Heart Disease and Heart Attack Forum

Conditions and Diseases > Heart Disease and Heart Attack Forum > Plavix Rebound?

TOPICS DOCTOR QUESTIONS

Heart Attack

What happens during a heart attack? Get heart attack facts here....

Q: Plavix Rebound?

asked by: Norwester on July 10th, 2008

New User

Hi,first post here,I'll try to keep it fairly short and concise.
I'm almost 53 yrs old and had a heart attack in Nov of 2006. I had two Cypher drug eluting stents implanted. I've been taking daily since then 1 Plavix and an aspirin. My cardiologist told me at last visit in January that I could quit taking the Plavix as he actually recommends it for only one year after surgery. At the time I told him that the cost was no problem and I really feared having a clot induced stroke more than anything. He told me that he would leave it up to me. Since then my finances have taken a downturn besides the fact that I'm getting tired of excessive bleeding and bruising. I've been considering getting off it,but I've just become aware of the study regarding "Plavix Rebound" that suggests that incidence of heart attacks/clots strokes etc are doubled within the 1st 90 days after stopping taking it. I guess what I'd like to know if anybody has any experiences positive or negative to relate or if theres been any further studies to prove that tapering off may reduce the risks?
Thanks for any replies
Jeff

Replies(10)

Dr. Nikola

replied on July 11th, 2008

Doctor

Why are bleeding and bruising so much?
Have you ever reported these bleeding and bruising to your doctor?

Norwester

replied on July 11th, 2008

New User

Yes,while it seems excessive to me he thought it was normal and told me to expect it. I have to say that I've never bruised easily if at all but I now often have bruises and can't remember any reason for them. Just a small cut such as from shaving is hard to stop bleeding. At this time I'm also undergoing some severe anxiety problems and am hesitant about using anything such as Lexapro due to elevated risk of upper GI bleeding while on the Plavix. I will be taking the aspirin for life but if I could at least get off the Plavix it seems like it would help to reduce that risk somewhat. I'll ask that question on the Stress & Anxiety forum also but any feedback here would also be appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff

Dr. Nikola

replied on July 11th, 2008

Doctor

Guidelines say that Plavix is recommended to be used up to one year after inserting the stent. Aspirin should be used for life according to guidelines. Guidelines also says that if the patient has stomach disorders (reflux, gastritis, stomach ulcer...) then Plavix can be used for life instead of Aspirin.
You can make several blood coagulation tests to check if there is some coagulation disorder that causes excessive bleeding.

grounded54

replied on February 4th, 2009

New User

sotpping Plavix rebound effect

has anyone with DES Stents come off Plavix successfully? (without a heart attack or dieing)
How do you wean off Plavix? so you don't suffer from the rebound effect?

Norwester

replied on February 4th, 2009

New User

I don't know if it was necessary but it did give me a little peace of mind while I was getting off it. I first took a Plavix every other day for two weeks and after that,one every three days for a few weeks.At that point I quit taking it altogether and haven't had any problems since. That was in August of '08.My doctor said that the number of people having problems going off Plavix is tiny but if quitting slowly might help its worth a try.

Users who thank Norwester for this post: grounded54

grounded54

replied on February 5th, 2009

New User

how do you taper off of Plavix

Are there any doctors in the U.S. who think that 2 years on Plavix is long enough, even with drug eluding stents? I have 2 that are overlapping in the LAD. I would like to talk to them and get a plan for how to taper off this drug. My current cardiologist doesn't believe in tapering off.

investigating

replied on March 5th, 2009

New User

Getting Off Plavix

I am in a similiar situation to Norwester. I have been on Plavix and aspirin now for a little more than 4 years, drug eluting stent and all. I want off Plavix, but my cardiologist thinks it is a risk--he had a patient who went off Plavix for a colonoscopy and had a heart attack two weeks later. I would like hard data on the rebound effect, and the odds that there may be some blood-metal contact after four years. But there are no answers that I can find. I am very active and in good shape. I bruise easily. Giant hematomas are passe at this point for me. I do a lot of biking--no bad crashes yet, fingers crossed. I am thinking about trying something like Norwester, and getting on a regime with aspirin, ginger, and fish oil. And I would also like data on ginger's effect on the blood, and can only find one from Australia. Anyone with knowledge or suggestions about what to do and how to do this would be much appreciated.

sailgal

replied on May 4th, 2009

New User

weaning off plavix

I've been taking Plavix for five years following a brain-stem stroke.Since then, I've become very athletic,lostweight, turned vegan and gotten off all my diabetic meds, reduced my BP meds to minimal.I'm also concerned about getting off Plavix.Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Shirley

bikeracer

replied on May 7th, 2009

New User

Weaning off Plavix

I'd be interested in speaking with Investigating and Sailgal. I had a stent implanted almost 2 years ago -- freak thing -- a quickly formed clot in the LAX that was probably the result of a microrupture of the vessel as a result of an extremely hard effort during a bike race. I am extremely active (bicycle racer, running races, yoga, etc.) and eat very healthy. And, I'm only 43!

I'd LOVE to wean myself from Plavix, but the docs seem reluctant.

justafriend

replied on July 28th, 2009

New User

To Norwester: Did your MD recommend your tapering program, or did you plan that yourself? Is skipping a day better than splitting a pill and taking a gradually lower dose?

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc