How do you decide when it's safe to stop taking Eliquis

Hi;
Re: the joint pain/arthritis-try taking curcumin supplement instead of turmeric. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric anyway, and you can buy it separately. I’ve read that some turmeric supplements only contain a small percentage of curcumin, so it’s hard to know what you’re getting. Also, I have found fish oil supplements helpful.
Try to move around as much as possible. I know it’s hard with pain, but it does seem to help me. “Motion is lotion” goes the saying.

Hi;
Re: the joint pain/arthritis-try taking curcumin supplement instead of turmeric. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric anyway, and you can buy it separately. I’ve read that some turmeric supplements only contain a small percentage of curcumin, so it’s hard to know what you’re getting. Also, I have found fish oil supplements helpful.
Try to move around as much as possible. I know it’s hard with pain, but it does seem to help me. “Motion is lotion” goes the saying.

@kudzu I found this regarding Eliquis and curcumin: “ 1
Are there supplements I should avoid when taking I apixaban ...
Combining curcumin (the active component of turmeric) with Eliquis (apixaban) is generally not recommended due to a significantly increased risk of bleeding. Both substances have blood-thinning properties, and combining them can enhance this effect, leading to potential safety issues. Consult a healthcare provider before using them together.
Mayo Clinic Connect
Mayo Clinic Connect
+2
Key Considerations for Curcumin and Eliquis:
Bleeding Risk: As a blood thinner, Eliquis prevents clotting. Turmeric/curcumin also possesses anticoagulant properties, which may lead to excessive bleeding, unusual bruising, or other complications when used together.
Supplement Caution: While moderate culinary amounts of turmeric are likely fine, high-dose turmeric or curcumin supplements are high-risk.
Medical Advice: It is crucial to inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any supplements, especially turmeric, while on Eliquis.
Signs of Interaction: Be alert for signs of bleeding, such as frequent bruising, nosebleeds, blood in stool/urine, or dizziness.
Drugs.com”

Good morning

I had a watchman procedure to stop taking blood thinners
I also had a pulse ablation done both together.
Ask your doctor?
Always good second opinion ?
Flecainide I could not take it mess up my stomach badly
Wishing you the best. Blessings

@veronica0127 I had mentioned earlier to my cardiologist that I might want to look into the Watchman at some future point so that I could come off the Eliquis. When I saw him last week and the loop recorder showed NO A-Fib events registered at all, he said, "I know you had mentioned the Watchman, but if you continue to have no further A-Fib events, no EP is going to even consider implanting a Watchman." He said that I could come off the Eliquis since I seemed to be no longer having A-Fib. But 6 months was not enough to reassure me that the A-Fib was completely gone. And he conceded that he was not going to make me stop the Eliquis if I felt more comfortable to continue taking it. I've read of many people who have numerous recurrent bouts of A-Fib... and they actually notice when they are in A-Fib. I never felt anything. The one paroxysmal A-Fib that was picked up by the monitor I wore for 3 weeks in 2024 was a surprise to me as I had felt nothing. Then I was put on the meds. Obviously, no one wants to experience a stroke..... and the Eliquis (5mg twice a day) has not caused me any noticeable problems. I don't have bruises. I have some weakness in my calves, but I think that is more due to the peripheral neuropathy I developed after a back surgery in 2022. On the one hand, we could say that if Eliquis greatly reduces the risk of stroke (by 5 times), then everyone after a certain age should take it prophylactically.... but obviously that is not the case. Since I'm already taking it.... and since I DID have at least one brief episode of A-Fib... and since I did experience a very brief TIA.... I feel like I'm in a catch-22 situation. And as the doctor said, perhaps the Flecainide that I take is helping to prevent any further A-Fib episodes. In the end, the cardiologist doesn't know for sure.... it's a matter of odds. And I'm just one more in a string of patients he sees everyday of the week. He just seemed a bit trigger happy to take me off the Eliquis.... And I worry too much about health issues. Panic disorder, ocd and generalized anxiety have ruled my life since my teenaged years, so they are just part of who I am. I thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I really do!! Best wishes! Mike

@veronica0127 I had mentioned earlier to my cardiologist that I might want to look into the Watchman at some future point so that I could come off the Eliquis. When I saw him last week and the loop recorder showed NO A-Fib events registered at all, he said, "I know you had mentioned the Watchman, but if you continue to have no further A-Fib events, no EP is going to even consider implanting a Watchman." He said that I could come off the Eliquis since I seemed to be no longer having A-Fib. But 6 months was not enough to reassure me that the A-Fib was completely gone. And he conceded that he was not going to make me stop the Eliquis if I felt more comfortable to continue taking it. I've read of many people who have numerous recurrent bouts of A-Fib... and they actually notice when they are in A-Fib. I never felt anything. The one paroxysmal A-Fib that was picked up by the monitor I wore for 3 weeks in 2024 was a surprise to me as I had felt nothing. Then I was put on the meds. Obviously, no one wants to experience a stroke..... and the Eliquis (5mg twice a day) has not caused me any noticeable problems. I don't have bruises. I have some weakness in my calves, but I think that is more due to the peripheral neuropathy I developed after a back surgery in 2022. On the one hand, we could say that if Eliquis greatly reduces the risk of stroke (by 5 times), then everyone after a certain age should take it prophylactically.... but obviously that is not the case. Since I'm already taking it.... and since I DID have at least one brief episode of A-Fib... and since I did experience a very brief TIA.... I feel like I'm in a catch-22 situation. And as the doctor said, perhaps the Flecainide that I take is helping to prevent any further A-Fib episodes. In the end, the cardiologist doesn't know for sure.... it's a matter of odds. And I'm just one more in a string of patients he sees everyday of the week. He just seemed a bit trigger happy to take me off the Eliquis.... And I worry too much about health issues. Panic disorder, ocd and generalized anxiety have ruled my life since my teenaged years, so they are just part of who I am. I thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I really do!! Best wishes! Mike

@kudzu Couldn't have said it better myself. Use it or lose it. The medical establishment may have some worries and problems, but their constant urging to patients with mobility problems, especially osteoarthritis, is to keep moving. It might suck some days, some worse than others, and yes the weather does affect the body that way, but if you make it a habit it becomes a daily desire, and that is the best medicine...keep moving.

Another perspective: you really can't move much, so....................................you sit much. Deep vein thrombosis....ever heard of that? DOACs are going to be what reduces your risk to a low level if you ever find that you're a sitter for many hours each day.

How is your heart rhythm? Is it demonstrably reliably in NSR, except for the odd PAC? Or, do you get runs of PACs, maybe some atrial fibrillation now and then, some SVTs? This is where you would be thankful you already take a DOAC twice a day.

None of us is especially keen to have to remind ourselves to pop pills two-six times each day. But, if they keep us going, mobile, mentally 'with it', able to drive safely, able to sleep calmly and gratefully each night,....I would take the drugs. That's just me. I like living, and living 'well' is the goal.