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How do you decide when it's safe to stop taking Eliquis
I am 75 years old with a lifelong history of panic disorder and ocd. A few years ago, I had what doctors later decided may have been a VERY brief TIA when for two or three minutes I was mixing up syllables in my speech. My cardiologist had me wear a monitor for 3 weeks and the EP said I had one episode of paroxysmal A-Fib and a couple of episodes of paroxysmal SVTs during that time. He put me on 5mg Eliquis twice a day and 50mg Flecainide once a day. Fast forward to now.... and I have changed cardiologists.... and never had any follow up with the EP. In October, my cardiologist implanted a loop recorder to check for A-Fib episodes as I never felt anything out of the ordinary. I saw the cardio last week and in the past six months I have had 0 A-Fib episodes. So he said he might take me off the Eliquis if I wanted, but leave me on the Flecainide, as he thought the Flecainide may be why I have experienced no further A-Fib episodes. Due to my obsessive worrying, I wasn't ready to come off the Eliquis as such fear has been instilled me about a possible stroke. So the doctor left me on the same dosage of both meds. My biggest problem with the Eliquis is that I have a lot of arthritis and bone and joint pain, but I can't take any anti-inflammatories, only Tylenol which does nothing for the chronic pain. I do also take turmeric (Bullet Proof brand, I consume one gummy per day) but I don't notice that it helps much with my pain. When I see the cardio in six months, I am thinking of asking to reduce my Eliquis to 2.5mg twice a day if I still have had no A-Fib episodes. But how does one decide it's okay to come off the Eliquis altogether? Would an EP know better than a cardiologist whether or not coming off the Eliquis is a safe idea at this point? I've noticed people mentioning muscle weakness from Eliquis. With my joint pain, I don't get a lot of exercise, and I can't say that is not the reason my muscles seem to have weakened a bit. Obviously, no one wants to have a stroke. But I also don't want to continue taking a medication that may not really be necessary because of fear and worry. Anyone else here who took blood thinner for A-Fib and then got off of it? Anyone else worry too much about consequences of stopping a med like Eliquis? How does one decide? Obviously, life has no guarantees, and I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and this would all be moot. Thoughts or comments?? I thank you in advance. Best wishes to all! Mike
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@karinw My cardiologist suggested that the fact that I am taking a low dose of Flecainide that may be the reason I have had no more paroxysmal AFib episodes. I've heard of the pill in the pocket treatment.... but I don't know anyone who has used that and how effective it is. The main concern, from what I understand, is the possibility of stroke created by the AFib. It is my understanding that AFib, alone, is not going to kill someone.... but it can cause a clot to form in the heart and be thrown to the brain and cause a stroke.
Eliquis was fine for me the 1st 17 months … then I began having Side effects … ones listed on web sites such-as Mayo Clinic, etc. … when the side effects were so bad I felt like they were degrading my Quality of Life (& interfering with sleep) I went to the Dr. & saw the physician assistant I’d been seeing since starting with That Dr. (in 18 months … I Never actually saw the Cardiologist - Only physician assistants). The p.a.’s advice: just keep taking the Eliquis, maybe the side effects will subside!
I then promptly went to my G.P. … she referred me to a New Cardiologist practice, where they prescribed Xeralto. Almost immediately that caused side effects! Finally they scheduled an electric Cardio Version. Shocked my heart back to normal! Now I have A-Fib 4-6% of the time, & I take low-dose aspirin once a day.
Bless my new electrocardiologist … for bringing me back to feeling 95% Normal again!
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1 Reaction@domiha
I have no idea what is safe for you. Follow your doc advice probably ok. Somewhere I read one episode is enough to be concerned, but I am not a doc. My husband has had discussions with his doc and his doc says stay on it. He does have irregular spikes in his sleep- not sure what that means. Safest approach is to take the drug for him.
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1 ReactionAfter two ablations and a Watchman procedure several weeks ago, I asked the same question of my PE's PA. She said that Eliquis withdrawal would be determined after the CT scan I have yet to schedule. I understand that it takes three months for the new scar tissue to fully cover the ablations and secure the Watchman.
Immediately after the procedures my Eliquis dose was cut in half. I now take 2.5mg twice a day.
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1 ReactionWatchman is supposed to eliminate chance of clot and stroke, but there is a period of time to determine it is really working I believe. Its nice to be free of worry
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2 Reactions@foundryrat743
Why were you switched from Eliquis to watchman? Was there a problem with continuing Eliquus? Is watchman beneficial, better? Thx
@abob Eloquis blood thinner was prescribed because of my atrial fibrillation diagnosis. A recent MRI revealed that I’ve had a couple small vessel strokes, so Eloquis was chosen to prepare me for ‘The Watchman’ heart implant, which is a titanium alloy balloon device, planted in a heart appendage, that is known to make clot formations. and may have caused one or both of my previous strokes! I had ‘The Watchman’ implant, about 2 weeks ago, and will be able to go off Eloquis, soon. Then, Plavix will be prescribed for 6 months, and then only 1 baby aspirin the rest of my life! In my case, I have had numerous falls, because of Parkinson’s Disease, and an immune disorder, which translates into going off blood thinners!
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2 Reactions@abob A Watchman shown to be leak-free at the one-year mark after insertion is generally when they agree that you can discontinue taking a DOAC like apixaban and rivaroxaban. However, it really depends on one's overall health and whether there are other risks for stroke. Those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, those with COPD or other lung inflammatory diseases, those with valvular problems in their heart, or who have other autoimmunity might be wiser to continue on a DOAC for the rest of their lives, but on the advice of a qualified physician either way, stop or continue.
The DOACs always have a risk of a major bleed, whereas a fully sealed Watchman doesn't have that worry. Further, if it isn't leaking, you can stop the DOAC on doctor's okay. Less cost, much less risk of a stroke from cardiac arrhythmia, and life goes on.
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2 Reactions@karinw I was diagnosed with the same thing in Dec and had a PFA in Jan. I’m just finishing my blanking period. I was taken off the Flecainide and Diltaizem. I still take Eliquis. I was told to use both Diltaizem and Flecainide as a pill in the pocket in case of an episode. I did do it in December before my surgery and it worked. It took about 1.5 hours but got me back in sinus rhythm.
@gloaming
Many thanks, very helpful. Husband has unrelenting diabetes type 2, so it looks like it’s ongoing Eliquis for him.