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Rare serious side effect of Eliquis: Muscle weakness
In late July 2017 I was admitted for very high heart rate and Afib. Had been, and still am, on minimal meds. Hospitalist put me on Eliquis, 5mg 2X/day.
Within a month my leg muscles were weakening to the point where I could no longer play Pickleball or walk golf. Within a few weeks my Cardiologist did an ablation and inserted a loop recorder. For the next 2-1/2 years the loop recorder saw MINIMAL Afib, under 0.5%; the ablation did its job.
By November 2017 I needed a walker. By December 2017 I needed to be wheelchair pushed through an Ice Sculpture display as there was no way I could walk the 25-30 minutes of the exhibit.
When I finally got to see a Neurologist at Shands (Univ of FL, Gainesville) in July 2018, he ran an extensive battery of blood work tests but could find nothing to explain the muscle weakness.
Has anyone else encountered similar muscle effects following being prescribed Eliquis?
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@ndye35 Eliquis was bad for me. So many bad reactions after just one day on it. The GI issues were horrible. The dementia feeling was horrible. It even made my once every 2 year Afib kick into high speed and weekly. After one week and lots of arguing with the cardiologist I stopped taking it and got a new cardiologist. I’m on warfarin and feeling good and no Afib for the last 6-7 months.
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4 ReactionsYes . My husband shows lack of vitality , muscle weakness, very pale skin color, labored breathing on occasion.
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1 ReactionNot nearly like your experience but I’ll share. I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF in 2016 and started taking Elliquis. Stayed on it for about 2 yrs, I had ablation in 2017 and after blanking period my arrhythmias ceased so EP put me on 81 mg aspirin in place of Elliquis. I’m a recreational cyclist and noticed an increase in my cycling strength and endurance after ceasing Elliquis. No effect noticed for low energy walking or working.
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1 ReactionI started on 5mg 2X a day and had leg muscle weakness and general fatigue. This was from having a small blood clot in one lung which was cleared up. And a Respiratory doctor who was bent on me taking it for the rest of my life. I reduced it myself to a 2.5 mg and the muscle fatigue improved. Now I'm wondering if I can take a smaller dose or do something else.
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3 ReactionsI had so many bad reactions to Eliquis. The pharmacist said I was probably being over dosed but there’s only 1 dosage that’s allowed for everyone. ( unless you’re under 100lbs.)
I had to change to warfarin. They customize the dose to fit me. I take very little of it once a day. I even have to break the 1 pill in 1/2 when most people take 2.
It’s cheap to $15 for 90 days
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1 Reaction@techcat50 Reading the traffic in a variety of sites, Eliquis causing weakness is not rare and for me, even off of it, side effects continue. I seems to cause muscle weakness and effect tissue as well. I'm very much better but still have what some have described as "wooden feet" and my hip joints "catch my breath" hurt upon standing after sitting. It is such an effective drug with great results in removing clots that perhaps the side effects are worth it??? I've already told my doctor that if I ever have to go back on it again, I'm choosing Warfarin. I had a saddle pulmonary embolism which, for the most part, they "vacuumed". no idea the proper term, but also had clots in my arm and leg, which did go away with Eliquis. Life is a journey and each of us is unique. I think I was not designed to take 5mg 2X a day.
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2 Reactions@gabriig
My legs feeling like they weighed more than normal went away on the smaller dosage. I have a few back issues in the lower lumbar region that may be impacting my walking stamina. A vertebrae out of alignment and some nerve impingement. Not walking tends to shorten your life unfortunately so surgery for the spine is in my future.
Good luck with finding the right "fix" for your hips and feet.
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1 ReactionI’m on Xarelto, which reduces my red blood cell count to the LOW level. The result is quick fatigue when I run on the treadmill or pedal the stationary bicycle. I’m told that my pacemaker does not ward off AFIB, so I dare not reduce my Xarelto intake. Nevertheless, I continue my cardio sessions at the fitness center.
Can you get an aide with your insurance or home therapy. I know metformin can cause B12 deficiency so check for b12 and iron. I take.merformjn but I take b12 b1 and folic acid plus iron
@colleenyoung And what do you do if your provider thinks it’s all in your head? I’ve switched providers and am getting more help from this one. But the problems feel like a magician’s never-ending handkerchief. I should be wearing compression socks, but can barely get them on due to the pain and stiffness in my hands. And that is also caused by the Eliquis. I should be walking, but hurt my hands putting on the compression socks and then have extreme difficulty cooking at all, let alone the protein rich meals I need to combat the muscle loss and weakness. It’s a vicious cycle and is very frustrating. Someone who knows me well recently told me that a few weeks ago she thought I wouldn’t be around much longer. I was still taking Eliquis at the time.