I had my first stroke in 2014 while on Plavix. My cardio inserted a loop recorder which found paroxysmal atrial fib.-then started the evil of Eliquis! A scary task master indeed. I paused my Eliquis for 48 hours for Colonoscopy last year. I restarted it the day of my colonoscopy when I got home. Nine days later I had my second and much worse stroke!!!! On Eliquis I live in fear that I can't just go have a simple procedure without significant stroke risk. Mayo will want to do a TEE to evaluate my heart valves but- the Eliquis pause. Both my strokes were cerebral and with my last one I had difficulty speaking and swallowing. I did learn to cope with the help of rehab. But I can't smile, I drool, and I choke easily on my food. Good thing my husband knows the Heimlich maneuver. A nurse practitioner possssstulated that during the pause I formed a clot which at day 9 broke loose (appaarently they can do that.) My advise: Don't just do what the doctor says- ASK QUESTIONS, esssspecially if you have atrial fib. and heart valve disease like me. YOUDO NOT HAVE TO BE A STATISTIC! Make your doctors work with you to keep you safe from stroke.