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Questions about Eliquis and Meds for Pain Relief
I have a question for the group. I was diagnosed with AFib three months ago and after my first event I was put on a low dose aspirin along with my metoporal that I had been taking for a year. The dosage for the metoporal was 12.5 MG three times a day. After my second event of AFib six weeks ago, my electrophysiologist put me on Eliquis. The dosage is 5 MG twice a day. I felt fine for 4 weeks and then two weeks ago I started to have aching and stiffness in my lower back and hips. I might also add that I have very tight hips and lower back for years before this and have seen a physical therapist and added yoga and advil to my regimen. That seemed to give me a tolerance level over the years and I have been able to live with it.
Now...no advil allowed and I just saw a physical therapist again today who I will start working with next week. How do I know if I am having a reaction to the Eliquis or I am in a flare with my already tight hips and back? Is there a blood test to request? Possibly checking my liver and kidney function? The physical therapist also said I have osteo arthritis which could be contributing to this.
I am frustrated because I don't know how you tell the difference between a side effect and an existing condition that has worsened. I really don't want to chance going off the blood thinner....but what other way is there to tell?
Has anyone experienced this aching and does it finally go away if it is the Eliquis? I am not having any other problems with this drug except that there is not an over the counter medication for pain that you can take with it except Tylenol which has no effect on me.
Thank you for your input.
CeCe55
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I also have been on Eliquis for 3 years and, like you, have developed hip aching and weak legs. I also find little relief with Tylenol. I gad a cardiovervios 18 months ago and for a while I was functioning so much better except for the leg and hip issues. I currently take low dose of hydrocodone 1 to 2 a day. Now I am back in A fib and quite disappointed. At 83 I am trying to stay active..gardening, kayaking, 3 mile walk every day, lawn care etc. I am trying to find out if the opiate has affected the A fib...then it will be a decision between pain or A fib.
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2 ReactionsYour history of joint pain may mean Eliquis may be the wrong med for you. There are other blood thinners without this side effect. My friend with arthritis could not tolerate Eliquis and went back on his old med the joint pain went way down and he could take his pain meds again.
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2 ReactionsBeing in Afib presents its own problems. Afib interferes with normal perfusion. Perfusion is blood flowing through the body adequately bring nutrients and O2 the the organs and muscles. Every time I go into Afib I immediately feel lousy. Numerous times I would be off eliquis and doing fine and as soon as Afib starts I feel lousy even before I could even take the eliquis. One way to prove if it is eliquis is to take warfin. Warfarin and Eliquis use 2 very different path ways. Ironically when my brother came off Warfarin and started eliquis he felt better. Warfarin ia pain in the butt to keep normalized but it was the only thing out there for decades. So ask your doc to try it. Other things to consider esp at your age is that if you are more active because you had a cardioversion that increase in activity can affect arthritic and other conditions. Have you have been checked for intermittent claudication? I have not found anything in the literature yet that eliquis causes leg/muscle pain and aching. Despite the belief here based solely on casual observation claiming eliquis cause problems I would like to see some studies. I have an excellent EP: highly educated and very knowledgeable. I have asked him if he has seen any complaints about eliquis and is there any literature on it causing these side effects. He said no. This is a doc with over 100 citations on PubMed. I continue looking for legitimate science to prove the claims posted here about these side effects.
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3 ReactionsHave you been tested for Addison's disease? This is a type of adrenal insufficiency and having consistently low sodium levels is a symptom and replacement is definitely needed.
An Endocrinologist can order the necessary labs.
Have you considered an implanted device like the Watchman?
The EP didn’t know about Eliquis side effects ? When I was not feeling well I contacted my ENT about all the sinus issues (I now know were cause by digestive issues from Eliquis) I was having so many Eliquis problems.
He reply that women over 60 tend to be affected more by Eliquis side affects. My Ears nose and throat doctor knew about it!!!
Warfarin is a hassle at first but now it’s fine.
The literature that comes with the drug says over 80 years old and less than 132 pounds you can cut it in half.
I’m in my 60’s no where near 130lbs and I’ll never do Eliquis again. Sinuses, major gerd (that I’m still dealing with after5 months) aches, and the dementia like feelings were horrible. But when the scary life ending thoughts started the Eliquis stopped immediately. I didn’t care what the Dr said. The lowest dose Warfarin is fine for now. Acupuncture is my friend now
May I ask what acupuncture is treating you for?
Vagus nerve, Anxiety, digestive issues and Gerd that all started or were severely amplified due to the allergic reaction to Eliquis. Which seems to have really increased my once every 2 years Afib.
Every evening before bed Lymphatic massage, EFt tapping and diaphragmatic breathing helps too