Post DVT/PE

Hi Beatrice

So sorry take care hear about your DVT/PE. Firstly I am speaking as a parent to a daughter who had DVT a few years ago when she was 19. 

She has been on riveroxaban since. It has many advantages; you don’t need to test for INR levels as the anticoagulant  effect is through a different mechanism. You can drink alcohol taking it and there are no dietary restrictions. So gorva young girl it is great. The down sides is that it costs more money so this can prohibit the prescriber (am not sure of what health care provision is available in non U.K. countries) 

In terms of anxiety it is a common  issue particularly if you e also experienced a PE. The one thing which helped my daughter was in fact some advice given to her by a physio. She was told that anything she did to increase the blood flow through the affected site of the original clot would help to heal. Additionallly you gain the benefits of stress release from being active. My daughter has found walking, swimming and a bit of cross training the most helpful. Additionally she was told til try to work through the pain as it would improve over time. 

Hope this helps and good luck with your recovery.  

Karin 

Hello B

I was on Warfarin and always found it very difficult to get my INR stable. I had to be on that drug because it reacted with another drug I was taking for something else. Stopped the Warfarin in December and put onto one of the Factor X Inhibitors called Edoxaban. No monitoring required (well, actually its very difficult to monitor it anyway). Millions of people are on it, and similar anticoagulants. 

There are plenty of studies on these Factor X Inhibitors. They are the only way ahead for most people. 

Have another word with your doctor or hospital team. 

Good luck

Cheers

Big D 

You’d have a bit of trouble doing a long haul flight to Africa when on Warfarin anyway. You’d probably have to do a few days subcutaneous injections of Heparin in the abdomen region too. I’d be concerned about hoping that my INR was keeping stable and at the correct level if I wasn’t able to get easy access for blood testing.  If your INR goes up suddenly you’d be at considerable  risk of haemorrhage and need quick change in dosage and frequent tests to ensure things were stable again. 

Hi Beatrice,  I have been taking apixaban (different name for rivaroxaban) for over a year after being on warfarin for 18 months.  Apixaban is great, you dont need any blood tests and its not affected by diet.  Its regularly prescribed here in the UK for stroke prevention, I know many older people that are prescribed it who have never even had a dvt, they are prescribed it to guard against strokes.  It is very unlikely you would have PE now, they happen when the clot is new and bits can easily break off, it is imperative that you exercise to open up new blood vessels.  Have you thought about relaxation or yoga classes for your anxiety?  You should really not worry bout a PE now, put some music on and get out there walking.