I am coming to my 12 month post stent and am due to come off Ticagrelor on 3rd March. I have been told to just stop after this which I know will be ok but I guess the psychological side is making me worry encase things go wrong. Is this natural? Also did any of you experience and side effects coming off. I have also been told to stop my lansoprazole and take coated aspirin instead as I have low magnesium levels and am a little worried too. Is it natural to feel like this?
Sorry for all the questions!!
Any advice would be welcome.
Thanking you all in advance.
Tracy xx
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Tracy298
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Hello Tracy I think it's understandable to feel a bit anxious upon any medication change. I am due to cease taking ticagrelor in April (12 months after stents). At a recent appointment with Cardiologist I asked about continuing at the lower dose of 2 x 60 mg as I have read some research suggesting that may be beneficial. Cardiologist told me it's only recommended if further major cardiac episodes have happened since stents and that the risk of bleeding maybe further increased by continuing after 12 months. I suppose you can look on it as a positive milestone and you may even feel better after stopping ticagrelor as they can cause side effects in many eg breathlessness & bruising. The aspirin will continue to protect you. As you say take gastro resistant aspirin and always take after or with food. I take a Solgar brand magnesium supplement as well. I have stopped taking Lansoprazol and seem ok on the gastro resistant aspirin. Sure you will be fine and well done you have got the first trip over post stents onwards and upwards.
Thank you for your reply and reassurance. I have been told by my cardiologist that I don’t need to take the lower dose as I am at low risk so am looking forward to less violent bruising!!
I am trying to be very positive as like you say it’s a milestone and hope my energy levels increase. I will look at getting some magnesium to boost my levels and the coated aspirin so no more lansoprazole.
Just to reassure you, your reaction to coming off this drug is a normal one which has been experienced by many people, including myself. I came off it 3 weeks early due to having a hospital procedure and was very worried what would happen. But all went well and only worried for a couple of days afterwards, then so happy to be not covered in bruises from the slightest knock 😃. It's a huge milestone coming off this drug and should be considered as a celebration, so go on, on the day you come off it go and celebrate, I bought new shoes 😃👠👠!
Thank you for your reassurance and message. It has made me feel heaps better. As you say the fact that I won’t be covered in awful bruises at the slightest knock will be a huge relief especially in the summer months!!😊 You are right in saying it’s a huge achievement coming off it and I hadn’t actually looked it at it that way. I whave just read your lovely response to it daughter who said we will definitely go shopping to celebrate!!
I felt exactly the same as you, really apprehensive about stopping but I stopped in November and although I still get chest burning symptoms I instantly felt warmer once off ticagrelor. I hadn't realised just how cold I'd always been on it. I have now also started taking magnesium supplements and feel lots better with them so I wonder if I have had a deficiency. As for the chest burning it's never during exertion so I feel it has to be gastro related and I am due to see a gastroenterologist soon.
I remember promising months ago to post an update when I had stopped ticagrelor but haven't yet, so wanted to just reassure you I have been absolutely fine with stopping them. Was pleased to see the back of them.
Thank you for your reply and reassurance it’s hugely appreciated. Hoping that coming off has the same effect re being cold as my feet especially are always cold and never had a problem before. What magnesium supplement do you take?
I am looking forward to coming off them and losing the lansoprazole too.
I am taking magnesium biglycinate which is the most bio available form. I've definately noticed a difference since taking them, muscles aren't as tense and gut issues have settled a bit. I know they are good for anxiety which I think partly explains some of my symptoms. I have recently started ranitidine which has eased the chest burning slightly but not completely. I know I have gastritis which aspirin won't be helping but I don't want to change to clopidogrel as this has hydrogenated oil in it, a big no no when following an oil free plant based diet. I tried Lanzoprazole but didn't feel great on that and don't want to become reliant on PPI'S as they cause malabsorption issues.
There's no guarantee but if you are anything like I was, you will feel slightly better off the ticagrelor, they are harsh on your system.
Thank you for the information and will definitely take a supplement as I have very stiff muscles. I have seen a gp who said this morning to think twice about coming off lansoprazole once i stop ticagrelor however that is having a part in my magnesium supplement.
I will take it one step at a time and see what happens when stopping the ticagrelor first and then go from there.
I get mine from Amazon, it's magnesium biglycinate and around 12.99 I think. It has no fillers and it was after watching a cardiologist video that said magnesium biglycinate was the best that I decided to try it.
I came off Ticagrelor about 18 months ago now. It was fine. I felt I had more energy and bruised a lot less easily (and could also have a shave cut without bleeding all day). Psychologically I also felt a boost as I saw it as moving back to some kind of normality. It also meant that I could stop taking Lansoprazole. So - for me - it was a really positive experience.
Thank you for your reassurance that how I feel is common.
I am hoping too that I feel more energetic and cannot wait for the bruising to stop.
Psychologically I am hoping I see an improvement as it has been a struggle but like you say I am seeing it as a positive too.
Thank you again and all the best.
Hi Tracy
I came off Ticagrelor in January after just over a year. Have found no adverse reactions and the benefit is that I dont bruise at all now whereas before I would bruise just sneezing. I take 75mg enteric coated aspirin, bought form Tescos (very Cheap) Please dont worry abot coming off it.
HiI came off Ticagrelor in September 2018 one year after heart attack and having 4 stents fitted. No side effects except that I got an increased appetite and have put a few pounds on which I am now working hard to reverse.
I didn't have any issues when I cam off ticagralor after being on it for 18 months. I now just take coated aspirin as blood thinner but I do still take lanzoprazole.
Hi Tracy I had to come off Ticagrelor because I developed an allergic reaction to it after 10 months and so was stopped immediately. I too went on to coated aspirin and stayed on Lansoprazole for about 2 months then developed an allergic reaction to that (long story!!) so now I don’t take that either. I take all of my medication first thing and try and get breakfast straight away. Occasionally I get indigestion at night or when I leave it too long in between meals so I have gaviscon always with me and take when needed. It’s working for me. I also try and eat more regular and snack on a rice cake between meals (vegan!). Hope all goes ok with you. Take care. Zena x
Hi Tracy didn't know u can get coated aspirin must c my doctor am of brilique now second day so far so good but must till the doctor as well just said on my box till stop taking them after one yr nearly impossible till get talking till a doctor I'm also on them tablets for the tummy to as I take an aspirin every day and bisoplol 1 .2 if I mind rite think am on both for life always hated taking any kind of tablets went of the statins as well so Def need till see the doctor soon stay safe
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