Chlopidogrel concerns

[Barford]

Hello,

I’ve regularly taken daily Chlopidogrel since 2008 for a blocked left carotid artery (endarterectomy 2008). I’ve never had a TIA.

A friend had very heavy bleeding whilst taking Chlopidogrel and was on hospital.

[Happyrosie]

I’m not sure what your question is, Barford. If you are to have surgery, including dental, you’ll be told to stop taking Clop for about seven days before. This is in the pack details. Also, when you were first prescribed, you should have been told to avoid as far as possible situations when you might bleed, such as getting scratched with a bramble or whatever. Does this answer your post?

[Barford in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks again.

[Minette53]

Hi Bradford,I just have been diagnosed with a blocked left carotid when I had an ultrasound for something else. I am terrified and feel so low. I keep crying because of the horrible things I read about it. I would love to hear about your experience

[Barford in reply to Minette53]

Sorry but I have replied and thought it was to you I was replying I hope you find it but let me know if you have no success

Barford

[Barford]

Hello,

I’m sorry not to have replied earlier.

What information have you received so far? It came as a shock to me also and was the result of ultrasound for another reason, so I may have an inkling as to how you feel. I had not had a TIA or stroke previously.

It was emphasised to me that I would need an endarterectomy and I was put on Chlopidogrel and a statin.

I made a good recovery following the operation. I stopped the statin 6 weeks post op because it was disagreeing with me so much. This was all in 2008. I’ve been well since.

I do have nice doctors and this helps. However, as you see this was many years ago. What it is like now with COVID I’ve no idea and I have every sympathy for you.

I am particular with diet and an avid follower of the Mediterranean way of eating. A good website for me is Olive Tomato.

I hope what I have written has been of some help.

[Minette53 in reply to Barford]

Good morning Barford,Thank you such much for your reply. It’s so good to hear from others who have experience of this disease with a positive feedback that won’t scare the crap out of me. Me too, I haven’t had stroke or tia but I have hbp which is treated. It’s scary especially when it comes out of seemingly nowhere. My Gp referred me to see a surgeon for assessment. Still waiting to hear from hospital in North Manchester U.K. What worries me after all the scary reading about it is that it has direct relation to the brain and the 2 risks of the op are stroke and heart attack. This is causing me anxiety with thoughts of dread and dying all the time.

Sorry for moaning. Please I am looking for facts and more details from you would be much appreciated.

[Barford]

I had the similar feelings. I did much reading. I had my op under local anaesthetic which I was very pleased about. I followed advice. I constructed a list of questions. I carried a notebook and, if a thought or question came into my head, I wrote it down.

Surprisingly, I was never given any foot exercises to do immediately following the op and in bed to prevent stasis, so I did my own. It may be out of date now and I qualified as a nurse and midwife in late 60s.