Pacemaker

Seat belt pad and Anticoagulants

by Gemita - 2021-06-23 12:45:20

Hello Whistleway,

Haven't got personal experience using a seat belt pad, since no longer drive but I noticed on this forum a week or so ago someone mentioning they either get a seat belt pad from their auto parts store or from Amazon, so maybe try the latter first to see what is available, otherwise you could make your own "padding" and keep it on any strap with velcro.

Yes both hubby and I are on anticoagulants (Edoxaban now) for Atrial Fibrillation stroke protection, although my husband did take Rivaroxaban for a short while but because of poor kidney function, they switched him to once daily dosing Edoxaban, low dose.  

Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban and Edoxaban, the newer anticoagulants which do not require regular checks like Warfarin are certainly more convenient to take and are very effective.  I have to be honest, Apixaban seems to have the best safety record, especially in protecting the gastric system from a bleed, at least this is what I was advised by my Anticoagulation Centre.  What to expect?  It is a personal experience and hopefully Rivaroxaban will cause no ill effects depending on your body weight, health conditions and dose you will be given.  Initially you will be closely monitored and you will have the opportunity of trying out Rivaroxaban to see whether it suits you.  

On low dose (30 mg) once daily dose Edoxaban, both my husband and I are unaware we are taking the medication.  So far it has been very effective and doesn't appear to cause any unwanted side effects (certainly no noticeable bleeding and we have both had a few falls.  I hope Rivaroxaban will be the same for you, but if not ask if you could try another anticoagulant.  It may be trial and error until you find something suitable.  Good luck and welcome

Seat belt pad, etc.

by AgentX86 - 2021-06-23 18:00:21

Yes, one of the fake sheep fur pads works really to keep the strap off your PM.  I found it best to put the pad over the sternum, towards the middle of the chest.  This will raise the strap off the PM, rather than trying to cushion the PM.

As Gemita mentioned, the NOACs (Novel Oral AntiCoagulants) are much better and easier to use than warfarin.  They don't require constant testing and there is no worry about diet.  The down side is the cost and the fact that there is no realistic antedote, in case of serious bleeds.  To mitigate the latter, the drugs have a very short half-life so will be out of the system in a day or two.  This is a benefit if you need other surgery.

I've been taking Eliquis for seven years, after a few years of warfarin. I haven't found bleeding to be any significant issue.  I only notice that small cuts, like paper cuts bleed insignificantly but somewhat longer.  I can also have a little trouble with my gums if I get a little to rough with the waterpic or the teeny tooth brush to get the between teeth stuff.  Slightly more major bleeds (I do home improvement and repairs, as well as woodworking, so cuts and scrapes are almost inevitable) don't take any longer.  I didn't like warfarin at all.  I was always bleeding somewhere.  Eliquis hasn't been any problem.  Some can't take it because of GI bleeding but if you aren't one of them, it works without big problems.  Of course, any major head trauma needs an MRI, like right now.