Connect
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?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
@cmauncc1 I agree with you about the quality of life issue! I was put on Eliquis after demanding to be taken off Xarelto. Both meds were given for a DVT caused by May-Thurmer syndrome being undiagnosed for 3 years. Now I have venous insufficiency, a stent in my iliac vein (it did help) and 2 “stable” DVT’s. And all the lingering side effects of Eliquis. I’ve found consistent info from fellow sufferers that it can take at least 2 months for muscle/joint pain and weakness to improve and maybe longer. And I’m seeing improvement in some of the other symptoms like insomnia/hypersomnia and dizziness. So don’t give up!
There does seem to be a problem but it is not recognized by the "Medical
Establishment". My husband seemed all right for several months. Then, his First symptom, was to become extremely pale. His face is ordinarily a different color . (Pinkish on the ears, etc. ) Second , he became less able to do exercise at the gymn, which he did normally. Third , he felt tired ,regularly.
Fourth , he had trouble standing up from a sitting position. Fifth, he would occasionally breath heavily.
He's been a Type 1 Diabetic since 13 years. His New,Young P.C.P. thought perhaps his 1. A1C was off. 2. Maybe a Vitamin B deficiency 3. Maybe accelerated Parkinsons symptoms 4. Perhaps a stroke . None of which would explain the unusually Pale skin color and unusual exhaustion.
He is still taking Eliqius because it's difficult to have an appointment with the electrocardiologist. But, I don't believe that it is safe FOR HIM.
It appears to be putting enormous strain on his system.
He was originally prescribed Eliquis when he reacted to extremely high doses of cortisone . Routine procedure .
@cmauncc1 If you're not having any fib of flutter why do you need any blood thinner at all?
@charley7wills Hug, absolutely, as long as it doesn't hurt. I saw a new cardiologist the other day that is a specialist in pacemakers (which is doing all it is supposed to do). When I mentioned side effects of Eliquis, he was aware. And I was amazed. After being on Eliquis for six months, I am now six months off. I am self medicating with Lysine in hopes it helps muscles and seeing a physical therapist . I'm definitely bettering. My walk is still a bit odd and balance more than a bit But so much better. Still have joint pain from sitting as long as it takes to eat dinner but not as bad as it was. Vertigo wanders in and out of my life. Mostly little, but a couple of weeks ago I tried to get down on the floor at a gym and I swear, the whole building turned over and I was nauseous for a couple of hours. Frustrating it is, very much so for the pain and a body we never had before, but because many healthcare people are not aware. It's time for a study to figure out why some of us experience the muscle weakness and some don't. What's the commonality. So hope and trust it will get better for you,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@gabriig Thanks for the hug! I am also getting physical therapy and taking lysine since you mentioned it. At least, I think it was you. Now, I’m being tested for rheumatoid arthritis and I have some symptoms I didn’t know were symptoms of RA. I’ve also had CSU since 2023 and that is related to RA. My personal opinion is that the reactions to blood thinners are related to COVID. The virus was being developed as a biological weapon and that is when my vertigo returned. I think the virus was intended to cause our immune systems to go haywire because that describes ALL my problems since having it. There are some investigations into these horrible side effects now but there need to be more. And my GP wasn’t surprised or denying the connection to blood thinners, so there is a little progress, but having a provider who is open-minded is HUGE when we are lucky enough to find one. Hope you continue to improve as well!
@charley7wills Fortunately, my problem that required blood thinners is stable now. I had a rare condition called May-Thurmer Syndrome. It’s when the iliac artery compresses the iliac vein so that blood from your legs has a harder time returning to the heart. They placed a stent in the vein to keep it open and the blood flow is much improved. Still have venous insufficiency from the blood pooling and 2 DVTs that are stable. But at least it is progress.
No and I’ve been on the same dose for about 4 years.
I have not had an afib episode since the original coming of covid. The original cardiologist allowed me to drop metoprolol which was really bad in muscles, now meeting my new one in May. Asking him if I can drop Eliquis. Muscles tire easily and no recovery after excersize. Had a massage yesterday to try to get my hip muscles to release and she commented that my muscles are not as bad as when on the met, but sure not like they used to be..they feel like stiff chords.