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

[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