Aspirin vs Coummadin


tenyou

Recommended Posts

I need some help.

My wife had a stroke in 1998. It affected the right side (blockage was on the left side of the brain). She has been on Coummadin and sometimes Warfin since then. During this time, I have asked her doctor(s) about taking her off this to something milder. Their response was, If it isn't broken, why fix it! Well, she's with a new doctor and pharmacist. The pharmasist suggested getting her off this and put on low dose of aspirin. This info. was forwarded to her doctor. Same assessment.

 

The new doctor indicated that most individuals that are on coummadin for life has either a bloodclotting problem with a heart rhythm problem. The term is something along with A..fribuilation or something like that!!. Her assessment is that if she doesn't have this, then there is no reason to be on it and can swith to the aspirin (which I'm excited about but scare1)

 

The info. on the net about both medicines was helpful but am still confused and scared to switch. Can anyone help?

She is also on Lisinopril and Metropolol which is usually prescribed for hypertension, but has a dual effect. This to help her heart to pump more blood out. Apparently, a normal heart pumps out about 60% of the blood everytime it beats. Her heart was only pumping out 40%. The use of these drugs would increase the heart strength over time and increase the blood outflow each time her heart beats.

 

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been on the low-dose aspirin regimen since shortly after the stroke (2005) as suggested by my primary care doctor. I take Lisinopril-hctz as well. If her new doctor and pharmacist are agreement, I'd say get another opinion if you're not sure.

 

Best of luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i am on 325mg aspirin and plavix75mg daily. i've been on the aspirin immediately following my stroke in 2002 then i was put on plavix after my tia in 2004. i was on coumadin for a very short period of time after stroke but i did not have any heart issues. when you said your wifes doctor, are they her primary care physician or a neurologist. i agree in seeing another dr. if you are overly concerned about the coumadin. most drs have a different opinion on blood thinner regimen. i tend to stick with my neurologist who is a stroke specialist for the majority of my care since stroke. i wish you luck on whatever you decide to do for your wife. you are her advocate for the best care she can receive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hi ten you i am also oncoubidin 3 millagrams daily i was told never take aspirin with coubidin but it is ok to take extrastrength tylenol with it its a good thing you ask ?s cause thats theway we learn ive been on coubidin for 5 years now and never take aspirin but i do take tylenol when needed good luck and ask tons of ?shope you can join us some time in :chat: a fternoon oreenings chats so lots of luck with yourwife but hercoubidin level may change asshe has bolld tests inrs done to determine the clotting of her blood

so glad you found usand a great big :welcome: :welcome:

:welcome: to stroke net where there is a abundist of information that you will finf quite handy and if you need some thing answered thst your not so sure of the members here :welcome: any one that has ?seven ifthey wantto learnmore on strokes so catch you on the flip side soon in :chat: wherewealways make room for 1 more :cheer: and both you and your wife will make :friends: so popon in some time to sathey all im here.

 

 

BESSY :big_grin:

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

 

I'm on the low-dose aspirin regimen ( 81mg coated), was for a year before my stroke, doctor says it's what likely saved my life. I went on Plavix right after my stroke. As for the coumadin (not on it), doctor says it would cause me more harm than any good it would do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi there,

My stroke was caused by thick blood, the doc said it 'sludged' in my brainstem pons area, anyway that was in 2000. Last year, on my wife's birthday ^_^ , I had a heart attack. From my stroke, I was placed on Coumadin, along with Plavix, to thin my blood. Then after my heart attack to get my blood where the docs were satisfied with it I was then put on an Aspirin a day. This was besides my other heart and stroke meds.

 

Just thought I'd share that with you and to let you know that I have no ill effects from Coumadin, except I do bruise easier, and the Aspirin doesn't bother me either. Though I'm sure that some have problems. Oh yeah, my dad was on Coumadin for as long as I can remember, 20+ years I'd guess.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Coumadin is the same thing as warfarin - warfarin is the generic name. And it literally was the main ingredient in rat poison for decades. Most cardiologists only use it in extreme cases or for patients who cannot afford Plavix. With Plavix or aspirin, you don't have to blood test - a wonderful thing. If your wife has tested positive for a clotting disorder you are probably stuck with the warfarin (it's still better than self injecting with Heperin). But if she tested negative for a clotting disorder, she could refuse the warfarin and request Plavix, of course there is always a risk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh boy, here is where a lot of docs conflict each other on coumadin vs Plavix or other blood thinners.

For me it was Heperin for a while then coumadin once I came home then had a battle with medicade that took forever to resolve and still isn't for that matter so I did the asperine regimine for about 2 years 81mg but now my family doc is giving me samples of plavix until I get my medicade fixed.

Like Perry S my blood was thick, the doctor told me it was like 40weight motor oil at that point.

Best of luck to you friend I hope everything works out for you and your wife.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HELLO NEEDS SOME HELP I AM ON EVERYTHING THAT YOUR WIFE IS ON LISINPRIL CUMAADIN FOR CLOTS PLUS MET, BEING ON IT FOUR FOUR YEARS HAVE NOT HAD AND SIDE EFECTED FROM ANYONE OR THEM,SO FAR,BUT I WILL SAY IS IF IT IS NOT BROKEN,WHY FIX.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Hi,

I am presently on aspirin 81mg Daily for life

I was on Coumadina nd aspiring,both for seceral months post heart sergery,PFO

It always depends on the situation of each stroke survivor

Consult your Cardiologist as well to determine the drug of choice and the reasons

behind it.

The drug of choice seeems to be Aspirin 81mg as a blood thinner and precautionary

against further stroke,but everyon'e situation is different.

Take Care

lorrainelm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello!

 

I have been on coumadin for almost a year & a half (stroke was 4-30-06). My stroke was caused by traveling clots that started in my calf. . .then to my lungs. . .then to my heart and to my head via a PFO. I have asked several doctors about getting off coumadin (the only real side effect I have is heavy period bleeding. . .and the occasional ugly bruise).

 

It was explained to me that doctors prefer to use different blood thinning meds depending upon the origin of the clot(s). The clots in my leg (deep vein thrombosis) are difficult to dissolve--that is the reason given for my still being on coumadin. If clots form as a result of cholesterol, doctors may opt for aspirin or Plavix. I've heard of people going off coumadin and going on aspirin who have had worse side effects with stomach trouble, but everyone's situation and tolerance is different. Those who've had atrial fibrilation (an irregular heartbeat in which blood pools and can clot in the heart) and those who have genetic clotting factors are usually put on and kept on coumadin for life.

 

I would opt for another opinion--most likely a cardiologist or neurologist, especially if you're apprehensive about taking her off coumadin.

 

Good luck!

Karen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.