She has severe arthritis in one knee in particular and has difficulty rehabbing because the knee fills with blood due to the arthritis and she cannot get to the point of standing to do the therapy. The coumadin has left her depressed, dizzy, cold and overall loss of appetite. She wants to recover but this drug is very difficult. It comes to the point of quality of life...she is 77 years old and we want to start looking at something else besides coumadin? Any suggetions?
Does anyone know what to take for an alternative to Aggrenox? I had a TIA almost 4 years ago and was put on Aggrenox, well, my husband will be losing his job in a week due to the economy which also means we will be losing our health insurance as well. I asked my doctor if he could take me off it and put me on something else and all he said was he would prefer I stayed on Aggrenox. I don't think we can afford it because it is $305 for a month supply!
Aggrenox does have aspirin in it. It is recommended for strokes, as you already know. I'm not sure why the Dr has taken away the Aggrenox. Maybe he feels that taking aspirin is equivalent with less side effects? Aspirin does work well to help prevent stokes and heart attacks. So, there was no reason given for the change?
When I went to get my initial IRN check, the nurse explained to me that there were different classes of drugs (I think 8) that worked on coagulation. Heparin was one, aspirin was another, then Coumadin/Warfarin, Plavix, etc. She explained that I had to be on the Warfarin and aspirin while healing because these were the drugs best suited to my condition.
you MUST contact your prescribing dr to get approval to stop this medication. Aggrenox, Plavix, and Aspirin must be discontinued for 7 days prior to injection and Ticlid 14 days prior to injection. Coumadin should be discontinued 3-4 days prior to injection and you will need to have blood work completed within 24 hours prior to procedure.
drink 1-2 full cups water 60 minutes prior to injection. eat a LIGHT meal.
Told me to get off the Plavix and she would RX Pradexa which is like coumadin.(never been on coumadin or heparin) I am 74 years old and also take Nexium, Crestor, Avalide 150/12.5, Lopressor, 50,000mg of D3 daily, Synthroid for 3 thyroid nodules and Hashimoto's..(TSH is in the 3-8 range) I take .375 Bayer daily for sinus headaches and advil for knee arthritis. I have a high Parathyroid Level (serum) but normal calcium. Parathyroid adenoma is seen on Nuclear studies.
To state there is "no amount of aspirin that will replace Coumadin" is not correct. To compare the effects of aspirin vs. Coumadin go to the United States government health database "Pubmed". There are several studies available to review. While it is true the drugs have different modes of action there are alternatives to Coumadin. If you stop taking Coumadin and there is a hiatus, and start again there can be a fatal reaction.
I think that Coumadin, being an anti coagulant, may cause strokes of the second type, in particular if associated with high BP.
From the RXLIST:
"Potential adverse reactions to COUMADIN may include: Fatal or nonfatal hemorrhage from any tissue or organ. This is a consequence of the anticoagulant effect.
I don't know about "normal," but if the regimen of warfarin and Plavix is working for you, then great. Your goal is to find something that works. Have you been tested for clotting disorders? Your story makes me wonder about that, especially if the stroke happened to be due to a clot.
my heart Dr. said that I need a av node ablation and a pace maker, it scares me and I would like to know if it is safe. I am 69 years old. Thank You Jo
This discussion is related to <a href='http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/254709'>Pacemaker and AV Node Ablation, Coumadin vs. ASA</a>.
Obviously, you need to consult with your physician.
To compare the outcomes of patients treated with various anti-clotting protocols (aspirin vs. coumadin) go the the United States database "Pubmed".
For those of us taking coumadin monitoring our PT/INR (coumadin levels in the vernacular) is literally a life-or-death matter. My Dad passed away a year ago this June because he had a series of strokes due to NOT monitoring his levels (poor bugger loved salad). Unfortunately I have recently discovered that some "heart healthy" foods are really not so good for us on coumadin. Specifically cooking oils both the pourable kind and the stuff in the spray cans.
He takes an aspirin a day as he was having recurrent TIAs and the risk on Coumadin was too great. He tried Plavix(was allergic) and Aggrenox which increased the headache frequency. We are just at a loss with his current neurologist and feel he is at a loss of what to do. We are seeing a new neurologist on Thursday with the hopes of finding something that will help.
On coumadin 7.5 daily. Never took the fleincade.When irregular beats occur note associated with gas. Belch helps. Last two days at work had irregular beats that gets me anxious. Took to antigas pills and a small ie. little piece of valuim which stopped the beats quickly.
Thus the background. Ques, would you touch up ablation which is 2-3 hours vs, original 5 hour sugery since they now have robot technology so can do it quicker, do pill in the pocket with flecanaide or just take valuim?
I am currently taking plavix, 81mg aspirin AND coumadin on a daily basis. I had a stent put in in July 2008 and triple by pass in 2006. I'm 64 and had my first MI at 33. My father died of an MI at 46, my EF is under 30%. My EP (at one hospital) just suggested I eliminate the plavix while my CHF specialist (at a nearby major research university) said I would be on plavix for a "long time" (forever?).
As for coumadin v. aspirin, I think coumadin is more heavy-duty. I was on aspirin therapy because of a-fib before my ablation, but afterward, they put me on coumadin for three months (which I am currently on), so I'm guessing it's more effective at keeping the blood thin. They check your levels, though, to make sure you have enough and not too much.
She has been under particular stress in the past six months while back in college, but is active and involved in life! Her cardiologist prescribed coumadin therapy. As an RN, I am aware of the distressing dangers and constant monitoring of patients on this drug. She has no previous problems with clots, although she is on medication for genetic hypertriglyceridemia which is fairly controlled by exercise and medication.
Wouldn't Plavix combined with aspirin therapy not work just as well?
I have been told that abalation's goal is heart rhythm management vs. illimination of the Cumadin I take. That I can anticipate being on Cumadin even after the ablation.
Recommended
