debster913
Well-known member
For those of you who have A-Fib and are on warfarin, I'm sure you can relate to this!
I go to the local "Coumadin Clinic" to have my INR checked about every 3-4 weeks now that my level is well-managed. At 35 years old, I'm usually the youngest patient there.
The other day I went in to have my INR checked. The pharmacist, who isn't very personable, ran through his laundry list of questions that they ask every time I come in, one of which was: "Do you plan on having any dental or surgical procedures any time soon?" I said yes, that I am getting my teeth cleaned in about 3 weeks, and he said, "Fine, you should be OK on the Coumadin then."
Then I said, "But what about the antibiotics I will need to take before my cleaning?"
This is where it gets interesting:
He asked, "Why are you taking antibiotics before you get your teeth cleaned?" Now, let me mention that they have my medical history on the computer, that they know (or should know) that I have A-Fib because of valve surgery, and the rest of my heart-related issues, so I replied, "To prevent bacterial endocarditis."
He said, "Well, the AHA says you don't really need to take antibiotics before procedures anymore; they changed their guidelines." (Yes, as a local AHA volunteer myself, I know this.)
Then I said, "My cardiologist still considers me high-risk, and he still wants me to take the antibiotics."
He gave me a disbelieving look, and said he wasn't convinced that I would need antibiotics--he actually said, "There's nothing here on your chart that indicates that you have had a heart murmur or any heart surgery in the past," (though I told him that anyway, and besides, where do you think the A-Fib comes from?!) and that he would have to call my cardio or his NP to confirm, which he did as I sat there in his office. I actually heard my cardio's nurse say over the phone, "Of course she's had heart surgery to repair her valve!"
Now, I know everyone here has his/her opinions about taking antibiotics before dental procedures, but the real issue I have here is being talked down to like I'm some senile 90-year-old woman who doesn't know her rear end from a dollar bill.
Anyway, I can't do home INR testing because my insurance doesn't cover it, but I guess I just have to deal with the pharmas at the clinic.
I go to the local "Coumadin Clinic" to have my INR checked about every 3-4 weeks now that my level is well-managed. At 35 years old, I'm usually the youngest patient there.
The other day I went in to have my INR checked. The pharmacist, who isn't very personable, ran through his laundry list of questions that they ask every time I come in, one of which was: "Do you plan on having any dental or surgical procedures any time soon?" I said yes, that I am getting my teeth cleaned in about 3 weeks, and he said, "Fine, you should be OK on the Coumadin then."
Then I said, "But what about the antibiotics I will need to take before my cleaning?"
This is where it gets interesting:
He asked, "Why are you taking antibiotics before you get your teeth cleaned?" Now, let me mention that they have my medical history on the computer, that they know (or should know) that I have A-Fib because of valve surgery, and the rest of my heart-related issues, so I replied, "To prevent bacterial endocarditis."
He said, "Well, the AHA says you don't really need to take antibiotics before procedures anymore; they changed their guidelines." (Yes, as a local AHA volunteer myself, I know this.)
Then I said, "My cardiologist still considers me high-risk, and he still wants me to take the antibiotics."
He gave me a disbelieving look, and said he wasn't convinced that I would need antibiotics--he actually said, "There's nothing here on your chart that indicates that you have had a heart murmur or any heart surgery in the past," (though I told him that anyway, and besides, where do you think the A-Fib comes from?!) and that he would have to call my cardio or his NP to confirm, which he did as I sat there in his office. I actually heard my cardio's nurse say over the phone, "Of course she's had heart surgery to repair her valve!"
Now, I know everyone here has his/her opinions about taking antibiotics before dental procedures, but the real issue I have here is being talked down to like I'm some senile 90-year-old woman who doesn't know her rear end from a dollar bill.
Anyway, I can't do home INR testing because my insurance doesn't cover it, but I guess I just have to deal with the pharmas at the clinic.
