Sandy,

I suspect the new medication is one of the ones I discuss in the article at the following link:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis_DVT/forum/15778504-new-oral-anticoagulants-xarelto-pradaxa

After about 20 years of being on Coumadin, I made the switch this past December to Xarelto. So far so good. I did have superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial clot) but it appears unrelated to Xarelto and would probably have happened no matter what anticoagulant I was on.

R/Tom

Sandy--I would make a point to call your insurance see what the coverage is on that new drug. They may be picky about whether it is being prescribed "off-label" (since most of them aren't approved for treating DVT) or it may be in a different price bracket than Warfarin ... since warfarin is generic and none of the new anticoagulants have generics. I mean, even with insurance, you might go from paying $5 per prescription to paying $40. It might be worth checking out before you make the switch.

Also, what is she looking to have you "test normal" on? A d-dimer? Or some other blood test? I'm not sure a week is enough time, depending on exactly what test she'll be using.

She mentioned d dimer

After reading some horror stories about Xeralto and some other new blood thinners, I think I'll continue to take my chances with Warfarin. My INR has been 2.05 for the past two months now so I only have to get a blood test done once a month. I'm so greatful to be one of the lucky ones who can take Warfarin and maintain a steady INR level. I'd stick with the Warfarin personally, but we all have to do what is in our own individual interest. Good luck.

Jerry,

Just curious, what horrow stories have you head about Xarelto? To date, like with Coumadin there are always going to be patients who fare better on one anticoagulant than the other but overall Xarelto has been doing really well in the patient community. Bleeding risks are no different than Coumadin and although there is no reversal agent yet available, there are medical procedures established to contact bleeding in the event of a major bleed. Truthfully, I've had been on Coumadin for 20 years and never had an issue where I need a reversal agent so odds are I won't with Xarelto either (fingers crossed).

So far with Xarelto I have not had any of the side affects that I experienced while on Coumadin. I also realize that though it is being treated as a one size fits all dosage, that will change in the coming years as more information becomes available from research.

R/Tom

It might work for you. But I'm paranoid to try any new medication. It would be nice to get rid of the tiredness and headaches that are associated with Warfarin though. I was reading about some people re-clotting on Xarelto. That is what I'm referring to when I say horror stories.

I have been on Xarelto for almost 1 month now and things seem to be going really well. The only side effect I feel is that I am always hungry, but that might just be hormones and not the Xarelto. It's been a good switch in my opinion.

Understanding and it's definitely a personal choice.

As far as re-clotting, it's a roll of the dice. I know of hundreds of patients who clotting while therapeutic on Coumadin. Likewise for Lovenox and I'm sure each of the new oral anticoagulants. Everyone's body processes the medication differently and admittingly, there is a lot of unknowns about the new oral medications. You definitely have to go with what you are most comfortable on. I can relate to reluctency to "why fix what isn't broken" (even if it may come with fatigue). My decision to switch was 20 years of being poked in the arm or finger.

R/Tom

I might change my mind in the future Tom. I'm still paranoid about things right now. I do however admore your courage in trying something different. I know it takes a lot of gtit to venture into the unknown. I think some of these new blood thinners will prove to be very beneficial to the rest of us in time.

I meant to say admire.