During a follow up visit to see the "chronic disease nurse" following my annual blood test (which I had to request), I asked if the Clopidogrel would cease, as I had been led to believe. The Nurse looked at me blankly and said "why would you stop that?" and claimed not to be aware of it being ceased after a year, commenting that I could book an appointment with a GP if I wanted to, but she couldn't see the need. So I just assumed that maybe most people did not come off it as I had been told, but then decided to phone the surgery again and ask if someone could look into my records. Low and behold the receptionist, after a lot of persuading, looked into my notes and finally exclaimed "Oooohhh looks like you might be right, it say's here it is due to cease after a year, I will get a Doctor to phone you back (in a weeks time I might add). Words fail me, what do these people get paid for? Anyway, the thing is, I am now a little unsettled, I guess as I have been doing very well since the stents, reducing my meds to just the anti platelets and Statins, I have come to see them as a comfort blanket and am now a bit worried about stopping the Clopidogrel. Is there a risk? Or is it better TO stop it?? Does everyone stop taking it after a year?
Stopping Clopidogrel: During a follow... - British Heart Fou...
Stopping Clopidogrel
Hi LG. Are you on Aspirin, too? I stopped taking Ticagrelor (similar to Clopidogrel) after 12 months. I felt better when I stopped the Ticagrelor. I had more energy and it was a relief to stop bleeding forever if I made a shaving error.
Sorry yes forgot to say, I am also on 75mg Asprin as well. Oh - so you felt better after stopping Clopidogrel? I have a few niggling issues that I will be curious to see if stopping it makes any difference.
It was also a treat not to bruise every time I brushed against something.
Chronic nurse sounds very appropriate ! Been on Clopidigrel and Ticagrelor after Angioplastys both stopped after a year and no problems at all.
Let me know what you do - I’m coming up for a year as well. I assumed I’d come off Clopidogrel as well......was explained that it’s purpose was to stop a clot forming around the inflamed stent area. Now I’m worried that thicker blood has other risks. I’ve dropped Beta Blocker and that’s been great.
I dropped BB's they were terrible (for me). As I understand it, once the stent has been covered (endothelialised) then the risk of clotting around it is not worth the risk of other bleeding issues so the Clopidogrel is ceased. I am still nervous about it, but I also don't want to be on anything I don't have to be. if you are still on Asprin your blood will still be less likely to clot. More to the point I wouldn't just sit back and wait for them to contact you, I get the feeling the aftercare side of all this is rather poor to be quite honest.
I’ve got a stress echo test this month to assess impact of my remaining 30% block. I’ve had the odd sensation in my left shoulder when first exercising that I’ve described as a ‘shadow’ - but it might be nothing as I’ve subsequently exercised hard and been ok. I did normal stress test a couple of months ago and they said at high levels of exercise there was a minor change in heart pattern so want to take a closer look. But that machine seems unreliable - had several weird moments during the test when I felt totally fine. They blamed it on me wearing deodorant. So going into this ECG stress with an open mind. I chased a 28 year old paid footballer around the pitch last Thursday 9 a side for an hour and gave him a pretty good test. So hoping that means there can’t be too much wrong with me.
I have got a 50% blockage in my Right Artery that they didn't stent, had 96% in left stented. I exercise fairly hard, it's not easy when you worry about every little creak and ache, but I just crack on, nobody has told me not to.
Had a phone appointment with the GP this morning - non the wiser, the cardiologist's notes were "unclear" apparently, so I am still on it until they can clarify it with him.
Hi, I have been on Clopidogrel since March 2018 since my arterial dissection. I had a review after a year with the Neurologist and he advised that he would like to stay on the med indefinitely. We discussed the pros and cons and agreed that the pros for staying on it for future prevention outweighed any negative reasons not too. At no time was it suggested best to cease after 12 months. I hope this helps?
I was the same as you mate, seven years ago I came off it reluctantly and have been off it since, I've got to tell you, that in my opinion my recovery never really started until I came off clopidogrel, my strength built up considerably and I felt I started to benefit a lot more from rehab. Also the bleeding and bruising with ease goes away, good luck.
I was on tricagelor 2 years ago (for 3 months) after minor HA. - 2 stents fitted. I felt awful on this med - breathless and tired. Only started recovery when I came off. Just before Christmas had another event and a triple bypass 
- now on Clopidogrel which appears to be having the same effect and compromising exercise. I have one month left on this med (though suspect my med happy dr may want me to stay on it). I am also on aspirin which I will continue. Also due to come off only other med - Lansoprazole (PPI) - another terrible med. Use all with care and as little as possible I think.
That Lanzoprazole was a terrible med for me, talk about stomach ache and going through the eye of a needle. Omeprazole is a lot better. I am in the last phase of a self instigated trial of Clopidogrel V Asprin using some "old stock". At the moment the Asprin is winning hands down, not sure what the GP is going to say when I let them know, other than "oh I will have to write to the Cardiologist" I had a tighness in my chest right from day one and it is definitely the Clopidogrel. Also makes me feel "as if" I am breathless, although I am able to run perfectly well.
Did you say it was a year since your event (stenting or surgery)? How long did your physical recovery take re walking/running. I was a month out after surgery initially but returned twice as inpatient - pneumonia and C Difficile (hospital acquired). Since last inpatient stay it's been just over four weeks so still early I guess. I am still unable to do more than 7 mins walking on treadmill! Strangely going upstairs (house) is ok mostly as is general around house. I have been on the clopidogrel since post op (22nd Nov) so 2 months and am thinking of taking myself off that and Lanzoprazole. Have an appointment with cardio consultant soon - will be interestng to see what he has to say. My breathlessness though not bad had developed in the last week or so also seem to have a bit of a cold which is frustrating as I really want to progress with my exercise. I have no chest tightness just residual twinges and numbness around chest
wound area - but that too is improving.
Well, I didn't have a HA fortunately, just 96% blockage in LAD that have been fixed up with 2 stents, so it is not a proper comparison really. I still have what the guy who did the stenting called "general narrowing", and have a 50% blockage in my RCA which they didn't stent. But if it is any encouragement to you that was 15 months ago, and I am doing my 50th parkrun on Saturday hopefully in around 26 minutes. I think it depends, to a large extent, on what condition your heart is in post HA, and what medication you have to be on?
I don't think you should "take yourself off" clopidogrel! I hope I have not given you the impression that I did, I replaced it with Asprin for a trial week to see if a few niggling side effects went away. I would not have done this if I had any faith in the GP being helpful in this area!
I was only going to come off clopidogrel as a test like yourself and only for a couple of days - so if breathlessness improved I could point this out to Dr. I only have a month to go with it and I guess I can put up with that. Post HA had ultra sound and heart was very good. It was just the plumbing- 3 blockages. Our GP is good and liaises with consultants.
Are you still on Asprin as well then? If so I take your point, I don't think you will be taking a huge risk personally but if your GP is good then maybe run it past him.
Yes still taking aspirin. Left out clopidogrel today will know tomorrow if 2 days omission has made any difference.
Should be pretty safe then. You might need to give it a bit longer though it took me 3 or 4 days to start to feel better when off it. I am still researching if Clopi is actually any better than Asprin going forward, as I have no faith in other resources. Some people seem to have some sort of relationship with "their cardiologist", but I only ever saw one for a few minutes as he cheerfully played back the video of my angiogram/stenting, and depending on which GP you end up with at the local surgery, they range from OK but still prone to strange decisions, to absolutely useless. There is now a trend towards phone appointments, which would possibly be OK if they actually took the time to read your notes before ringing.......
Also it is odd that various forums have different durations on this med - I'm fairly sure it is often not a decision based on an individuals condition but that there is uncertainty and conflict on the duration needed for clopidogrel. I am on a 3 month but have seen as little as one month progressing to 6 and 12.
Well, you have obviously come to the same conclusion as I, there is NO subjective evaluation of us. Obvious reason is lack of resources. I was put, like everyone else, on the blanket prescription of meds, including blood pressure tablets and beta blockers. I never had high blood pressure and had no damage to my heart so neither of these were suitable for me. Some people get put on PPI's (Lanzoprazole, Omeprazole etc), some don't, again no subjective reason. As has been said before, the treatment in hospital is fantastic but once you walk out that hospital it is likely to be a lottery and you need to get as informed as possible and question every decision (or lack of) that is made. I presume the difference is down to the individual cardiologist. The same goes during Rehab, although it is a fantastic resource there is no real individual assessment, I was pegged back to something like 106 bpm during "exercise" which was hopeless for me, I now run it at the same sort of levels I did 20 years ago.
Great stuff with the exercising 
One other thing I have issue with is meds being same mg for everyone - male and female - 6ft or 5ft - obese, middling or thin. US apparently started personalising meds on sex, height and weight but don't know if this has become normal practise there. We really need to get the basics right. Actually after just one day off clopidogrel feel a 'bit' better. May leave it till after my cardio appt next week to do a longer trial incase they do blood tests to see if I am taking meds as prescribed.
I have to take Ticagrelor for a year and then that will stop. So next 18th March 2020 glad to stop that, as it causes me bruising for no reason. Been better lately but in the summer month it was ridiculous, even had a small bruise on my forehead. Was told that aspirin and Ticagrelor are causing unexplained bruising. But have to take my other 4 meds rest of my life.
But requested a review yesterday from my GP. We shall see how it goes 😊
Thank you Mike and also the other guys. I have also done some research and it now looks like I am worrying too much! I don't have the "phone appointment" with the GP until Monday and I need to put my subscription in today so I am going to stick my neck out and not order any Clopidogrel. The thing that is now annoying me is why the hell doesn't a "Chronic disease nurse" either know about this or had looked into my notes beforehand?? What do there people get paid for? Also, there is obviously no "recalling of patients for things such as this, if I had not phoned back I would have been taking it for another year -some people never ask or question anything, they just do as they are told to the letter.
Seems things are not improving much to me.
I have been on Clopidogrel for three years now, nobody suggests I should stop it, far better me to be on Clopidogrel than warfarin. The Cardiologist told me I was on the best, that was good enough foe me.
Hi
On my notes and prescriptions it says fir 1 year only so should not even be prescribed after that time
These posts have unsettled me. I have been on Clopidogrel for around 4 years now because a cardiologist said it was much better than aspirin in preventing clots that could lead to a stroke. There was never any mention of taking it off my medications after a year. I went to be ‘signed off’ the Cardiology care back to the GP and when I said how awful the bruising was, he said to look on the bright side because it showed it was working! I was also assured that it didn’t lead to internal haemorrhage, which was a worry for me. Even as I write, my arms are covered in black, deep haematomas which look awful. I am going to contact my GP to see what can be done about this. I would much prefer to take low dose aspirin and have no bruising. Thank for the info that it should only be taken for a year!
Hi Mel. The OP was talking about dropping Clopidogrel after a year following stents. Any platelet therapy (Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor + aspirin) for one year is a common pattern for those of us who’ve had stents. After that time the Clop or Ticagrelor stops and the Aspirin continues. Some people who don’t tolerate aspiring we’ll continue with Clopidogrel (which is effectively a super aspirin). That’s a long way of saying Clop can be taken for longer but in the case of anti platelet therapy after stents it’s usually dropped after a year. Hope that makes sense.
I’m thinking of asking my GP if I can come off the aspirin and just have the clopidogrel.
Just given everyone’s interest and knowledge I’d be interested in suggestions for my own situation. 1 year on and was told in the panic of emergency PCI clopidogrel for life alongside Apixaban (anticoagulation) also for life... now I have a predisposition to clotting but thought that the Apixaban was treatment for that. I don’t understand the clopidogrel too + the PPI to reduce incidents of stomach bleed.
Everything I’ve read suggests interventional cardiologist prescribes in the immediate circumstance and regular cardiologist long term. I have no cardiologist - kicked up a storm to see one initially who didn’t have my notes. I am in the care of GP. I imagine I have healed In line with everyone else, I had a good stress test outcome in the summer. Also read somewhere size of stent can make a difference. I feel trapped and don’t know if a referral to haematologist might be best? I usually just feel to be a nuisance but I do think that specialists prescribe to their speciality without always taking in impact of the drugs long term. I feel nervous like others have said it’s a security blanket but I’m also nervous about the bleeding.
If anyone has any links to anything useful I’d be grateful.
Lateguitarist - you’ll be just fine another little milestone in your recovery x
Hi Sususlio. After my PCI following a heart attack 3 years ago I was in Ticagrelor (similar to Clopidogrel) and Aspirin (+ PPI etc). Dropped Ticagrelor after a year but have Aspirin for life. I know that people who can’t tolerate Aspirin are on Clopidogrel for life. Maybe because you’re on Apixaban it’s better to take Clop rather than aspirin? And because of your stent it’s for life (just as Aspirin is for life for me). I’m not sure about Apixaban as it’s not one of my daily treats! Hope that helps.
Search Drugs.com-interactions - then you will be armed with Qs for your Drs. The site also has a professional link so you can look at what your GP may look at.
The Cardiologist was going to take my mum off Clopidogrel after a year . My brother ( a doctor) asked the Cardiologist via email , if there would not be a detrimental affect to our mum's health if she went off Clopidogrel. The Cardiologist decided to keep my mum on Clopidogrel for life.
However, I will go off Clopidogrel after a year . I can't have fillings or anything done to my teeth , kidney stone operation etc until I am off the stuff! Can't wait!
It worries me when relatives make decisions rather than the patient; the cardiologist responses so often by playing safe with social pressure. In my opinion It's your mother's life and it's her decision, and I believe, however well intentioned, one shouldn't interfere by bypassing her and going directly to the Medic, regardless of your brothers own medical beliefs.
What on earth would you say if she suddenly had a stroke caused by a bleed in the brain as a result of continued use of Clopidogrel ? They can clear a clot, but bleeds are more complicated, and as we age, we are more likely to stumble and fall, the consequences of which normally survivable with slight bruising, suddenly become a medical emergency on Clopidogrel.
I have witnessed this exact scenario two years ago, I lost a good friend, and his widow lost her soulmate. Risk averse is not risk free!
That's very true , however my brother did discuss everything with my mother. And she agreed with my brother. My mum passed away 3 years ago. She was a very independant and knowledgable woman. And often stubborn! Lol!
Often having doctors, nurses etc in the family or friends helps a lot . It's more informative .
It's true what you're saying about bleeds. I have an inherited clotting deficiency , whereby my blood is thin and it's harder for me to clot. Factor 7 deficiency. I initially refused to take blood thinners because of my Factor 7 . But the cardiologists told me that they could control bleeds but not control me having a heart attack ! So I had no choice .
I am very sorry that you lost a dear friend . I know how hard that is .
I found some studies that showed delayed endothelial healing over the stent and some benefits of staying on clopidogril longer than a year so 12 months post stenting I stopped aspirin and continued the clopidogril.
I'm constantly crashing my mountain bike but don't bruise much so will stay on the clopidogril as the benefits re heart attack and stroke outway the bleeding risk for me.
I used it after my heart attack, but the instruction on my prescription from the cardiologist, said to stop using it after 6 months.
Yes, I stopped after 6 months, and I believe the advice from Papworth is to stop after a month for Self Eluting Stents. There is considerable research, especially in the USA, showing the risk of bleed outweigh the benefits after a year, and a move to reduce the recommendation from 12 months to 6 months. The problem is that older people have more falls.
I believe on the continent it only given for 6months.
That is an alarmist response.
I have been on clopidogrel for 7 years without any problems.
My Cardiology Professor has recommended I take it to prevent micro clots forming in my coronary blood supply which could lead to heart attack or stroke.
I don't feel my Cardiologist would prescribe a ' dangerous ' medication.
I trust his judgement.
I'm specifically talking about dapt you have a different medical condition.
It's still an unnecessary and alarmist response to state that a drug is 'dangerous ' for whatever reason it is being prescribed.
'In the end clopidogrel will do for them. At least when they die their arteries will be okay!!!! Just bleed to death!'
Please do your own research, and there are plenty of studies on the subject. I am specifically talking about DAPT. There are many other conditions for which it may be the drug of choice. But internal bleeding is a known risk, which is why the trend is to only be on it for 6 months, after that the risk outways the advantage for DAPT therapy.
Please reflect whether this statement is helpful.
'In the end clopidogrel will do for them. At least when they die their arteries will be okay!!!! Just bleed to death!'
Okay yes, i guess not helpful, gallows humour. I apologize.
Thank you.
I also have a very black sense of humour it is what gets us through the darkest moments.
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