Pradaxa

[caravan4]

Hi, I have Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and take Pradaxa (Dabigatran) 150 mg twice a day after switching from Apixaban (hair loss & headaches) I am on a FB support group

but find a lot of negativity about the medications. I know we take them to stop strokes and is very important to do everything we can to reduce the risks. I am just feeling very worried at the moment about side effects, risks of bleeds etc. Any positive thoughts, comments, cautions would be very welcome.

[Motorman]

I also take Pradaxa twice daily. I have leaking valves etc, my AF has been "cured" by cardioversion 2 years ago. I asked to come off Pradaxa but was firmly told by the specialist that the protection against blood clots outweighed the risk of bleeds. So I just take them and accept that advice. AF increases the risk of clots significantly.

[caravan4 in reply to Motorman]

Ah, yes I get that, I would prefer to be better safe than sorry for sure. I am getting my head around it all, the side effects experienced by other people worry me but that is what I mean, people tend to write the negative stuff so we don't get the full story. . I am 66 and enjoy long walks every day and enjoy an occasional social drink although I am thinking perhaps I shouldn't drink at all. I have never been offered cardioversion. Also, my cardio is against ablation. Thank you for your reply.

[BlueJRW in reply to caravan4]

Hi, my experience so far has been that I started with AF late 2019, I had a cardioversion in Feb 20 and a CRT-D implanted. The Cardioversion worked great for about 15 months then the AF returned. I was lucky enough to have a private Cardiologist who agreed to cardioversion for a 2nd time, the was successful. My Cardiologist was originally against ablation but thinks it might be good in my situation and has referred me on to a colleague. Throughout this time I've been taking Edoxaban and can't say I'm aware of side effects, maybe I need to look them up, but reducing the risk of a stroke is a big plus for the medication.

[spinningjenny]

I’ve been taking Pradaxa for about six years with no problems. Admittedly I bled a lot earlier this year when I fell flat on my face and split my lip but I think that would have bled a lot anyway.

I have recently been told that because of my age and because I am female I will stay on it for life. I actually feel quite relieved about that having seen the reality of a stroke after my father suffered a big one and had the misfortune of surviving it.

[nobby1st]

I have been on apixapan and bisoporol for 7 years,feel tired a lot and started getting more migraines but it is worth it but haven’t had a gp appointment for over 2 yrs