Concern about stroke, aneurysm, clots
Posted , 14 users are following.
Eileen,would appreciate your thoughts and others with GCA. I was put on baby aspirin immediately after my positive temporal biopsy. I am reducing my pred and am at 7mgs with no flares! Do I need to discuss some type of blood thinner to help reduce my high risk for cardio issues with my GP and rheumy? Thanks one and all, Ann11195
1 like, 14 replies
gillian_25383 Guest
Posted
dan38655 Guest
Posted
This makes me think that aspirin might be very good at reducing vasculitis symptoms (by improving blood flow), but whether it is actually effective, or can be tolerated in the stomach along with oral steroids, are questions that would need to be answered by those in the know about this.
noninoni Guest
Posted
There is an anti-dote for coumadin-vitamen K, as well as frequent monitoring.
EileenH noninoni
Posted
The Unique Selling Point of these far more expensive drugs is that you don't need the monthly testing - but it has been found that, in some people, the anti-blood clotting effect can become exaggerated and maybe they DO need to test after all since you can't know who will be affected. The cardiologist who mentioned it to me understood exactly what I meant - I'll wait until all the teething troubles have been sorted out. Because inevitably there will be some and in a few years time we'll be hearing that the FDA has issued a black box warning or that they aren't recommended for some people or that we still need the INR testing. Ernst was insistent that the doctor said "you will feel much better" - can't say Sintrom has any noticeable effect on me and I have to ask of the doctor in question had tried taking both the drugs.
Monthly testing versus brain surgery? No-brainer, if you 'll excuse the pun...
Ardern Guest
Posted
I was taking 81 mg of aspirin before my biopsy and was took to stop after it. The surgeon could not get the artery to clot they used to 3 clips and it still took 45 minutes to get it to clot. at that time I was taking 55mg daily. I am due for some more blood test is it possible to have the platlett count checked at that time
gaenor38609 Guest
Posted
Susanne_M_UK gaenor38609
Posted
been told to take it separately from my Preds. Will have to check with my excellent pharmacist.
tina-uk_cwall Guest
Posted
noninoni tina-uk_cwall
Posted
You were given lovanox shots which go into your tummy: heparin. They are very expensive so we hope your insurance is good! You usually have to continue these shots until your INR is above 2 and below 3. Coumadin is dead cheap but it does need monitoring. But perhaps the xeralto is considered a way to reduce the lovanox?
Just remember the symptoms of brain bleed: horrid headache and loss of balance, and go immediately to emergency!
tina-uk_cwall noninoni
Posted
thanks for the symptoms of brain bleed.
regards, tina
EileenH noninoni
Posted
LMW heparin shots of whatever variety are only used to bridge the period up to planned surgery or other procedures or afterwards until the INR is back to between 2 and 3 (or whatever your target is which depends on the condition you have). A pack of 10 pre-loaded syringes cost me 2 euros, the prescription charge here. Now, because of the atrial fibrillation which requires medication for life, I don't even pay that - I'm exempt all copays for all those drugs. Not other things though.
Artdesign Guest
Posted
I was put on 81mg of asprin and 70 mg of fosamax and give 40 mg of omeprazole to protect my stomache. After after 7 weeks of starting pred, I went down to 50 mg of pred this week. I was told that the asprin would help reduce stroke. I am still waiting for test results from heart, lung and brain MRI tests to see if there is any other damage. I have GCA and PMR and I'm in mid 50's.
Susanne_M_UK Guest
Posted
It is a blood thinner, thats why I get a bruise at the slightest knock.
EileenH Guest
Posted
But this is not something I can really answer from personal experience - atrial fibrilllation (most likely due to the autoimmune part of the PMR) means I'm on rat poison for life anyway!