 Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks @Hells Bells, @kitenski, @munich_irish,
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| kitenski wrote: |
@snowball, I had a long conversation re my atrial fibrillation and travel insurance.
Long story short was that anything related to afib wouldn’t be covered, but something completely unrelated like a broken leg would. |
Interesting, LV happily cover my paroxysmal AF.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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My insurance covers all my heart-failure related problems but at quite a high premium.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@pam w, I’ve taken Clopidogrel for four years and never even considered a risk when skiing (now wishing I hadn’t looked in on this discussion). I recently had a minor op on my hand and the consultant took me off Clopidogrel for five days prior to the op and put me on Aspirin instead. Yes I do bleed more freely, but thankfully never suffered a skiing injury that caused bleeding.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Now got my new Ski Club of GB platinum insurance modified. £200 extra for the possible minor TIA.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
thankfully never suffered a skiing injury that caused bleeding.
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I hadn't either. But people more knowledgeable than I explained that internal bleeding is an issue - and I did have a collision which resulted in a fractured pelvis, though no blood to be seen!
Nonetheless, this is a balance of risks. And personally I'm content to take risks which might shorten my life if they add to its quality.
She said, sipping a glass of nicely chilled Pinot Grigio....... 
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| sibhusky wrote: |
I'm on Eliquis (Apixaban to you guys) and my cardiologist agreed with my request to go off it for ski season and resume in April. (I live in a ski town.) He just told me to have a full aspirin every day. Apparently, though, I'm in some gray area for the medicine at this point solely for being female and over 65, neither of which I can change. I had a-fib and it was theoretically fixed, altho it could return.
I was afraid of falling and smacking my head as I've done it more than once. I wear a helmet but you can still get a good hit sometimes. |
I went back on Eliquis in April. Then I discussed the situation with my cardiologist in June.
After wearing heart monitor for a full month with zero issues, I've been allowed to stop the Eliquis and just take a low dose aspirin instead. I'm also down 50 pounds and plan to lose another 30, so that may have factored in. We don't have a generic version here yet and the price of Eliquis is nuts. (One of the top 10 drugs Medicare spends money on. It cost me $12.74/PER DAY out of pocket, discounted.)
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I’m really pleased this thread is still going and has helped other people with their questions! I never went skiing in the end. The trip was too soon after the mini stroke and it was a lot to get my head around. I also didn’t want to ruin the trip for my friends - with everyone worrying about me. Happy to report I am feeling fine and have had no other episodes. I went to the snow dome last month and had a spectacular bruise from a too tight boot. And now I can’t wait for skiing this December. Thanks to everyone who offered advice at the time. It made me feel a lot less alone.
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Well done on overcoming the adversity and fears.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I am having a problem with clopidogrel and dizziness. As soon as I start exercising I get dizzy. Has anyone else had this? I previously had a slight tendency this way, but I needed to exercise continuously for perhaps 15 or 20 minutes (eg skinning). A short pause and I could go on. The first time I went to the gym, 3 days after going on Clopidogrel, I was getting dizzy after almost every exercise. I hoped it might get better slowly but if anything it has got worse. I am wondering if there is an alternative, or even considering coming off it a few days before I go skiing, which the doctor definitely advises me not to do.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@snowball, Definitely not an issue I have had, not being going to the gym but have done a good deal of cycling (anything up to 3 hour rides) without any problems. My various blood levels are now excellent but all the doctors I have talked to have said I really should stay on clopidogrel as the biggest risk factor in having a stroke is having already had one. I did come off for a few days as had a completely unrelated medical procedure again no issues at all. The only preparation I have made for skiing is to update my helmet to a top end Scott one. I dont seem to bleed any more than I used to but seem to bruise more easily. You might want to ask your doctor if low dose aspirin might be a short term alternative but I understand there are issues with that so it really should only be done under proper medical supervision rather than completely unqualified conversation on the internet
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@snowball, is there a reason why you can't take aspirin? At a low (75mg) dose that is also an antiplatelet commonly prescribed after a TIA. -edit, sorry, I just realised that you were already taking aspirin after re-reading the thread. Presumably you must have had some form of cardiovascular event in the past before the TIA?
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You know it makes sense.
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The alternative to clopidogrel would be an older antiplatelet called dipyridamole.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Hells Bells, Thanks for answering. No, I took the aspirin briefly after the TIA before I could see a doctor at the hospital. Are there any problems with dipyridamole? I notice dizziness is listed as a fairly rare side effect of clopidogrel.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@snowball, as an alternative to clopidogrel, you would need to take both aspirin and dipyridamole. It was used very commonly before clopidogrel came along. Professionally, I would be looking at any other drugs you may be taking that can cause it, your blood pressure (sitting and standing) and recent blood tests to see if anything else could be causing it. Aspirin used to be the drug of choice for TIA, but guidelines have changed.
From a personal, non-professional point of view, anything that stops me from having a normal life and doing what I love most would be questioned to see if there was an alternative. Being permanently dizzy would be one of those.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I did have some dizziness when I first started taking clopidogrel after a TIA. I saw a cardiologist to rule out any underlying issues with my heart. This gave me some reassurance and the dizziness stopped after a few months. The only side effect now is epic bruises. Definitely worth speaking to your GP or consultant about the dizziness!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I have taken the Clopidogrel for about 3 months. At the same time my Statin dose was doubled and changed to Atorvastatin (from Pravastatin), so 12 days ago I was taken off the statin for 2 weeks to see if it helped. It has certainly reversed the decline so I am now back about to where I was a few days after I started clopidogrel. I don't take any other drugs.
I have had postural Hypertension for as long as I can remember. Although the Hospital were very good (after the delay after my TIA), and sent me for several tests and a scan, I have not actually SEEN my GP through all of this since 4th July TIA, only talked on the phone.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sun 5-11-23 15:22; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Tried to walk about a mile across the heath to Kenwood: gentle amble, a long way from brisk walk. Got dizzy after 15 minutes and had to turn back half way- really dizzy. Still a bit dizzy an hour after getting back. I can't go skiing like this, I have to do something.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 5-11-23 15:41; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@snowball,  that sounds really miserable. You said "postural hypertension". Is that HIGH blood pressure? Problems of dizziness are, in my case, related to low BP.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just that my body is slow to compensate for blood supply to brain when standing up from sitting or lying so it occasionally makes me dizzy for a few seconds. Nothing to do with overall blood pressure as far as I know and certainly not high blood pressure.
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I think that should read postural hypotension - ie a drop in blood pressure when eg rising quickly from a seated position, and usually very transitory (goes away quickly).
Persistent dizziness following light exercise - definitely seek medical attention please.
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| Quote: |
I think that should read postural hypotension
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yes, that's what I thought. Blood pressure HIGH enough to make you dizzy is an acute emergency!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Ah, I hadn't realised the spelling was different, they both sound the same when the doctor tells you.
I will try to get another phone conversation with the doctor tomorrow (perhaps even get to see him!)
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@snowball,it really sounds like you need a face to face appointment to sort this out.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@snowball,
At a minimum please phone NHS 24 today to get their advice.
I am looking forward to skiing with you next year but if you are in a box it may compromise your agility somewhat and you will not be the best company 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@snowheid, NHS 24 is really not the answer here (it is NHS 111 in England). It is not a service for chronic conditions, only for acute issues that aren't 999 emergencies. This really needs a conversation with the Stroke consultant or GP to resolve this. NHS 111 will just direct this to a GP as it does not need immediate attention.
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@snowheid, LOL 
Seeing doctor this afternoon.
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You know it makes sense.
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@snowball, 
Hope there is nothing significant - looking forward to seeing you at SopiB
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Thanks, @Hells Bells, doctor is arranging for me to go back to the stroke consultant.
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Poster: A snowHead
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So, I was dizzy whilst on clopidogrel. However, I think it was a hangover from the TIA. I had a vertebral artery dissection with multiple TIAs, caused by a very weird shear like fall. My doctors explained that TIAs are a brain injury and I should think of it as a concussion like recovery. My dizziness got worse when I went back to work. I was recommended to go to a vestibular physiotherapist. its pretty specialist, there are only 2 proper ones in Calgary. I went and it was like a miracle. He told me my eye tracking was off (not uncommon with any sort of brain injury) and that he could fix me. I spent around 5 weeks doing very intensive eye tracking exercises, and it was the best thing I ever did. He fixed me.
No longer on it, just a baby asprin, which is the standard of care for post dissections not caused by connective tissue disorder. I also have a stent in my veterbral artery
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Anything that stops you exercising should probably be swapped out for an alternative. Exercise is better than most meds for most problems and there is almost always an alternative. Also agree with gryphea. Dizziness is commonly multi factorial and vestibular physio does often help.
Aspirin is not quite as good as clopidogrel in the UK, but in BC almost everybody is on aspirin alone (as an anti platelet) post tia.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Quote: |
He told me my eye tracking was off (not uncommon with any sort of brain injury) and that he could fix me. I spent around 5 weeks doing very intensive eye tracking exercises, and it was the best thing I ever did.
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That's very interesting to me. For the last year or so I have had glasses with prisms, to deal with double vision due to eyes not tracking together properly. I have googled, of course, and read about exercises but didn't infer that this was a likely alternative to glasses. I am shortly (29 November) having my first cataract op - the second sometime in the New Year. The doctor told me I would have to continue to have prisms, certainly for driving, but if there were a possibility of doing away with that through exercises, I'd like to try. Will enquire about vestibular physiotherapists round here!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@pam w, It was pretty hard work. Not going to lie. By the end I was doing 1.5 hrs of eye tracking a day. But so worth it
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Mostly due to mix ups at the Doctors' surgery I had a month between the TIA and going on Clopidogrel. In that period I wasn't dizzy.
Currently waiting to get a new appointment with the stroke clinic.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mostly due to mix ups at the Doctors' surgery I had a month between the TIA and going on Clopidogrel. In that period I wasn't dizzy.
Currently waiting to get a new appointment with the stroke clinic.
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Initially I was on both clopidogrel & low dose aspirin but was taken off the aspirin after six weeks. I asked if I could stay on it but was firmly told no - the long term risks outweigh any benefit. I would prefer to come off the clopidogrel too (simply to reduce the number of pills I take ) but apparently the best long term preventative measure is clopidogrel which is more effective than aspirin
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I was more considering just coming off from a few days before skiing and going back on after getting home. Possibly trying dipyridamole plus aspirin later, but with only 3 weeks before my first ski and no appointment yet that seems a dubious experimental option this first holiday. With dizziness listed as a relatively common side-effect, as with clopidogrel (perhaps for the same reason), it might have the same effect anyway.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
I was more considering just coming off from a few days before skiing and going back on after getting home.
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A stroke is the biggest risk of my heart condition so I would not consider coming off my blood thinners, but in my case I only have to worry about an accident/bleeding, not dizziness, and I can see that is a major factor, with skiing.
However, I would not even consider taking a decision to come off the optimum (and very well evidenced) medication for my condition for the benefit of "taking one less pill". I am heartily grateful that there are medications which can mitigate the severe risks of a life-threatening condition and that the NHS gives me them free. Of course they have some downsides and side effects, but back in the day before there were such excellent medications, and five years after diagnosis, I'd probably have been dead.
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I don't have a heart condition and don't even know for certain it was a TIA (though it seems the mostly likely explanation).
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FAQ
