Posted 2/2/2016 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes, I would be nervous to take Plavix. Have you tried posting this in the ulcerative colitis forum? Have you had a detailed conversation with your Dr. about this to address your concerns? I have UC and I am also a cardiac ICU RN, and I honestly don't even know how safe this is (or isn't). I understand the reasoning behind avoiding ASA because that can exacerbate and weaken the lining of the GI tract. I think that Plavix is really only dangerous for us if we are CURRENTLY flaring. If you aren't currently bleeding or flaring, Plavix won't MAKE you bleed. It just prevents platelets from sticking together, so it makes it hard to STOP a bleed.
Plavix would be very helpful in your situation, because if an area of plaque ruptures in your coronary arteries, platelets would be the first things to start sticking to that lesion and that is often what will cause the blockage and possibly a heart attack.
To answer some of your questions:
1. There is no home test you can do to check the amount of thinning of your blood.
2. You will have to ask your Dr. about this. I don't think anyone on this forum should be telling you to start or stop any of your medications. Does your doctor know about all the supplements you are taking? It is very important for you to communicate with him.
3. Did the same Dr. prescribe you sotolal and Plavix? If it is the same Dr., then they must have approved these two medications together. If it's not the same Dr., do the two Drs. who have prescribed you the medications know about all the other medications that you are taking and prescribed as well? If they did know, then again, I would say that they must approve of this combination. If they didn't know...you need to tell them.
4. It is absolutely possible to reduce cholesterol with diet and exercise. That has been proven in scientific studies, however, it is a VERY slow process. You should be taking your prescribed medications AS WELL as diet and exercise. To reduce cholesterol build up, you will have to focus on cardio work outs, avoid animals fats and other saturated fats (to prevent further cholesterol build up) and cook with oils containing good fats (mono and poly UNsaturated fats) to build up your good cholesterol (HDL). Good cholesterol removes bad cholesterol out of the blood stream.
Overall, I think that you really need to be asking your Dr. these questions. Some of these decisions that you want to be making over an internet forum can really affect your health in the future and in serious ways. Communicate with your Dr., bring up your concerns, get your questions answered.
Good luck to you.