I have just started taking blood thinners (Xarelto) and am wondering if any one else on thinners has noticed a change in their CH?

Rumeke wrote on Mar 15^th, 2016 at 9:31pm:

I have just started taking blood thinners (Xarelto) and am wondering if any one else on thinners has noticed a change in their CH?

Nope...nada....

It's an interesting thought. Some people get a bit of help from aspirin so could it be the blood-thinning effect as much as the analgesia?

Since the blood isn't really "thinned" I guess it wouldn't have any effect. I don't think platelets have anything to do with O2 in the blood but I may be wrong.

Guess it was just wishful thinking on my part!

Rumeke wrote on Mar 15^th, 2016 at 9:31pm:

I have just started taking blood thinners (Xarelto) and am wondering if any one else on thinners has noticed a change in their CH?

So, have you not seen a change in your CH's? Or are you still wondering if you may see a change? I would like to know how it goes!



AussieBrian wrote on Mar 15^th, 2016 at 10:05pm:

It's an interesting thought. Some people get a bit of help from aspirin so could it be the blood-thinning effect as much as the analgesia?

Interesting news to me! Generally, people end up doing more damage to their bodies by trying to help CH's with analgesics. I'm not saying you are wrong, you may be on to something. But I would sure like to hear more, since you are suggesting that aspirin actually helps some people with Cluster Headaches.

We obviously have different views, but as I see it:
Folks often come here in sheer agony, grasping at straws for relief.  Some will see advice given here, as valid - because we know their pain. But, we have seen sooooo many reports of serious organ damage from analgesics. And virtually zero reports of abortive or preventative action.

Always willing to learn!
Marc

I remember this subject coming up here years ago. Someone who also got migraine was discussing blood thinners helping. I haven't seen anything discussed regarding CH though. It has to do with a heart defect and migraine, and the connection is currently being researched. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Quote:

Generally, people end up doing more damage to their bodies by trying to help CH's with analgesics

3 assprin every 3 hours = duodenal ulcer.  Last time I tried that!  BTW - the asprin didn't stop the ch but I kept taking it just in case.

I was taking 12-16 aspirin a day when this first started. Never bothered the stomach and didn't help the head...

And that's why some of us react to people suggesting that they may get some help from certain remedies..............

But, heck if it helps someone with Cluster Headaches - the I have no right to tell them that it doesn't work.

Accurate diagnosis is important!

I agree with you completely, Marc, which is why I'm bothered about posts such as:

"Hey, aspirin works for me - so help me spread the word or I will call you names and tell you that you are evil because all cures need to be discussed here."

That sort of thing really is likely to frighten a newby but I still reckon every means of attacking this beast is worthy of adult discussion, and certainly there are those who do get some relief using aspirin, as recent posts show.

This thread is simply about blood-thinners and CH and I'm the one who asked if aspirin might be helping in more ways than one.

Where someone posts a totally crackpot idea which may be dangerous then it's up to us to offer honest advice on a better path, while some wild thoughts may even be worth a little more consideration.

Surely that's why many of us are here.

When I first started getting what I would eventually learn to be CH's, I would take 2 Panadiene Forte and a Mersyndel. Sure enough 1/2 hour to 45 minutes later it would stop so I thought it was the meds working. It wasn't until I found this site that I learnt that I couldn't have been more wrong and it was just a coincidence. Unfortunately it lead to a codeine dependence that was not much fun to break !
Knowledge is power.

With regards to the blood thinners, does fish oil have blood thinning qualities. I ask this because my wife recently had to have an operation and the surgeons advised not taking that component of the D3 regime as it encouraged bleeding.

Short straw, what your wife was told, my doctor has told me the same thing for the same reason.

Short straw,

That is a really interesting question. I would like to hear others' experiences on whether they have been advised not to take fish oil following surgery.

Thanks,

Peter.

Peter...I had to have skin cancer spots cut from the side of my nose. The doctor said stop the fish oil 3 days before the cutting until 3 days after.

Marc wrote on Mar 17^th, 2016 at 8:46pm:

And that's why some of us react to people suggesting that they may get some help from certain remedies.............. But, heck if it helps someone with Cluster Headaches - the I have no right to tell them that it doesn't work. Accurate diagnosis is important!

This was prior to a diagnosis, thought they were just regular headaches because they weren't that strong to start with...

Hey Shortstraw,

The bit about vitamin D3 and Omega-3 fish oil causing bleeds during surgery is an old wives tale...  Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with someone when they have a knife in their hand and they intend to cut you open...

The following links should put this myth to bed...

The Effect of Fish Oil on Hemostasis and Coagulations During Cardiac Surgery
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Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves surgical recovery
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Supplements and surgery: what you need to know (part one)
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If anything, you need more vitamin D3 prior to surgery...

Plasma 25-Hydroxy-Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D)
is Depressed by Inflammation
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Hope this helps...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Thanks Batch, I knew you would chime with the science for a definitive answer.

Incidentally she didn't stop taking any of the other components of the regime (despite some raised eyebrows but no objections at the hospital) and showed a very impressive recovery from surgery.

Batch wrote on Mar 18^th, 2016 at 5:49pm:

Hey Shortstraw, The bit about vitamin D3 and Omega-3 fish oil causing bleeds during surgery is an old wives tale...  Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with someone when they have a knife in their hand and they intend to cut you open...

I know nothing about these supplements and bleeding...but a very wise surgeon advised me...upon giving me a dire diagnosis....BEWARE surgeons...we think we can fix everything by cutting.....you are well advised to consider surgery a last resort....by a person you can trust.................

Best

Jon

All points taken

Unfortunately it was one of those situations where the surgery was absolutely necessary but was ultimately unsuccessful as the problem "re-emerged".

I don't want to get into surgeon bashing as at the very least, they have extended my wife's life but I suppose the big warning sign was that we had to sign a disclaimer (which I'm sure are very common ?) that should there be issues with the surgery or if it was unsuccessful, we wouldn't sue the hospital.

We later found out from a nurse that neurosurgeons are amongst the most litigated against of all surgeons at that hospital.

Food for thought

PS - sorry Rumeke for highjacking the thread !

When my vascular surgeon put me on blood thinners for a DVT I specifically asked him about the fish oil that was on my list of meds. He laughed and said keep taking them, they're not going to make your blood any thinner.

When my hubby had knee surgery they told him to stop fish oil a week before but his hematologist contacted the surgeon and told him there was no need to stop and the surgeon changed his mind.

Like Batch said..an old wives tale that has become fact among too many doctors.

Thanks folks,

I'm reassured. My Dad (84) is due for some surgery shortly and I am getting him started on the D3 Regimen in advance of that, but , of course, a doubt about the Fish Oil crept in.

Thanks again all,

Peter.

When I had an angiogram done, I asked the nurse if I should stop taking the baby asprin I take each night.  She said, no, keep taking it, the Doctors like that.

Bob P wrote on Mar 19^th, 2016 at 7:14am:

When I had an angiogram done, I asked the nurse if I should stop taking the baby asprin I take each night.  She said, no, keep taking it, the Doctors like that.

I do not remember that...seems like something that I would remember, if you talked about it.

Hopefully it was an exploratory exercise that turned up nothing nefarious, and symptoms were simply left bundle branch block!   

Geez you have a good memory!  Angiogram showed good blood flow and what they were seeing on the other tests was chalked up to the left bundle branch block.
The new one is senile calcific aortic stenosis.  My aortic valve is starting to calcify.  I guess at 65 y/o I
m about due for a valve job.  I told Sarah, you know you're getting old when you illness starts with the word senile.

Well, the "senile" part is to be expected given your advanced years  ;D  On the other hand, calcification of an aortic valve sounds almost unfriendly. 

Valve job indeed.... Is there a lifetime warranty? Is it prorated?

Hoping all is well with you, Sarah and the girls!