HAS-BLED risk score and IBS/IBD

[JK5AEO]

How can patients with IBS or IBD have their condition taken into account when GPs enter data into the algorithm prior to prescription of NOAC medication? Has anyone managed to persuade their doctor to assess them holistically before risking anticoagulation medication?

[Happyrosie]

doc would first of all follow pathway recommendations of NICE (National institute for Clinical Excellence). Then would use many years of training and experience. It would be in your interest to remind him/her of your medical and any relevant family history.

In the UK most groups of surgeries employ one or more pharmacists who have spent years of training and experience in managing drug interactions and side effects. So your doc might consult them. Or your high street chemist might (as mine does) do stints in local hospital, and advises the consultants and registrars. So you could consult your pharmacy.

[JK5AEO in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you.

I too find that pharmacists have greater knowledge than GPs. The challenge is getting the GP to understand how intestinal, lower bowel, and anal bleeding affects IBS/IBD patients - my concerns were simply dismissed - "Which is worse? Dying of a stroke, or a little tummy ache?", (he failed to explain how he had assessed my imminent risk of fatal stroke).

Sadly, since the Covid pandemic, switching GPs has not been an option. I'm coming across more and more people nowadays who are teaching themselves and self-medicating.

It's so easy to get anticoagulants, statins, anti-depressants etc (I was offered them all over the phone!), but there is very little interest in other conditions and how medicines affect those conditions. I suppose it all comes down to cuts in GP funding and the collapse of the NHS. I don't think I'll be able to afford the private service providers who will soon replace the NHS, so I feel a visit to the medical section of the public library coming on.