Uncontrolled AF

[wizsue]

I was put on Rivaoxaban which is an anticoagulant last year for AF along with Zemtard. I had a routine blood test recently and because my FBC is way out and I probably have a serious bleed somewhere I now have to have an urgent colonoscopy. My GP has told me to stop taking Rivaoxaban immediately and stop worrying! not easy, I am very scared, scared about what they might find but also scared that my AF is now uncontrolled and I am at serious risk of a heart attack or stroke. Anyone else experienced these problems?

[bobrob]

Rivaroxaban does not control af, it has zero effect on it, its role is to make sure you dont get a stroke from your af causing a blood clot in the heart, its very important, my cardio said that noacs [class of drug] are miraculous as the stroke rate for af patients without them is 5% a year, and to never stop them, and my gp agrees, check with your consultant.

If you are actually bleeding stop it by all means temporarily, it will make bleeding worse, but restart when thats sorted.

[knitted-bunting]

Yes that does sound scary! I guess they're thinking that your risk of having a stroke is less of an immediate concern than investigating/controlling the internal bleeding. Do you have a cardiac nurse specialist you could ask? I hope the urgent colonoscopy happens quickly for you

[wizsue in reply to knitted-bunting]

Thank you Knitted-bunting and bobrob. Yes both things are pretty scary. I do wish I had a cardic specialist to speak to, unfortunately I don't. MY GP diagnosed AF a year ago after a series of ECGs and blood tests. I was already on BP medication for high blood pressure. He has been monitoring me ever since. BP is high, palpatations going mad, fingers crossed the stroke doesn't happen at this time! It is good to air our concerns this way.