Anybody on Pradaxa?

[Fishslayer]

Saw my dermo couple of weeks ago which eventually led to an ultrasound & trip to the ER last Monday. DVT in my left upper arm.

They wound up giving me a shot & prescribing Pradaxa that I started yesterday.

I'm actually feeling really good. Kind of worried about little nicks and scrapes. I'm a klutz & get a lot of those. Am I worrying too much?

 

[crazyphil]

I was on Cumadin for twenty years, and recently switched to Apixadan,
which does about the same thing, I think, as your Pradaxa.

When I started on blood thinner, the Doc warned me to not get into
any knife fights. Just take normal precautions, and know what to do
for any bleeding. If you can't stop any bleeding, get your self to the
ER ASAP!

 

[H Richard]

I'm being told I need to start Eliquis, a blood thinner due to an Afib condition. Another alternative is Warfrin (Dr does not recommend). Of course these new drugs are quite expensive. Checking with my insurance it looks like $225 per month after my deductible. I checked Good Rx and they showed about $550 per month.

If you have experience with Elequis does this sound compatible? Any downsides using it?

 

[beaverislander]

If you shave with a blade just get a styptic pencil or something similar. I found some that come in a matchbook type package, they'll come in handy.

 

[NYlakesider]

I started on Aspirin then on coumadin for a few years and now on Eliquis. I have for years carried band aids in my wallet and the glove compartment of our vehicles all have a good wound control kit in them. I use a bunch of them!

The least little bump and I bleed. Thats mostly my arms and that is PROBABLY due to the fact I welded for over 40 years and my arms picked up a lot of heat and radiation effect. For the most part I now try to wear long sleeved shirts as it gives a little protection.

Coumadin was very cheap but the reporting company I used was about $20 a month.(had to call in a home test every week) As far as the Eliquis its about $60 for 3 months through my good union health insurance.(no tests) Other than that I do not note any bad effects at this time!

 

[Jon651]

Saw my dermo couple of weeks ago which eventually led to an ultrasound & trip to the ER last Monday. DVT in my left upper arm.

They wound up giving me a shot & prescribing Pradaxa that I started yesterday.

I'm actually feeling really good. Kind of worried about little nicks and scrapes. I'm a klutz & get a lot of those. Am I worrying too much?

I am on Pradaxa now after being on Coumadin for many years - and it has been a much better experience. My bleeding times are nearly normal and I don't have to worry about minor cuts taking forever to clot. In addition, I don't get any sudden unexpected bruising and what bumps and bruises I do get through normal life heal in the normal time required.

Yes, you still have to be careful. No, Pradaxa cannot be reversed with Vitamin K in an emergency like Coumadin. No, you don't need constant monitoring and dosing adjustments. Yes, you should be extra cautious for the first month you are taking it (my father decided to go on a cruise right after starting Pradaxa and had a bad reaction that threatened his life. If he had stayed home as he should have it would have been noticed and corrected before it got that serious.).

If Pradaxa doesn't work for you there are several other "modern" blood thinners that can be tried before resorting back to Coumadin. Good luck!

 

[PALADIN85020]

I also am on a blood thinner to prevent clots. The pill I take each evening is very cheap - 81mg "baby" aspirin. Unless you are allergic to aspirin, your physician might recommend it. I'm in good company - I understand the President is on the same over-the-counter medication.

John

 

[Fishslayer]

Thanks for all the responses!

If you have experience with Elequis does this sound compatible? Any downsides using it?

No idea. Pradaxa was $40 for a month. $550/month sounds like a significant down side to me!

If you shave with a blade just get a styptic pencil or something similar. I found some that come in a matchbook type package, they'll come in handy.

Already got an electric. It's been years since I used an electric. Holy cow this new Norelco is AWESOME!

I have styptic powder we used on the dogs' toenails.

I also am on a blood thinner to prevent clots. The pill I take each evening is very cheap - 81mg "baby" aspirin.

John

My wife was on that. I've had some trauma to my arm recently that I'm told can cause DVT. They did a blood panel & my clotting looked pretty normal. So I'm hoping I get off the thinner & go to aspirin.

I am on Pradaxa now after being on Coumadin for many years - and it has been a much better experience. My bleeding times are nearly normal and I don't have to worry about minor cuts taking forever to clot. In addition, I don't get any sudden unexpected bruising and what bumps and bruises I do get through normal life heal in the normal time required.

Y

I got a minor scratch getting my dog out of the truck yesterday. No gushing blood but it didn't want to clot. Tossed a bandaid on it and all was good. 6 years of chemo & immuno has really messed with my skin & blood so I always have bandaids handy.

 

[Golddollar]

This may sound a little off the wall, but it works because I've done it. Cayenne pepper is a natural astringent, and if you like to make chili you will probably have some in the house. Years ago, I was up in rural Quebec province at a fishing camp and I seriously cut my left pinkie with a folding Buck knife. The nearest town of any size was 45 minutes away. Luckily I remembered reading about cayenne pepper being used by Indians in South America to stop bleeding, so after my uncle cleaned the cut with medicinal turpentine I poured the cayenne pepper on the cut. The pepper crusted over the cut, the bleeding stopped and I didn't have to go get medical help. When I told my doctor the story he said, "You guys did pretty good with your backwoods medicine."

 

[dave holl]

After being on pradaxa for 5 years to help control my reoccurring afib, I had a retinal occlusion (a stroke in the eye) in June. Docs don't know where plaque came from........both carotids are clear.
Lost 80% vision in left eye.

So they put me on Warfarin. I am tolerating it well but have to be careful to avoid bumps. Going in for the every 4-6 week INR checks is a pain.

In November my best friend and fishing buddy sent me a birthday card which said:
GROWING OLD IS AWESOME

(inside the card) SAID NO ONE EVER

But, I am very very very thankful for the blessings I do have.
Dave

 

[Fishslayer]

In November my best friend and fishing buddy sent me a birthday card which said:
GROWING OLD IS AWESOME

(inside the card) SAID NO ONE EVER

But, I am very very very thankful for the blessings I do have.
Dave

6 years ago I said I'd be grateful for one more year.

Growing old IS awesome when one considers the alternative. I'm not sure. I'll let ya know when I get old.

 

[Toyman]

I have been taking Eliquis since February 2019. A bit expensive but I don't have to do more than normal blood tests and I don't seem to bleed any more that I did on baby aspirin. I take it for AFIB.