Clopidigrel and GI bleeds

[TSOTLS]

Anyone experience GI bleeds while using clopidogrel after coronary artery stunting. This is my third hospitalization for bleeding after having 2 stents put in 7 months ago. The common wisdom is to be on Clop. for a year after stunting but after many tests, scopes etc all signs are pointing to my systems apparent intollerance of this drug. I should also mention that I have a mechanical heart valve and was on a fairly low dose of warfarin for 8years before the stents were put in. After my second hospitalization for GI bleeds a daily injectable anticoagulant was prescribed rather than warfarin. All went well for several months and then I had my most serious bleed ever. Now the docs are scratching their collective heads and wondering about benefit vs risk of continuing clopidogrel. I also don’t tolerate aspirin well as a substitute. The doctors are still weighing options but say ultimately it will be my decision and that is rather frightening. Thanks to all in reading this.

[Heather1957]

What is a GI bleed?

I was put on Clopidogrel after a stroke in 2017 and remained on it after my bypass until October 2021.

I had 2 stents fitted in October 2021 and was prescribed Aspirin and Ticagrelor and was told I was to remain on these for a year then revert back to just Clopidogrel. I could not get on with Ticagrelor at all so after 6 months I went back to Clopidigrol and no side effects. As well as shortness of breath and tiredness with Ticagrelor I did find I had massive and unexplained bruising with Ticagrelor that I never have had with with Clopidigrol.

That has been my experience without knowing what GI bleeding is

[Hidden in reply to Heather1957]

Gastro Intestinal

[Heather1957 in reply to Hidden]

Oh - no not at all and I (apart from 6 months) have been on Clopidogrel since January 2017.

[Hidden]

Hi, I had something very similar, other than I'm on Warfarin for two Mech Valves and have been for a number of years.

In April I was hospitalised with a GI Bleed, not helpful, as I'm also anaemic. I was taken off Warfarin and put on Tinzaparin injections. Had a Colonoscopy where they found a problem called Angiodysplasia, basically blood vessels leaking. 10 weeks later I had a second Colonoscopy, where they carried out a procedure to correct the problem. I'm now back on Warfarin fulltime thankfully.

Angiodysplasia, can be caused by Heart Disease as well as taking anticoagulation and blood thinner meds.

Heed

[Qualipop]

Clopidogrel and aspirin together were killing my stomach after a HA. They stopped the clopi after 6 months. I didn't have a bleed but the stomach pain was terrible. They chose to leave me on aspirin because they said they know the side effects better but I now have to have the enteric coated. I'd a;ready been changed from ticagrelor to clopidogrel

[Dessert]

Have you been referred to a Haematologist?I have one as I have a clotting problem ( My blood doesn’t clot a quickly )

Have you had your iron levels tested?