Without there is a good chance of my blood clotting,

When I was first put on blood thinners I was very wary, I had been on a type of anti clotting before, but nothing like this.

I now don't even think about it, I take it with my evening meal, people get used to blood thinners after a while and they save lives.

I am on it for the rest of my life, without them is more dangerous,

Side effects none as in feeling unwell.

Other side effects is easier bruising and a cuts takes longer to stop bleeding, pretty minor stuff.

That's my experience to date of blood thinners,

[O2Trees in reply to Ern007]

So you're a veteran of this stuff Ern? Thanks for all your information, quite reassuring. I know I will get used to it, it's just new right now. I was worried my doctor would prescribe warfarin but she told me she couldn't remember when she has last prescribed warfarin for a patient.

I feel reasonably ok - really only suffering from the hot weather (30c here). Im just grateful that this has been discovered now, as my sister had a serious stroke three years ago.

Thanks for replying Ern and take care

[Ern007 in reply to O2Trees]

Yep been on blood thinners a while. Warfarin really is for most a thing of the past, all the blood test and checks, with modern blood thinners pracically none.

You will soon get used to your blood thinner, I was wary at first, but now I justt take it.

You also take care

[BronchyBronwen in reply to Ern007]

Forgive my chiming in here as no personal experience. But a close friend was v dismissive of his blood-thinners and ignored medical advice to take this medication. Now deeply regrets this, as his attitude resulted in his loss of a leg a few months ago. No wish to be a scare-monger, but ... 😥😥😢😢

[O2Trees in reply to BronchyBronwen]

Whoah!! That's really sad. Im also always dubious about medications - they tend to get given out like smarties but some are essential and Ive been persuaded of the necessity this time. You take care

[Ern007 in reply to BronchyBronwen]

I think the new blood thinners were scary, the reason being some had no antidote - BUT -That did not mean there was nothing they could do about a bleed. I had all this explained by my cancer surgeon.

Blood thinners save lives- Your friend was lucky he got a clot in the leg (probably) my mother in law got a clot on the lung, after a foot amputation and and she passed away.

Nothing to "forgive" BronchyBronwen it's good to here points of view, and your experience with your friend

[BronchyBronwen in reply to Ern007]

Thanks Ern. You're quite right. In fact first hospital checked him over when he complained of pain in calf and said he was walking too much (keen walker). Two months later this happened. Podiatrist sent him straight to A&E. Although a physio friend thought it unlikely that the two incidents were related, but I'm not so sure.

[Ern007 in reply to BronchyBronwen]

I think Pains in Calf if not obviously a sprain, and if it's hot, best to be seen. Unless you know though, I can understand people not going thinking it was minor.

[BronchyBronwen in reply to Ern007]

Yep. He was sufficiently concerned to go to the walk-in at one hospital who rightly sent him to another local hospital with A&E and proper equipment to check him out. It was this second hospital who simply told him not to 'over-walk', and his dreadful life-changing operation was 2 months later at yet another hospital.

[B0xermad]

Good morning, that sounds very scary for you and although I have no knowledge of blood thinners I just want you to know that I read your post and want to wish you well dealing with your health issues. Take care and your title on here you could very well sprout leaves misting water in this heat .Best wishes 02trees

[O2Trees in reply to B0xermad]

Thank you Boxermad. You take care in the heat

[Izb1]

This must have been a frightening experience for you O2 and hope that the new meds work well for you. Made me laugh out loud re the mister and you sprouting leaves x

[O2Trees in reply to Izb1]

Anything's possible Izb1 Yes it was terrifying but Ive calmed down now. My GP is fantastic which helps. Hope you're good today x

[Germantara]

My husband was diagnosed with a fib 5 years ago hospital wanted to stop and start his heart but he refused it he being on blood thinners ever since he being ok

[Ern007 in reply to Germantara]

Nice to here he is OK Germantara

[O2Trees]

Glad your husband's ok, Germantara