1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

What concerns should I have about taking blood thinner?

Posted by domiha @domiha, Jul 3 4:54pm

I'm 73yo, male, and just saw an electrophysiology cardiologist yesterday after my regular cardiologist had me wear a monitor for a few weeks in March after I reported having a brief 3 to 4 minute episode of aphasia that was deemed to be a possible TIA. I learned yesterday that the monitor did pick up one episode of AFib during the three weeks... and several episodes of tachycardia... none of which I notice at all. The cardio specialist has prescribed Eliquis and Tambocor... one to thin the blood and the other to help keep the rythym of my heart more steady... IF I understood correctly! I understand that there is a risk for stroke... and I know there must be millions of people taking blood thinner everyday and leading normal lives. I should add that I also have Panic Disorder that makes things that seem normal for most people seem frightening to me. Basically, I'm a wuss! šŸ™ So there is real fear about having to go on these medications, but I also realize I don't want to risk a stroke. I am starting both of these medications today and hoping for no side effects. Just wondering if others here may be taking these meds and are tolerating them well? Best wishes to all! Mike

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lindy9 | @lindy9 | Jul 5 6:32pm
In reply to @domiha "Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, I tend to worry about things that never..." + (show)
@domiha

Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, I tend to worry about things that never happen. Perhaps that means the worrying works?? šŸ™‚ In the end, the risk of the meds is minimal compared to the risk of a stroke.
I read somewhere that once I get on this Eliquis, I cannot stop it... as that will put me at even GREATER risk.
I like John Lennon's quote: "In the end, everything will be okay. If it's not okay, then it's not the end."
Best wishes! Mike

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I do not believe the nonsense that you can't get off a drug. There are drugs that you can't quit cold turkey, but you can wean yourself off them. I have done that in the past many years ago with two drugs. I just took a sliver off for a few days and then another sliver off for a few days until I was taking none. Told I couldn't but, violaaa, 40 years later hear I am.

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obdoc2001 | @obdoc2001 | Jul 5 7:47pm

Watching Fetterman on TV motivates me to take my meds.

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grant1701 | @grant1701 | Jul 6 1:14am

Iā€™m 84 years old. Male. I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation about 3 years ago. I was put on Eliquis but it caused my legs and ankles to swell. I am now on Apixaban blood thinner with no side effects.
Truth be told, I think Iā€™ve had Afib most of my life. I can remember 40 yrs having heart palpitations mostly at night.
Anyway, good luck.

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2 replies
domiha | @domiha | Jul 6 6:15am
In reply to @grant1701 "Iā€™m 84 years old. Male. I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation about 3 years ago. I..." + (show)
@grant1701

Iā€™m 84 years old. Male. I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation about 3 years ago. I was put on Eliquis but it caused my legs and ankles to swell. I am now on Apixaban blood thinner with no side effects.
Truth be told, I think Iā€™ve had Afib most of my life. I can remember 40 yrs having heart palpitations mostly at night.
Anyway, good luck.

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@grant1701 Thank you for sharing your experience. From what I am learning, many people who are diagnosed with AFib actually never feel any symptoms. I never felt any fluttering or palpitations out of the blue. I have to trust the doctor at thhis point. Four days on the meds so far and I notice no side effects! Oh, the joys of growing older!!! Best wishes! Mike

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 6 6:27am
In reply to @grant1701 "Iā€™m 84 years old. Male. I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation about 3 years ago. I..." + (show)
@grant1701

Iā€™m 84 years old. Male. I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation about 3 years ago. I was put on Eliquis but it caused my legs and ankles to swell. I am now on Apixaban blood thinner with no side effects.
Truth be told, I think Iā€™ve had Afib most of my life. I can remember 40 yrs having heart palpitations mostly at night.
Anyway, good luck.

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Hi @grant1701, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with Mike @domiha and others. Thanks for sharing your experience. I also take Eliquis which says Apixaban on the drug label which I think is the generic name of the drug. I wasn't aware the leg and ankle swelling side effect from water retention.

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bb03 | @bb03 | Jul 6 7:24am
In reply to @domiha "Thanks for your reply. Like @windyshores I had gotten the impression that if you stopped taking..." + (show)
@domiha

Thanks for your reply. Like @windyshores I had gotten the impression that if you stopped taking a DOAC there may be some rebound period when you would be in more danger of stroke or heart attack. Based on what your link indicates, your blood will simply return to the coagulation level it was at before beginning the DOAC. Though, in my case, if I'm taking it because I had a TIA and some signs of AFib, I doubt that I will ever be able to stop taking it unless there seems to be some negative side effect. Day 2 and so far all seems about the same. Best wishes! Mike

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If A fib persists opt for an ablation and if it works you probably will be able to get off your meds. My Mom was diagnosed with A-Fib, and within the year had a brain bleed and was on a vent for a week. Of course she had to stop the Plavix. After she recovered and it took a while,the residual effect from the stroke was loosing her excellent vision. She still has a hard time understanding the written words on a page and thus reading comprehension decreased. After two years she can read and understand some, but not like before. She is bright; well she use to be. She still has some peripheral vision loss too. She never had mobility issues. Her memory has declined since the stroke too but she will soon be 87. Of course the A fib persisted and she couldnā€™t resume her blood thinner so an EP did an ablation which was effective. Since then she is on no anticoagulants. Not always but I feel sometimes youā€™re damned if you do and damned if you donā€™t! Modern medicine and technology is great but rarely is there not a possible untoward side effect. Some people are just built tuffer than others to withstand the side effects more than others. No two people are alike. Donā€™t be afraid to seek more than one opinion if you have any doubts.

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1 reply
gloaming | @gloaming | Jul 6 1:36pm

Grant: '...I was put on Eliquis but it caused my legs and ankles to swell. I am now on Apixaban blood thinner with no side effects....'

They are one and the same....both are apixaban....or rather apixaban is what the brand name Eliquis comprises. You must have meant another drug that caused the swelling?

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domiha | @domiha | Jul 6 2:14pm
In reply to @bb03 "If A fib persists opt for an ablation and if it works you probably will be..." + (show)
@bb03

If A fib persists opt for an ablation and if it works you probably will be able to get off your meds. My Mom was diagnosed with A-Fib, and within the year had a brain bleed and was on a vent for a week. Of course she had to stop the Plavix. After she recovered and it took a while,the residual effect from the stroke was loosing her excellent vision. She still has a hard time understanding the written words on a page and thus reading comprehension decreased. After two years she can read and understand some, but not like before. She is bright; well she use to be. She still has some peripheral vision loss too. She never had mobility issues. Her memory has declined since the stroke too but she will soon be 87. Of course the A fib persisted and she couldnā€™t resume her blood thinner so an EP did an ablation which was effective. Since then she is on no anticoagulants. Not always but I feel sometimes youā€™re damned if you do and damned if you donā€™t! Modern medicine and technology is great but rarely is there not a possible untoward side effect. Some people are just built tuffer than others to withstand the side effects more than others. No two people are alike. Donā€™t be afraid to seek more than one opinion if you have any doubts.

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Hi, @bb03 Thanks for sharing your mother's story. I'm sorry to hear she has suffered so much, but glad to read that the ablation worked for her AFib. I also know someone who had a Watchman device implanted and that allowed this person to get off blood thinners. Best wishes to you.... and to your mom!!! Mike

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