1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

To stay on Eliquis or not

Posted by sandw40 @sandw40, Mar 11, 2021

I was diagnosed with afib on 05/03/2018 while on a 30 monitor because I asked my PCP about the irregular heart beats that were showing up on my pb monitor. I had 2 min 30 sec event that I never felt. I was told that I need to start taking Eliquis which I did 2 5mg daily.
I have tried to find out all the information on my condition that I can. I am 75 year old male with hypertension.

I bought myself a fitbit sense that monitors my heart rate and the ability to take a ekg. I also entered the Fitbit heart survey which lasted from 5/7/2020 to 11/12/2020. During this period no events where recorded in my every day monitoring, no events.

My question is, is Eliquis doing anything for me? My understanding is that clots would only develope because of an afib event. No AFib events, no clots.

Is my thinking correct in that I should be able to stop the Eliquis until I start having events again. When talking about this with the PCP this morning I was left with the statement that it's up to me.

I'm just trying to make some sort of informed descion.
Thank you for any info.
Wayne G

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lindy9 | @lindy9 | Apr 27 9:35am
In reply to @predictable "In a discussion on Metoprolol earlier today, I offered the following about Eliquis. You may find..." + (show)
@predictable

In a discussion on Metoprolol earlier today, I offered the following about Eliquis. You may find it useful.

Eliquis is an anticoagulant formulated to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart's upper chambers. I have been on another anticoagulant (Coumadin) since 2014 when I was diagnosed with Afib. My medical team said I should take it regularly, perhaps for years, to prevent clots from forming in my heart and traveling to my brain where they could cause a stroke. I remain on the drug although my Afib is virtually asymptomatic; I have no conscious recognitions of arrhythmia in my heart. But when I mishandled the Coumadin once in 2016, I suffered a "small stroke" that has left my nervous system slightly off-kilter — no more strokes, but balance, memory, eyesight, smell, and taste (maybe more) are all affected somewhat. I have been offered Eliquis to replace Coumadin, but I have not felt it wise to make the switch, partly because clinics and hospitals sometimes don't have the Eliquis antidote on hand for emergencies that could allow a brain bleed to be devastating or deadly. Martin

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The smell and taste issue are symptoms of covid and vax. Forgive me for being me, and do what you want, but I would wean myself Coumadin, not take Eliquis. And eat a super healthy diet, walk every day, no caffeine, diet low in animal products and sugar and wholegrain foods for fiber. And live my life. READ the side effects from Eliquis and any drug you swallow. Take responsibility for your health. Just google the side effects of any drug.

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2 replies
Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Apr 27 10:18am
In reply to @lindy9 "The smell and taste issue are symptoms of covid and vax. Forgive me for being me,..." + (show)
@lindy9

The smell and taste issue are symptoms of covid and vax. Forgive me for being me, and do what you want, but I would wean myself Coumadin, not take Eliquis. And eat a super healthy diet, walk every day, no caffeine, diet low in animal products and sugar and wholegrain foods for fiber. And live my life. READ the side effects from Eliquis and any drug you swallow. Take responsibility for your health. Just google the side effects of any drug.

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@lindy9, forgive me for my direct response: Over the last 15 years with my sterling medical team, I probably read a lot more about my conditions, symptoms, treatments, medication, and prospects than you'd suspect. I worry that your recommendations will be taken seriously by others who don't have top drawer medical care, risking more than they should. I'll continue to take the advice of my medical team (which has helped me reach my 90th birthday this year) rather than the contrivances of the American food processing industry reflected in their advertising and in the ravings of federal politicians. Martin

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2 replies
lindy9 | @lindy9 | Apr 27 11:02am
In reply to @predictable "@lindy9, forgive me for my direct response: Over the last 15 years with my sterling medical..." + (show)
@predictable

@lindy9, forgive me for my direct response: Over the last 15 years with my sterling medical team, I probably read a lot more about my conditions, symptoms, treatments, medication, and prospects than you'd suspect. I worry that your recommendations will be taken seriously by others who don't have top drawer medical care, risking more than they should. I'll continue to take the advice of my medical team (which has helped me reach my 90th birthday this year) rather than the contrivances of the American food processing industry reflected in their advertising and in the ravings of federal politicians. Martin

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It is your choice and right and great you reached 90 doing so. There are many many people on this site though that have had many problems from the advice and drugs recommended by doctors. I personally know people who died as a result of taking doctors advice and meds.

My recommendations are from my experiences and I state so. Everyone is responsible for the choices they take. I offer natural solutions that have worked for me better than many meds and treatments others have had here. Very few doctors give advice that are natural solutions that can work better than meds. That is not what they are taught.

Happy 90'th, but my beast friend was 82, and died because she took advice from doctors.

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2 replies
timheart1 | @timheart1 | Apr 28 12:43pm

I was on Eliguis, didn't like the side effects. I have ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. My wife found Garlin made by Natural Slim as a blood thinner, 3X /day. No side effects, made w/ garlic and ginger, known natural blood thinners. I have been using it for years, way less expensive. And it absolutly works because if I have a small cut it bleeds for awhile.

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lenmayo | @lenmayo | Apr 28 2:47pm
In reply to @dvisme2 "I am a U.S citizen living in Virginia and I purchase my Eliquis from a Canadian..." + (show)
@dvisme2

I am a U.S citizen living in Virginia and I purchase my Eliquis from a Canadian pharmacy at a cost of less than $500.00 including FedEx cost for a 3 month supply of 180 tablets. Try Claymans pharmacy in Manitoba. They have a website. You can pdf, take a photo, or have your physician fax in your prescription and pay for it with a credit card.

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That's expensive! There are other a lot less expensive Canadian Pharmacies!

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davej | @davej | Apr 29 8:48am

My mother of 87 ran out of her eliquis for 4 days and had a problem in her legs. Emergency surgery to fix 3 blood clots in her legs, 2 in right leg and 1 in left leg. Doctor that performed the surgery said this was all caused by not taking her eliquis so my question was will this happen again if you take her off of it for a couple of days before surgery and his response was a no answer. So my opinion is to have another talk and come to the same answer as the doctor as to stop taking it.

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lilymarie | @lilymarie | Apr 29 12:11pm

Hi there,
I would not dare to take myself off eliquis. But, I understand wholeheartedly your apprehension. My cardiologist has left it up to me to return to Amiodarone due to supraventricular tachycardia events. I have CAD, cardiac ablation 2 years ago, and bad afib for years. In fact. I stroked twice before getting the afib diagnosed. (I was calling it panic attacks for 35 years). It got worse and, unfortunately, I stroked. Twice. Ofcourse I got on blood thinners. I have been on them for approximately 8 years 5mg morning and night. Be careful. Stroking was horrible. All the best...hope this helps...And, yes, though my doctor's prefer I add Amiodarone I totally am refusing (at this point). But, I work hard staying in shape and eating excellent. All the Best to you~

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1 reply
Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Apr 29 3:31pm
In reply to @lindy9 "It is your choice and right and great you reached 90 doing so. There are many..." + (show)
@lindy9

It is your choice and right and great you reached 90 doing so. There are many many people on this site though that have had many problems from the advice and drugs recommended by doctors. I personally know people who died as a result of taking doctors advice and meds.

My recommendations are from my experiences and I state so. Everyone is responsible for the choices they take. I offer natural solutions that have worked for me better than many meds and treatments others have had here. Very few doctors give advice that are natural solutions that can work better than meds. That is not what they are taught.

Happy 90'th, but my beast friend was 82, and died because she took advice from doctors.

Jump to this post

So @lindy9, your advice to all hereon is to ignore the advice of doctors, even if 90% of them are right and backed by science. I call this to the attention of others on Mayo Connect so they can be prepared to make their own decision as to whether your advice offers them some confidence in medical care. Martin

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sandw40 | @sandw40 | Apr 30 8:31am
In reply to @lilymarie "Hi there, I would not dare to take myself off eliquis. But, I understand wholeheartedly your..." + (show)
@lilymarie

Hi there,
I would not dare to take myself off eliquis. But, I understand wholeheartedly your apprehension. My cardiologist has left it up to me to return to Amiodarone due to supraventricular tachycardia events. I have CAD, cardiac ablation 2 years ago, and bad afib for years. In fact. I stroked twice before getting the afib diagnosed. (I was calling it panic attacks for 35 years). It got worse and, unfortunately, I stroked. Twice. Ofcourse I got on blood thinners. I have been on them for approximately 8 years 5mg morning and night. Be careful. Stroking was horrible. All the best...hope this helps...And, yes, though my doctor's prefer I add Amiodarone I totally am refusing (at this point). But, I work hard staying in shape and eating excellent. All the Best to you~

Jump to this post

Well since my original post I am no longer actively being treated for AFib because of no reoccurrence. Still visit the cardiologist once a year but no signs of AFib. But still taking Eliqus at a 2.5mg twice a day for clot in the leg.

Seems to be the trade off with looking for AFib in some people is the issue of how to treat when it's burden is minimal at best.

REPLY
1 reply
lilymarie | @lilymarie | Apr 30 10:17am
In reply to @sandw40 "Well since my original post I am no longer actively being treated for AFib because of..." + (show)
@sandw40

Well since my original post I am no longer actively being treated for AFib because of no reoccurrence. Still visit the cardiologist once a year but no signs of AFib. But still taking Eliqus at a 2.5mg twice a day for clot in the leg.

Seems to be the trade off with looking for AFib in some people is the issue of how to treat when it's burden is minimal at best.

Jump to this post

Got it! 👍
Here's hoping for a good outcome.

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