I have been on it four 5 months, I haven't had any side effects thus far. My leg still hurts a lot though. So without the blood tests I often wonder about my blood being thin enough.

Remember that "blood thinner" is a misnomer. Anticoagulants actually prevent your blood from clotting as quickly. Your body itself will work on dissolving the clot, the anticoagulant will just help it from continuing to build the clot. I don't think it matters what anticoag you are on regarding recovery. Your body is damaged, and it just takes time to heal.

Agreed

Here is a journal entry I did on each of the three new oral anticoagulants. The journal was actually an update to one which I wrote on both the National Blood Clot Alliance (www.stoptheclot.org) website and North American Thrombosis Forum website (neither site have update my article as of yet).

http://www.dailystrength.org/people/213554/journal/5643476

After being on Coumadin for about 20 year years I made the swtich to Xarelto back in December. Though I am happy with my decision there is still a lot of unknowns about the medication, specifically:

- Is it a one size fits all dosing? I think as more studies come in we will see Xarelto being prescribed differently amongst each patient (individualized). Like Coumadin, our bodies process things differently and the 20mg per day dosage may not work for each person.

- No approved reversal agent. There is a reversal agent undergoing studies and doing extremely well. I suspect the doctors will not see it available until the mid to late 2014 timeframe.

- Will it work for thrombophilia patients? This is something not being looked at currently. Since some thrombophilia patients (APS for example) require a high INR with Coumadin, will the current dosage of Xarelto be effective considering it is supposed to be equivalent to a 2.5 INR.

- Long term side affects are not known as this time. It will be several years before the medical community will know for sure whether there is any long term use concerns regarding Xarelto.

I have been on Xarelto for about 4 months and I love it. I had my DVT in Feb of this year in one legs and many clots in my lungs.. After two months of failed attempts with Warfarin, my Doc put me on Xarelto. I no longer have to wear a compression stocking up to my groin. Best of all, as a diabetic, I can eat any veggie I want. I also enjoy not having my blood sucked 3 times a week trying to get the Warfarin dosage in "The Zone". A win win for me.

Thanks everyone for the input...I am going to talk to doctor tomorrow about switching..the coumadin is making me itch and my hair is falling out. For whatever reason I seem to need a high dose to get in the "zone". I am 59 and was told that since they have no clue on what caused this I probably would be on this for life so i would like the best quality of life..and I just love my greens.....

I pickup prescription tomorrow..start taking it Saturday morning...I sure hope I stop itching and sleep better..and that my hair stops falling out....I will keep posting on progress or issues.

Thanks for posting this question. My dr. is hoping my insurance will pay for "X" so I can get off warfarin. Like you I'm diabetic and miss my healthy greens too! When I want a snack I'd normally go make a little salad.. Can't do that right now. Fingers crossed they pay but if not it's alright. 6 months without salad won't kill me i guess. LOL And I don't have any horrible side effects yet.

jody0385,

Check into the Xarelto Care Path Saving Program. it definitely makes the cost of the medication very affordable - $10 per month (though not all insurance companies qualify for the program - Military Tricare for example):

http://www.xareltocarepath.com/dvt-pe/xarelto-savings-programs