Cardiologist suggests I can stop taking Eliquis. Any thoughts?
I have been on Eliquis for about 2 years now for afib. I had a successful ablation at Mayo in Rochester in August 2019 and have had no afib incidents that I’m aware of since that time. I track my pulse with my iwatch and regularly track my blood pressure. Both are fine. I’ve been of the understanding that I need to take Eliquis for the rest of my life, however, my cardiologist in Florida has suggested that I could stop taking the Eliquis. Has anyone had a similar situation or has stopped Eliquis because of a successful ablation?
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Hard part for me is trusting my cardiologist and believing if they are "doctoring" or being pharmaceutical salesmen. Eliquis is expensive and there are additional side effects if you are Diabetic. I had AFIB once at the same time I had Covid and no signs of it after wearing a Holter monitor for over 2 weeks. Went through all the heart and stress tests and all those turned out okay. Yet the cardiologist shared that one known episode of AFIB means you are AFIB. After I shared that I didn't want to be on Eliquis due to side effects, he shared that basically I was playing "Russian Roulette" and to find another cardiologist. I'm looking for another cardiologist.
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Well if you look at the scoring method they use to determine who should be on an DOAC it's pretty much anyone over 70, with hypertension and any cardio disease. If you score a 2 and at that age it's not hard to do, yep your a candidate.
Here is my experience for what it's worth. I had mitral valve repair, ablation, and LAAC at 78, over 3 years ago. No more AFIB. I exercise and eat smartly (low in calories, sugar, salt, and caffeine). I got off Eliquis after four months by wearing a heart monitor for 30 days to be sure AFIB was gone. I had to push my cardiologist to put me on the monitor. My last vital stats while sitting were 119/68, heart rate 68. I have also weaned myself off of 12.5mg metoprolol daily and 81mg aspirin daily, both well over 2 years ago. I read a JAMA article that said low dose aspirin causes brain bleeding over time. Now it is recommended only for stroke and heart attack victims as I understand it. I have also read that metoprolol interferes with sodium and sugar levels. Too low an amount of sugar or salt can cause dizziness as I read it. Vitals and alertness are better than ever. Daily, I do take a magnesium glycinate supplement containing 29% of RDA. Pure Encapsulations is the best brand I have found. I have read that magnesium and moderate exercise help folks to stay out of AFIB. I had a great surgeon at WakeMed in Raleigh, Dr. Boulton, who did all of the heart stuff. That was key of course. He also supports magnesium supplements. Overall, I feel extremely fortunate. We are all different, but that's my input at 81 years old as of last May.
Regards,
Sagan
I had one AFIB episode the week after Christmas, possibly due to a stressful family situation. Afterwards, I had all the tests and all were negative. I was put on metoprolol and Eliquis. My Afib PA said I could get off of the metoprolol a few months ago and only take as needed. I haven't had to take any. A few weeks ago I got up with a severe lower back strain but didn't know how I got it. Nothing OTC helped, started getting PT. Then I read on this site that it could be a side effect of the Eliquis. I stopped taking it and my back got somewhat better, but my PT therapist is doubtful it was due to the Eliquis as I'd been taking it for 8 months. Someone on this site suggested going to a hematologist to have my blood clotting checked and that's what I plan to do, as I don't want to have to take this for the rest of my life if I don't have to.
And if you're a woman, it's an automatic 3!
When I had a DVT clot a number of years ago the hematologist I went to also did a test for the possibility of having a genetic marker for developing clots. Fortunately it was negative but seemed like a good idea in case you test positive and then can mention it to family members.
You're right. You were dealt a bad hand😊
You live in your body. The PT does not. I would not be taking Eliquis for any reason. Just google the side effects of Eliquis, and make decisions taking responsibility for the consequences. Listen to God and pay attention to your what your body is telling you.