Blood thinners and aneurysm

General
21

Had my 6.4mm coiled June 2013. My Dr. never put me on plavix before my coiling, he said I could have a hematoma when they did the procedure. I'm taking 81mg Baby aspirin a day

22

Have been on Plavix and aspirin two separate times.

First time followed the double stenting of a pair of unruptured RICA aneurysms. Six months later, ambulance rushed me to ER after I starting bleeding out in the stomach and hemoglobin levels dropped to 2.7 (life threatening, to say the least!). Mawad immediately took me off of both medications and I was fine.

Second go-round is current. In July, I had a re-coiling procedure plus double stenting of a basilar aneurysm that ruptured back in April 2012. I'm back on Plavix and aspirin. Because of my history, my blood is checked monthly. So far, so good. I'm hoping to be off @ six month mark in January.

23

Itā€™s my understanding that if you have a stent
in your brain you will always be on some form of aspirin the goal is to get it down to 81 milligrams. Is your doctor telling you the same thing?

24

I have been on Plavix and aspirin since my unruptured aneurysm was treated with coil and stent 2 years ago. I will always take the aspirin but I'm not sure about the Plavix

25

I was on Plavix for 3 months after Stent. Still on a asprin. 325. 4 years now

26

I've been taking an 81mg aspirin daily since 2008. I've had 2 aneurysms - the first ruptured in December 2007, and the 2nd was treated in Oct 2008.

27

325 aspirin daily for life after annie and stent/coil 10 years ago. No problems except tinnitus which they say is made worse by aspirin. You have to give up something for another.

28

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your responses! My mom is currently on Coumadin (lifetime) because she has a clotting deficiency. When we first found out about her aneurysm we took her straight to UCLA. The neurosurgeons at UCLA said they were just going to try the watch and wait method so she has been having annual MRA screenings. One restriction was that my mom cannot get too high INR levels. She has regular blood tests every two weeks. I fear that the aneurysm might give us trouble if her blood gets too thin but the neuro she is seeing does not seem to be too concerned. How much should your INR level be if you are having a non ruptured aneurysm monitored? Also, what number is too high that I should be concerned about?

29

Another neuro might tell you to have her aneurysm coiled or clipped (or might not) given the fact that she MUST be on Coumadin for her clotting. That is why second and third opinions are so important. In California the two top neuro hospitals are UCLA and Cedars Sinai so stick to those two (but research and find the top neurosurgeon at each). I learned the hard way that neuros are NOT all created equal.

1 Like
30

I am on Inderal 80mg not to thin the blood but to keep the blood pressure down in my head,I have a 11mm Fusiform Anni which they told me they cannot not operate. I live in Ireland so the name of the tablet might be different

31

I second what Jennifer said. By all means get more opinions. I had to get 4 until I was satisfied with how they planned to handle the combo of my clotting disorder and the coiling. I saw 4 people who are very highly respected (Seattle), and each suggested something different! Two were even at the same hospital, so opinions do vary widely.

32

I was on Plavix and 325 aspirin for 3 months after coiling and stenting of unruptured annie. I don't think my INR levels were ever tested. I was able to discontinue Plavix after my 3 month angio follow up, but will be on 325 aspirin the rest of my life because of the stent.

Sherri

33

I was on Plavix and 325 aspirin for 3 months after coiling and stenting of unruptured annie. I don't think my INR levels were ever tested. I was able to discontinue Plavix after my 3 month angio follow up, but will be on 325 aspirin the rest of my life because of the stent.

Sherri

34

Misha, have you gotten a second opinion? Where is the annie located? Has anyone mentioned stent/coil solution? Some doctors donā€™t know how but there are experts out thereā€¦ I believe the method originated in Franceā€¦

35

I am on 75mg plavix for 2 more months and 325mg aspirin since my coiling and stenting of my unruptured Annie in Sept this year. I will be on the aspirin for ever :) to keep clots at bay :)

36


Susan said:
Misha, have you gotten a second opinion? Where is the annie located? Has anyone mentioned stent/coil solution? Some doctors don't know how but there are experts out there.. I believe the method originated in France..
37

I had a pipeline stent 2 years ago. Unruptured 7mm.I took plavix for two months and 325mg aspirin every day since. I havenā€™t heard of using Coumadin. In patients with a clot in the leg or lung. The INR is kept between 2-3. Or people with atrial fibrillation take it toprevent clots.I agree you may want to see a second neurosurgeon for another opinion.

38

I had my unruptured aneurism clipped. 6 months later I had pulmonary embolism in both lungs. Doctors couldnā€™t find a reason. Been on Elaquis for 6 months. Primary wants to take me off because if bleeding risk. Neurosurgeon. An ass , wonā€™t weigh in. Seeing a hematologist for a second opinion next week. I feel like Iā€™m between a rock and a hard place. Donā€™t know which is the greater risk. Anyone else had it clipped and been on blood thinners long term??

39

Hi. I have the same problem. I had my anyerism clipped and then developed blood clots in both lungs they put me on elaquis. Now my primary wants to take me off it but Iā€™m scared. Which is more of a risk. A brain bleed or pulmonary embolism??

40

I have an unrupted and they told me i would not need to be on any medince because it only going to be a coil