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Avatar universal

Should I stop Plavix?

I am a 72 year old female.  I have been taking take medication for high blood pressure for 20 years, which is controled.  I have been taking coumadin for 6 years because I have atrial fibrilation.  Because electro-conversions and medications to stabilize this condition stopped working I had an ablation and pacemaker inserted to regulate my heartbeat in 2004.  I had two coated stents inserted March 22, 2010 and have been taking plavix, 81 mg aspirin and continue taking coumadin (5mg 6 days and 6 mgs 1 day a week).  I have my blood tested for IN/PTR regularly.  Since taking Plavix and aspirin I have severe bruising.  I try to be careful but bruise just brushing against a doorway, for example.  My dog was sitting on my lap and when he jumped off to the floor the pressure of lifting off caused bruising on both legs.  I have many bruises, mostly on my arms, but on my body as well. These are only examples.  I complained to my cardiologist and he told me to stop taking plavix.  I'm concerned because everything I have read indicates I should take it indefinitely.  Since I take Coumadin every day and have my IN/PTR tested regularly is is safe to stop taking plavix?
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367994 tn?1304953593
You are welcome and take care.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your input.  I feel better about stopping the Plavix after reading your note and after following up with my doctor. His nurse informed me that the surgeon who performed the angioplasty recommended that I could go off the Plavix after one month, presumably because I was taking Coumadin every day too. I also started a cardio rehab program at the hospital 3 days a week.  I'm motivated to lose weight and eat healthy.  This was a wake up call.  Cheers and thanks again.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks very much for your input.  I followed up with my cardiologist and his nurse informed me the surgeon who performed the angioplasty recommended that I could go off Plavix after a month, presumably because I am taking Coumadin every day.  I am continuing 81 mg aspirin with the coumadin.  I feel better about it.  I also started a cardio rehab program at the hospital 3 days a week.  This is a wake up call for sure!  
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367994 tn?1304953593
Because there are so many variables involved chemically, individuals' physiology, concomitant conditions, health history, no one but your doctor has sufficient information to make a decision for your best interest.
Plavix with aspriin has a sightly less probabilty of restenosis with a drug eluding stent (DES), but it is obvious from what you state you have easy bruising which indicates a propensity to excessive bleeding.  Unless there has been a change Plavix should be dicontinued after a year or so post DES.  

Plavix's mechanism for anti-platelet formation is slightly different from aspirin so the dual therapy post DES has some significance.  After a year restenosis with DES is greatly reduced so Plavix is not usually necessary.

Trust your doctor and don't try and second guess his/her judgement.  Take care and thanks for sharing your concern.  

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976897 tn?1379167602
There is a much greater risk of bleeding on triple anticoagulant therapy as opposed to dual therapy. If you are bruising that easily with warfarin, clopidogrel(plavix) and aspirin, then I think your cardiologist is probably suggesting a wise change in your medication. Warfarin is a powerful anticoagulant and I think your stents should be fine with withdrawal of the plavix. The main concern here is obviously an internal bleed which can be life threatening. My opinion is that the balance for your safety has to be right, and the cardiologist has done that. I very much doubt if your stents will suffer.
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