Dog walking is dangerous!

Re Rivoraxaban, when I had a superficial clot over the summer, I was told they wouldn’t give me Rivoraxaban again as there have been advancements since my accident. I’d be querying if there’s anything less fierce available.
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
When I was talking to the consultant in the local hospital, he was talking about bone fragments, which made me think they were going to have to take some chips out but no; he meant that there were several pieces that could be held in place with the fixation.
After the 2nd operation, the Leeds consultant told me that the x-ray was 'beautiful', so I assume everything is where it is meant to be. I didn't see an x-ray though. The length of time is standard, I believe. The decision will be made at the end of Feb, whether I need an extended time in the frame or not, which I assume depends on how the bone is healing.

I am onto the next problem now, tbh. I have just been reading the bumf that comes with the blood thinner that I have been prescribed as the hospital picked up that I have atrial fibrillation, which obviously developed some time in the last 5 years, since I had my MOT at GP surgery. GP says it might be as a result of the 1st op.
I am taking riveroxaban and it suggests not taking part in contact sports, such as rugby, 'or horse-riding'. My cob is sensible but green. If I had still had the Draft mare I wouldn't have cared because she was super-safe, now I am not sure what to do. Not that it is relevant now.

The infection seems to be responding to the latest a-bs but the course finishes tomorrow and I'm not sure that it will have been long enough.
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I think all blood thinners come with warnings not to do contact sports or fall off horses, PaS. My OH is on the simplest there is, warfarin, because its all he can have with a mechanical heart valve, and that gives the same advice. It's the danger of a bleed with thin blood, not the medication itself.

I'm sorry this is such a marathon. It must make you very despondent at times. I'm with CT, February before it's even loosened ? ?
 
Oh that's a pain they've found AF. Have they mentioned trying a cardioversion once you are well. A friend had really bad stomach ulcers combined with food poisoning, was found to be in AF when all this happened and they think the illness put him into AF, they cleared the ulcers then did the cardioversion and it worked and he has been in a normal rhythm ever since.
 
wren123 said:
Oh that's a pain they've found AF. Have they mentioned trying a cardioversion once you are well. A friend had really bad stomach ulcers combined with food poisoning, was found to be in AF when all this happened and they think the illness put him into AF, they cleared the ulcers then did the cardioversion and it worked and he has been in a normal rhythm ever since.
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No they haven't but having researched the condition a bit, I am going to talk to my GP about alternative treatments. I need to get the infection sorted out first, of course, and there is no rush to do anything else before February but then I need to deal with the AF. GP did say that the 1st op could have caused the AF.

I have been riding for well over 50 years and we keep the horses at home. I do not want to stop riding - it is part of who I am and I will most likely retire completely at the end of March, when my contract with LA ends, so I shall want to spend time next summer on a horse.

I understand that when the statisticians work out the danger of horse-riding, they look at all forms, including NH racing, eventing, hunting etc and all I want to do these days is hack around the local area on a sensible, reasonably unflappable cob but I do not want to have in the back of my mind 'I must not fall off', that would make me tense enough to upset the horse.

Thanks for the suggestion, W123
 
MrsMozartletoe said:
If you're still looking for footwear, these have been recommended by people on a hip replacement group I'm on:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CGJ2...CjT--ac-idf6ja9_6sfGgW665MhKCANA9NHUn6qxIacHY
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Thanks MrsM, I am indeed still looking for footwear, as the swelling goes up/down different things fit better/worse, complicated by the fact that the infected pinsite is the lowest one and the exudate has burned the skin. I did say to sister sometime ago, if this was one of the animals we would be putting a barrier cream on the skin to stop burning. Currently I am using 'SkinFix' baby eczema ointment but it is made in Canada and neither Boots nor Amazon can get it atm (Brexit?). I have it shielded by a piece of the Allevyn dressing that I was given for the pinsites but I must admit to being sick of the whole thing just now. I am cooking some porkpies and just moving between the kitchen and the sitting room is awkward to say the least.

I shall pass the recommendation to my friend who is waiting for a hip replacement, too.
 
Will you have to be on the blood thinners long term? If the scarring from the surgery hasn't quite healed yet it can be a bit risky to be on blood thinners at the same time. Sorry if you've already mentioned it. I was hoping you'd be in a better position by now.
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
No they haven't but having researched the condition a bit, I am going to talk to my GP about alternative treatments. I need to get the infection sorted out first, of course, and there is no rush to do anything else before February but then I need to deal with the AF. GP did say that the 1st op could have caused the AF.

I have been riding for well over 50 years and we keep the horses at home. I do not want to stop riding - it is part of who I am and I will most likely retire completely at the end of March, when my contract with LA ends, so I shall want to spend time next summer on a horse.

I understand that when the statisticians work out the danger of horse-riding, they look at all forms, including NH racing, eventing, hunting etc and all I want to do these days is hack around the local area on a sensible, reasonably unflappable cob but I do not want to have in the back of my mind 'I must not fall off', that would make me tense enough to upset the horse.

Thanks for the suggestion, W123
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Obviously you're not going to be riding at the moment but once your leg mends they may put you on one more suitable. My mum was on apixiban, her gp had to fight to get it as it is expensive but he argued that as mum was frail it was safer the warfarin if she fell and hit her head, he said there was less chance of a bleed. If you speak to a cardiologist they can tell you the risks, I'm sure people do ride taking them.
With regard to the cardioversion my friend was told have it done ASAP after his ulcers healed as the longer your heart is in AF the less likely it is is to go back and stay in the correct rhythm with cardioversion.
 
SAujla said:
Will you have to be on the blood thinners long term? If the scarring from the surgery hasn't quite healed yet it can be a bit risky to be on blood thinners at the same time. Sorry if you've already mentioned it. I was hoping you'd be in a better position by now.
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It looks as if I will need to be on the blood thinners long term. GP did another ECG a couple of weeks ago and the AF was still there, he said it sometimes resolves spontaneously but seemed to think that it would have done so, if it was going to. It is rather odd as, the pinsites are open wounds which will be there until March, so far as I can tell. However I am pleased to be able to report that they are not bleeding in general.

I must admit that when the consultant told me that the frame was the best option, he did NOT make it clear what a bloody nuisance the whole thing would be. He was very keen to tell me that I would be mobile - and indeed I am in a limited way but if my foot was more comfortable, when I stand on it, I would be able to do a lot more. If the Frame Nurse was more use, she might have some good ideas.
 
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Pearlsacarolsinger said:
It looks as if I will need to be on the blood thinners long term. GP did another ECG a couple of weeks ago and the AF was still there, he said it sometimes resolves spontaneously but seemed to think that it would have done so, if it was going to. It is rather odd as, the pinsites are open wounds which will be there until March, so far as I can tell. However I am pleased to be able to report that they are not bleeding in general.

I must admit that when the consultant told me that the frame was the best option, he did NOT make it clear what a bloody nuisance the whole thing would be. He was very keen to tell me that I would be mobile - and indeed I am in a limited way but if my foot was more comfortable, when I stand on it, I would be able to do a lot more. If the Frame Nurse was more use, she might have some good ideas.
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I know you have to be on the blood thinners but with open wounds I hope they are reviewing it all regularly, just feels a dangerous combination. Disappointing that your frame nurse isn't much use, you'd think she would have some decent ideas as it's her job. You've had some great advice and help on here which is a bonus. I still find it incredible how calm you are through all this
 
When the cardiologist prescribed Edoxaban I asked if there were some things I should not do. He just told me to carry on as usual and I am stll riding. A few months ago I had to have a molar extracted and my dentist told me I did not need to stop the Edoxaban, sure enough there was no prolonged bleeding from the extraction. The only time I noticed a difference was when I cut a finger with a knife and I had to apply pressure for a longer time than normal for the bleeding to stop. I think there must be a difference between the risk levels of the various new anti-coagulants. There may be a reason why you have been prescribed this particular one though and it may be worth quizzing the cardiologist about this. My AF happens several times a day for a short time only usually, it does sound as if yours is continuous at the moment?
 
planete said:
When the cardiologist prescribed Edoxaban I asked if there were some things I should not do. He just told me to carry on as usual and I am stll riding. A few months ago I had to have a molar extracted and my dentist told me I did not need to stop the Edoxaban, sure enough there was no prolonged bleeding from the extraction. The only time I noticed a difference was when I cut a finger with a knife and I had to apply pressure for a longer time than normal for the bleeding to stop. I think there must be a difference between the risk levels of the various new anti-coagulants. There may be a reason why you have been prescribed this particular one though and it may be worth quizzing the cardiologist about this. My AF happens several times a day for a short time only usually, it does sound as if yours is continuous at the moment?
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Cardiologist? I haven't seen one!

I have to ring the GP surgery in about a week's time to find out the results of the Bone Density Scan that I had recently. I shall ask to speak to the dr who prescribed the rivaroxaban. I must admit that the whole issue is complicated by my maize allergy and he did make sure that these tablets don't contain maize/derivatives.
However I have been doing some of my own research and have found that this is not the only one that I could take. I need to discuss the riding and risks and alternative treatments. Of course the whole thing is complicated by Covid, as I haven't actually seen a dr since I left hospital, although I did go to the surgery for an ECG.

I am pleased to be able to report that I don't seem to be experiencing the most common side-effects, like bleeding gums.
 
PaS you are probably also in need of anticoagulant due to the high DVT risk following orthopaedic surgery. You cannot wear a compression stocking on this leg as you would post hip replacement etc obviously. Swelling, surgery and immobility all raise the DVT risk so you probably need something for both the AF and the DVT risk. Once you are healed and mobile again then things will be very different and options will change for you. It is not dangerous to have open wounds (pinsites) and to be on the anticoagulants.
Warfarin is traditional and effective but it interacts with lots of things including antibiotics and alcohol! It needs monitoring regularly and adjustment from time to time. The upside is it is swiftly reversable so if you bang you head and have a bleed it can be stopped and drugs given to reverse the blood thinning. The modern versions like apixaban rivaroxyban etc are irreversable but a standard dose can be given without monitoring and many patients prefer it. The danger is that it is not easily reversed so any haemorrhage can be more difficult to treat.
All of this is for you and your doctor to chat over in the future - for now it is keeping you safe. x
 
misst said:
PaS you are probably also in need of anticoagulant due to the high DVT risk following orthopaedic surgery. You cannot wear a compression stocking on this leg as you would post hip replacement etc obviously. Swelling, surgery and immobility all raise the DVT risk so you probably need something for both the AF and the DVT risk. Once you are healed and mobile again then things will be very different and options will change for you. It is not dangerous to have open wounds (pinsites) and to be on the anticoagulants.
Warfarin is traditional and effective but it interacts with lots of things including antibiotics and alcohol! It needs monitoring regularly and adjustment from time to time. The upside is it is swiftly reversable so if you bang you head and have a bleed it can be stopped and drugs given to reverse the blood thinning. The modern versions like apixaban rivaroxyban etc are irreversable but a standard dose can be given without monitoring and many patients prefer it. The danger is that it is not easily reversed so any haemorrhage can be more difficult to treat.
All of this is for you and your doctor to chat over in the future - for now it is keeping you safe. x
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Thank you for that very helpful information.
 
misst said:
Warfarin is traditional and effective but it interacts with lots of things including antibiotics and alcohol!
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And exercise and Brussels sprouts and .... my OH gets very fed up with it!



PaS your stoicism is amazing, do you scream the house down when you're alone? I really feel for a fellow rider who is out of action for months. I can hear your longing to be back on board in your planning for next year.
 
ycbm said:
And exercise and Brussels sprouts and .... my OH gets very fed up with it!



PaS your stoicism is amazing, do you scream the house down when you're alone? I really feel for a fellow rider who is out of action for months. I can hear your longing to be back on board in your planning for next year.
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No, I'm not a screamer. Not that I spend much time alone, apart from anything else the dogs are always here.
 
Oh my goodness, I haven't checked in on this thread (or you) for a while and I'm so sorry to hear you're having all these issues! I didn't realise quite how long the frame would be on your leg for. Wowzers. Glad you've got lots of support from your sister; it must be a terribly frustrating experience though, relying on someone else and not having your freedom. Your positivity and unflappability is inspiring - I'm prone to despair when in this sort of situation! February will be here before we know it PaS, and with it a brighter outlook I'm sure. I just hope they listen to you and you're able to keep on top of any infection. You shouldn't have to nag, but I find that almost always, I need to, when interacting with the health service.
Best wishes and healing vibes.
 
ponyparty said:
Oh my goodness, I haven't checked in on this thread (or you) for a while and I'm so sorry to hear you're having all these issues! I didn't realise quite how long the frame would be on your leg for. Wowzers. Glad you've got lots of support from your sister; it must be a terribly frustrating experience though, relying on someone else and not having your freedom. Your positivity and unflappability is inspiring - I'm prone to despair when in this sort of situation! February will be here before we know it PaS, and with it a brighter outlook I'm sure. I just hope they listen to you and you're able to keep on top of any infection. You shouldn't have to nag, but I find that almost always, I need to, when interacting with the health service.
Best wishes and healing vibes.
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Thank you!
I am an enthusiastic supporter of the NHS but I had to email the practice manager last week because someone handed my sister the 'wrong' swab and then couldn't send it off until Monday. We got that sorted, including a very apologetic phonecall from the Practice Manager.
Now I am planning my next email to her. I needed a further prescription of antibiotics on Friday, sister picked them up after work and I immediately started taking them to get 3 in on Friday. I did notice that although the name is the same, they are not exactly the same as the previous course.
Today I have read the list of ingredients and have found that they contain maize (or something else that I should not eat) starch. I wondered why my ears were so itchy today. I am going to ask that my allergies are flagged up at the fron/top of my notes. I know they are listed within the body of the notes from the time 20 yrs ago when I had the tests but I don't think it's reasonable to expect busy professionals to trawl through notes on the off chance that a patient might be allergic. I do wonder though why I wasn't prescribed exactly the same tablets the 2nd time around - cost, I suppose.
 
Keep telling everyone about the allergies. My mil was allergic to penicillin and had this in red across her notes yet was still given some in hospital.
 
ChristmasCinnamonCookie said:
Keep telling everyone about the allergies. My mil was allergic to penicillin and had this in red across her notes yet was still given some in hospital.
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Yes, I will do.

On a previous occasion when I was in hospital (other leg broken) the person in the next bed to me was horribly sick after her op. The ward sister was supporting her to make an official complaint as she had a wristband that said that she was allergic to morphine but they had given her some!
 
God that's worrying. I do appreciate they can't be expected to go through pages of notes but there should just be a tick box "does this patient have allergies" and it should flag it up....

Slightly unrelated but my little boy has a dairy allergy; twice now we've been to our local pub, ordered him something dairy free, and had to leave because he's come up in allergic reaction - one really bad one, made him very poorly indeed. Such a shame, the food's amazing but we simply can't risk taking him back there again.
 
I have a list of places where I can safely eat locally, or I did have before Covid struck. I'm afraid that I have stopped giving the benefit of the doubt, so the cafe (they think they're a bit higher class than that but still) where they brought a salad with onions, which I am allergic to, took it away and brought it back with a bit of onion still hiding amongst the leaves, is definitely off the list. Even though their outside seats overlooking the river are lovely and peaceful.
 
I am disappointed now :(

I ordered a pair of the slippers that MrsM linked to. They arrived this morning, while I was still upstairs. I went to make my breakfast and sat down, all excited to try on the new *comfortable* slippers.
:(:(:( I can't get my swollen foot in them, despite having ordered 2 sizes up for the swelling. We need a tearful emoji (I have one on the phone).

I will have to stick (Ha! Ha!) to slippers with velcro fastening for now. I definitely need some new footwear though, as I spend a bit longer on my feet yesterday and I didn't half know about it when I sat down to put my foot up. I think memory foam is the way to go.
 
Oh how annoying! :(
We had to get some comfy adjustable shoes for my gran when her foot ballooned due to an infection. We used this site: https://www.hotter.com/gb/en/womens-slippers
They have lots of velcro/adjustable ones (I've sent the link for the slippers page but there are shoes too). They're not high fashion but you need comfort right now, not a fashion statement! Hope you find something suitable.
 
ponyparty said:
Oh how annoying! :(
We had to get some comfy adjustable shoes for my gran when her foot ballooned due to an infection. We used this site: https://www.hotter.com/gb/en/womens-slippers
They have lots of velcro/adjustable ones (I've sent the link for the slippers page but there are shoes too). They're not high fashion but you need comfort right now, not a fashion statement! Hope you find something suitable.
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Thank you! You are absolutely right, I am looking for comfort over style currently. Which, I must say is most unusual for me.:oops:
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
I am disappointed now :(

I ordered a pair of the slippers that MrsM linked to. They arrived this morning, while I was still upstairs. I went to make my breakfast and sat down, all excited to try on the new *comfortable* slippers.
:(:(:( I can't get my swollen foot in them, despite having ordered 2 sizes up for the swelling. We need a tearful emoji (I have one on the phone).

I will have to stick (Ha! Ha!) to slippers with velcro fastening for now. I definitely need some new footwear though, as I spend a bit longer on my feet yesterday and I didn't half know about it when I sat down to put my foot up. I think memory foam is the way to go.
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Aw, that's a bobber with bells on :( :(

I'm wondering if someone handy with a needle could customize them...
 
MrsMozartletoe said:
Aw, that's a bobber with bells on :(:(

I'm wondering if someone handy with a needle could customize them...
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Not so much a needle that is needed as a pair of scissors. :) There just isn't enough 'give' to get my swollen foot in. They do come quite high up the foot as well, I think even if I could get them on, they would interfere with the lowest pins, tbh. Not to worry, that gave me an incentive to look for some more suitable footwear and also to put a pair of insoles into the slippers that I am wearing currently - and that has made a lot of difference to the comfort quotient.o_O I should have done that a while ago.
 
Latest update:

I have just spent the last 5 hours in bed with horrendous indigestion/nausea/constipation (sorry if that's tmi). I think it must have been a side effect of the rivaroxaban.
There are so many other meds that I can't take that I opted for a tsp of bicarb in a mug of water to try to ease the pain and I am delighted to be able to report that it worked.
Very reminiscent of the Draft mare who slid down the stable wall groaning when she had colic (yes I did groan). She was fine by the time the emergency vet got here.
We had discussed how long to wait before calling 111 for advice in case it was something more serious and I just scraped into the time limit by about 10 mins.
Thank goodness, its windy and wet here, I really didn't fancy having to go to see a dr.

And the shoes I ordered from Hotter fit well, not too near the pins and very adjustable.
 
I'm still of the opinion that when you have metal rods/pins sticking out of your skin to keep some of your bones in place, you have the right to share basically any bodily related info you like. I presume that those inclined to be too squeamish, fled this thread as soon as they read about the rods/pins protruding your skin.

Maybe today's problem is mainly the medication's fault, but I presume that you're currently spending most of your days being quite immobile, and lack of movement can also affect the intestines negatively. Whatever the cause, and solution, is, I'm glad you didn't need to go to hospital to fix the problem.

Also glad to hear you've gotten some shoes which fits well.
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
Thank you! You are absolutely right, I am looking for comfort over style currently. Which, I must say is most unusual for me.:oops:
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Oh my days..I am so sorry you have gone thru all this..missed the thread till today and its lile a horror film.what size shoes do you think you need? if I can help with a pair of Hotter I will.My Mum bought them but didn't fit her.i can always measure and send pics...and sprinkle with glitter so you can feel like Cinderella to distract from your rubbish year. Get better
 
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