I had a stroke 14 weeks ago. Lucky enough to get thrombectomy quickly. Put on Clopidogrel and understand there is a gene that can make it less effective, more so certain ethnic groups. No one offering this test Or playtlet function test that I can find. I guess I’m being anxious but if it isn’t working surely it’s best to know, even though I’ve been told very small chance 2% to 4%. Anyone else been down this rabbit hole?
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Hi @Ginny2 and welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your stroke and hope you are getting on ok.
I am not aware of this issue with clopidogrel & I suspect given the low chances of it being an issue that the test is just not something that is offered unless someone has symptoms that suggest it isn’t working.
Do you have a reason for suspecting it won’t work or are you anxious about having another stroke as many are in the early days. If the latter then hopefully your anxiety will reduce over time.
Best wishes
Ann
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Hello @Ginny2.
Sorry you’ve had a stroke.
I’ve been down this rabbit hole and discovered the same as you. I also discovered that the actual risk reduction for having another stroke is around 0.9% (relative risk reduction is 8.7% but it’s the actual risk reduction that counts). Learn about ARR and RRR because it’s important where meds are concerned.
I decided to stop Clopidogrel because of the very low risk reduction and the relatively high risk of a severe bleed somewhere down the line. (My GP didn’t deny any of this and in any case, research is readily available these days. NHS docs tend to stick with what they’ve been taught and are sometimes unable to think outside of that).
I’ve been using a DHA + EPA supplement which works naturally to thin blood and various research studies have proven the benefits to be worthwhile for a number of other reasons.
Here’s an interesting read:
I don’t have a lot of faith in the NHS these days but I will concede that they are good at emergency care. Do your own research, fight for what you need and that includes insisting on the blood test to determine whether you do or don’t have the gene if that will put your mind at rest. I believe your concerns are valid and you don’t need the extra worry. If you can afford it, it might be less stressful to get a blood test done privately via a geneticist.
Anyway, I do hope you’re managing ok. Lots of people on this forum who can help if you’ve got concerns or need advice. Although we all recover differently, we still share a lot in common and are here to help each other. So do reach out when you need to.
Take care.
Trace
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Hello @Ginny2 - Nice to e-meet you and welcome to the community.
I hope you will find answers to questions and/or concerns you may have following your recent stroke. I agree with what Ann and Trace have said in their responses.
In particular, and for me personally, Trace has hit the nail on the head. Risk/Benefit percentages speak for themselves.
Your anxiety is totally understandable and nobody wants to have another stroke!
You have been told the very small chance of 2 - 4% of making the drug ineffective.
But, what Trace has done is some research which she kindly shares and which suggests
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Please do whatever research you need to do, gather the information, evaluate it and then do what you feel is right for you.
I believe there is no right or wrong answer here because no one can predict the future and no one can tell you if or when you will have a stroke, otherwise there would be no need for this community.
Wishing you all the best.
Namaste|
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Hi @Ginny2
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke. I hope you’ll find the Online Community helpful for your recovery.
You may want to speak with your consultant about your concerns, they’ll be able to help put your mind at rest. Also if you’re feeling generally anxious about another stroke you may find our information on anxiety after a stroke helpful.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna
Yes, anxious about another. Seems the only way you can guess it’s not working if you don’t bleed heavily when cut, or bruise easily. Seems a bit hit and miss!
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Yes, I think that’s true,
Thanks for your reply. I’m wavering now. Spoke to my RA doctor today and he pointed out that most drugs don’t work for everyone. Trust your doctors he said.
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@Ginny2 Do you have any idea what may have caused your stroke?
For me, that was a good starting point when I was thinking about medication. Bearing in mind, meds like anti-hypertensives (if needed), antiplatelets like Clopidogrel and statins are standard meds doled out after ischaemic stroke, they are given to reduce the risk of further stroke with no guarantee of prevention. Whether we end up having another stroke depends on many other factors (or simply being unlucky), but medications should never be seen as the sole means of risk reduction. I personally found it too restricting being on Clopidogrel anyway - it meant, for example, that certain foods I enjoy and are beneficial to good health, I could no longer eat. It makes a lot more sense to me to make sure I’m not nutritionally deficient because when our bodies are being nourished properly, they will function a lot better and we will be a lot healthier and less prone to disease. I appreciate that not everyone sees things the same way as I do but I guess I’m hoping it’ll give a little more clarity to your own situation. And I apologise if it’s making it worse!
A reason wasn’t given for my stroke. I have (controlled) hypertension but no other co-morbidities. To all intents and purposes, I was pretty healthy and fit at the time. But, if I did have other co-morbidities, it’s possible I would be thinking differently. The only meds I take are for high blood pressure and I’m working on getting off those as soon as I can. I’m almost 2 years post.
Trace
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Anxiety post stroke is very normal & will hopefully settle. The meds are given to help reduce the risk of further strokes but they eill never completely remove it. As @Trace57 has said you need to look at other lifestyle factors too. Diet, alcohol, smoking etc.
The effect that meds have will be different for everyone & will depend on many factors. And yes most drugs don’t work for everyone but unless you try you wont know.
Hope you find the right route for you.
Best wishes
Ann
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