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Need Prayers info on Blood Thinners

suzanne

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We had to cancel our Las Vegas, Grand Canyon trip the day before we were to leave. DH ended up in ER with breathing issues in the middle of the night.

After all kinds of tests and scans they determined that he had a blood clot in his left lung and a lung infection along with pneumonia. He was moved from ER to ICU where he remained for the last 7 days on 100% oxygen, 2 different antibiotics and a blood thinner by IV called Heparin. Also giving him steroids. He was moved from ICU today, the Heparin was stopped and they put him on pill form of blood thinner called Xeralto. They have reduced oxygen down to 80% and if continues to improve will reduce it to 60% tomorrow. They believe that the new chemo drug Zydelig is what caused all of this and his oncologist immediately took him off of it.

Has anyone used this blood thinner that can tell me other than bleeding and bruising what I need to watch out for? He has never been on a blood thinner before.

Prayers for him would also be greatly appreciated.

TIA,

Suzanne
 

Free2Roam

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I have no info on blood thinners, but I can definitely do prayers! Hold strong!
 

Passepartout

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I have had a couple of DVTs (leg blood clots) Heparin is used to 'bust' or dissolve the clot, then Xeralto or generic Warfarin is used to reduce clotting. You knew this. The Xeralto is newer and theoretically doesn't need to be monitored as closely, and doesn't have the dietary restrictions of Warfarin.

Follow his doc's recommendations. Obviously, bruising, black tarry stool, slow-to-heal nicks or sores would be indications that reducing blood thinners (actually a misnomer- blood is the same viscosity, it just doesn't clot as readily) might be called for.

My thoughts are with you both. Blood clots are nothing to trivialize.

Jim
 

Patri

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How scary. My prayers that the medicine works, and you both feel comfortable with the treatment.
 

Fern Modena

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If your husband is on Xarelto or Eliquis (or even warfarin) he needs to be real careful about nicks and cuts. A simple paper cut or a small nick can bleed a lot more than you think it can in a person on blood thinners.

I would suggest that you go to Walgreens Drugs and purchase a box of (Walgreens Brand) Hemostat Patches. You'll find them by the bandages, probably on a high shelf. You use one or two of these, with pressure for about five minutes, and a small cut should then have clotted. It works better than anything else I've seen.

If a cut *still* doesn't stop bleeding, then it is time to go to Urgent Care, unless it is a heavy bleed, which, of course would mean time to go to the ER.

That's about all I can think of to tell you about Xarelto.

Was your husband on Oxygen before this?

He'll get better, it is just going to take some time.

If you want to talk further, feel free to email me, or ask for my phone number if that is easier for you.

Fern
 

BevL

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I can only give my objective experience, once removed, with blood thinners.

Heparin is a drug that's been around for quite a while but yes, it does require more or less weekly blood work to determine the dosage. Once it stabilizes, bloodwork can be done less frequently. Also can be affected quite substantially by diet.

Dad was taking the medication because of A-fib. A specialist switched him to an alternate, one of the newer meds, that doesn't require monitoring as much. He did develop a very slow internal bleed and by the time it was discovered, weeks later, his hemoglobin was seriously depleted, like a call from the lab that did the blood work at ten at night with a strong suggestion that he go to emergency.

Dad could not accept a blood transfusion, which is the normal treatment for how low his hemoglobin was.

This is the part I found interesting and I wish we had been told this before he started on the medication. The situation was made worse in that we were told that while there are medications that can be given to reverse the effects of heparin pretty quickly, that's not the case with some of the newer blood thinners, basically it just has to work its way out of your system. So it's harder to turn things around if there is any kind of internal bleeding.

Dad did pull through. Odd happenstance, it was a year ago yesterday that his blood pressure crashed while in hospital and he ended up in ICU.

When he came home, he discussed matters with his doctor and the decision was made not take any more blood thinners.

Hopefully they can get a handle on the blood clots and then he could come off the heparin reasonably quickly.

I wish you the best, my thoughts are with you, it sounds like your family is hoeing a pretty hard row.

Bev
 

raygo123

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Stay away from vitamin K. Acts directly on both drugs and all such drugs. You will drive the testing people crazy and it will take longer to stabilize blood level. All cabages.

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Stressy

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I can only give my objective experience, once removed, with blood thinners.

Heparin is a drug that's been around for quite a while but yes, it does require more or less weekly blood work to determine the dosage. Once it stabilizes, bloodwork can be done less frequently. Also can be affected quite substantially by diet.

Dad was taking the medication because of A-fib. A specialist switched him to an alternate, one of the newer meds, that doesn't require monitoring as much. He did develop a very slow internal bleed and by the time it was discovered, weeks later, his hemoglobin was seriously depleted, like a call from the lab that did the blood work at ten at night with a strong suggestion that he go to emergency.

Dad could not accept a blood transfusion, which is the normal treatment for how low his hemoglobin was.

This is the part I found interesting and I wish we had been told this before he started on the medication. The situation was made worse in that we were told that while there are medications that can be given to reverse the effects of heparin pretty quickly, that's not the case with some of the newer blood thinners, basically it just has to work its way out of your system. So it's harder to turn things around if there is any kind of internal bleeding.

Dad did pull through. Odd happenstance, it was a year ago yesterday that his blood pressure crashed while in hospital and he ended up in ICU.

When he came home, he discussed matters with his doctor and the decision was made not take any more blood thinners.

Hopefully they can get a handle on the blood clots and then he could come off the heparin reasonably quickly.

I wish you the best, my thoughts are with you, it sounds like your family is hoeing a pretty hard row.

Bev

+1

Just had this conversation with my Mother who used to run a Coumadin (Warfarin) clinic for the VA Hospital. She's retired now...but made a point of telling me to be leary of the new meds because there is no immediate antidote like there is with Warfarin.

Hope everything resolves itself and your DH will recover swiftly.
 

cyntravel

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Prayers

Hi We will keep you and your Family in our prayers. May your Heavenly Father wrap his arms around you that you may feel and know his Love

Cyn
 

bogey21

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I have been on 150 MG Pradaxa (similar to Xeralto) twice a day for 6 years without a problem. I have had a number of small cuts (shaving, paper cuts, etc.) and a large gash on my leg just below my knee and they healed ok, slowly but ok. Once or twice I have noticed a little bleeding under the skin where I bumped myself. It always resolved itself in 2 or 3 days.

I don't think there is any question but that a cut or gash that bleeds heavily would be hard to stop. Prior to going on Pradaxa I often had rectal bleeding and figured I should do something to avoid it. Two teaspoons of Konsyl (fiber) one at Noon and one at Midnight have solved this problem.

I also wear a chain around my neck saying I am on Pradaxa in case something serious happens to me. Note that there is nothing they can give you to neutralize Xeralto or Pradaxa. My guess is that in a serious situation they would drain blood out of one arm and put new blood in the other but I am just guessing about this.

George
 
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Talent312

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I've been on Coumadin for almost 20 years. Easy bruising is my pet peeve with it. All I have to do is brush up against something and I will bruise up. But, like any other drug, knowing the side effects and dietary advice is mandatory.

If he cuts himself he's not going to bleed out in a couple of minutes so panic is not necessary. I cutoff the end of two fingers with a table saw and lived! The emergency room loves me.

Also, I have to watch how much licorice or spinach I eat because it can effect my INR numbers. I have to have my INR checked monthly and sometimes more often if it gets out of whack.

The only thing I know about Xeralto is that it has an awful lot of ambulance chasers out there filing lawsuits against it! Every time I see a commercial for Xeralto it is immediately followed by a commercial from some ambulance chaser saying call me for information on joining our lawsuit!
 

Karen G

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Praying for your husband and for you, too.
 

Timeshare Von

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I'm thinking of you and your DH too! I'm just glad to know he had symptoms before leaving on your trip. I hope he has a full recovery!

My MIL is on blood thinners and we do quite a bit of travel with her, including long, international flights. It hasn't kept her from going about her day-to-day life. She does need to be more careful about the bruising; seems the least amount of contact causes her to have surface pooling of blood. Her doc said that is normal but it is concerning when we see the bruises on her arms/legs.
 

Pat H

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Oh, Suzanne, so sorry to hear about hubby. Glad he is improving steadily. Healing thoughts and hugs being sent your way.
 

Passepartout

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Suzanne, by the way, we're both sorry you missed your trip to Las Vegas, and happy that if there was going to be a health emergency, it would happen at home, with familiar facilities and doctors handy. Maybe THAT'S the blessing you are seeking.

Las Vegas will be there when you are ready to go. Wishes fir your husband to get well soon.

Jim
 

Sea Six

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+1

Just had this conversation with my Mother who used to run a Coumadin (Warfarin) clinic for the VA Hospital. She's retired now...but made a point of telling me to be leary of the new meds because there is no immediate antidote like there is with Warfarin.

That's exactly what my Dr told me. I chose to stay on warfarin, even though I have to get my INR checked monthly, just in case I have an accident and need to reverse the effects of the blood thinner.
 

bogey21

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Just had this conversation with my Mother who used to run a Coumadin (Warfarin) clinic for the VA Hospital. She's retired now...but made a point of telling me to be leary of the new meds because there is no immediate antidote like there is with Warfarin.

This might be a surprise coming from one who has been on Pradaxa for about 6 years but I agree with the above. I had trouble managing Warfarin so switched for convenience purposes knowing there are risks involved.

George
 

suzanne

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Thank you all so much for your info and prayers. He was taken off Heparin yesterday and put of the Xarelto pill. They are monitoring his blood several times a day. Dr. said he would need to continue the drug for 5 to 6 months. He is still on oxygen but it was reduced again today down to 40%. They are going to try to get him up for a few seconds tonight. He has never been on blood thinners or oxygen before. He did eat better today but is still very weak. The kidney and heart Doctors were in and both said kidneys and heart are ok. Still has him on steroids, but removed the antibiotic IV this afternoon. The Lung Doctor was also in and said his breathing was much better today and that's why they reduced the oxygen level. Said it would take time for him to regain his strength. Right now they figure he will be in hospital at least thru end of next week if all goes well. They are still doing chest Xray every morning monitoring the blood clot.

Thank you all again. TUGGERS are the best.

Suzanne
 

suzanne

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Thank you all for your prayers and help. I checked out the links and found them very interesting. DH is doing better today. They moved him from the ICU to a different room and have reduced his oxygen down to 3 liters. He is still on antibiotics for the lung infection and pneumonia and the blood thinner. The main issue now is getting his blood pressure under control so he can start physical therapy. Every time they try to sit him up his blood pressure immediately goes up over 190. They are trying to figure that out because normally it should go down not up according to the cardio doctor.

Thank you all again for your help and prayers it means a lot to me right now.

Suzanne
 

x3 skier

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Been on Xarelto for a year now. I chose it over Warfarin because I didn't want to keep getting blood draws and limiting what I eat. The risk on uncontrolled bleeding is a small risk to me regardless of what the ambulance chasers say in their TV ads. :rolleyes:

Other than bruises being larger than they used to be from similar incidents and slow to clot from cuts, no other problems.

I did fall off my bike when some jerk cut me off in her car. The scrapes on my arm and knee bled a while but eventually stopped. I did get a hellacious bruise on my hip but that went away in a couple weeks. :D

If they come up with a counter/reversal agent great, but as for me, I'm sticking with Xarelto vice Warfarin.

Best to the OP's spouse.

Cheers
 

SmithOp

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Another Xarelto user, been on it 6 months now for AFib, no adverse affects to speak of beyond easy bruising.

Stay strong, I was in cardiac ICU for three days before they got my heart rate / BP under control, every time I moved my heart rate shot up to 160.


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suzanne

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Thank you for your info. DH bruises easily anyway from the chemo drugs so we are used to that. I will keep close eye on him for any bleeding. He decided on the Xarelto because he gets so many blood draws for his chemo treatments, he did not want to get any more of them if he could avoid it.


Suzanne

Been on Xarelto for a year now. I chose it over Warfarin because I didn't want to keep getting blood draws and limiting what I eat. The risk on uncontrolled bleeding is a small risk to me regardless of what the ambulance chasers say in their TV ads. :rolleyes:

Other than bruises being larger than they used to be from similar incidents and slow to clot from cuts, no other problems.

I did fall off my bike when some jerk cut me off in her car. The scrapes on my arm and knee bled a while but eventually stopped. I did get a hellacious bruise on my hip but that went away in a couple weeks. :D

If they come up with a counter/reversal agent great, but as for me, I'm sticking with Xarelto vice Warfarin.

Best to the OP's spouse.

Cheers
 
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