Increased Risk For Stroke with HOCM

[Janis Grant]

Recently visited EP doctor for reprograming of ICD. He suggested starting
on coumadin (rat poison) to reduce the risk of stroke due to the number of
recorded episodes past 90 days. He stated people with HOCM/HCM were at an increased risk due to their condition. I declined told him I would increase daily aspirin to 325 mg. for next 90 days and see the difference
on next visit. The main reason I had the ablation in Oct. of 2002 was to get off of some of the life draining drugs I was taking and now he would like to start them up again. Honestly I am afraid to take coumadin with all the nasty side effects.This past week I had one of my old episodes during
the night which lasted about 12 minutes Icd kicked in several times. I am so discouraged. Any info on those who take blood thinners would be helpful. God Bless and Take care. Janis

[Lisa Salberg]

If you are having episodes of A-Fib YOU NEED a blood thinner and it is not likely that asprin will do the trick.
I know this is not what you want to hear...but it is the truth. Ask the doctor why he is suggesting the drug, if it is for AF then you should listen...if it for some other rythm as for the reasoning behind the suggestion.

I have had a stroke...it is not something I would want to see you go through...Due to my stroke (and side effects from it) 13 years ago I am on seizure meds for the rest of my life..on top of all the cardiac stuff!

Be well,
Lisa

[Pat]

Dear Janis,

I want to tell you that coumadin has been used as an anti-coagulant in humans for well over 50 years with very good effects. Dosages are understood and the frequency of monitoring bleeding time to make sure one is not overdosed is standardized. The risks of the drug--in my mind, at least--are much less than the risks of stroke from developing a clot as a result of atrial fibrillation.

And coumadin became a rat poison after it was standard in use as an anti-coagulant. The reason it works to kill rats is that the pest-control experts leave out a dosage which is so huge that the rats completely lose their clotting ability, so they bleed to death internally.

I'm sorry if the graphic image here offends you or anyone else on the board. I decided to say it because I think it's helpful to know the facts.

Take good care of yourself, Janis,
Pat

[Sarah]

Hi,

I have to tell you that the damage a stroke can do is huge. Half of my family is on coumadin and have been for 8 years or more. We haven't had any side effects.

However, if you are adament about no pills, talk to you doctor about large quantities of vitamin E (see the yahoo groups "afib support group" for more info). You need to get your INR taken regularly to make sure that your blood is at a proper thinness (your INR should be between 2 and 3, usually 2.5).

Aspirin is not enough and studies have shown it. Besides, aspirin is just as nasty if not more so than coumadin. Properly regulated, coumadin is perfectly safe.

take care,
S