Hi All
Just wondering how long you had to take Clopidogrel for after a stent. Hope you are having a good day.
Clopidogrel : Hi All Just wondering how... - British Heart Fou...
Clopidogrel
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mistymolly
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I had to take it for 12 months after the event.
My husband had a heart attack 10 years ago and he was told to take it for only 1 month.
12 months for me .. that seems to be the norm. Cardiologist / GP should communicate to you !
Thank you- hope you are doing well
I had a HA three years ago, I take Clopidogrel forever because I can't take aspirin
Hope it is helping you.
Well it depends a little, normally it is 12 months but I have been prescribed it lifelong (1 stent) but I have had a history of blood clots although I take anticoagulant for that. To be honest I would like to have a proper understanding of that as the 5 min consultation Pre stent caught me in quite a distressed state.
I didn’t have a heart attack.
I suppose the answer is there can be variations as with most drugs
Thank you for your reply. Hope you stay well
I was only on them for 3 months after having 2 stents fitted but that was because I was going for another heart operation. My mum is still on hers 12 months after her first of two stents
Thank you. Hope life is better for you
Yes thanks you it's is 🙂
That's good
Hi Misty
1 year to the day, it was written on my repeat prescription to stop after 1 year, but continue 75mg Aspirin for life !! I have had CABG and Stents
Best Regards
Thank you for your reply. It's much appreciated. Hope you are ok
My prescription is for 6 months - almost up. But i suspect will be extended to a full year. One drawback is bruising and bleeding. I’m playing football again - and come back black and blue now.
Sorry to hear that. I'm glad you are active though
I’m pretty good - thanks.
That's great.
12months on me last month after my nstemni
Thank you- best of luck
My hubby was prescribed clopidogrel for several years as he couldn’t take aspirin. As he was also on omeprazole (initially to counteract the effect of aspirin on his stomach) and it was discovered that the omeprazole reduced the effectiveness of the clopidogrel he was eventually changed to aspirin. He is now prescribed edoxaban one of the modern anticoagulants.
I am on Edoxaban for life the pharmacist told me, to
prevent strokes. I had a stent after a blocked artery.
Also wondering how long I need to have Clopidogrel as well. Assume it will be reviewed after one year. I also take the lowest dose Omeprazole. Am thinking of
speaking to my cardio nurse as am unsure about all
my meds. After an echocardiogram, they said my
heart was completely healed . I was only on Aspirin
for the first month after heart attack. Interesting
point about Clopidogrel- hadn’t heard that before.
Trust your hubby is doing well.
Thanks - that's interesting. I am on omeprazole also. Hope your hubby will be ok
As you are taking omeprazole ask to have your vitamin B12, folate and D3 levels checked at regular intervals as omeprazole although fantastic at healing stomachs reduces the acid produced by your stomach which means you can’t extract vitamin b12 from food.
Best wishes for your recovery and hope you feel better soon.
Hubby is doing well thank you.
Thank you so much for your help
Awful having to take this medication
Hubby’s attitude is “at least I’m here to take it!”
Great attitude
I am on them for life because I can't take beta blockers due to low heart rate (40 to 45).
Hope you stay well
Initially i took clopidogral for 1 year after HA and 7 stents.1 year later after several cardiac events i was put back on it for life, possibly because i can't take aspirin. I also have Atrial Fibrilation which i take warfarin plus a cocktail of other tablets, i am a mobile pharmacy lol. Good luck with your condition.
Aw thank you and best of luck to you
I know the feeling. I am supposed to be on it for life (also on Apaxiban) along with the usual ones (Ramapril, Bispoprol, Spirolactone and atovastin). Think my body is trying to rebel! Also GP nurse gave me an inahler that made me feel worse than before I had HF so not taking that at the moment Took it once and coughed non stop! . Have doubled my statins as well although no reason to so lovely crampy toes and legs - cardiologist at Barts (lovely Doctor) said I was doing well, improving and on the rights meds. Too many cooks etc - no communication between them. Hope you are on the road to feeling better soon. (Background I had a mild stroke caused by an angiogram performed after I had just had a drain removed from my heart - just damaged the periphial vision in my left eye but took them 8 months to refer to a stroke clinic). Have a good Bank Holiday.
My goodness you've had a rough time. Don't mind me asking but what age are you. I hope you feel better soon x
Of course I don't mind you asking. I am 70 although never ever felt it! Have never really been ill and the only time before HF I was in hospital was when I had my youngest son 42 years ago. Think that's why I have found it hard to deal with. But I am still here, breathing, walking and doing most things I did before (was never very active though. Have a good Bank Holiday.
Thank you. I wish you well x
i know the feeling mate
Hard going unfortunately
Now this has really made me think!...My hubby had a suspected Tia...ie mini stroke,4 yrs ago,is still on clopidogrel,has annual reviews with nurse only...bp and cholesterol etc.and has not seen the Dr.since the Tia....Until I saw this post I had NO idea you could come off it!So thankyou for highlighting this.x jackie
Hi Jackie. The Clopidogrel will have been prescribed to help prevent a further TIA by making the blood less ‘sticky’. Sounds like it would make sense to get the Doc review his meds - but this sounds like the usual approach to prevent a future incident.
Good luck.
Thanks Steve...I'm Northants too!
Thank you- much appreciated
You're very welcome. Hope you get answers x
Hi there. Clopidogrel acts like a super aspirin and (with aspirin that is to be taken for life) helps the stent settle in. This is called an anti platelet therapy and stops the blood ‘sticking’ and is usually given for 12 months. Some people can’t tolerate aspirin so they’re prescribed Clopidogrel for life to counteract clotting. Ticagrelor (which is what I was prescribed) does the same thing but is usually given to patients who have had a heart attack and then a stent.
Good luck!
Thank you very much. Best of luck to you also
12 months at least for me.
Thank you
No worries. I’m trying to find my way through all this too. Every wee bit helps.
That's true - thank you
Hi, I had an carotid artery dissection 14 months ago and was initially on both Asprin and Clopidogrel. I came off Asprin after 6 months but remained on Clopidogrel. I have just had my final review with the Neurologist who suggest I remain on it for life as in his opinion if the dissection were to happen again I would have a lesser chance of it ending up as a stroke. The downside of being on this medication is a possibility of excessive bleeding but it is only slighter higher than people not on this med.
Thank you. Please God you will stay well
Hi Mistymolly. I'm on Ticagrelor, another anti-platelet. It's printed on my repeat prescription and on the chemist's sticker on the box that this is to be stopped 1 year post stent (it actually says post NSTEMI, but the date is the anniversary of the stent). In my case this is 26th June, but the GP doesn't seem to have spotted this and I have a seven week supply left!
I've a rare heart problem but had a stent in another artery. No one told me how long I was to take it. Only found out when I contacted them to ask about a different tablet. Hope you are doing ok
Thanks. I'm still waiting for docs to decide whether they want to operate or not (mitral valve replacement). I hope not!! Good luck to you, too 
Thank you- I need it. Hope you get on well
12 months is normal. Had to have mine stopped after 8 because of stomach damage
Really sorry to hear that. How are you doing now ?
still on double stomach tablets to help it heal but aspirin isn't helping. I've never been able to take anti inflammatories either since I had a peptic ulcer years ago.
That's dreadful- God help you
Problem is, I'm allergic to PPIs which would protect my stomach better so there's not much else they can give me.
Did you ever try something from health shop for your tummy
Yes but it's too bad for such things, It almost heals, I stop the double tablets then a few weeks later it starts again.
Sorry to hear that.
I was told to take it for a year then stop , for me this is next month ..
Thank you- stay well
My dad was put on triple anticoagulant therapy after his MI/stent. He had aspirin for 1 month, clopidogrel for 6 months and apixaban for life
Thanks - hope your dad stays well
It depends on the type of stent. The norm is 12 weeks dual anti-platelet therapy as the first three months is when the risk of in-stent re-stenosis is highest.
Your GP should be able to tell you as this will be documented on your discharge letter, I'm sure different Cardiologists have their own preferences though.
Thank you 💙💖
No problem at all, glad to be of help. I could be wrong but have worked for an Interventional Cardiologist for almost 20 years. His patients usually take aspirin and clopidogrel for the first three months. Other Cardiologists may be different depending on patients previous history though. Most stents these days are drug eluting stents therefore release medication from within, the first 12 weeks are the most critical which is why they keep you on two anti-platelet agents.
Thanks very much again- you're very kind
You are very welcome. If I can help at all in the future just give me a shout. It can all be a bit overwhelming at times. Hope you are keeping well.
Gillian
Thank you so much. Unfortunately I feel quite ill every day. Hope you stay well x
You should discuss with your GP, not all medications agree with everyone but there are loads of different combinations that can be tried to get a combination that suits, or doses can been taken at different times or split into two doses etc. I was put on beta-blocker years ago and i was totally wiped out in the aftetnoon, my dose was split into am and pm and it made a huge difference Never just put up with symptoms, or not want to bother your doctor, that's what they are there for. There is nothing worse than feeling ill every day, if you have any symptoms that you had before your stent (ie using a GTN spray often) you should make your GP aware of this. If you have had an MI which led to you having a stent you should ask about Cardiac Rehab, lots of people find this really beneficial.
You should be followed up by your Cardiologist at 12 weeks but it can feel like you are in limbo until this time and sometimes just some reassurance that all is as it should be can really help.
Sorry don't mean to talk the ears off you here, but honestly never be afraid to ask your doctor if you are worried about anything.
Thank you - unfortunately I've two issues. I have a myocardial bridge which is a nightmare. One hospital in the world in America specialising in it where 200 surgeries have been carried out. Other hospitals are slow to follow but it is happening thank God. I'm only hoping it won't be too late for me x
Yep that is what I’ve been told. I’m on both clopy and aspirin
Phew thanks for confirming. I was beginning to question myself after seeing people say they were on it for a year or longer, but it all depends on circumstances doesn't it. As far as I know the recommendation is 12 weeks dual anti-platelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel). Thanks again, I wouldn't like to be telling people the wrong thing. Gillian
Thank you
I’m on clopidogril you have to be on it for a year. I had 1 stent and 2 balloons in.
Hope you are doing well
I had a triple bypass in April last year & I finished my Clopidogrel on the 1st May this year which is what my repeat prescription said on it. I still have to take aspirin though together with Lansoprazole.
Jean
How are you doing now? Were you in a lot of pain after surgery?
Thank you for asking, my recovery was delayed a little because I had an electrolyte imbalance after I was discharged from hospital. I was treated at the local hospital for a couple of weeks. I am OK now, I went to Cardiac Rehab & then cardio fit. Now I go to a local gym to keep me going & walk, it’s important to keep mobile.
Jean
Well done - that's great
Hi, I had a sudden HA and a stemi1 at the end of December 18. My prescription says my Clopidogrel finishes end of June 19. So 6 months. Have been signed off from cardiologist a month now.😀.
Stuck with Aspirin, Bisoprolol and Losartan.
Hope all goes well with you.
Thank you. I hope you stay well x
I think my doctor intends me to be on them for life.
Did you have stents?
No, I was put on them in 2018 after a mini-stroke.
Sorry to hear that. Hope you are doing ok
I have changed my lifestyle and I am doing OK. I am considering getting a part-time job to get out of the house and bring in a few bob. I took early retirement last year.
I hope it works out for you. I took early retirement in 2016. I worked for 4 years feeling very ill so got a proper diagnosis in 2016 and decided I had worked long enough
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