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Anyone Ever Get off Plavix?

GraceAnnStewart
0 Recommendations

Hi,

I met a man the other day who also had an MI, but a few years back. I asked him about his "heart cocktail" as I call it. He indicated that he was no longer taking Plavix. I remember my cardiologist indicating there were some meds I would be on "forever" one being Plavix.

I am curious, has anyone ever gotten off Plavix?

I have an appointment on 11/8 and I am trying to decrease meds all around - both heart and mental stuff.

Thanks,
GraceAnn

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Surgery Lipitor Lopressor Bruises Plavix Prozac Stent Norvasc Zocor Stress Heart disease Aspirin Coumadin Imdur Lisinopril Pain Heart attack

21 replies

AuntieMom

HI GraceAnn,

When I had my colonoscopy this past June they wanted me to stop taking my Plavix for 10 days prior to the exam. When they checked with my cardiologist they were told that I "was too high a risk to go off my Plavix for 10 days.". So my colonoscopy was just a sight seeing tour (take nothing with you, leave nothing behind) and if they found anything, something other than stopping my Plavix would have to be figured out. Fortunately, there is no need to revist that scenic site for another 8 to 10 years.

When I saw my cardiologist this past April he said that I would be on Plavix indefinitely but after the comment that was made to the gastrointestinalogist I'm not sure what indefinitely means now.

I guess it all depends on each person and their cardiologist. I know some people (men) who are off their Plavix. I also know some cardiologists that only prescribed Plavix for the first year.

My cardiologist gave me a very indepth explanation about the Plavix clinical trials i.e. the differences time wise between the US and German (I think) trials and what was found.

I'm going to wait for a while before I try to get off Plavix - when I look at the alternative, I'm not real wild about it.

AuntieMom

grace5

Hi, I also wondered when I could stop the plavix, I found the research I posted a little while ago and sent it back to the top for you to have a look at. I'm still not sure when it's safe to stop!
Lidia xx

NZGirl

Hi GraceAnn,

I had my MI almost three years ago. My MI was caused by SCAD, and I had two stents fitted in my LAD artery. I was prescribed the 'usual cocktail' of drugs, including Plavix.
However, my cardiologist told me right at the start that I would probably be on Plavix for only six months, but he would 'see how it went'. Well it turned out that due to the Plavix I had a lot of trouble every month with very heavy bleeding, and had to have iron shots after only two months on Plavix. My primary doc and the cardiologist kept up communication about the situation, and decided to keep up the Plavix despite the problems, but to withdraw it at the six month mark. So I have been off Plavix for two and a half years, (tho still on the Betablocker, Aspirin, Statin etc) and I am doing really well.
In the last few years I have read lots of different stories about the 'ideal' length of time to be taking Plavix, and I think if I knew then what I knew now that I would have been alot more worried going off it. As it was, at the time I was just pleased not to be quite so exhausted and anaemic, and I was hugely relieved to wave goodbye to it!

Take Care, Sharon

MMaslek

12 years & no plans to stop...

bonb

I also had SCAD July/08 and 1 stent put in so I was on Plavix for 1 year. They want one to be on plavix while the stent grows into the artery which usually takes about a year as they don't want clotting at the site of the stent. I have no narrowing of the arteries. I have been off the Plavix for 2 months now.

Bonnie

jay73

My situation is almost identical to Sharon (NZGirl) except for SCAD not causing my MI. I've been off plavix for over 1 year with no obvious problems.
Jane

AuntieMom

But ... as explained to me by my cardiologist ... the German study showed that it could take 18 months before the danger of clotting is gone.

I'll put up with the bruises versus the risk (for me) of going off the Plavix.

AuntieMom

Trissie

2 months after I got off Plavix, I had another 70% blockage. Now I'm content not to ask the doc to take me off again.
Trissie

Sethi

I'd rather be on Plavix than Coumadin - there is no comparison. Aside from bruising it is not a bad med. If it keeps me from having another heart attack I will stick with it gladly.

GraceAnnStewart

Just curious, is there anyone that had a vessel spasm that is on Plavix? I did not have a blod clot when I had my heart attack. I had a vessel spasm so I am taking Norvasc for that.

Thanks,
GraceAnn

PH1

I had my heart attack two and a half years ago, and had two stents placed - RCA and LAD. I was on coumadin for six months and on Plavix for a year.

Kennarina

That's interesting GraceAnn that you'd be put on Plavix for a non-obstructive heart attack, since Plavix is an anti-platelet drug that helps to prevent the sticky platelets from clomping together to form a new CLOT! Inside the artery. Which you don't have. Or were there other minor blockages when you had your MI?

I'd be curious about this because I suspect that cardiologists tend to favour a set protocol, no matter what.

I had a stent May/08 (LAD 99% blocked) and just last month I was okayed to stop taking Plavix. I noticed a difference in bruising almost overnight. But I loved my little Plavix bruises because they reminded me that the meds were working to keep those arteries nice and clear.

XOXOXO

http://www.myheartsisters.org

GraceAnnStewart

My blockage was a moderate 50-60% in my LAD also. I'm also taking baby (81mg) aspirin so now I am really wondering why I am on these meds.

Perhaps you are right.

Are there others with vessel spasms on these meds?

Thanks,
GraceAnn

martzj

Women with advancing heart disease (including spasms) need all the help they can get. Blood thinners don't really 'thin' the blood...they prevent sticky clotting. This is something pretty much all women need to be taking, especially as our bodies go through a steady hormonal roller coaster from adolescence onward. Females NEVER get a break and taking Plavix, aspirin or statins (mega-anticoagulants) are a BIG asset in keeping clots avoided or small enough not to create blockages.

Queen_E

Had 100% blocked LAD, but no other blockages or buildup. Got 2 DE stents. I'm only 9 months along (ha!) but expect to stay on Plavix until there is a good set of studies that shows no difference for women after a certain point. My PCP says "you'll take this heart attack cocktail for the rest of your life, which should be the usual length". So, you eat right, exercise and take the meds, then you get to live another 40+ years? Fine, fine.

I had dreamed of eliminating meds. Only had the coumadin for 3 mo, will never miss it. Stepped down my prozac, but felt crappy when I got down to 10 mg, said this is stupid! I don't need to eliminate a stress management tool. Figure that my Zocor dose is about to go UP - won't get my HDL down to 70 otherwise.

It was much harder to look at health plans this year - comparing spouse's to mine - low visit co-pay/higher drug co-pay or lower drug co-pay, but no coverage for brand-name non-formulary drugs?
Ended up picking the one that was $1000 bucks less for the year. Duh.

Isedno

Gosh, should I be worried that I don't take Plavix? I'm on Pravstatin and Effient(My baby asprin) because I'm allergic to asprin.

MIsurvivorX4

I have had 5 MIs (heart attacks) due to multivessel coronary artery spasm. (Need to change user name again to MIsurvivorX5)

I was initially on Plavix (8 years ago) but now on Effient.

My arteries do get obstructed -- from refractory spasm -- instead of plaque build up.

Tersa

GraceAnn,

I think every case is different in regards with Plavix. I received a drug eluting stent for a blockage in my Circumflex artery, and was on Plavix for 1 year post stent, which is the gold standard to prevent stent re-stenosis when they are the drug coated kind. I do however, also have chronic stable angina(chest pain caused by ischemia) that my Cardio feels is due to coronary spasm because repeat angiogram showed no blockages. I am also treated with Norvasc, Imdur (long acting nitrate), and Beta Blocker Toprol to control my spasms, but did stop the Plavix after 1 year post stent. I am doing well. Your cardio might be having you on Plavix as an extra precaution, but I would certainly be asking some clarification at your next appt. as to why you are still on it.

Good luck!!

bastet

I had CABG x1 Jan 200. This was the only block (LAD 100% blocked). All others were clear. Was put on Plavix after the surgery for 8 weeks to prevent the graft from clotting. I was taken off of it at the said time and have been taking aspirin, a statin, Lopressor, and Lisinopril ever since. No problems.

GraceAnnStewart

I am finding these replies so interesting. I will let you know what my cardiologist says next week.

Also hoping to decrease lipitor. On 40 mg now, which was cut after last test of cholesterol of 102. I am hoping to get it cut to 20 since my numbers are pretty low.

-G

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