Clopidogrel

[Paul12]

Anyone here been prescribed clopidogrel...for life?

Surely there are tests that one can take that might show it is no longer needed if diet, exercise are followed? What should one look for? Platelets? RBC? White blood cells? Cholesterol?

[Celtic]

Paul, our son is on Clopidogrel as a blood thinner which he will take for life following a stroke. So if you have had either a stroke or leg clot in the past it is probably normal to be on the drug for life.

[Paul12 in reply to Celtic]

Thank you Celtic. If your son - just as an example - ate really healthily, exercised etc etc etc is there a possibility his blood would get TOO thin? or is there a possibility clopidogrel would no longer be needed? One of the (very rare) side effects of clopidogrel is it causes a stroke! There were serious concerns about it in the USA....

[Celtic in reply to Paul12]

Sorry, can’t answer your question, Paul. I guess the doctors know what they’re doing - we’ll at least I hope so. I do know someone who is on warfarin following an embolism and has been told he would be at more risk if he stopped it!

[Patricia7048]

I was on Clopidogrel for 1 yr after heart attack and three stents but side effects were horrendous. I had diahrea with blood for a year and severe gastric pain. Was told to stay on it for life but i came off it myself. My worst intestinal problems cleared up in less than a week. Sorry, but I think it os a dangerous drug. Do some internet research about the thousands with intestinal problems suing the company. Glad I didnt let it get so bad, but have more intestinal problems now than i ever had before.

[christos1]

I was placed on aspirin and clopidogrel for a year after a stent after the year the G.P wanted me to stay clopidogrel for life but my cardiologist stopped the clopidogrel and placed me on 75mg aspirin for life. Talk to the british heart foundation there number is 0300 330 3311.

[Paul12 in reply to christos1]

I did look at BHF....

bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...

They don’t seem to be against it

But I have now seen....

healthline.com/health-news/...

[Paul12]

Is there any blood test that can determine how much you need clopidogrel?

[christos1 in reply to Paul12]

not as far as i know you need to check with a specialist, as i said a chat with a nurse at the BHF might answer your question

[bigden]

I was on clopeidogrel ended up in hospital for 10 days with a bowel bleed consultant checked me for cancer clear ,told me it was clopeidogrel caused it, had to decide wether to stay on it came off it the next day since no aches and pains no more blee drs ago ill not take it, that was five years ago some people it does not effect in the short term but no way will I take it .

[nick45Rick44]

I have been prescribed Clopidogrel for life following a minor stroke. So far ok but much slower than usual. Coordination not so good but don’t know if. This is result of stroke, clopidogrel or atorvastatin. Hope I improve as I love cooking and it is taking me ages to achieve what I would have done quickly previously