Blood Thinner

Anticoagulant

by Lexitoo - 2020-03-04 15:46:23

No real side effects...may save your life. Don't hesitate.

gotta take it

by Violet West - 2020-03-04 16:11:47

for the rest of my life to prevent stroke: Xarelto.  No problems, other than cost.  I get it from Canada.

For the rest of my life

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-04 17:07:15

Me too, though Eliquis. No side effects. Maybe a little more bruising but nothing like coumadin (rat poison) or even aspirin. Cuts like paper cuts seem to bleed more but more major cuts seem to be about the same.

Eliquis is very expensive, if you don't have insurance. If prescribed an anticoagulant, take it religiously. It a matter of life and death, or worse.

Edoxaban 30 mg is my anticoagulant

by Gemita - 2020-03-04 19:12:21

Hello Tabby,

You must be a cat lover!

Yes you will find quite a few of us are on an anticoagulant for AF stroke protection.  I really fought my doctors because I was petrified of what these meds might do, but I have found my perfect pill in Edoxaban.  I initially tried Apixaban, one of the safest of all of the newer NOACs (Novel Oral Anticoagulants) particularly in protecting against a gastric bleed, but it still wasnt quite right for me and caused joint pain and some gastric distress but this is rare.  

If you can afford Apixaban 2 x 5 mg per day, try that first.  I was told Rivaroxaban and Dabigatran would not be as gentle on my stomach as either Apixaban or low dose Edoxaban would be.  

As far as potassium causing AF is concerned, yes an electrolyte imbalance (too little or too much magnesium, potassium or sodium) can trigger AF, (it did for my husband) but so can just about anything cause AF, from high BP to heart disease, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, old age, diabetes, alcohol, caffeine, even strenuous exercise so please dont blame yourself for one cause in particular. AF is what it is, a real pest.

I hope you will find the perfect anticoagulant

Apixaban (Eliquis)

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-04 23:05:14

Apixaban is not only easier on the stomach but has a significantly lower risk of a brain bleed, particularly in the older population, than the other NOACs.  for those who either pay the bill themselves or are in the Medicare "donut hole", it's exremely expensive (last I looked it was over $1400 for a 90-day supply).  WIth private insurance it's more like $30/90 days with a manufacturer's discount card. The good news for those who are paying the bills, the generic version was approved by the FDA on 12/24 last year. I hope it'll hit the market soon.

Blood Thinner

by Tabby - 2020-03-05 11:55:22

Thank you so much for your comments.This is one of the 1st places I go to when I need comments from people who have really been thru what I need to make decisions.about. I was on coumadin years ago and hated it so much and was so down when I heard I would probably have to go on a blood thinner again. With the new medicines-how often do you have to have blood checked? That was one of the things I hated   Yes I am a cat lover. Had 2 Siameses at different times and then later a Maine Coon cat.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me

The newer NOACs don't need monitoring

by Gemita - 2020-03-05 12:59:55

Hello Tabby,

We had a beautiful pedigree Korat (similar to a Russian Blue) many years ago.  She was so chatty and always in charge !!

The newer anticoagulants like Apixaban, Edoxaban, Rivaroxaban and Dabigatran do not need regular monitoring like say Warfarin would, nor do you have to watch your diet.  You just swallow the pill, either once or twice a day and that is it.  

My Edoxaban 30mg is once a day dosing.  I was under the anticoagulation clinic for several years and they would do an annual blood test to make sure that my bloods were within range and kidney, liver function all okay etc.  i am now under the care of my general practitioner for my annual monitoring.  Low dose Edoxaban 30 mg is for anyone under 60 kg in weight or who has deteriorating kidney function. I qualify for the former which is great because at 30 mg dosage I hardly notice I am taking an anticoagulant.  My 81 yr old hubby is also on Edoxaban 30 mg because of his age and kidney function and he too is completely side effect free on this dosage.

As I mentioned Apixaban is one of the best for safety, but at 2 x 5 mg a day it was still too strong a dose for either of us, hence the switch to Edoxaban 30 mg.  The usual dose would be Edoxaban 60 mg.

Ask lots of questions before you start the medication but hopefully you will be just fine.  Let us know if you need any further help

Blood Thinner

by Tabby - 2020-03-05 19:01:49

Edoxaban sounds good. But it's not in my prescription drug guide.Does it have another name. The other drugs mentioned here are in the guide but I see they are almost all tier 3 The only tier 1 is wayfarin 

Savaysa, Lixiana

by Gemita - 2020-03-05 19:39:42

The above are trade names for Edoxaban.  Edoxaban is the newest of the four NOACs.  Presume it is available where you live.  Here in the U.K. it has been available for several years.  It will probably be a Tier 3 too cost wise I would imagine.

I wouldn't want to go on Warfarin because of the difficulties of having to avoid certain foods which could affect the effectiveness of Warfarin and the difficulties of keeping blood levels of the medication stable, but you already have experience of this.  

I do hope your provider covers you for Edoxaban or Apixaban 

Blood Thinner

by Tabby - 2020-03-06 11:20:32

I'm in the US and don't see either of them in the insurance drug guide. But thanks to you all I will be better able to discuss with the doctor and I now know more about the new ones. 

Drug guide

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-06 21:58:07

I'm surprised that Apixaban isn't in the guide but it's the generic name for Eliquis. Eliquis should be in there too. You can't turn on a television without getting bombarded with Eliquis commercials.

If you want to escape from TV Eliquis ads ...............

by IAN MC - 2020-03-07 05:39:13

.............  come and live in the UK  ( or any other European country )  !!

It is ILLEGAL here for pharmaceutical companies to advertise prescription drugs directly to the public .

Ian

Blood Thinner

by Tabby - 2020-03-07 12:21:10

yes Eliquis is on my insurance drug list. Also Pradaxa and Xarelto among others. Thanks to you all I am not as worried as I was when I 1st got the call. Am also prepared with questions etc. Made my appointment. Hugs