Anticoagulant

I had HELP apheresis, hyperbaric oxygen and blood thinners to address microclots. Probably all helped to some extent but I think probably the blood thinners most, given that the patient got a significant step-wise improvement with each titration up in dose.

The patient took clopidogrel and apixaban (was recommended aspirin too to make it ‘triple therapy’ but can’t tolerate aspirin). Obviously these meds aren’t without risk and need an experienced doctor to prescribe.

Over a few months, these meds got the patient from mainly sofa bound to walking 3 km a day, and improved severe brain fog to more of a moderate cognitive fatigue. Unfortunately after a few months the patient relapsed and we now think that there’s something very inflammatory and/or autoimmune going on - but other people have maintained their progress from blood thinners, especially if they’re treated earlier in illness.

‘Triple Therapy’ and ‘Professor Resia Pretorius’ are good search terms if you want to google more about the science! 😊

I started trying platelet aggregation inhibitors (aspirin) due to chronic cardiac pain in 10/23 (no cardiac deficiency found). I must say it has helped with pain a lot and somehow was matching those microclot theories that were published. I am however unsure… Is there anyone who has also tried this? What are your experiences?

Dr. Alec Schmaier, a cardiology and vascular specialist, discusses the potential role of anticoagulants in treating Long Covid. He explains that microscopic blood clots, which are too small to detect with standard imaging techniques, might contribute to Long Covid symptoms. These clots could impair gas exchange in the lungs and cause exercise intolerance and fatigue, similar to pulmonary hypertension. While anticoagulants are used in pulmonary hypertension, their effectiveness in Long Covid remains uncertain due to limited research and challenges in detecting endothelial damage. Dr. Schmaier emphasizes the need for further studies and better diagnostic tools to address clotting issues in Long Covid.

Dr. Asad Khan discusses the use of Triple Anticoagulant Therapy (TAT) for Long Covid, emphasizing its role in addressing microclots and overactive platelets. He highlights that combining three drugs—aspirin, clopidogrel, and an anticoagulant like heparin or apixaban—has shown significant benefits. This combination reduces the need for multiple cycles of apheresis, a blood filtration process. Dr. Khan also notes that while the treatment is intense, it has been effective in improving symptoms for many patients, though further research is needed.

This paper explored the role of blood clotting (thrombosis) in long COVID and how early use of anticoagulants might help. It reviewed evidence on how damage to blood vessels and chronic inflammation contribute to complications in long COVID.

The study found that long COVID is closely linked to blood clotting issues, which worsen inflammation and organ damage. Early use of anticoagulants was shown to potentially reduce these complications and improve patients' quality of life.

For people with long COVID, this research suggests that anticoagulants might help prevent worsening symptoms related to blood clots and inflammation. It highlights the importance of addressing vascular health early in the treatment process.

The paper is a literature review published in a reputable journal, 'Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology,' which specializes in infectious diseases. While it provides valuable insights, it relies on existing studies rather than new experimental data.

This study examined the long-term effects of different anticoagulant treatments, specifically Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), on patients who had COVID-19. Researchers tracked 157 patients over two years to evaluate changes in anticoagulant prescriptions and their impact on health outcomes.

The study found a significant shift from VKA to DOACs, particularly among high-risk patients, with a 10.2% increase in DOAC recommendations. Despite this, there was a rise in health issues such as joint diseases (14%), cardiomyopathies (3.9%), and psychoanxiety disorders (39.5%), suggesting persistent complications from long COVID.

For individuals dealing with long COVID, this study highlights the importance of tailored anticoagulant treatments, as complications like inflammation and mental health issues may persist. It suggests that while DOACs are increasingly preferred, they may not fully address all long-term health risks associated with the condition.

The study is moderately reliable as it is a clinical study published in a reputable journal, 'In vivo (Athens, Greece).' However, the sample size of 157 patients is relatively small, and further research is needed to confirm these findings across larger populations.