Ticlopidine Linked to Serious Disease
Theodore Kircher
I am Type II for over twenty years. 4 or 5 months ago I experienced
two Transitory Ischemic Accidents (TIA's). Symptoms were tingling and
some loss of feeling in my right leg and arm. My HMO (Kaiser) ran me
into emergency and performed a number of tests. Their determination was
a loss of blood circulation to the right lobe of the brain arising from
capillary damage due to diabetes.
The neurologist put me on Ticlid (Ticiopidine) and watched it by
bi-weekly blood tests for three months. With no negative indications I
have been left on this medication.
Today I read an article on the Johns Hopkins Health Information web
site which quoted the April 1st issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine
research article reporting on 60 patients who developed a serious
disease that affects the brain and kidneys. The disease is called
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, for those of you that like
specifics.
While I plan to discuss this article with my doctor next week, I
don't recall reading any posts from DMs who have been identified as at
risk for stroke (now called "brain attacks" by the professionals). I
would like to exchange thoughts about this with anyone so inclined.
TedK
John Huff
Hi Ted --
Several years ago, I complained to my fired internist ( long story ) about
"stumbling," etc. He dx'ed me as having TIAs. In Oct 96, I had a "minor"
stroke ( not hospitalized ), and had prescribed OT, PT and ST. It's
affected my dominate ( left ) side and slurred my speach somwhat.
The CAT scan showed nothing.
In May 97, I had a popliteal pedal bypass graft done, and my right big
toe amputated out of town The local vascular surgeon only would amputate
my leg at mid-calf. 8-( I have used Ticlid since my stroke. The local
radiologist who did my first angiogram told me the peripheral circulation
in my legs was arteriosclerotic from mid-calf in both legs. My out of town
angiogram was used to plan my surgery, wich involved rearranging my
leg / foot arteries so I could have improved circulation down there.
Supposedly, Ticlid may cause other circulation problems within three
months of beginning its use. Didn't have any problems with its use, though.
John Huff, Dayton OH
( type 1, dx @ 18 months, now 61 )
mailto:j...@siscom.net