Blood-thinning drugs designed to cut stroke risk may actually increase it

[helvella]

The actual medicines concerned are not thyroid medicines. But quite obviously polypharmacy is rife in thyroid patients - whether some of the issues posted here like statins and anti-depressants, or simply that any need for another medicine, for any cause, automatically becomes polypharmacy!

We also know that atrial fibrillation often appears related to thyroid disorders. And that chronic kidney disease also inter-relates with thyroid issues.

Blood-thinning drugs designed to cut stroke risk may actually increase it

Scientists call for caution in prescribing anticoagulants after some patients with other conditions found to suffer more strokes

Blood-thinning drugs may increase rather than cut the risk of stroke in some people over 65 who have an irregular heartbeat and also chronic kidney disease, according to a new study.

The researchers are calling on doctors to be more cautious in prescribing the drugs, called anticoagulants, until there has been more research.

Research led by scientists at University College London highlights the problems with polypharmacy – the use of multiple drugs for people with more than one health issue. Older people are especially likely to be on medication for more than one complaint.

The researchers enrolled nearly 7,000 patients who had chronic kidney disease and were then diagnosed with atrial fibrillation – the most common form of irregular heartbeat. It affects at least 33.5 million people over the age of 55 worldwide and accounts for 1% of the NHS health budget in the UK.

Rest of article here:

theguardian.com/science/201...

[TSH110]

In addition to important info contained, that's a new word I've learnt - polypharmacy - one to keep ready for use in the event of unwanted medications being foisted upon me!

[SilverAvocado in reply to TSH110]

I have a vague and quite psychedelic memory of Malcolm Kendrick posting a funny video about it, using a Queen song with changed lyrics... I will have to have a search.

[DeeD123 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Oh please find that link. I would love to see it 😄👏

[SilverAvocado in reply to DeeD123]

This is the video: youtu.be/Lp3pFjKoZl8(Not working as expected?)

And this is the blog post: drmalcolmkendrick.org/tag/p...

[DeeD123 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Very interesting I must say. Loved the song. I remember my grandfather being taken Ill and the Locum that attended took away half of his pills saying they were contraindicative. His old doctor just kept dishing them up

[SilverAvocado in reply to DeeD123]

The statistic at the end about a study where they removed the drugs and only 2% needed to be represcribed, and 80% felt better, really struck me!

[ShinyB in reply to SilverAvocado]

Brilliant!

[TSH110 in reply to SilverAvocado]

SilverAvocado ha ha imagine bursting into song - aka Freddie Mercury/Queen - to make your objection clear at the surgery! A flash mob choir singing this would be a fun way to register an anti polypharmacy protest!

[Hillwoman in reply to SilverAvocado]

I don't know how I missed this blog post, but thanks for the link.

[ShinyB]

That's interesting re AF and thyroid. Do you already have a link to a good article on AF & hypothyroidism? I'd like to show some info to my cousin. I started having a look via google but got overwhelmed instantly with brain fog!

[webar4780]

Yes, another positive tick in my gut instinct decision making.

My previous GP coerced me to take statins and aspirin. Neither suited me. I returned to GP saying my muscles ached, body ceasing up.. she changed statin telling me original one (they dole out as first try), is well known to cause such side effects. She reiterated, computer says thyroid patients need these meds... blah, blah.. I trusted her word. When I then got prescribed numerous pain relief meds (for sciatica and prolapse discs), my system was overloaded, overwhelmed, and I collapsed. I had become toxic to meds plus thyroid meds. As part of my recovery, I threw the bag of tablets at my GP (I know, out of character, and not nice of me!), telling her, you are killing me with all these meds. I then told her I am stopping all meds computer tells you I need. My muscles, my health, are very very grateful! I only take thyroid meds now. Plus very occasionally, codeine/paracetamol.

Some time later, I also came across the polypharmacy video. Brilliant, and once again, my decision was reaffirmed as the right decision for me.

Food is a much better medicine for me.

[Hillwoman in reply to webar4780]

That was brave of you. How did the GP react?

[webar4780 in reply to Hillwoman]

I think GP knew that I was suffering iatrogenic symptoms. In fact, she looked at my hospital discharge notes and asked could she have them, she said she thought consultant had mixed me up with another patient! Beggars belief doesn't it?!

[Hillwoman in reply to webar4780]

It certainly does!

[webar4780 in reply to Hillwoman]

I know! After the year I had with nhs, I went on to have counselling, as a private patient, to help me process how sick the shocking disservice, made me!

That was my decision. My money. And, a good thing to do. By talking through my horrendous experience, I was able to start trusting in nhs again. In fact, in a healthier way. I definitely use my gut instinct more and tell any medic, I'm not a passive patient, I need us to work in partnership...if a medic consultation doesn't 'feel right' I choose to walk away, next! Lol

And, I absolutely walked away from my old GP practice, no regrets, no longer carry emotion if I look back on those bad experiences. I know the nhs does do amazing work sometimes.

[Hillwoman in reply to webar4780]

Do you know, some of my experiences have been so bad, I also considered counselling, but in the end I just couldn't afford it. I'm glad it worked out well for you, to the extent you can start trusting the health service again. I really can't; I prefer to seek help anywhere else, or I just go without.

Too often in the past I've ignored my gut instinct, because we are told such instincts are inherently irrational. In fact we evolved with such abilities for sound reasons, to keep us out of danger.

[webar4780 in reply to Hillwoman]

I'm so sorry that you have not been able to resolve the bad experiences. I was at that stage too. I even went to a very caring doctor who prescribed nutritional supplements for me. Trouble was when I needed antibiotics the nhs were very annoyed that I had gone to a none prescribing doctor. My WBC was down as were my neutrophils, I was very unwell but I was also compromised because nhs doctors didn't really want to help me. Thus, I made the decision to get counselling. Nhs doctors gave me antibiotics 3 courses, but told me I did not meet the criteria for counselling! (I did not want cognitive behaviour therapy), I had to self fund.

I paid £60 a week at first. It was so beneficial, I upped it to £120 per week, for 2 sessions a week. Yes, I can understand many people could not afford it. I am on a pension and I went without, to pay that counsellor. For me, it was worth it. I was able to see that changing my GP practice after 28 yrs, would begin to 're empower' me. Once I did that, I became more assertive (as I was pre illness), and for the first time in 25 years hypothyroidism, my request to a doctor, for endocrine referral was made. I explained everything to him and my goodness, I have an endo who is fully on board. Nothing has been too much trouble for him or his team. We work together, improving my health.

All I can do, is wish you well, and hope you get someone come along that will help you back to health, and back to trusting. Take good care of you. X

[Hillwoman in reply to webar4780]

I didn't realise you had to afford your sessions on a pension...that shows commitment. It's obviously paid ample dividends for you.

Thanks for your kind thoughts x

[DeeD123]

I agree totally with the comments. I have refused many meds including antidepressants. I take painkillers ( a necessity at the moment ) co-codmol . The most recent ones turned down were Omeprazole. Can’t believe they were offered in the first place .

[webar4780]

Oh yes, that was the last med I was offered before I changed GP practice, after 28 years a patient there. I didn't take them either.

I take thyroid meds everyday and occasional paracetamol. I pray I will not need more prescription meds.