Miss J

my husband had a pace maker implanted on 11/5 and since he was put on a blood thinner. He gets very tired. He also has a loss of appetite. Is this normal. He also had a mini stroke. Is the tireness a common problem? How long will it last?

8 Comments

Yes !

by IAN MC - 2012-11-24 06:11:21

As Frank says there could be lots of factors affecting your husband's health . But you make the specific point that he has been getting very tired since going on to blood thinners.

Many Drs seem to think that blood thinners like warfarin are fairly devoid of side-effects but without any doubt warfarin can cause extreme fatigue. When I took it I felt almost as though I was going into a coma in the evenings; I know TV is bad but not THAT bad !

I stopped the warfarin and the extreme tiredness disappeared....it was definte "cause-and-effect " !!

But I guess he is on thinners for a good reason presumably to reduce the chances of him having another stroke. I suggest that you discuss it with your Dr, a change of blood thinner could be an option ( if that is the cause of the tiredness but it might not be )

Best of luck

Ian

PS

by IAN MC - 2012-11-24 06:11:40

I meant to say that, yes, " loss of appetite" is also a well-known side-effect of warfarin.

Ian

What is the sequence of events...

by donr - 2012-11-24 07:11:40

...of all the things that have happened to your husband?

Also, approximate dates for each? Why did he get the PM? That might help sort out the various causes & resulting effects if they were far enough apart.

Even knowing all that, it may be difficult to sort out - It's only about 3 weeks post-op, so the events are already crowded into a small elapsed time.

Wish him the best for further recovery.

Don

Very Well Could Be

by Many Blessings - 2012-11-24 11:11:43

I've been on Coumadin or Warfarin since 1987. I also have a history of stroke & chronic TIA's.

I have not had any tiredness or fatigue issues when my INR is in theraputic range (3.5+ is target), but if it goes too much higher, I will. Ian is right, those are common side effects of Warfarin and Coumadin for a LOT of people (even in theraputic range) and sadly, some people's bodies just can't tolerate the drug, period.

As for the mini-stroke causing his symptoms, it probably depends on what was affected and how long ago it was. Depending on numerous factors, it may take him a while to recover, it's just hard to say. Do ask his doctor about your concerns and make sure to get all of your questions answered to your satisfaction.

If it is from the Warfarin, ask his doctor if he can change to the name brand Coumadin, just to see if that makes a difference (I've had other issues when Warfarin manufacturers were changed and different ingredients were added). That might just make a difference, though Coumadin is much more expensive.

If he changes from generic to name brand and he's still feeling that way, you might ask to see if they can lower his "theraputic range" on his INR by even just a little. That may help out a LOT. If the range can't be lowered (which is a strong possibility) they may say he'll have to get used to it, unless they can change to a different drug all together. Did they say they plan to keep him on Warfarin forever? Or, just for a few months?

Best wishes with things. I hope he feels better soon!



Moot Point ??

by Tattoo Man - 2012-11-24 12:11:15

The 'Wise People' of PMC have spoken.

Me...I know little,..and view things in a simplistic way,...try this :

Cardiac people often take big Aspirin / Blood Thinners stuff...fine it makes,...wait for it..our Blood Thin.

Now that means that our blood carries less oxygen (?)..Oxygen is what , in the main , fuels the body..ok alongside other stuff..and it pumps round more easily..simple

Now, my long lost hero, Lance,Armstrong took EPO..(case pending )..now this stuff that is really good for Renal Patients, and a great way of turning your blood into Iron Rich Glue to make an athlete into a (?) God.

He was (?) really good at managing his Hematocrit level under the USADA limit of (?)..49%..above that your blood can be so thick that, while sleeping, even a strong heart cannot cope...many bikers had died while sleeping

So...

Thin blood = live long and get a bit tired

Thick blood='win' 7 Tours de France and disgrace youself / Nation / Sponsors

So,..be a little tired and relax with good grace and dignity,...oh, and while you're at it chuck the Yellow Wrist Band into the bin

Tattoo Man..one time short distance biker

Hard to say

by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-24 12:11:20

With his having so many symptoms and events it's hard to come up with expectations.

frank

Well put tattoo man

by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-25 01:11:11

There is a tradeoff to be made which is never suggested by the docs.

I've long since decided that if I am presented with taking meds to lower my risk of ???, but feel wiped out all the time, or rejecting the meds, increasing my risk but having fun, guess which way I choose.

My demise from high chlorestoral has been predicted for years, and I have figured I would rather ENJOY a few less.

If I die in my sleep at 110 yrs, I'm sure the docs will say they told me so.

frank

loss of appetite

by ldebaugh - 2012-11-25 11:11:29

Hi,
I can't speak to the effect of the blood thinners but after having my first PM implanted I reacted to the anesthesia by losing my appetite. It lasted about 4 months. So easily it could be a combination of things.
Good luck,
M'Liz

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

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