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Rare serious side effect of Eliquis: Muscle weakness

Posted by cmauncc1 @cmauncc1, Dec 27, 2021

In late July 2017 I was admitted for very high heart rate and Afib. Had been, and still am, on minimal meds. Hospitalist put me on Eliquis, 5mg 2X/day.

Within a month my leg muscles were weakening to the point where I could no longer play Pickleball or walk golf. Within a few weeks my Cardiologist did an ablation and inserted a loop recorder. For the next 2-1/2 years the loop recorder saw MINIMAL Afib, under 0.5%; the ablation did its job.

By November 2017 I needed a walker. By December 2017 I needed to be wheelchair pushed through an Ice Sculpture display as there was no way I could walk the 25-30 minutes of the exhibit.

When I finally got to see a Neurologist at Shands (Univ of FL, Gainesville) in July 2018, he ran an extensive battery of blood work tests but could find nothing to explain the muscle weakness.

Has anyone else encountered similar muscle effects following being prescribed Eliquis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

strengthaxle66 | @strengthaxle66 | Jun 5 4:07pm
In reply to @chalkburger "My wife has gone throuh something very similar to what you went through. Last year 2023..." + (show)
@chalkburger

My wife has gone throuh something very similar to what you went through.

Last year 2023 my wife was prescibe to E;liquis . Within a few months my wife became weaker and weaker util she could not support her weght. We check her into the hostpital to see what was wrong. Wile she was in the hospital they gave her shots in her spine to find out what was wrong and the day she was released with no explination. No she is permantly stuk in a weelchair. She is 47 years old.

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Sorry to hear about another victim of eliquis, and the hospitals. I believe what happened is the eliquis wiped out the vitamin d in her tissues, this will not show up in blood test, but check blood levels anyway(vitamin d). Statins do the same thing to many, chemo also, could be she was low to begin with. This happened to me! I got a book by Jeff Bowles and got better, slowly over months, I barely escaped a wheelchair and returned to work 4 months later. Worth a try, I'm not a doctor so I won't lie about eliquis.

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1 reply
strengthaxle66 | @strengthaxle66 | Jun 5 4:13pm
In reply to @kander007 "I started this one week ago and my muscles started in my legs, getting weaker and..." + (show)
@kander007

I started this one week ago and my muscles started in my legs, getting weaker and weaker now moving to my arms and hands. I thought it was just me but now when I read this, it’s got to be a side effect.

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yes consider like statins and chemo may have wiped out vitamin d in your tissues

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strengthaxle66 | @strengthaxle66 | Jun 5 4:26pm
In reply to @marilyn222 "I was diagnosed with AFib after having Cardiac Catheterization surgery just shy of 3 months prior...." + (show)
@marilyn222

I was diagnosed with AFib after having Cardiac Catheterization surgery just shy of 3 months prior. No AFib was found and I was given a clean bill of heart health.

The morning after starting taking the sample pack Eliquis pill, I had a very difficult time getting up to use the bathroom and I didn’t know what was causing it. Day 2, same thing but it was worse.

I can barely walk! And I stopped taking the Eliquis and I was prescribed Xarelto. Same thing happened to me.

My Cardiologist said that it’s NOT related to me starting the Eliquis!

What can I show him so that he can see that it’s rare but it is definitely a side effect?

My PCP recommended the Watchman but the Cardiologist said that I would not qualify. As if I am making this up!

I have no life enjoyment whatsoever.

I don’t know what to do anymore.

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i took circulation evergreen as a natural alt to eliquis after dvt, worked for me, the eliquis is poison but doctors give it out like candy and won't admit what it can do

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dizzieanne | @dizzieanne | Jun 29 7:58am

I’m so happy to see these responses. I’ve had my suspicions about Eliquis since I started taking it about a year and a half ago for paroxysmal afib. While I do have arthritis and have several joint replacements I have been experiencing severe muscle weakness in my legs. I wasn’t sure if it was just my arthritis at first but my weakness has progressed to where I have severe weakness after walking for only 5 minutes. My strong suspicion was that it was the blood thinner as it was the only change I had made with my lifestyle or medication. I was starting to think I was going crazy. I’m going to have a discussion with my cardiologist to see what I can do. My life has been seriously impacted by this. This all started exactly when I began taking the Eliquis.

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healthytoday | @healthytoday | Jul 3 2:27pm
In reply to @cece55 "HI...this is CeCe55. I have been on Eliquis for the past three years and have several..." + (show)
@cece55

HI...this is CeCe55. I have been on Eliquis for the past three years and have several posts about joint, hip and back pain. I have never had muscle weakness and since my ablation in May of this year, I changed my diet completely. I do not eat dairy, gluten, or sugar. The pain has reduced at least 75%. I might add that I stretch, use light weights and walk daily. I was asked by my physicians if I was experiencing weakness but the answer was always no. Eliquis has not given me any side effects that I am aware of. I am not even sure if my stiffness and pain was because of the Eliquis. I had it prior and was always helped with Advil which I can't take anymore....thus the diet change.

I know this doesn't help you but I am surprised that your physicians never considered Eliquis as a culprit. I usually get more answers from my pharmacist when it comes to side effects. I am very drug sensitive.

Blessings to you and I pray that you find a solution.

CeCe55

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Yes, changing diet helps a lot. My drs all say the same thing, ie, I'm a high risk for stroke due to afib. I put up with eliquis because it's the best prevention re stroke.

Learning to live with aging and heart issues.

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tom111 | @tom111 | Jul 4 12:47am

My legs are getting weak from taking elquis. I started taking it 3 months ago. And my legs are getting weaker and weaker.

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 4 6:58am
In reply to @tom111 "My legs are getting weak from taking elquis. I started taking it 3 months ago. And..." + (show)
@tom111

My legs are getting weak from taking elquis. I started taking it 3 months ago. And my legs are getting weaker and weaker.

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Welcome @tom111, I've been on Eliquis for about 9 months now for a blood clot in the leg followed shortly by one in my lungs. I wasn't really aware of muscle weakness as a side effect but have noticed a little in my legs. I was thinking mine may be more from other reasons but I'm not sure. I do try to ride my exercise bike daily for at least 30 minutes along with some other daily exercise routines to keep my 81 year old body moving.

Have you mentioned the leg weakness to your doctor to see if there may be a way to manage it from getting worse?

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1 reply
obdoc2001 | @obdoc2001 | Jul 5 7:46pm

Exercise the lower extremities as much as possible. Walk, treadmill, exercise bike, elliptical, leg extension machine, squats. It does not stop all of the muscle loss but after a while it takes away most of the pain. 30 minutes a day minimum. In my experience.

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joaf37 | @joaf37 | Jul 6 12:20pm
In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @tom111, I've been on Eliquis for about 9 months now for a blood clot in..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Welcome @tom111, I've been on Eliquis for about 9 months now for a blood clot in the leg followed shortly by one in my lungs. I wasn't really aware of muscle weakness as a side effect but have noticed a little in my legs. I was thinking mine may be more from other reasons but I'm not sure. I do try to ride my exercise bike daily for at least 30 minutes along with some other daily exercise routines to keep my 81 year old body moving.

Have you mentioned the leg weakness to your doctor to see if there may be a way to manage it from getting worse?

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Second try -- systems problem. I've been on Eliquis for a couple of years now and do recall muscle aches being noted as a side effect at some point. Reading this post, I did just check the latest insert with my current prescription but don't see any mention now. One of my neighbors had the same issue with major muscle impact; her MD told her to stop Eliquis. Her symptoms ceased to be a problem. The "however" is that I found on line (early on) a long list of Rx and OTC that could be potentially problematic if that would be the correct term.. aspirin being one. I assume each one could affect people differently, depending on what else they may be taking. As an example, the documents cite potential issue with bruising. I've had no indication of added impact in bruising. However I often am lightheaded with the first dose in the AM for a period of time but not the second dose in the evening. I don't take Rx simultaneously but take others each day; so, they may all impact each other in various ways somehow.

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cubby | @cubby | Aug 28 3:22am
In reply to @spinnerbait "I had afib and also had the ablation procedure. I was put on eliquis after the..." + (show)
@spinnerbait

I had afib and also had the ablation procedure. I was put on eliquis after the procedure. Within two days of being put on 5mg twice a day I had leg muscle pain. Also could not talk because I coughed 24-7. Every time I tried to talk I coughed. My dr told me neither was a side effect I must take. After three weeks my legs and joints hurt worse and still the cough. I weigh 115 lbs. I decided to cut my pills in half. My cough was a little better and muscles still hurt but better. After two weeks I stopped eliquis and took a baby aspirin and vitamin e to thin my blood. No muscle pain or joint pain and my cough stopped. It mite work for some but for others it’s a poison. It’s called quality of life. Good luck.

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I have also noticed weakness in legs & feet & occasional cough. Have been on eliquis about 3 months & want to get off...how is ablation working out?

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