Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hello all: I had an appointment with my doctor yesterday. He advised me he would like me to switch from my 325mg aspirin daily to Pradaxa. He is going to supply me with samples to start out with which I will need to pick up at another office today. With no prescription coverage, the cost is going to be high but he advised me if I could not manage the cost, he could change me to warfarin down the road if necessary. My EKG showed afib with an HR of 74 bpm since I am on atenolol (beta blocker). I did not even feel like I was in afib. My doctor said he is very happy I am feeling good now that I am on atenolol and is pleased that my heart and body are otherwise healthy but he felt it was time for me to start on an anti-coagulant because it is so much more effective than aspirin. I am comfortable with the choice and the change :)
https://www.pradaxa.com/
Look for the this on the right side near the bottom:
DOWNLOAD THE PRADAXA SAVINGS CARD INSTANTLY
You could be eligible to save on your prescription or get one FREE 30-day supply of PRADAXA*.
DOWNLOAD NOW
petey
Petey, I use the Pradaxa Savings Card but after my insurance I'm still paying $150 per month. Any idea why, am I missing something? The Pradaxa website reads: If you are a commercially insured patient, pay no more than $30 with a maximum benefit of $100 per monthly prescription over a 12-month period.
Without the Savings Card the cost was $250.
So if it is $250 and Pradaxa pays $100, I guess my health plan picks up all but the $30... I guess.
petey
Pradaxa has moved down to a tier 3 drug, so I pay $45. mo. rather than the $90. when it was tier 4. Plus, I get a free month.
The $30. ya'll are paying now is good, UNTIL you go on Medicare. Then, you will join me, with $45.00.
I have Peace of Mind now taking it, but as time passes...over 75 yrs. old it has risks.
Carrie, I hope you can find an anti-coagulant that works for you; I feel so much safer being on one than just being on aspirin.
Carol: Thanks for the info on the FL discount card. I will be checking it out :)
Joan and Steveinnsr: Thinking of your histories of stroke while on aspirin made the decision easier for me when my doctor presented the idea of my switching from aspirin to Pradaxa. I appreciate you sharing your stories because it is valuable information when we are faced with decisions. I believe real life stories make the decision making process more informed.
Steve9- I still have symptomatic episodes so that is what made the asymptomatic EKG so strange to me. I thought I always knew when I was in Afib. I asked the doctor if I should maybe try another anti-arrythymic down the road and he said he would rather I start pradaxa and stay on my rate med instead. I have had side effects in the past from anti-arrythmics and he said most of the drugs have a risk of side effects.
I'm on Xeralto $30 a month with a savings card.
Smart move don't take chances aspirin in useless for AFIB.
petey
I'm sorry to hear that you are in afib at all but happy to hear that you had no idea and that your HR was at such a normal rate! You have gone through alot and deserve to feel good!
Kelly