Does anyone here have any experience with having been (or a loved one being) on a blood thinner?

What about the ileostomy puts her at risk of bleeding? I had one for some time and that was not an issue that was on my mind. It sounds like she needs the blood thinner.

@Mariah…they ran tests on her stool, and there was some blood in it, so they are concerned.

Is the ileostomy new?

@Mariah Her operation was at the end of February, and it’s supposed to be on until August.

The cons are exactly what the doctor is considering right now: if there is a chance of internal bleeding, the coumadin will keep it from healing well, and can make it continue to bleed.

The pros are that it greatly reduces the chance of another stroke, especially right now while they are trying to get her health stable.

@zenvelo the thing that gets me is that the doctors have said flat out that they don’t know if the chemo contributed to the weak heart as well, thereby causing the stroke, or if her heart was already weak. If they stop the chemo (since it was just a precaution at this point), and her heart strengthens, then maybe she doesn’t need the added risk. When they did heart tests before her February operation, her heart was fine.

The whole thing has been exhausting and draining for all of us…

I was on blood thinners after a blood clot in my lungs and during pregnancy. I need to be on a blood thinner during any subsequent pregnancy and postpartum period.

Worth the risks? Well, my labor and delivery were awful because my hematologist was a liar… but I didn’t get any more blood clots and didn’t die… so yes, worth the risk.

The injections hurt… like self-inflicted bee stings daily. I discovered that any drop of medication on the syringe made the pain much more, so I very carefully wiped the needle off with alcohol before each injection, and that helped. I was on one that didn’t require very frequent blood draws/tests, so that was a bonus. But like I said, I didn’t develop more clots and didn’t die.

This is a very complicated situation and the MD’s are juggling 4 potentially fatal conditions, the risk of stroke, the risk of internal bleeding, the risk of heart attack, and the risk of cancer. I really don’t think there’s much we could add to the conversation that her MD’s aren’t already acutely aware of (I would just make sure they’re communicating and are all on the same page with the best course of action). Best wishes to you and your mother.

Thank you @gorillapaws.

I wish your Mother a very rappid and complete recovery.

“Blood thinner” is a misnomer for anticoagulant medication. Anticoagulants such as coumadin and heparin don’t actually thin the blood. The blood clotting process is very complex and it is just easier for patients to comprehend “blood thinner”.

Anticoagulants are true life saving medications for your Mother and millions of others who are currently taking them. As with most medications, what is strong enough to help is strong enough for potential harm.

Anticoagulant patients are monitored closely to ensure that the anticoagulant effect in the blood does not get too high or too low. There is a large therapeutic range for coumadin which is pretty easy to maintain without complications. In your Mother’s case I’m sure that her anticoagulant therapy will be monitored extremely closely.

I’ve been taking coumadin for the last 6 months as a measure to keep me from developing a blood clot within my hearts left atrial appendage that would lead to an ischemic stroke. I consider myself very lucky to have coumadin and to still be here.

Good health!