Am I being stopped medication for mon... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Am I being stopped medication for monetary reasons.

Stefos profile image
27 Replies

I know a similar post has been on before but can anyone advise me, after 12 months on Ticagrelor for HA and 2 stents my Doctor say I no longer need it contrary to NICE advice of continuing for a further 3 years, at approx cost of £2 per day is this the only reason or is it lack of anymore benefit to my condition.Also is there any evidence showing people having more Heart Attacks.

Thanks Stefos

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Stefos profile image
Stefos
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27 Replies
SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

I'm on it for 12 months after my HA, expect to discontinue at the end of December. It only extends beyond 12 months for high risk patients

gmkilly profile image
gmkilly

Long term use can cause damage to other organs.

Handel profile image
Handel

I can only speak for my husband. Hubby was taking Clopidogrel and 75mg aspirin following a quad bypass in November last year. Our GP took him off Clopidogrel in April of this year. I really don't think the decision was money related. xx

Karenpr profile image
Karenpr

Husband was told 12months only following a cardiac arrest then continue with aspirin

mikealford profile image
mikealford

No. If you research you will find there is concern about staying on this drug post one year, and a move to reduce time to 6 months or less. It not cost, it's internal bleeding and risk of stroke.

Scout2017 profile image
Scout2017

I'm on Tricagrelor for 12 months from Feb. Looking forward to coming off it and not looking like my wife beats me up every day!

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen

£2 a day is not a reason for them to stop medication, in any case doctors don't have that brief, certainly not for that small sum, £2,000 a day, if you were 100 years old, maybe.

I was told by my cardiologist (actually two other doctors too) that the Ticagrelor will go after a year, along with the antacid drug. I had a HA and 2 stents 6 months ago and am looking forward to losing these nasties. Hopefully I would lose the stomach problems I have been having, acid reflux leading to chest pains, its a bugga.

Saltysailer profile image
Saltysailer in reply toKhonkaen

What antacid drug?

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen in reply toSaltysailer

Pantoprazol

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toKhonkaen

If you are still on aspirin, t hey make keep the antacid going.

Maisie2014 profile image
Maisie2014

I don’t think it’s financial. I’ve been told to stay on Ticagrelor at a lower dose after twelve months for the rest of my life. But that may be because of my age (68).

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen in reply toMaisie2014

I am 68 too and was told that I would only need aspirin for blood thinning after a year. Since I pay for my own meds that cannot be financial.

Stefos1 profile image
Stefos1

Thanks for info, appreciated .

dickielex profile image
dickielex

Almost certainly not on cost grounds. £14.00 a week really is chicken-feed in comparison with a vast array of other medication.

Scout2017 profile image
Scout2017

I'd complain a lot more if I were dead. ;-)

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Heart attack, two stents, ticagrelor changed to clopidogrel then stopped after 7 months because of damage to my stomach.

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen in reply toQualipop

Any problems with that, I heard some stop routinely after 6 months? How long ago did you stop?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toKhonkaen

No, no problems at all. I was having so much pain with both the clopidogrel and the aspirin together , my GP preferred to just keep the aspirin going because they know more about it and side effects. I should have continued for 12 months but stopping after 7 had no bad effect. I had such bad breathing problems with ticagrelor it had to be changed to clopidogrel.

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen in reply toQualipop

I am due to see my Thai cardiologist (complicated I know) the one who put in the stents and see bif I can drop the ticagrelor early, that will be 8-9 months. Or maybe just suffer and go on through to 12, I don't have the problems you have.

I have lost weight and don't have to much energy, the bruising is no big deal, more worried about damage to my other organs, plus this chest pain. I hate taking any drugs, some of you may have noticed but it would be nice to stay alive.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toKhonkaen

If ticagrelor caused problems to other organs over just 12 months,they would cut the time down but I think the risk is very small. All medication has side effects. I hate taking anything too but if I could have tolerated it, I'd have continued for the 12 months for the good it does.

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen in reply toQualipop

I think that is the key, whether I can tollerate it or not. Both physically and mentaly, getting a bit depressed over the past 24hours. Someone give him a slap.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toKhonkaen

I am sorry you are feeling this way, perhaps be kinder to yourself?

The BHF website has this information it may help.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toKhonkaen

You've tolerated it so far. What's a bit longer for the protection it gives? It shouldn't be that that's causing you chest pain.

45sue profile image
45sue

Agree ticegrelor usually only prescribed for 12 months. I was given a card following my HA & stents with the date on which it will stop. Like others, I can' t wait in order to get rid of so many bruises.

Khonkaen profile image
Khonkaen in reply to45sue

My legs and arms look so dirty with the bruises, I have seen two Cardios, since I live in two countries and both told me 12 months...7 left and maybe an end to my acid problems. Here's hoping.

Cazz1954 profile image
Cazz1954

I’ve been worrying about coming off of them as I have FH and diabetes, been on statins and aspirin for 7 years before heart attack, but they didn’t stop my heart attack. You just have to believe that doctors know what they are doing, speak to your GP if you are worried, I am asking my consultant when I see him in December

Redsea profile image
Redsea

Hi Stefos, I also take ticagrelor90mgs twice a day. My cardiologist recommends with my agreement that I stay on this dose for the year and then on a reduced dose of 60mgs for another two years. He showed me research papers on the relevent drug and it's findings which was interesting to read. He also said it was beneficial for me as I am Young! I think he should have gone to specksavers as iam 65. I had two NSTEMI at the end of May, troponin level was 10000 ! stented and all the usual medications etc. Mentally and physically iam still a mess, finding it so hard to accept the limitations and the life changing event, but feel lucky to be here. Good luck.

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