tired of Warfarin aka Devils Medicine

I was diagnosed with afib since 2003 and have been on warfarin for that length of time. I take 4 mgs. 6 days and 3 mgs. one day. My pts and irs must stay in 2 to 3 range which has been happening. I have been cardioverted ( lasted two weks) but my heart beats too fast for adlation. It is awful that the meds Praxa can't be given because of the cost. My heart rate is more in afib than out and for thr most is uncomfortable. However I did not realize it was so easy to have a stroke from it. A pacemaker was never suggested and I don't know that I want one. This started with Palpatations that was diagnosed to be stress as I worked in child protection. To Nhoj we take the same mgs. of the warfarin. I see a cardiologist every 4 months who knows the cardio-physiologist I saw and says if he did not do it I don't know another Cardiologist that will do the adlation. They did suggest a medication to take prior to carioversion but to me you would need a parmedic with you daily for all the side effects.

3 Comments

A-Fib

by biker72 - 2010-10-27 04:10:24

I've had A-Fib since 1986. It started with an episode every other week for an hour or so. In early 2008, the A-Fib was almost constant. At that time I started taking warfarin. My platelet level is normally low and the addition of warfarin made for some rather nasty bruises.

I went through cardioversion and sotalol but nothing worked for any lenght of time.

Did an ablation in July 2008 and wound up with a pacemaker.

Even though I dislike the pacemaker, it's worlds better than putting up with the A-Fib and warfarin.

My story

by janetinak - 2010-10-28 04:10:27

I have had Afib since Jan 1999. My Dr & I believe that I have had episodes since 1971. Lots of meds & cardioversions w/o any success. On Coumadin since 1999 & ablated AV node late 2000 & PM since. Now I am doing great with my 2nd PM & expect to have a 3rd in 6 months or less. Guess I feel that I was so SOB, fatigued , etc that I 'm OK with all of this. Couldn't go on way I was.

Good luck with your treatment,

Janet

A-fib

by sugar - 2010-10-31 09:10:15

I have had A-fib since I was 24 and at 46 I had the ablation which was located at my natural pacemaker site. At 60 I had the pacemaker for a slow beat because my natural pacemaker was shutting down. It is my understanding that a pacemaker doesn't slow the heart rate down from A-fib but takes a slow beat and brings it up to the setting of the pacemaker. I may be wrong - I don't think so. I was racing at 240 beats per min. at age 46 for over 3 hrs. and couldn't stop it and we used Inderol (old medications) and beta blockers until they could do the ablation.
Frank would know more on this subject. I now have a medtronic so called state of the art dual line. I am 100% and 67% usage.
Try to have the dr. explain the workings for you on a chart or go online and watch the videos available.
Be well, Patty

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