Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

Plavix Problems?

Shawllady
0 Recommendations

Hello Heart Sisters,
I'm having a problem and I think it's related to plavix. I had a nice size bruise on arm which was there a long time but it left a scare. That has never happen before. Also I have been getting hematoma in my urine once in while, which I went to my urologist to have it check out and he could not find any reason for the blood. I was wondering if anyone else has this happening with them? Should this be something that I should be concerned about?

Your Heart Sister,
Shawllady

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Cancer Diverticulitis Irritable bowel syndrome Nexium Bruises Plavix Anorexia Crestor Stent Warfarin GERD Protonix Aspirin Coumadin Diverticulosis Artery dissection Heartburn Bladder cancer Valve disease

25 replies

wendylee

Hi,

I recently (2 weeks ago) stopped taking Plavix. It was my idea. I have not only been covered in bruises the past 1 1/2 years I have developed Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, and recently Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Not to mention, when you do get a cut, whatever, you bleed for a LONG time. My heart issues were due to an artery dissection, not plaque, that may make a difference. BUT, I am now saving money on not buying Plavix or Protonix (because that was the only med they would put me on for reflux)!
Yes, there are many side effects from Plavix and most everyone here has experienced them.

- Wendy

gracie62

What do you mean by "it left a scar" in relation to the bruise on your arm? I take Plavix and have had a lot of side effects and am curious about what you are referring to. Can you be more specific? I have never had an urinary issues. I have heard that blood in your urine on occasion is not that uncommon and unless it is happening when it is being investigated, they often cannot pinpoint a cause.

Dianna

Shawllady

Hi Dianna, What I mean is were the bruise was it left like a shadow of the bruise. It is not completely gone and it's been months now. The blood in my urine really scared me because it was all blood looking than urine. It has happen to me about 3 times now. I have been checked for bladder cancer and etc. and it's not that, which was very good news so what is it? I think I will check online the connection with plavix.

Shawllady

lvfrogs

Hi Shawllady,
I am on Plavix also and sometimes, the bruises do leave a shadow like of the bruise. I haven't been too concerned about that. The bloody urine definitely needs to be checked out. You say you have been ruled out for bladder cancer, so I am assuming you have been to your doctor. Is it often that you have it? Good luck. I hope you let us know.

wyntersgrace

I had to stop taking Plavix because I was/am allergic to it. Non-stop, head to toe itching and hives...and my idiot (former) cardiologists wouldn't take me off it.

I did bleed like a stuck pig in cases where I normally wouldn't bleed at all. I would find blood on my clothes and have to go looking for the source because I didn't even know I was injured. I would literally bleed through my clothes and not even know I had been injured. I didn't leave the house without a first aid kit.

When my (former) cardiologists wouldn't take me off it, I stopped it myself after 2 1/2 months; although, it still took 3 rounds of steroids to stop the allergic reaction. I shouldn't have stopped it because I had just had 4 stents put in, but I didn't feel like I had a choice. My new doctor put me on Ticlid and I didn't bleed anywhere near as much, though it did cause some fatigue. As soon as I hit that one year mark, I stopped it, too...with the ok of my cardiologist.

Plavix was touted so strongly because they initially thought (with the very small initial studies) that it couldn't cause TTP like Ticlid can - which is extremely rare with Ticlid. After Plavix was put into wide use, it was discovered that it can, in fact, cause TTP, but even more rare than Ticlid. And, of course, Plavix still has its patent so the drug companies throw money into marketing.

Frankly, Plavix scares me. Ticlid is available in generic. I'd ask your doctor to switch. I'd insist on it unless s/he could give me a very good reason why not, i.e., if you're more susceptible to TTP.

Just my two cents.

Shawllady

wyntersgrace what is TTP? I never heard of this.

Shawllady

wyntersgrace

For the record, you're supposed to have periodic blood work while on Ticlid to make sure your platelet levels are ok. However, my doctors only ordered it once. They didn't seem concerned. And I hemorrhaged from the cath site following angioplasty, but that didn't seem to be an issue with them putting me on Ticlid.

Shawllady

Is that anything like Coumadin?

Shawllady

Sparks

I have been on a low dosage of Plavix for four years and I do experience side effects every now and then such as bruising, nose bleeds, more bleeding with cuts and scrapes. I even bleed with a papercut! I also had to have endometrial ablation done in 2008 due to the heavy menstrual periods I was having. And so far that procedure has helped; I barely bleed during menustration now.

I have gotten used to the side effects and they don't bother me anymore, especially since I know what is causing it. My cardiologist doesn't plan on taking me off Plavix anytime soon which is fine with me. I have had no heart problems since I've been taking it. I see it as a life-saving drug for me with bothersome, yet controllable side effects. Of course, the best thing to do is to discuss it with your doctor and see if the benefits outweigh the risks or vice versa.

Sandra

Lois_Trader

My stomach issues were so bad not because of Plavix, but because I could not take Nexium with Plavix. My cardiolgist just put me on the new "Plavix" called Effient which allows me to have the same benefits of Plavix and also take Nexium. It is not processed the same way in your body. Some doctors allow you to go off Plavix after a few months after a stent. Mine don't want me off because my stent is hazy and my other artieries aren't completely clear. It's been since 2003 and thankfully nothing to unmanageable! What are your thoughts on how long someone should stay on Plavix or a blood thinner?

houston

Sandra,
What is a low dose of Plavix?

sternum

Hey there Shawllady:)

I'm on a 75mg of Plavix once a day. The only side effect for me is the bruising. Cuts and such do not bleed any extra length of time. I do sometimes get shadow bruising instead of the full blown ones. And yes my doctor sends me for blood work every three months just before each perscription renewal so he can make any adjustments and see if each medication is doing what we want.

At the moment I have a couple of shadow bruises on my cheek bones and couple of real ones on my arm and knee.

Gloria

Sparks

I am taking a 75 mg daily. I assumed it was the lowest dosage. Is it
The only dosage?
Sandra

Shawllady

sternum, my blood does not get checked. What is the reason for your dr. checking yours every three months? Is there a certain thing that he is looking for?

Shawllady

sternum

Sandra I assumed that 75mg was the only dose. But I never gave it much thought.

Shawllady:
I have so many issues going on.
Plavix is the only blood thinner I am on. I must take asprin .81 with periot and even then the nausea is always there. Since I could rip my ribs apart and puncture something as well as split my chest and /or rip my pulled down pecks, any strain will cause a great deal of damage. So no vomiting allowed.
So the deal is to make sure the blood is flowing easily without putting any strain on the heart, and the Plavix has to do it alone. Then there is always the iron count and hemaglobin and cell shape. The cell shape and nerve insulation are taken care of with B-12 injections so they are monitored. Last but by no means least, my cholesteral is watched like a hawk. I have gone through three statins in the passed 14 months. We have finally settled on the crestor for now because the blood tests show that it is raising my good cholesteral at a decent rate and level and lowering the bad as well. Part of my cholestral problem is genetic and for me that means diet and exercise won't do the complete job ..... That's my life and I'm sticking to it.

I know the rest of you have other issues to deal with but it all comes down to "We do what we have to".

Gloria

wyntersgrace

No, Ticlid is not like Coumadin. I believe that Coumadin is stronger and you have to have frequent blood checks to make sure you are at the right dose.

Also, you have to take Ticlid twice a day, as opposed to once a day with Plavix.

If you're having excessive bleeding, I would talk about it with your cardiologist. For me, it was so severe that I was afraid even a minor car accident would cause me to bleed to death. Plavix just did not agree with my body at all.

I have 4 drug-eluting stents and my doctor gave me the ok to dc blood thinners at the one year mark. I still take aspirin, although full strength - 325mg.

Annie7

I am on Plavix still due to 4 DES stents. If I had the bare metal stents I would of been off Plavix a long time ago. (2004-05) I have issues with heartburn and gerd and am on Nexium/Maalox/Pepcid. 3 years ago I had H-Pylori due to an ulcer. No one put 2 and 2 together that I should not be on Plavix with an active ulcer. (Lost in the cracks) I still have quite a bit of stomach issues so I need an EGD (scope) and another heart cath. If there is an ulcer...Cardio said Plavix is history. I hate that med.

Shawllady

I just came back from an amish Iridologists who said that my heart was only working at 40%. I don't know if that's true or not but he did name the valves that were leaking. He did also say that I was tired and I said yes, sometimes I get so I just have to go and lay down. He said I should take Lily of the Valley , Blessed Thistle. He also gave me Akfalfa for the stomach. So we will see what happens.

Shawllady

Lynnedz56

I'm on Plavix and 81 of aspirin and other than increased bleeding when I do get a cut and the bruising, I have no side affects. In fact, this meds I am on now are the best combination I have found. And if the Plavix keeps the stent open and helps with no more blockage, happy to do it. I can't understand why your cardiologist is not upset about blood in the urine. I was on warfarin for blood clots in my lungs and the first hint of blood in my urine I was admitted until they figured it out. If your heart has leaking valves..you got problems. And you should also be careful of herbs with the meds you are taking. Does your doctor know everything you take...including Lily of the Valley???

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

Group leaders

You