I am 66 years old tomorrow. Because of these blood thinners I had stomach bleeding and have to take Pantoprozole. But Pantoprozole (and Omeprozole prior to that) causes severe stomach cramps; so, I stopped taking it a few days ago. Now I find that the bleeding from the gut has started again. I am seeing the doctor on Monday; till that time I would like to know what I should do. Is this vicious cycle ever going to end?
I'm sorry I can't help you with your question, but I did want to wish you a happy birthday.
Did you have an endoscopy to check the reason/ source of the bleeding. My neighbour had bleeding and it was found to be caused by polyps.
Many thanks!!! 
Yes. I did. It was all clear.
Yes, it will. I took warfarin for quite some time years ago, but was ultimately taken off of it due to intestinal bleeding. Blood thinners are an important pharmaceutical tool in the treatment or management of atrial fibrillation. I'm only on aspirin now, and after having one TIA back in 2004 I don't feel all that safe on just aspirin therapy, but I don't want any bleeding episodes either. You should never stop taking your meds though, unless, of course, your doctor advised you to do so. My
prior cardiologist ( one of the best, unfortunately he succumbed to cancer) did not
feel comfortable with me staying on warfarin because he knew that bleeding can get worse real quick, then you have a real dilemma on your hands. The only antidote to such bleeding with warfarin is to give the patient vitamin K IM (injection). I personally do not like any of the drugs ending in "prozole", because there are just too many issues with them now, like the risk of pancreatic cancer, kidney disease, dementia, stroke, and heart attack. I took omeprozole years ago
for treatment of acid reflux due to a hiatal hernia. I would never take any of those drugs again. We senior citizens have to be especially careful, drugs affect us differently than they would a much younger person. Take care, let me know how you make out.
I forgot, "Happy Birthday" to you! Enjoy your day!
Warfarin gave me painful weight bearing joints and NOACs are contra indicated for me due to my tissue aortic valve. I varied between Warfarin and Aspirin for five years.
Now you can have a filter fitted to your left atrium appendage to prevent clots getting through it and so dispense with blood thinners.
The two procedures are Watchman Device and Amplatzer Amulet. I tried to get on to the Amplatzer trails but did not succeed. I ended up having the Amplatzer fitted privately this year as although the trial was successful the NHS will not fund it at the present time.
Derek,
Did you have an atrial septal defect? I'll be seeing a specialist in NYC in a few weeks to see if I'm a candidate for closure with a device that just completed the first arm of a clinical trial. It is supposed to be superior or just as good as the Amplatzer or Watchman device. If I'm not found suitable for either of those, then
I will be evaluated for open heart surgery. That is something I'd
really have to think about, because I'm not sure I would survive
surgery with my history. Why would the NHS not fund such a procedure, does it cost too much money?
No I didn't have an atrial septal defect. It was just my choice to get of drugs. Yes it is cost that is stopping it at the moment.
There are quite a few new procedures in the pipeline and shares in such companies are going up.
Many thanks for your comments Scotgal and thanks for the birthday wishes! Yes, I had a good birthday! I am waiting to get as many drugs off me now that I am into my 6th month after the PCI. I never wanted the PCI in the first place- I was travelling and was in transit at Singapore. I had a headache and I did not have my BP tablet or panadol with me. I was looking for a panadol at the airport; there was none. So I went into the medical centre. They gave me the GTN straightaway, took a ECG said it was not good and I was off to hospital. At the hospital I was told I had to have PCI without which I can not leave Singapore as no airline will take me on board without a medical clearance. I was skeptical then, as I am skeptical now whether I actually needed this invasive risky procedure- or did Singapore need my PCI more than I did! Nobody will know now! Prior to that I was fit, never-smoked, did regular exercise, had no medical issues- true my parents had strokes- so heredity was against me. In fact the doctors in Singapore admitted I had an extremely low count of whatever that enzyme they were looking for. My GP was floored when came back and told him that I had a heart attack and a PCI! Now I take these god awful drugs which are the things that are killing me!
No medical issues other than having to take a blood pressure tablet- correction.
I'll have to speak to my financial advisor, maybe I can make up for the losses I might incur as a result of my upcoming procedure.
ram,
Why do you say these drugs are "killing" you? What, specifically are
they to causing in the way of side effects?
Good luck with that.
its either I choose bleeding or not having spasms in my stomach-can't have both!
Went to the doctor and he stopped Pantoprozol- now there is no choice but accept that I will bleed. Its not as bad as stomach spasms though. Its bearable
That's terrible to have to choose between spasms or bleeding, because how do you know how bad the bleeding will get?