Heart Stents and Plavix Long Term Use

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted April 12, 2007

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 61

[alert type=”general” accent_color=”” background_color=”” border_size=”1px” icon=”fa-asterisk” box_shadow=”yes” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””]UPDATE: Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is no longer accepting new Plavix cases.
This archived post is for informational purposes.[/alert]

Drug coated heart stents have been linked to an increased risk of serious and potentially fatal blood clots which could develop years after the stent is implanted.  However, there are many individuals who have not experienced a blood clot, heart attack or reclogging of the artery, yet now must remain on Plavix long term after the stent placement.  The Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. heart stent lawyers are reviewing potential legal claims on behalf of individuals who must remain on Plavix indefintely, as well a those who suffered a heart attack or reclogging of the artery.

>>INFORMATION: Heart Stent Lawsuits

The manufacturers of drug coated stents, Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific, previously indicated that it would only be necessary for individuals to remain on Plavix for three to six months following stent placement.  However, they failed to properly research their product or warn about the heart stent problems which could lead to blood clots at the site of the stent months or even years later.  As a result, many doctors are now recommending that patients remain on Plavix for a long time to reduce the risk of injury in the future.

The long term use of Plavix can result in unpleasant side effects for users, as well as an increased risk of other injuries such as excessive bleeding, ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and a rare blood disorder known as TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpora)

>>INFORMATION: Plavix side effects

LAWSUITS FOR HEART STENTS AND PLAVIX

For several months, Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. has been representing individuals who suffered a heart attack or reclogging of the artery after receiving a drug coated stent.  Our lawyers are now also reviewing potential claims for individuals who have not experienced a blood clot, but now must remain on Plavix long term.  To determine if you may have a potential claim, request a stent lawsuit consultation.

61 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Verda Sue Morris says:

    Hi,I’m concern about taking plavix for the rest of my life.I had a heart attack in June 2004.I had to have a stent then it collapsed in Oct.of the same year now they tell me I have to take plavix the rest of my life.I was on here wondering about the long term side effects and seen what was being said about the stents.Should I talk to someone about this?
    Thank You!
    Verda Sue Morris

    Posted on April 13, 2007 at 10:15 pm

  • Phillip Martin says:

    I had the coated stent installed back in November of 2006. I have been on Clopidogrel 75mg (Plavix) ever since along with Coreg. I don’t see coming off either any time soon. I also take Lisinopril everyday for High Blood Pressure. Plus I have to take a 325mg Ecctrin Aspirin. I never thought I would be on these Meds for the rest of my life. I think it is very unfair to install these Stents in folks and not tell them about all the side affects they will suffer. Please keep me informed…..Thank you…Phillip

    Posted on April 14, 2007 at 12:26 pm

  • Gloria J Roach says:

    My Mom has been on Plavix approx 2 years; Recently she had bleeding from her hand after scraping a purple skin which was on her hand. Four days later she started bleeding by her elbow. We were wondering if this has anything to do with her taking these blood thinners as she never had problems before. She also a steath put in her leg after the operation. She is 86 years old. Thank you./

    Posted on April 14, 2007 at 5:25 pm

  • ray gilliss says:

    i am a 55 yo male who had 4 cordis stents put in my heart due to blockages, i then had a double bypass. after about 3 months i had 2 taxus stents in which 21 days later i had a heart attack. the 1 that blocked was in the 1st septum which my doctor told me that he got into alot of trouble for putting the stent there and he said he was sorry. it was a big deal because i had to be flown by helicopter to another hospital and waited until the next morn to get it taken care of. i now haft to take plavix the rest of my life. also i had 2 tia min strokes and have constant chest pain, i am suppose to wear a nitro patch everyday? i was not informed about the prob of these stents causing probs in the futcher. i am scared to death. also blood pressure goes crazy…

    Posted on April 19, 2007 at 11:46 am

  • jennifer peters says:

    My dad had a heart attack on April 22,2007 and he had 2 Cordis stents put in. He has been put on Plavix, Lisinopril, Atenolol, 81 mg. aspirin. I have been reading on all the side effects of Plavix with Aspirin and is it safe to take the two together? I have also researched on the Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific stents that have had lawsuits against them. Are all of the stents that are put in patients hearts this dangerous or is it narrowed down to only these two companies. Are the Cordis stents safe?

    Posted on April 26, 2007 at 7:03 pm

  • Austin Kirk says:

    Jennifer, Cordis is a Johnson & Johnson Company. Originally the Cypher drug eluting stent was developed by Cordis, so it appears that the stent your father had may be a drug eluting stent. You should consult with his doctor to determine if it was a Cypher stent or if it was an older bare metal stent.

    Posted on April 26, 2007 at 8:44 pm

  • gene van way says:

    after a little reserch, i have found that i may have had as many as 7 drug eluding stints put in, had 2 additional heart attacks, and 2 open heart surgerys, getting imformation has been like pulling teeth. med records sent me what they wanted me to have…. i think, i did see in there the words blood clot, cyper drug eluding and restinting…. in my records… im now disabled, and still on plavex….. oh well not much to do now but wait on the next one to come huh?

    Posted on May 4, 2007 at 5:35 am

  • Pierre Bourgon says:

    I had 2 stents put in in 2004 then had to have by-pass in 2005. I was told then that I would be on Plavix for a short time. Now I recently found out that I have to take this drug for the rest of my life. I wish the doctors would have explained my options better and do a triple by-pass when they had me open instead of these stents that appenrently are like a time bomb. Now what do you do?

    Posted on May 21, 2007 at 5:40 pm

  • Paul McDermott says:

    I have had seven heartattacks and four stents put in the past 3 years. I take 14 different perscription drugs including plavix. I feel now like I was a test subject instead of person that is sick. I have to take all these meds the rest of my life, which sounds like that won’t be long because I was led to believe that was the best thing to do. I wished I knew then what I know now. What do I do now , I cross my fingers and hope for the best.

    Posted on July 9, 2007 at 1:59 pm

  • ray gilliss says:

    since posting my last report i had another tia. i had to have a pacemaker inplanted and i have a high ptt levels which mean that my blood to too thick and clotts alot. i never had high ptt levels which they claim is lupus anticologants? i dont understand how i got this. why arent these lawsuits filed infavor of the people who have been hurt by these doc and these stents. i recently had a heart cath at univ of maryland, 1 of the best and asked the doc if he had to put in a stent which kind would it be and he stated bare metal is all they use now…thank god….someone knows something…this is the best news i heard. anyone else having prob with high ptt levels?????

    Posted on July 13, 2007 at 8:42 am

  • goofticket says:

    I had a stress test that discoverd I’d had an earlier heart attack. So they implanted 5 of the Taxus stents. Only to find out two weeks later they had the problems with clots.
    This was 1 year ago, and I am on a 75mg PLavix, a 325mg arpirin and ToprolXL.
    Originally told it would be 6 months, then a year..now indefinetly.
    My cholesterol levels are all in the middle of the normal ranges.
    No high blood pressure.

    My heart treatments are sounding like the repeated, 6 months extentions with the Iraq war!

    I am following the studies and the only side effect, so far, has been a minor case of lichen planus.
    But, the fact I have five of these things, on my decending coronary artery, shows I have more ‘clogged’ spots elsewhere. One doesn’t get a clockage just in one vessel. It’s systemic, so my concern is with drug treatments initiating one of those other locations, having a plaque particle dislodge and go floating off. Only to have me find out I’m getting hit by the bus!

    Posted on September 10, 2007 at 12:14 pm

  • Kay says:

    I had a friend 44yrs old recently die suddenly of a heartattach, He had started taking Lisinopril for his blood presure. How do I find out if this drug may have caused the heart attach. I have read on side effects of Lisinopril and unussaul heart problems was mentioned. If you can help me understand what I need to do to find out more information on this. Thank you

    Posted on October 19, 2007 at 9:52 pm

  • Sara Stone says:

    First of all by pass surgery arteries frequently clog back up within 3 years – then you need another surgery and a by pass is not easy.
    2nd – the reason drug eludiating stents were developed in the first place was because bare metal stents were clogging up!!
    Plus you probably have many, many reduced flow spots all over your body – particularly if you SMOKE and eat HYDROGINATED OIL (barbeque anyone?)!!

    So, the best thing you can do is take your blood thinners, reduce your blood pressure, and get your cholesterol levels down, exercise to build your heart muscle and CHANGE YOUR DIET!
    DEAN ORNISH’s work clearly showed that you can REVERSE plaque buildup within 3-6 months, improving each and every month, by changing just life style habits. A hard one I know. We really need the restaurant industry to HELP US OUT! AND PLEASE TAKE OUT THE SALT AND HYDROGINATED OIL!!

    Why didn’t Larry King or David Letterman choose life style choice instead of by-pass?? I’ll never understand that one – they can afford private chefs!! And apparently it was elective surgery.
    I’ll bet Woody Harrelson doesn’t end up with a by pass or a stent.

    You know what? I hate conspiracy theories! So maybe I’m just naive. I realize we have pollution being dumped into rivers, land and air by corporations who know better. We have greedy loggers and builders taking our agricultural land and the last two remaining lungs of the planet (the Pacific Northwest and the Amazon) apparently just because if they don’t someone else will anyway?? Our own blood bank sat on aids tainted blood for literally weeks or months after they knew – for what reason?? I don’t know, but they caused thousand of hemeophliacs to contract aids.
    Meanwhile our good Christians were thumping their bibles and blasting the homosexual community!

    Tonsillectomies were all the rage apparently at one point and it looks as though gastric stomach binding is the next fad.
    So maybe Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson were/are selling stents in spite of their knowledge that they increased blood clots – but why?? Unless, our laws and the penalties inflicted on companies that DELIBERATELY sell a faulty product are not extreme enough, or it’s so difficult to PROVE that they engaged in deceptive practices – that it’s still to their benefit to keep selling.
    The tobacco industry was and still is marketing to 3rd world nations to feebly try to extend their life – instead of looking for ways to change to another product. And for god’s sake why is our government allowing it?? My question is, how do they live with themselves?? How do they face their children in the morning?? Isn’t that the question? Shouldn’t we be figuring out what it is that causes a logger, doctor, Pharmaceutical Company, manufacturer to keep doing something they know is hurting us All??
    So no, I don’t want to automatically assume Boston Scientific knew this new stent would cause MORE blood clots than bare metal sents. Wouldn’t you assume they were hoping for less?? When they first put these out in the market, they were lucky if they had 6 months of study. So what happens if you keep taking Plavix and aspirin?? Does that reduce the risk? And what difference does it make if you have to keep taking the drugs for the rest of your life?? You’re going to have to keep taking the 3 blood pressure, 2 cholesterol lowering, and 1 aspirin anyway – what’s one more Plavix?? I know the cost is exorbitant, hopefully will come down, but Patient Assistant Programs are available for those that can’t afford them – AND you could always opt for the VERY CHEAP life style changes if you have the motivation, right?

    Plus what are a few lives lost here and there in the interest of science anyway? We don’t mind throwing away our young – naive, brother’s son’s and husband’s lives – not to mention the completely innocent civilians in countries we attack for what purpose?? To churn the economy??
    Plus, you were going to die anyway! Right?? You either had a heart attack or you had arteries that were so blocked you couldn’t walk across the room and were doomed anyway.
    Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but admiration for Ralph Nadar and the thousands, no millions of people around the world working tirelessly as watch dogs to protect us from thief’s in the night, but this is America, no the world and everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Let us put our energy into changing our laws so we hold the individual corporate heads accountable for deception. Let Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson TELL US as soon as they know/suspect that bare metal stents may be better.

    In the meantime, let us be extremely grateful that we have the choice of stents at all. I am so glad I didn’t have to do a by-pass.

    Posted on October 28, 2007 at 6:34 am

  • Brandy says:

    I am so scared. I have a J&J stent and I have been taking Plavix and asprins for over a year. I want to get off of Plavix and Vytorin. I don’t have insurance and I can’t afford them. Plavix company had provided the pills for me for a year and that’s over. The place where the doctor that did my surgery, they have been giving me the sample Vytorin and I would like to stop taking everything and just start eating right and taking care of myself. PS I will still take asprins.

    Posted on January 24, 2008 at 1:14 am

  • Evelyn conner-Gerhardt says:

    In 2004 I had two stents put in my heart for blockage. I was then put on Plavis (75 mg) once a day, Aspirin E.C. (325 mg) once a day, Enalapril (2.5 mg) twice a day, Isosorbide Mononitrate ER (30 mg) once a day; Atenolol (25 mg) once a day, Furosemide (80 mg) once a day; Potassium CL (20 MEQ) once a day, Crestor (10 mg) once a day and Albuterol USP Inhalation, 2 puffs 4 times a day.

    About 3 to 4 weeks after starting these medications, I begin to have severe headaches and for about 3 weeks, 2 to 3 times a week, spartic nose bleeds. However, after this length of time the nose bleeds stopped, but every so often during the week, I have severe headaches. I am also experiecing a lot of chest pains. I am constantly going to heart doctors, but they tell me nothing is wrong, just that my heart is only functioning 40 to 50 per cent of what it should be functioning. I am now experiecing a lot of sweating, expecially during the night hours, even though I have my fan and air-conditioner going at the same time. This is not every night, but at age 59, isn’t this unusual for a 59 year old woman.

    I also am having very severe pain in my lower back; it was then told to me that I now have severe arthritis and according to the x-rays I was just recently given, both my knees has now developed arthritis. I have severe pain when I am walking and when I sit for any lengtn of time, I have difficulty in getting up; the pain is so severe in my knees.

    Posted on February 7, 2008 at 8:41 am

  • terry says:

    i have a chemical stent in 2004 fitted iam on plavix do i have to take asprin as well i have a blood test my plat are ok thank you

    Posted on April 28, 2008 at 12:38 pm

  • Brittany says:

    My Mom is going to be 46 she has had 2 heart attacks since 2003 and eleven Stints. Some Coated and I think 3 not. I have been studing her medcines and learned that PLavixs was Not good for her but no one will listen just 3 weeks ago she Had a Massive heart attack do to a BLOOD CLOT I N ONE OF HER STINTS close to her heart. She Had about 4 different blood clots in her legs just withing the last 3 weeks she has Had so many promblems since being on all these Heart pills Mainly PLavixs!

    Posted on May 8, 2008 at 9:37 pm

  • angelo z says:

    i have been on enteric aspirin since an mi in 93, 99 i had open heart, but in 2006 i had two stents put in due to angina, shortness of breath, etc. at that time i was put on plavix along with my aspirin, and was told i would need to use that forever, which kind of made sense in that if my blood is thinner, it will be able to get through the highway of blood vessels and such alot easier than if it were thick, sort of like traveling on a motorcycle instead of a bus. anyhow, last september i had a defib. put in because of a low injection factor *less than 30* and i am on ss now, i am 54 by the way. i no longer have insurance because of cost, but i am a vet, so my vet doctor informed me that the gov feels plavix is only needed for two years following a stent, and they will not give me that med anymore. i am frankly quite nervous about this action, how could my reg cardiologist have told me one thing, and now these guys *gov* have their own rules. i feel that if this med keeps my blood thin and regulated, taking me off it is going to be a death sentence. i think that not only for stents, but other considerations should be acknowledged before making such a cut and dry ruling.

    Posted on June 8, 2008 at 8:40 am

  • Tom says:

    I just had 2 stents put in due to blockage. My Cardologist insisted I take Plavix. During my short hospital stay, I began some Plavix research to find potential problems. Concerned, and during my check out today, I asked my doctor about what I had read. He became upset and said it infuriates him when a patient brings up what they might have heard on tv or read on the internet. That there is no validity to such misinformation. Said it took him a long time to get where he is and that if I did not take Pavix, I would likely die. Said I would probably only need to take it for about 6 months. Now I am concerned and don’t know what I should do to protect my health and life…..

    Posted on June 10, 2008 at 11:38 am

  • Samantha says:

    For all of you who have the medicated stents: DO NOT ever ever go off of your Plavix AND Aspirin. It is LIFE THREATENING. I am not kidding! My dad (58 years old) had to have a routine outpatient procedure on May 8th, but on May 3rd he had to go off of his Plavix and aspirin (5 days off so no bleeding would occur) The procedure was May 8th and at 2:00 p.m. on May 9th my dad said he didn’t feel well. At 4:45 he Died from a massive heart attack. He too had a medicated stent. Little did we know that he should never have gone off the meds. Trust me it is far better to stay on the meds than to lose your life. My dad left behind all of his family including a disabled wife and an 11 year old daughter not to mention his best friend (9 year old grandson). This must be stopped. Please don’t question the meds, I know that there are risks associated with them but they are easily handled, DO NOT RISK YOUR LIFE.

    Posted on June 20, 2008 at 1:32 am

  • Samantha says:

    By the way the issue, so it seems, is having a medicated stent and also being on a combination of Plavix and aspirin. When the combinantion of these two drugs is removed for ANY time longer than 3 days you are risking your life!! Please take this seriously do not let your Dr’s talk you into going off of this combination of drugs (PLAVIX AND ASPIRIN). My family learned the hard way…don’t make you family learn the hard way too.

    Posted on June 20, 2008 at 1:36 am

  • Bill says:

    Well my first stent was installed on Jan 29th 2008. After 6 or 7 weeks of being on Plavix I lost taste while eating. I contacted my doctor on the issue and was told I could stop taking Plavix after six weeks had past. At eight weeks I could feel slight pressure again in the same place on my chest. I met with my doctor around the 21st of April. By this time the pressure had grown to pain and severe pressure. The 24th of April I had a medicated sent installed inside my first metal stent. The new medicated stent is longer, and bigger. I was told I would have to stay on Plavix for the next year. Around the 15th of July I started having pressue and pain in the same spot again. I met with my doctor on the 29th and was told that only 3 to 5 percent clog using a medicated stent. He told me the medicated stent may have broke and leaked out the medication. I was at the impression that the medication was like an external coating not some kind of medication that could leak out. If it continues to get worst we are going to schedule a third stent. This will be a different type again. Now lets remember, these are all going in the same spot. The first operation I felt mild disconfort. The second operation I begged for something to stop the pain for having to expand the first stent so the new stent could be placed inside it. I have told the doctor that he may need to put me out if I have to feel that pain again. It almost feels like I am being used to test different type stents.

    Posted on August 2, 2008 at 2:33 am

  • Bill says:

    OK here is my update. The 11th of Aug 2008 I had the third stent installed in the same location as the first two. The doctor has stated take he is sure the stent broke at the opening and the scar tissue had 90% clogged the opening. The third stent has been inserted part way into the second medicated stent to over lap the area that may have broken. Glad that I was given twice the medication before the proceedure and another dose halfway to keep me from feeling the pain, or at leasst to keep me from remembering it. I am glad I am at least able to update this posting. I am wondering if the second stent was broken before it was installed since the doctor seemed to be sure that was the issue and confirmed the issue after my third proceedure. If you can’t see it how would he be so sure? Thanks for allowing me to vent.

    Posted on August 13, 2008 at 3:08 pm

  • janie says:

    i just turned 38, and had a stent put in. currently on plavax doctors said for the rest of my life. having nexk,arms, and chest aches.june 8 was when i had my heart attack its been ruff tackling all the problems and emotions. also looking for new cardiologist. i live in texas

    Posted on August 16, 2008 at 4:12 am

  • Patrick says:

    I had a stent installed 6 days ago,after reading all this don’t think I will sleep well tonight.I’m 50 yrs old,lift weights and run 5 days a week and Tae kwoon do 2 days a week.The ER and Cardiologist said I was in perfect shape.I take a supper anti oxidant and a mega dose of omega 3 oils ( not a cheap brand) http://www.n3oceanic.com They told me staying in shape and the omega 3 helped a ton in saving my life.
    ALSO A GOOD IDEA IS TO PUT ASPRIN IN EACH CAR JUST INCASE that helped me also
    Good luck to all of us and please watch your diet and exercise even if just a little they are just as important as the meds

    Posted on August 16, 2008 at 11:30 pm

  • tommy says:

    in 2003 i started having afib a fast beating heart. also learned i needed a stent , and a pace maker . the ep doctor wants me to stay on plavic, cummand , and aspirn.this other doctor wants me to get off plavic & bp med witch is univis . my ep doctor wants me to stay on these blood thinners ,
    dont know what to do . the doctors are in the same offfice, does a lot of people take plavic for over 5 years?

    Posted on August 24, 2008 at 12:53 am

  • helen says:

    I had a drug eluding stent put in May 31/08. Do I have to take aspirin and plavix for the rest of my life? At the time of my surgery I was not told I would have to take these drugs for the rest of my life.

    Posted on September 3, 2008 at 6:36 pm

  • N Junaid says:

    I had my engeoplasty in oct 2007 and one coated stent was installed in my artery. I am taking that Plavix and asprin for a year now. I was told to take Plavix for life. I am fine now and active. Now I am told by my doctor (new) that I will be off on Plavix and will be on Asprin only. He said that after one year only Aspirin. I am little uncomfortable now.

    Posted on October 21, 2008 at 7:35 pm

  • Marie says:

    I had2 coronary stents (not drug eluting) placed in 1998 & 2001.
    I was told I would have to stay on Plavix & Aspirin for 1 year then the
    next thing I knew it was indefinite. It’s been 10 years and I recently had
    a Massive Gastrointestinal Bleed and almost died. I had a large section
    on my colon removed & have an ileostomy. All doctors involved seem to
    agree it was the Plavix that caused this. I still face another surgery in
    a few months. I am now on a 81 mg. aspirin each day. I don’t think anyone should be on the Plavix more than 1 year after a stent. The doctors are too pressured by the drug companies!!!!

    Posted on November 3, 2008 at 10:13 am

  • Kusjaman K says:

    I had 2 stents in my front side heart and 2 years later I had 1 stent in the other side. Right after the 2nd stenting, I requested the Doctter to have my heart scanned. The docter said my first 2 stent found to be very good/clean (all the stent are medicated stents). Until now I have been taking (the doctor’s prescription) PLAVIX more than 5 years. I have bleeding (under the skin) off and on. Once I consulted a doctor in Singapore about my bleeding in my hand, and the answer is “Which one you can accept bleeding in the hand or a stroke”. I got the message, of course a little bit bleeding is better than a stroke.
    Have there been a study about the effect of Plavix to the NORMAL STENT (UN MEDICATED).
    Having read the article about the effect of longterm use of Plavix, are there docters DARE to recommend to use Aspirin and ulcers medicine.
    The Doctors will not have hesitation to prescribe Aspirin plus… to the “NEW COMERS”.
    Death is in Gods’s Hand, but now it seems that I only have to choices : 1. Take the risk changing to aspirin, OR 2. Continue taking Plavix, take the risk of having the side effects of PLAVIX.
    What do I have to do ? By the way I am 73 year old now. Now I have stomach problem

    Posted on November 13, 2008 at 3:33 am

  • T.Johnson says:

    In 1993 I had a heart attack and I had two blockages I received two balloon angioplasties and have taken 325 aspirin since withot any problem. In June 2008 during a routine serie of tests it was determied I upon stress had a heart muscle that dident appear to receive enough blood supply. It was decided I was to have an angiogram and if there was sufficient blockage a stent would be placed. That is what occured I received a Cordis Cypher Serolimus-eluting Coronary stent. Afterwhich I was told I would have to be on Plavix. Simvastatin and others and to continue my aspirin. A few weeks later I was back in the hospital with a “mini-stroke” followup. I am now having muscle pains in my legs and was taken off the Simvastatin for a month then back on. The muscle pai continues. Dr. tells me I will be on Plavix for at least a year ??. Its interesting I was never told prior to the proceedure about the stent hazards and the need for the meds with all the side effects especially when I had had ballons without stents that have remained clear now for 15 years with only aspirin , exercise and diet care . Are there any recent studies on how soon someone in my situation can be taken off of the Pavix etc.???

    Posted on January 12, 2009 at 2:31 pm

  • Tommy says:

    I want to know when the idiots making this dam med. plavix is going to make it affordable for the dam poor people, I have taken this med. for 8 years and am dam tired of paying so much for it, and am not going to anymore, I’ll get it from Canada where you can get 6 months worth for the American price of 1 month,, dam rerdiculous,,, bunch of money hungry as-holes!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted on January 30, 2009 at 6:25 am

  • Susan says:

    I had a silent heart attack-who knows qhen and in 2006 a full blown heart attack. They put in a Taxus Express stent-6 month later I had another stent put in, and as of this last Friday am looking at another one. When I was on Plavix and aspirin-I bruised easily and if I cut myself had a hard time stopping blood flow. I was cutting up chicken for the dog and he jumped on my leg and I missed the chicken and got the top of my hand with the knife–no kidding, my kitchen looked like a mass murder-blood was EVERYWHERE and after 45 minutes and it not stopping- ended up in urgent care for 5 stitches. So off the Plavix and on aspirin-81mg.

    Posted on February 9, 2009 at 4:11 am

  • TAMMY says:

    i AM A 43 YEAR OLD FEMALE I HADE A HEART ATTACK SEPT 8 2008 THEY PUT 4 SENTS IN ME AND I WAS PLACED ON PLAVIX TOLD IT WOULD BE FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW IT HAS CHANGED TO ALL MY LIFE I HAD 2 MORE STENTS PUT IN A MONTH LATER I HAVE CONSTANT CHEST PAIN AND I CAN NOT AFFORD THE PLAVIX

    Posted on April 22, 2009 at 5:16 pm

  • JIM says:

    MY DAD JUST PASSED AWAY AT 84 ON APRIL3 2009.
    IN GOOD HEALTH OTHER THAN THREE HEART ATTACKS AND 4 STENTS SEVERAL YEARS BACK. HE HAD BEEN ON PLAVEX FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
    HE DIED OF A CATASTROPHIC CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE.
    I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A DOCTOR FAMILIAR WITH HIS HEALTH AND BACK GROUND. THE FIRST WORD FROM HIM WAS PLAVAX WAS MOST LIKELY WHAT KILLED HIM.
    CAN THESE BE CONNECTED AND IS IT POSSIBLE.

    Posted on May 7, 2009 at 9:41 am

  • victor says:

    im a heart patient two open heart and eight stents untill i start seeing tv commercials telling me to take plavex or you will die i think i wait for the next wonder drug after all plavex doesn’t if i take it theres no worries!

    Posted on May 18, 2009 at 7:49 am

  • Lewis says:

    I am a heart patient,51years I have15 stents,from 40 to now, I take 325 aspain & plavex so I don’t think any of the drugs .work

    Posted on June 4, 2009 at 7:56 pm

  • Patrick says:

    My heart attack happened 9-10 months ago,Constant headache,muscle aches, joint aches and chest pains(angina) I found an article saying to take Vitamin E, B12, C, Co-Q 10 seems to be working for me I have had no angina for almost 4 weeks.
    Patrick

    Posted on June 18, 2009 at 12:04 am

  • Richard says:

    I have been off Plavix for over four months, but I still bleed under the skin. Every time I mention to my doctor or my cardiologist, I get the run around. I asked for a blood test with a liver function,when I got the results, found I didn’t get the liver function test as requested. My mcv is now 105(high) and my mch is now 36.8 also high. Prior to taking Plavix, these levels were 96 and32.7 respectively. They wanted to put stents in me, but I refused to sign authorization, and checked myself out of the hospital. Their compromise was to put me on Plavix, and now after four months with no Plavix, I am still bleeding under the skin and don’t know if it will ever stop.

    Posted on July 18, 2009 at 8:56 am

  • Ron says:

    This past year I wrote my senator when I learned that the Supreme Court had provided protection from litigation to medical device manufacturers under the guise of FDA Approval. Then they were considering extending that protection to drug manufacturers (I understand that measure was defeated). However, the main complaints I have are still valid as pointed out in my letter to my senator:

    Dear Senator,
    Upon reading the Wall Street Journal Market Place lead article today entitled “In Drug Case, Justices Weigh Right to Sue”, I am concerned. Granted, our overly litigious society creates large settlements for drug and medical equipment producers, which I am sure they claim is a large part of their excessive cost to consumer/insurance companies. (However, I am more prone to believe the high cost is more directly related to excessive advertising.)

    My concern is that if the Supreme Court decides to protect the drug companies from litigation, under the guise of FDA approval, and you can’t sue the FDA – then NO ONE is accountable, except the doctor or nurse that administers the drug or device?

    As in so many areas today, you can see the root problem when you “follow the money!” Drug companies continue to PUSH products through the FDA (then tweak them or sue to keep them from going generic -ie:Plavix). The FDA is under pressure to get the next “wonder drug” to the public, so clinical trials are too short and side affects not even given time to be revealed (ie: Vioxx and drug eluding stents).

    In my case, I have 5 coronary stents, three of which are drug coated. Due to the subsequent determination that the coated stents can cause a fatal clot, I have to take Plavix the rest of my life. This raises several questions in light of what the Supreme Court is considering:

    1. Due to defective performance of Boston Scientific’s Taxus Stent, if I die from a stent clot, my family will not be able to sue Boston Scientific.

    2. Because of Boston Scientific’s and J&J’s competitive rush to market, I have to continue indefinitely paying for PLAVIX, for which the maker has sued to block a generic version.

    3. There are no studies to determine the risk and side affects of long term use of PLAVIX! So now I, along with millions of others, are ginny pigs for an involuntary study – for which the makers of PLAVIX are netting millions of dollars in sales, while they and Boston Scientific will be protected from litigation?

    There is something terribly wrong in all this! I would ask that you look into this for the millions in Ohio and around the country that face the same delema.

    Posted on September 27, 2009 at 1:06 pm

  • alexander says:

    I have had 2 stents in the led arteries 18 months ago and was told I will be on plavix for the rest of my life . Low and behold the cardioligist then took me off plavix two weeks ago said plavex was not nessisary after a year went for a second opnion was told that I must go on it again for good . do these doctors realy know what they are talking about we after all have to put our life in there hands . My chest pain is so bad and they can not find the problem . I am a normaly fit 64 year old

    Posted on September 29, 2009 at 7:04 am

  • DAN says:

    I just had 2 xience V Everolimus Eluting stents put in 1 sept and 1 oct Doc says stay on plavix 1 year than asprin rest of life . I am 45 not sure what to think with all this negative info and some that is good. Iam still not feeling up to par yet having mild chest pain at times. I have changed life style , food, start exercing ,quit smoking . Still have 2 0ther blockages at 50% going to get stents put in nov . DOC did not do those 2 because they were not at 70% ?. But i told doc that i wanted them stented now due to staying on plavix for year . Dont want to be on that stuff any longer than i have too. ANYONE WHO HAS SAME TYPE STENTS STAY IN TOUCH WITH POST AND GOD BLESS

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 7:16 pm

  • Dan S says:

    I am 41 and just had a heart attack. Had 3 stents (2 in one artery, 1 in another) Doc told me normally you stay on Plavix for 3 months, but since I had multiple stents/arteries they may keep me on for 1 year.

    DOC told me stay on Plavix or you will be right back in hopital. My impression is that Plavix is needed until the tissue forms around stent. From there it will be all about lifestyle/diet etc.

    Posted on November 4, 2009 at 2:51 pm

  • Patrick says:

    Dan,
    I have 1 stent and 2 other blockages.13 months old.I have since been told I need a gparphite sleeve around my aortic root Bi pass to get off the meds that are killing me and I need to valves replaced.I have been told I will be on Plavix for life which I hate
    Pat

    Posted on November 5, 2009 at 10:43 pm

  • evelina says:

    I dont know what to belive anymore???? I had a stent put in two years ago and stoped my plavix for 5 days[ no money for meds] I went back to my doc and now he says the same arty is blocked again.

    Posted on January 7, 2010 at 10:30 pm

  • hugh says:

    In November of 2008 i was a perfectly healthy 34 yr old male athlete getting ready to compete when I had a massive heart attack that required a medicated stent and was told to take plavix. After all of the test were done I had no heart damage and was told to go about my life. then one month i couldn’t afford the plavix since I have no insurance and can’t get any now. The next i am back in the er with the same thing inside the stent this time, so they put another stent in the same place and I’m told to take plavix continuously. Since the second attack things are much different, chest pain, trouble sleeping, very low energy levels and muscle spasms so things are just not right. I am greatful they saved my life I just wish I had my life back.

    Posted on February 11, 2010 at 2:14 am

  • ron says:

    i have 1 xience V Everolimus Eluting stent placed in my mrca iam on plavix and alot of other meds with the including asprin.i had three heart attacks.my dad had heart attacks stents place and strokes. he also is was on plavix and other blood thinners and blood preasure meds for very long time they kept him alive for many,many years. so do what you should let the docs know evrything you are doing problems you have and things you feel that are not normal an you shoul live a long life like my dad did .if your doc does not want to listen to you or talk to you about your problems then you need to find another doc that is willing to listen to you .that is a big part of living a long life. good luck to all.

    Posted on March 11, 2010 at 1:15 am

  • Larry says:

    To all the non -believers on this page who think plavix is fine , theres one common ground about taking plavix … YOU BLEED , 2nd common ground you get TTP ( Blood Disorder ), so all you non believers pay good Attention !!! if the drug was so good why are so many ppeople getting sick or at deaths door ?

    Posted on March 30, 2010 at 7:43 pm

  • Nan says:

    Has anyone experienced breathing problems since being put on plavix?

    Posted on May 11, 2010 at 4:33 pm

  • Tami says:

    my husband had the cordis chypher drug alluting stent placed in 2004. they put him on plavix than in 2005 they took him off the plavix… 2 weeks ago he had a heart attack do to a blood clot in the stent in other words the stent failed. he now has damage to his heart he flat lined on the table. and now his heart is only pumping at 40%.. they ballooned open the stent to do bypass surgery, but than they tell him now they are not doing the bypass but they need to replace the stent because they prepared it for the bypass. has to wait till july 9 for a chemical stress test . than another 3 months before they replace the stent. he is back on plavix and now takes coreg and we wait and pray.

    Posted on June 28, 2010 at 9:48 am

  • virginia says:

    i take 325mg aspirin aday, 75mg plavix aday, nitro path patch 12 hrs. aday, diltiazem cd 180 mg,lisninopril 2.5mg, simvastatin 80mg aday & ialso use nitrolingual pumpspray as need. i had a bare metal stent put in on 1/10 . i was never told that a stent could could cause so much, & iwas never told that i could never have it remove, without causing serious problems. i bleed real easy, if i bump myself i turn blue.i have constant chest pain & breathing problems. i would be better off if i had had the surgery. i felt better befor i had the stents put in. [i am scraed as hell]

    Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:21 pm

  • virginia says:

    i know that i have been on this site before about the same thing, but there is a lot of peoples out there who is suffering from the same side effects but won’t speak out . allergies [itching, chest pain,breathing problems,bleeding easy & just a small bump turn blue. some times when i blow my nose it bleed .

    Posted on September 28, 2010 at 1:10 pm

  • Martha says:

    I have been having anxiety and depression, I have been on Plavix since July 2nd.
    I had two stents put in then..
    I haven’t felt like myself.
    I want to come off Plavix to see if its causing these feelings.
    Going to doctor tomorrow to see if i can.
    My artery was only 75% blocked, no heart attack.
    No heart damage
    .It was a medicated stent.

    Posted on October 19, 2010 at 8:06 pm

  • Richard says:

    I wish I had read these post before the medicated stint was placed in my heart. Cardiologist told me I had enlarged heart and high blood pressure and having a heart attack was certain if not dated. Now I too have low grade pain on the left side of my heart which increases when my blood pressure drops, which has occurred at least once a week since the stint placement. Never knew anything could make a person feel so useless.

    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:07 am

  • davinder says:

    My heart attack happened on 30 july 2005 and put the medicated stint what is life of the stint

    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 3:43 am

  • abbas says:

    I had a mild attack on 2007 and had 5 coated stents implanted, and I was alergic to lipitor but I was on Plavix and 81 mg aspirin every day. Unfortunately the pain came back three years later and I end up having another 3 implants even some were sandwich meaning they were implanted in the old stents.. at this time I have 9 stents and I am taking 100 mg semivestatin and have been on Plavix almost 5 years. In the morning when I am sleeping I feel like I have flu and I am all sweating all night and I feel I don’t get circulation ? I have no high blood pressure, I am 51 years old.

    Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:59 am

  • tom says:

    double bypass approx. Jan., 2002. Bypasses fully occluded by Feb, 2006. 2 cypher DES stents placed and one driver stent on 2/28/06. I take 75 mg plavix 81 mg aspirin, 25mg metoprolol, 5 mg lisinopril, 40mg lovastatin, and 10mg zetia. Bleed rather easily. I am concerned about taking plavix indefinitely. Did not learn about need to take it for such an extended period until after they were placed.

    Posted on August 2, 2012 at 11:29 am

  • Bob says:

    In July 2013 had a heart Catherization, After waking they informed me they inplanted three stents in two arterys that had blockages,No Risk Factors were discussed before, was also put on several medications,on the 6th day while waiting in Primary Dr office for follow up, Went in to a Heart attack, was Rushed to Closes Hostipal,Where they Did a EM Catherization,and removed The RAC Stent, and the heart Attack left ,they replaced it, Dr informed me,The stent had a blockage,The next Day They Did another Catherization to Check to make sure there wasn’t any other Blockages .After three Heart Catherizations,and Heart Attack, and Many Medications,Still Feel Exhausted,and have many side affects.I am not sure about the long term Of These Stents…………………………………………………….

    Posted on August 19, 2013 at 7:45 am

  • charlotte says:

    i had three stents put in 2007 in2013 they put in two more and fixed one the said was bent,i also have a hard time breathing
    my legs and the center of my back,i went off the plavix for a year
    thats when i had the last set of stents my brother got 4 stents one year after i did he went off his a few mts after i did my brother died of a massive heart attack march of this year

    Posted on July 16, 2014 at 5:07 am

  • Michael says:

    I have a feeling my doctor did not put stent in my heart,and just charged the insurance company!!??(after the fact i went to my regular doctor and i had an xray done from my chest but my regular doctor could not see the stent) and further more my operation was unusually very fast and when i was between sleep and a wake i saw him pinching me on my lower abdomen with his two finger,leaving a blue mark on the area for a week.
    now i can not find lawyer to look for this matter,and should i don’t know should i continue take the plavix with all the bad side effect it has???

    Posted on December 1, 2014 at 6:51 pm

  • Linda says:

    I had a ninety percent blockage, so I had to stents placed in Nov 20,2015. However, three months after I had an echocardiogram which a lot of blood was coming from where they placed the stent. Six months later I’m still bleeding from where they placed the stents, so he say now let’s see how it looks in August. I’m wondering if the doctor damanaged tissue or done something wrong cause I wasn’t bleeding until he did the procedure.

    Posted on June 16, 2016 at 9:20 am

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