Ticagrelor after 12 months

[Bisoporolol]

What a fabulous set up this is with some many people taking part each day!

Well it almost a year(next Wednesday) since I had my sudden HA. Got treated by the wonderful NHS and was gifted two stents. Although I had a few early issues I feel great now.

As it’s my anniversary I’ve been told to stop taking Ticagelor. Is there any potential issues by stopping? My doctor says no but then they’ve never seen me face to face.

What was your experience when stopping?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Ticagrelor is an anti-platelet, as are clopidogrel and aspirin. Anti-platelets helps stop blood clots which could cause a stroke or a heart attack. It seems to be common practice to be prescribed two anti-platelets for 12 months following a heart attack then one is dropped off after 12 months as the heart health risk has reduced. Thereafter common practice seems to be one anti-platelet for life. In my case I was prescribed clopidogrel for 12 months, and aspirin for life. When I dropped the clopidogrel I didn't notice any change. So in your case the only thing you might notice, if you bleed or bruise easily like I do due to the aspirin, that dropping the ticagrelor may reduce this tendency to bleed/bruise which should be welcome.

[Gibson01]

I did not experience any issues with stopping Ticagrelor. The tendency to bruise very easily quickly stopped.

[Survivor1952]

I had no problems stopping the Ticagrelor, doctor was adamant that it be stopped. In fact I was glad to stop, had a nasty fall 72 hours before stopping and the ensuing cut took 24 hours to stop bleeding, I couldn't have coped with that concern for any length of time ...

[MoretonCross]

Isn't it a strange phenomenon these days that it's possible, as in my case, you don't actually know who your doctor is nor have you ever met face to face with any of the doctors in your practice? I have yet another telephone appointment this week with yet another unknown doctor, this time a female. Didn't even know we had a female doctor in the practice... First time in the 20+ years I've been with them!

[Yogi1950s]

Hi,

My experience was similar but different to yours.

For reasons best known to my Cardiologist I was on ticagrelor for 3 years post HA.

First year at higher dose then lower for 2.

As 3 year anniversary drew near I questioned the sudden stopping with my GP and saw her face-to-face. She admitted not knowing the answers so she wrote to the Cardiologist. Eventually the reply was received saying that the positive effects of the ticagrelor would have meant that my stents would have fully bedded without issue but that the negative effects, excess bleeding and bruising etc would pose bigger threats with my increase in age (I am now 65!!) So the benefits of stopping far outweighed any downsides.

Hope this helps.

Yogi

[Rickstarr in reply to Yogi1950s]

Hi there, I'm now 63 had my HA last march I had 3 stents have felt fine ever since, does the doctor tell you to stop the ticargrelor or do you not repeat the prescription ? I to bruise so easily without knowing it.

[Bisoporolol]

Thank you all for your replies. Most helpful.

Good to know I’m not the only one never to have seen my local doctor!

[Yogi1950s]

I found that I could no longer request it even though it still appears on the repeat info it doesn't have a box to tick.

I assume that if I did request it the doctor wouldn't sign it off but that is just an assumption and we all know where they lead us to 🤣

[Qualipop]

Absolutely no problems stopping; no tapering off, simply stopped. Delighted to have fewer bruises. Still taking the aspirin.

[Fastbike]

I also was told to stop taking Ticagrelor after 12 months after having my triple bypass operation. Just stopped taking it completely with no problems. One good thing, no more bruise bleeding !! Just taking 75mg Aspirin for life now along with the usuals. Still get a very occasional small bruise with Aspirin but nothing like Ticagrelor caused. Good luck.

[Butterfly_flutterby]

I was on Ticagrelor for 12 months after my Stemi H/A and 3 x Bypass. I had no issues at all stopping it. I’m on Aspirin for life plus the other usual heart meds. Good luck with your recovery 😀

[MumaLines]

A year after my Bypass I was told it was time to stop Ticagelore.

Just wanted to reassure you so when I stopped those tablets I had no problems at all.

🎉

[LesleyJ59]

For some reason I had to take ticagrelor for 18 months after my HA. I was so glad to come off it as I bruised like a peach - any slight knock would result in a technicolour bump. I wouldn't worry, it's a positive thing that they feel you can come off it.