My husband had a heart attack while in the US, they saved his life putting in 8 !
Question: My husband had a heart attack while in the US, they saved his life putting in 8 Stents!.!?
He was told that he would have to take Plavix for the rest of his life!. Would he have a problem with this in the UK!. We are in Spain at the moment and have no problem, although it has to be signed for every month by a Specialist!. We plan to return to to either Wales or Shropshire!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
There is a lot of debate about how long patients should stay on Plavix, I am sorry to say this is due to a mix of medical uncertainty, there are only a small number of studies so far looking at long term use, and cost, which if the drug were used long term in all patients would currently be considerable nationally!.
I assume he was already on aspirin, or if he wasn't he is on it together with Plavix!. Aspirin has a much longer and august record of reducing clot than Plavix, and unless there is a contraindications most cardiologists would use both!.
Good news is that there are a number of UK Cardiologists who also think, like your Spanish doctor, that in patients with significant interventions, and 8 stents is way above average, the drug should be used lifelong!. Assuming you have a written medical summary from Spain, it is also a brave or foolhardy GP or administrator who would take the risk of removing a drug that a consultant has seen to recommend is used in this way!. IF by any chance someone does suggest that you should stop it after a period I would fight tooth and nail to convince them that you should not do so!. Certainly if I wa your GP it would be no problem!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I assume he was already on aspirin, or if he wasn't he is on it together with Plavix!. Aspirin has a much longer and august record of reducing clot than Plavix, and unless there is a contraindications most cardiologists would use both!.
Good news is that there are a number of UK Cardiologists who also think, like your Spanish doctor, that in patients with significant interventions, and 8 stents is way above average, the drug should be used lifelong!. Assuming you have a written medical summary from Spain, it is also a brave or foolhardy GP or administrator who would take the risk of removing a drug that a consultant has seen to recommend is used in this way!. IF by any chance someone does suggest that you should stop it after a period I would fight tooth and nail to convince them that you should not do so!. Certainly if I wa your GP it would be no problem!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The Plavix recall in the UK that you may have heard about was aimed at only 2 lots of the product!. The reason for this recall was that both of these lots were believed to be counterfeit!.
Plavix is safe, and readily available in the the UK!.
Caution: Do not stop taking Plavix without an order from your cardiologist, as there is danger of restenosis (clogging)!. Many doctors believe a year is long enough, but others prefer longer periods or indefinitely!.
Low dose aspirin is a must to reduce the possibility of more cardiac events!. The aspirin is taken in addition to Plavix (clopidogrel), according to recent findings!.
http://www!.pubmedcentral!.nih!.gov/article!.!.!.
There is also a "rebound effect" after stopping Plavix after a 12 month period!. During this 90 day period, a person is at double the risk of having a cardiovascular event!. Since your husband has had 8 stents, and these might have been the more problematic drug coated type, your cardiologist may wish to keep your husband on Plavix indefinitely, if he has not had any serious side effects!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Plavix is safe, and readily available in the the UK!.
Caution: Do not stop taking Plavix without an order from your cardiologist, as there is danger of restenosis (clogging)!. Many doctors believe a year is long enough, but others prefer longer periods or indefinitely!.
Low dose aspirin is a must to reduce the possibility of more cardiac events!. The aspirin is taken in addition to Plavix (clopidogrel), according to recent findings!.
http://www!.pubmedcentral!.nih!.gov/article!.!.!.
There is also a "rebound effect" after stopping Plavix after a 12 month period!. During this 90 day period, a person is at double the risk of having a cardiovascular event!. Since your husband has had 8 stents, and these might have been the more problematic drug coated type, your cardiologist may wish to keep your husband on Plavix indefinitely, if he has not had any serious side effects!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
They may not give him "Plavix" but I'm sure they would be able to provide something very similar!.
It shouldn't be a problem!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It shouldn't be a problem!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Get a letter from the cardiologist doctorWww@Answer-Health@Com
I'd stop in Spain there health service is a lot better than the NHSWww@Answer-Health@Com
I would calm down abit!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com