Eliquis and Turmeric

@maribel8

Eliquis is much cheaper in Canada and you can order from any of the Canadian pharmacies. I paid $150.00 for 3 months of 5mg BID

Thank you . Yes, I am aware and will going that route until there is more science/ legitimate research. Looking for less involvement with "big pharma" no matter which rx or country . Would you share which Canadian vendor you are using? Tx.

@maribel8 Meds90 takes abotu 10 days t oreceive it. Stroke is not something I will take a chance on. Eliquist works to inhibit factor Xa to prevet the conversion of prothrombin to throbin so fibrin isn't formed and clots are prevetned. Fish oil and aspiring don't do this.

Remarkable!
I've been using first turmeric and then curcumin supplements since about Y2K, and I take it along with fish oil which is itself a blood thinner and anticoagulant, and with the two together have never really noticed any clotting problems. Note that this is not in combination with any prescription blood thinner.
I am not surprised to hear that turmeric/curcumin might affect clotting, the anti-inflammatory effects might easily extend to the clotting mechanism, but that mechanism can be complex, too.
Many millions of people use turmeric/curcumin as a supplement, many with fish oil too, and I can't recall any warning about clotting effects in the real world (aka in vivo). Again, this does not include in combination with prescription blood thinners.
Google AI now offers this:
"Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, acts as a natural blood thinner by inhibiting platelet aggregation and reducing blood clotting, which can significantly increase bleeding risks when combined with anticoagulant medication. It is crucial to consult a doctor before taking curcumin supplements if you are on blood-thinning drugs like warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or clopidogrel (Plavix)."

I'd suggest that the prescription blood thinners already have dramatic effects and even minor interference from turmeric/curcumin should of course be handled carefully, because it is probably not simply additive.

I'll throw in one more perspective. There is another supplement that has effects on clotting and that is evening primrose oil, along with a couple of other supplements that also contain the presumed active ingredient GLA (gamma linolenic acid). This definitely "affects clotting" but it does so in a curious way, it both decreases it and increases it! It seems to thin the blood so it flows better but it increases clotting exactly when needed. At least that's the story, and I have seen it in use many times - I keep it around partially for that purpose, when I get dinged in the garden by a rosebush and the bleeding is slow to stop, effects begin within about 30 minutes to promote clotting. But I find very little information online about GLA. I note that Google AI just warns that primrose oil may reduce clotting, and that is clearly not the whole story.

There's really a need for more research on GLA. And I'd like to see that in vivo research on turmeric/curcumin with prescription drugs, too. And sure, both together, too!

@tx. You are first person (from several posts) who _hasn't_ said the usual "NO- doc would never agree, dangerous, etc." The brand that catches my eye and critical mind is Luma Nutrition curcumin. (Look up, 3rd testing, made in usa, etc). More descriptive than most (i.e. the "wonder versions/reviews on Amazon's many options). I have hetero FVL discovered from a provoked long flight 2018. In one leg, and tiny tiny one in lungs. Was on high dose- 1st 20 mg eliquis for couple of weeks, then down to 10g for about 2 1/2 yrs. Now at 5mg day divided, a.m./p.m. With all the shenanigans with RX pricing, government lobbying, delays and tariffs, I'm pretty much 'done' with the robotic "You must ...." scare ?tactics. Having had only one episode nearly 8 years ago, I'd love to at least move to 25mg/ plus tumeric day. Interesting that in a univ of VT medical research paper, the writer wrote that if person was dx with genetic FVL with one provoked event, treat/ dissolve and no more blood thinners ( manage with weight control, lots of water exercise - lots more). Would love posts to be read by MD's, med students, researchers. What's your story?

@maribel8 I find it very disconcerting that the doctors fill one with fear and danger, regarding AFIB, which is what I currently have, a 4% burden. The fear they spread, in itself, is not healing or calming for the heart. I was taking Eliquis 2.5mg twice a day as a blood thinner, but I started to have unusual muscle and joint weakness, that got worse over time. I've also developed some neuropathy that I don't know the cause of. Eliquis Dosage was reduced to 2,5 mg, 2x a day, 4 days a week, and once a day , 3 days a week. The muscle weakness continued and I reduced the dosage, myself, to once a day, 2.5 mg. Tomorrow I am checking in with my hematologist to see how my eliquis levels are. I'd really like to get off of it all together. I am considering trying warfarin, but don't know if I can eat in such a disciplined manner as is required, and I eat a lot of greens and chamomile tea. I don't eat the same thing everyday. The brand of turmeric I noticed is also third party tested, https://biorootlabs.com/products/turmeric-curcumin-capsules-1000mg. I like that the one you mentioned is very simple , but the bioroots one has some fat in it which is also necessary for curcumin absorption, in my understanding. Other blood thinning herbs are ginger, cinnamon, and garlic. There's GOT to be a way to work with these in a health affirmative way.As one kind doctor said to me, I have to evaluate my choices and decide which risks I want to take- they all have risks. I am really struggling in this discernment process. This chat group seems to be more heart patients and some are more well informed than others, but no doctors or researchers log on. I hope they read it! There should be a way to work with these herbs, that is constructive and stable enough. Your comments welcome.