Blood thinners advice: Morning friends... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,314 members66,939 posts

Blood thinners advice

O2Trees profile image
31 Replies

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 :)

Written by
O2Trees profile image
O2Trees
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
31 Replies
sassy59 profile image
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 profile image
O2Trees in reply tosassy59

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 profile image
Will57 in reply toO2Trees

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

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply toWill57

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 profile image
sassy59 in reply toO2Trees

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 profile image
O2Trees in reply tosassy59

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 profile image
sassy59 in reply toO2Trees

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 profile image
O2Trees in reply tosassy59

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

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toO2Trees

👍😘 will do Jean xxx❤️

Patk1 profile image
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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toPatk1

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 profile image
Patk1 in reply toO2Trees

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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toPatk1

Thank you Patk1 :) :) xx

Alberta56 profile image
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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toAlberta56

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

Ern007 profile image
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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toErn007

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 profile image
Ern007 in reply toO2Trees

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 profile image
BronchyBronwen in reply toErn007

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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toBronchyBronwen

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 profile image
Ern007 in reply toBronchyBronwen

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 profile image
BronchyBronwen in reply toErn007

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 profile image
Ern007 in reply toBronchyBronwen

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 profile image
BronchyBronwen in reply toErn007

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 profile image
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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toB0xermad

Thank you Boxermad. You take care in the heat :)

Izb1 profile image
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 profile image
O2Trees in reply toIzb1

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

Germantara profile image
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 profile image
Ern007 in reply toGermantara

Nice to here he is OK Germantara :-)

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

Glad your husband's ok, Germantara :)

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Blood Thinners

Did not know where else to post this. I am on RIVAROXABA 20mg as from to day for AFIB.. Question...
Ern007 profile image

Blood thinners

One week ago I ended up in hospital with a clot in my lung. I’ve been put on blood thinners and...
breslin profile image

Looking for some advice 😊

Hello, I was hoping for some advice on some health issues I am having. I have suffered with chest...
Kellyjm77 profile image

Another Little blip

Woke up this morning usual soaked through with persperition heart racing ten to the dozen tried to...

Long Post Sorry but advice needed for exercising with copd

Hi All. Only did one post 2 years ago as I was then diagnosed with copd and exercise induced...
dindy profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.