Afib/dangers of eliquis

@foundryrat743 Sounds as though you have a lot going on, healthwise. With your fall risks, sounds like you're a good candidate for a Watchman, and hopefully, the Watchman will alleviate your need for a blood thinner.
My best wishes that it all goes well!

You are lucky to have what appears to be mild Afib. I had more intense symptoms that lasted 10-12 hours, which throttled my heart. Age 76, otherwise solid health. Most at this age have some challenges--this is mine and one other.

My first Cardiologist immediately installed a pacemaker 3 years ago; because I was passing out frequently. A year and a half later, still passing out, with a new Cardiologist, I went on Eliquis before my ablation. I can't recall any side effects of Eliquis; but it complicates any surgery, cut, bruise; tends to obviate any vigorous physical activity, or accident that may result in bleeding--as well as interfering with many medical tests. M.D.s tend to insist that patients take Eliquis to "reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack"; but I also think to protect their advice process and to see how it really works with many patients... Fine. But taking a blood thinner permanently is serious--in an emergency, its effects cannot be mitigated easily or reversed...as I have read.

I had a successful ablation, thank God; ceased drinking any alcohol; and I elected to stop the Eliquis, with my Cardiologist's consent. I work out regularly, and check for Afib. Doctor mentioned they can do a Watchman--but really--how many things do they need to do unless another treatment step is urgently needed?

@marybird I appreciate your reply, and empathetic support, for the situation that I am in. I seem to gain strength getting through challenging medical situations, when I have shared my medical concerns, with this blog, connecting with others, who have the same, or similar medical conditions, sponsored by Mayo Clinic!

I, too have afib and have been taking Eliquis for a couple years. My doctor is planning to eliminate Eliquis as soon as my heart "settles down" after an ablation. I have had no side effects from Eliquis at all and must say I am somewhat prone to having side effects from other things!

@marybird What is Watchman?

@bp1947 https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/atrial-fibrillation/watchman-procedure

13 YRS AGO AGE 70 HAD OCCLUSION INSERTED INTO HEART TO CLOSE HOLE BETWEEN CHAMBERS. 2 WKS LATER, 2 CUPS OF STRONG COFFEE AND WORKOUT, AFIB. SHOCKED OUT OF IT. TOOK ELIQUIS FOR ABOUT 5 YRS, CONSTANTLY TELLING DOC I WAS BLEEDING TOO EASILY. CHASING GUEESE IN MY WET YARD ON MY BIKE FELL, HEAD HIT GROUND HARD, 3 DAYS LATER SEVERE NAUSEA AND VERTIGO. INSIDE SKULL BLEED, PRESSURE ON BRAIN, I HADN'T TAKEN ELIQUIS IN 4 DAYS, MED STAFF ALL SAID BEST THING I DID, LIKELY PREVENTED SEVERE PROBLEM. DID NOT TAKE ANY MORE. 6 MTHS LATER TOLD DOC, SHE PUT MONITOR ON ME 2 WKS, AND ONCE SINCE, NO AFIB. TAKE ANY BLOOD THINNER ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NEEDED.

@gibby10011 Like all things in life, anything we do bears some risk. We weigh the risks of going versus not doing. In the case of atrial fibrillation, the risk is formally assessed to be about five times (X5) the risk of a stroke over a typical person the same age who does not have heart rhythm problems. A stroke can be life altering. A pulmonary embolism can be life threatening. A clot in a heart artery can be lethal. So, we accept a risk that we'll bleed and bruise once or twice a year over having a stroke that might mean no more strokes...ever.

THANK U. DON'T DISAGREE, SOME PEOPLE NEED THINNER, I'M NOT 1 OF THEM. THE CARDIOLOGIST WENT WITH STANDARD PROCEDURE, AFIB REQUIRES THINNER. HAVEN'T HAD AFIB EXCEPT THAT 1 TIME, DON'T NEED IT. OVER 70% OF CAR ACCIDENT DEATHS R CAUSED BY BLEEDING OUT. THINNERS ALMOST ENSURE BLEED OUT.

Almost 5 years ago I was diagnosed with A-Fib. The past -5 years have been a learning experience. One of my Dr. 's ordered 28 blood & urine tests ... as well did a scan of my carotid arteries. His assessment: "People would Kill for test scores like yours. Although your LDL tested in the top of the normal range, you have only a 5% score on cholesterol in your circulatory system. Your changes of having a stroke are between 6% & 4%. All those blood thinners that have caused multiple side effects will lower that Stroke chance to between 5% & 3%. It's up to you, take the Med.'s & deal with side effects for a 1% advantage."
So I take them (maybe) every other day ... & wonder why I'm spending SO MUCH $$$ for a 1% advantage .....