Starting Clopidogrel and nervous

[Harpangel]

Hi. I had a bit of a shock earlier this week, finding out that my left carotid artery is 50% blocked. I’m 49. ED Drs started me on 300mg aspirin but I now have to start taking Clopidogrel daily. Terrified of side effects because of multiple other health problems. Realise everyone reacts differently to medication but would be so grateful to hear from anyone’s experience of starting/being on this drug. Thank you!

[Blackcatsooty]

I have taken clopidogrel for eight years. I do bleed a bit from any scratch but have learnt to live with that. If it prevents a stroke then that’s brilliant. You really don’t want a stroke.

And now my good news is that migraines are now a rare event. They plagued my life for many years, now it’s about three migraine every year. What a revelation.

The drug will probably take a month or so to settle in.

Thank goodness your medics have discovered the problem in your carotid before it reaches a catastrophic event.

Best wishes

Sooty

[ChoochSiesta]

I was on it for the last year combined with Aspirin 75 with no problems.

[Blackcatsooty]

very likely. Small dose aspirin is an acceptable alternative to Clopiwhatsit.

Blood thinners.

Isn’t it fabulous to wake up to a fine sunny day without the thought of a migraine descending. Big thank you to Clopiwhatsit.

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Harpangel, I've been on 75mg of Clopidogrel and 40mg Atorvastatin daily since a severe out of the blue stroke last March, coming up for the anniversary. Due an annual review and bloods next week.Re side effects, everyone reacts differently. My experience is minimal. I have had some muscle aches but I couldn't attribute them to the medication, it may be just a result of exercise or hydration.

In the absence of any other treatment I'll take those and worse side effects everyday if the Clopidogrel is working. Not wishing to test Providence but my risk of a further stroke has been very high over the last 12 months and I haven't had one!

But I can totally empathise with the scary nature of your diagnosis and the feeling of being left to think about this alone. And then spending time thinking about the interventions, in this case the medication.

I spent a month in turmoil thinking is this it and pre-occupied with my sensory awareness of my body.

It was disabling. I spent a lot of time researching, becoming a couch potato, until I found a British Heart Foundation link to Couch to 5k (C25K). I asked my GP about doing exercise who said it was okay but don't overdo it. As a lifetime non-runner, I'll admit to being a bit scornful of jogging, I gave it ago expecting to fail. 10 months on I'm still running and my cardiovascular system is significantly and measurably improved. My mental health is improved and some muscular skeletal issues like knee joints and a dodgy hip I had put down to older age have improved too.

The point is for me I needed to find something I could do to take control and make my life a bit better if possible. The negative was dragging me down.

And two other benefits from a positive focus. The blood tests for the medication revealed a different problem I was unaware of which required an abdominal operation. For which I was much fitter.

Medical science has advanced too in a year or the NHS has become a late adopter, of newish technology for heart monitoring and I'm 5 days in to having had an implanted loop. Again there are risks with this procedure and technology but they are far outweighed by the gains, especially if a paroxysmal event is detected that can be treated more effectively. I'll take the risks and the side effects all day long. Otherwise why go and see a Doctor or specialist?

[Harpangel in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thank you so much for your reply. I had an implanted loop recorder for 2 years (a good few years back, now) and other than being able to see the recorder under my skin (I’m really skinny), I didn’t have any problems with it. I hope it gives you some answers.

I’ve never smoked, don’t drink, don’t have a high fat diet, exercise regularly etc. Am wondering if it’s genetic - my late father’s side of the family had dire cardiac history through many generations. I also have an autonomic condition and struggle with GI side effects and dizziness, hence why I’m so worried about starting this drug.

Dr has put me on lansoprazole and I’ve taken my first dose of the Clopidogrel….anxiety is off the scale!

[Chinkoflight]

I get it. 🤞

[Lonmayloon]

Following my stent I took clopidgrel for a few months together with 75mg aspirin. No problems with any side effects. Other medicines prescribed were bisoprolol, perindopril and rosuvastatin.

[Andyman]

Was on it for 10 years with zero issues also take aspirin and other drugs.

[Hidden]

Hi I, like you, am wary of mixing drugs but I have been taking clopidogrel for years, without any problems. Unlike some other drugs it appears to not have any side affects. In my case anyway.

[devonian186 in reply to Hidden]

I have been taking it since May without any side effects other than blood thinners and other medications for anti clotting can make you more liable to bleed so any knocks may manifest themselves in bruises. I would suggest you take them if a GP has thought it necessary and if it has an effect then there are alternatives

[CyclingTime]

I was on it for a year and absolutely no side effects, when I came off it again no side effects.One implication is that with the Aspirin you will be prone to getting very cold so it's an extra layer of clothes. I bought some rechargeable hand warmers which also double as power banks to charge your phone if you aren't using them

[Amclkr1314]

Everybody has side effects on medicines in one way or another I think you have to try it first and see what side effects you have .

I believe the clopidogrel is mainly used to lower your blood pressure .

I had to come off it because I constantly had diarrhea so the doctor changed it .

I would chat with your GP mentioning your concerns before they prescribe to you .

Hope this helps

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Amclkr1314]

Clopidogrel is used to make the blood more slippery to reduce blood clotting.

[Aureliab20]

hi, I have been on Clopdigorel for about a year now, with no side effects at all.

[Harpangel]

I am so grateful to everyone for taking time to reply, thank you so much. I am incredibly grateful to the ED Dr who decided to refer me to the stroke clinic within 24 hrs. I’m also very glad to have found this forum and hope in time, that I will be able to offer support to people, just as you have for me!

[Thaifan]

I have been on clopidogrel for several years with no ill effects. May bruise more easily and a cut make take a few moments longer to stop bleeding.

[Digger0]

I had clopidogrel for 3 months post my ASD repair and aspirin for 6 months, and I hardly had any problems with bleeding or bruising. When I was on steroid inhalers I bruised at the drop of a feather!

[Qualipop]

I was put on a different one after a heart attack which didn't suit me at all so was changed to clopidogrel. I suffer multiple drug reactions and am a nightmare to prescribe for but clopidogrel was absolutely fine. NO ill effects at all except of course a lot of bruising which is completely normal. This is preventative medication to try to prevent the blockage getting worse or caaausing a stroke ( along with lifestyle changes). If you are not getting pain or breathlessness, 50% blockage isn't that bad. When I had a heart attack and 2 stents they also found two more partial blockages that were 65% blocked. Tests showed that blood was flowing freely through them so nothing was done because they are below the level where stents are needed. I take statins to stabilise the plaque and hopefully prevent a stroke, changed my diet , cutting out fried, processed and fatty food; reduced red meat and have far more vegetables and take a blood thinner. No take aways, crisps, pizzas, pies, cakes or biscuits which are all what my husband used to insist on. Nothing ready made. Clopidogrel is nothing to worry about but you've been given an early warning so please do try to change your l ifestyle to prevent things getting worse. Like aspirin, for some people it can cause stomach pain so you are usually given a PIP to protect your stomach.

[Harpangel in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks, Qualipop. Sorry to hear that meds are a problem for you but glad you’ve had the help and success with Clopidogrel.

I’ve never eaten a fatty diet, don’t eat meat, never smoked, barely drink, am very slim and exercise regularly so it came as a surprise. Im also not sure what else I can change. However, my late father and generations before him had dire cardiovascular history and there’s also some issues on my mother’s side. Thankfully I’m already on a stomach protector - lansoprazole.

[Qualipop in reply to Harpangel]

Sounds as if it's a family problem same as mine. It's good that it's been found early and you can now have tablets to help. My grandfather was the only one of 13 siblings to survive past 50 years old yet no one took any notice until I'd had a heart attack. I really don't think you should have any problems with clopidogrel apart from every slight bump causing a bruise.

[MWIC]

Hi - HA Jan last year - on Apixaban and Clopidogrel and for me haven’t noticed any problems and have ran into a solid glass door nearly knocking myself out (no bleeding)

Good luck!!

[Coxtribe]

Like many, I was prescribed Clopidogrel after a heart attack. No side effects as far as I'm aware other than bleeds taking a little longer to stop but a small price to pay! Hopefully you'll find the same. 🤞

[Danny462]

Hi I’ve been on clopidogrel, aspirin, atorvastatin, bisoprolol and lansoprazole now for four years after having four stents I feel tired all the time, I bleed and bruise easily but I have learned to live with with it. Lansoprazole did give me diarrhoea so came off for a while but went back on with half dose had diarrhoea again for about six weeks now I’m fine. Have an annual blood test every August. Hope things work out for you, scary at first and depressing.

[Harpangel in reply to Danny462]

Thank you. Yes, it is definitely scary and a shock because it came out of the blue. Hoping as time passes I will somehow get used to the news. I really appreciate the response from everyone on here.

[Comfycousin1 in reply to Danny462]

Hi Danny, I had a stent fitted after an NSTEMI in December. I'm replying to you because the meds you are on are exactly those that I'm on. So far the only side effects I've had has been nausea, especially at night when laying down.

I'm hearing thar this nausea could last months. I just wondered what your experience has been.

Thanks,

Comfy

[Astronomyrules]

Hi I just thought I'd add a further thought. 20 years ago I was diagnosed with a 60,% carotid blockage plus a 40% in the other artery and was put on clopidogrel. 20 years later I've had no strokes and no issues with the tablets, except when combined with aspirin, other than bruises and slightly longer bleeding times which seems to be less now than at the start. I remember how scared I was at diagnosis and also wary of going anywhere near a knife. Now I barely give it a thought. We're all different in our responses , but I hope this post goes some way to calming your fears.

[Harpangel in reply to Astronomyrules]

Thank you SO much!

[Hidden]

I was on this for nearly 3 years (as they forgot to take me off it after the 12 months). I dont think i had any side effexts as such. But when i stopped, i did notice chest pains had changed and get less. But this could just be timing.

[Wobbling]

I have been on clopidogrel since 2001 when I had a heart attack. I also have a 60 percent blocked carotid since then. I have no side effects and no further heart problems to date. I want to stay on this med forever at this point. Watch what you eat and get some exercise. Keep your cholesterol down. You will do just fine.