Clopidogrel dreams : I’m taking... - British Heart Fou...

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Clopidogrel dreams

Oaks6 profile image
46 Replies

I’m taking Clopidogrel for the second time in 5 years. The first time I had 3 stents fitted and had to take It to stop my stents from blocking. This time is after a heart attack, again for a year.

When I took them 5 years ago I was having regular nightmares. Someone else said they had the same experience. They said they would wake up screaming.

My experience this time seems to be vivid dreams, always negative dreams. I seem to wake up quite disturbed and disorientated. This doesn’t happen every night but quite often.

it’s been suggested it’s my Bisoprolol is causing the dreams. I’d be surprised if they were as I’ve taken them for 5 years and the dreams are recent.

I wondered if anyone has had the same experience?

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Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6
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46 Replies
MikeBB profile image
MikeBB

Yes - I’ll echo your experience. I strongly suspect it was the Clopidogrel.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to MikeBB

Thanks, it makes me feel more comforted I’m not the only one !

Blackcatsooty profile image
Blackcatsooty

Dear Oaks6

That’s an interesting thought.

I had a stroke late 2015 and clopidogrel prescribed.

I had the most awful dreams, or night terrors, for many months. This was deemed commonplace amongst stroke survivors. Then in 2020 I had open heart surgery and continued on clopidogrel. Mega bad dreams.

I did a monitored trial over ten weeks, taking small dose aspirin in lieu of clopidogrel. No noticeable change.

I think that bad dreams/nightmares/night terrors are common after serious illness.

However, you could take 75mg aspirin and see how things go. Obviously you check with your GP first.

It is quite conceivable that your dreams will ease by the very act of changing things.

My dreams eased away. I did not associate them with medication.

Best wishes

Sooty

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Blackcatsooty

Thanks for you’re reply, I’ve been on 75mg of aspirin for 5 years. It just seemed odd that since I added Clopidogrel my vivid dreams started. I had a major operation for cancer in April and no bad dreams after that until they added Clopidogrel after my heart attack in June.

MrsSuzuki profile image
MrsSuzuki

Yes I get vivid dreams every night since I've been on clopidogrel and aspirin. Some of them are quite disturbing as sometimes I dream about people I knew who have passed, both recently and many years ago.Lily

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to MrsSuzuki

Thanks, I’m on Clopidogrel and aspirin too.

Beta70 profile image
Beta70 in reply to Oaks6

I find that surprising as my gp informed me that I could not take clopidogrel and aspirin together, and advised I continued on clopidogrel and atorvastatin. I also have strange dreams and often wake up really shaky as though I am having a panic attack and for no apparent reason feel really anxious . The only thing that brings me back to "normal" is putting my local radio station on but as this does not start up until 6.00 am I am stuck if I wake up earlier.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Beta70

That’s interesting as tend to feel quite ‘ out of salts ‘ when I wake up. Even before I sleep I can get sudden vivid thoughts before I finally sleep. I nearly always have something playing at night to sooth me to sleep 😴

Cawann profile image
Cawann in reply to Oaks6

Yes i feel out of sorts on waking too but it seems to be getting less? As time goes on.

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply to Beta70

Try the World service! It's on the same frequency as radio 4 after close-down and before start up........

Beta70 profile image
Beta70 in reply to jerry12953

Thank you I will do.

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply to Beta70

Can I suggest you get a little digital radio which will provide up to 250 stations. I tend to listen to the BBC world service at night. Cost around £30 including headphones and charge lead. It runs for about 15 hours on its rechargeable battery.

Beta70 profile image
Beta70 in reply to devonian186

Thank you for the advice. However, I have had one of these before without headphones and charge lead and couldn't manage to get on with it. Can you recommend what make you have please, and I will look out for one.

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply to Beta70

Without the headphones, which act as an aerial-they won't work. This Bergstrom is the one I acquired most recently.

coopersofstortford.co.uk/pe...

It is very small and light and comes with decent quality in ear stereo earphones and the USB lead. All at £30. Its very good

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply to devonian186

I meant to say I also have a larger digital radio with traditional extending aerial which rarely works anywhere in the house. This one that uses its earphone as an aerial works everywhere including outdoors but without the aerial/earphones it won't work at all. Of course, not everywhere can get a digital signal.

Beta70 profile image
Beta70 in reply to devonian186

Many thanks, I have just ordered one. I also like the idea of being able to use it whilst out walking.

Beta70 profile image
Beta70 in reply to devonian186

Thank you so much, it arrived on Saturday when I had visitors staying so I have just set it up today and am well pleased with it.

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply to Beta70

Excellent. It s a really neat little radio. that can get hundreds of stations I have never even heard of!

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply to Beta70

A pillow speaker is a must if you sleep with anyone. They can be got for a few pounds online.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

I have been on clopidogrel for 10 years.I am on clopidogrel for life.

I haven't noticed having any disturbing dreams.

It is so interesting how we all react differently to the medications we take.

Digger0 profile image
Digger0

I have been on Clopidogrel 75mg for 2 weeks post ASD repair and so far 🤞 I have had no side effects.

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58

I certainly experienced weird vivid dreams after my heart attack and two cardiac arrests. I still do occasionally. I was on a cocktail of medication including Clopidogrel and Bisoprolol so it’s hard to know the precise cause. It could be the meds or it might just be the trauma of the heart attack etc.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Bigheart58

Thanks, I’m taking Clopidogrel and Bisoprolol so maybe their combination is causing an issue? I’m so glad you survived two cardiac arrests!

Bishop1 profile image
Bishop1

Hi Oaks6. I was on Aspirin, Clopodrigelw and Astorivatin since I had Beady Bypass in 2020. Previous to that I aS on Aspirin and Clopodrigil since I had TIA,s in 2016. Seen a stroke specialist in January 2022 ( lost my sight4times) and he wanted to know why I was taking all those tablets ( he prescribed them for me after mini strokes) . Took me off Clopodrigil as I had very bruised arms. Never had any strange dreams. Take Phenergan tablet and sleep like a log. Hope you soon feels a lot better. Happy Sunday x

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Bishop1

Thanks, my goodness you’re been through it ! What’s a Beady Bypass?

Bishop1 profile image
Bishop1

Should be double bypass, notBeady. Thanks for replying. Every day is a good day. Make the best of it. In Church today, our priest asked us if we were all ready for Heaven. We all shouted out YES.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6

Ok thanks. I had a chat with a friend about going to heaven and we both want to go but maybe not quite yet !

Beta70 profile image
Beta70 in reply to Oaks6

Absolutely!

Bishop1 profile image
Bishop1

Always be ready x

Crofton23 profile image
Crofton23

Had 2nd heat attack 3 months ago. I take clopdogrel , aspirin and bisoprolol. Fortunately I have no nightmares or dreams.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Crofton23

I’m glad you’re not getting any dreams or nightmares. Also glad you’re here after your 2nd heart attack.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

It was bisopralol that gave me horrible hallucinations.. I would wake up and see 2 and 3 foot long black worms all over the walls and ceiling. I had been started on icagrelor but when it gave me breathing problems, it was changed to clopidogrel and I was fine.

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply to Qualipop

I had a friend who became suicidal soon after starting to take bisoprolol.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to jerry12953

It didn't do that to me b ut Gabapentin did ( a nerve painkiller)

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply to Qualipop

Horrible......

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to jerry12953

GP put a big red message on my notes-"Do NOT Prescribe Gaba or Lyrica". The effect was so bad.

ChristineK profile image
ChristineK in reply to Qualipop

Same here. I started on Ticagellor and was changed to Clopidigrel because it made my Asthma worse.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to ChristineK

It didn't actually cause asthma it just made me feel as if I couldn't take a deep breath. It's a well known side effect.

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953

My friend stopped taking Bisoprolol immediately and hasn't looked back!

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to jerry12953

Did they take a substitute?

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply to Oaks6

No, he tries to take as few meds as possible.

ChristineK profile image
ChristineK

I have been on Clopidogrel for just over two years now but I have never had any bad dreams.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to ChristineK

Thanks, I wondered why you’ve been on Clopidogrel for two years ? The cardiologist told me one year was the most effective time to take it. My cardio rehab team said it’s possible I might be kept on it longer.

ChristineK profile image
ChristineK in reply to Oaks6

I came out of hospital after HA on Aspirin for life and Ticagrellor for one year.. Firstly, the Ticagrellor caused breathing problems, so I was changed to Clolidogrel and secondly, the Aspirin caused stomach problems, so was stopped. I am now on Clopidogrel for life in place of Aspirin.

Cawann profile image
Cawann

I have taken bisopurol for 8 yrs and clopidogrel for less than a year. I have often woken in last 8 yrs with a scream. Or felt/seen scary images and dreams. This i now accept and was definately a feature before i started Clopidogrel.

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Cawann

The nurses said they thought I’m more likely to get dreams from Bisoprolol but I’ve been on those for 5 years.

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