Eliquis and AFIB

@janicedStopping Eliquis should always be done under medical supervision, as abrupt discontinuation can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, or other serious complications.
Key Considerations
Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. Unlike some medications, it does not cause withdrawal symptoms, but stopping it suddenly can lead to a rapid return of clotting risk, potentially causing stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE) within 24–48 hours of the last dose.
medxdrg.com
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Reasons for Stopping
Common reasons for discontinuing Eliquis include:
Temporary pause for surgery or medical procedures to reduce bleeding risk.
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Resolved underlying conditions, such as a clotting risk that has been treated or is no longer present.
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Adverse effects or bleeding complications, including internal or external bleeding.
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Pregnancy or breastfeeding, where alternative anticoagulants may be safer.
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Typical Process
Medical Assessment: Your doctor evaluates your risk of recurrent clots versus bleeding, considering factors like age, kidney function, and the reason for initial anticoagulation.
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Temporary or Permanent Discontinuation: For short-term pauses, Eliquis is usually stopped 1–2 days before a procedure, with adjustments for kidney function or high-risk surgeries. For long-term discontinuation, the decision is individualized based on clotting risk and overall health.
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Alternative Strategies: Your doctor may switch you to another anticoagulant, a lower dose, or non-medication approaches such as aspirin therapy or procedural interventions in select cases.
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Monitoring: After stopping, follow-up appointments and monitoring for signs of new clots are essential to ensure safety.
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@lenmayo Apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran don't 'prevent' blood clots; they only slow the process, or retard it. Clots eventually do form as patients taking DOACs learn soon enough when they puncture their skin.

@justlucky You can go online and get a coupon. EVERYONE is eligible. https://www.eliquis.bmscustomerconnect.com/

@judy3276 Incorrect, if you have part D of Medicare you can not use the coupon. If you have private or non Medicare D you can use it. Cost me $175 to learn this fact.

I don't take any blood thinners at all.

Starting in 2015 I have had afib with very rapid heart rate, once a year, or even had a two year interval. This past year I had one episode in late August 2023, two in early October, and I just had one two nights ago, 4/16, with heart rate peaking around 200.

I am meeting with a new cardiologist at a teaching hospital and am going to ask about the "pill in a pocket" approach meaning short term anticoagulation. Some say a month, some say less time. And there is a lot of difference of opinion on how long it takes to form a clot.

When one of my episodes lasted 7 hours (usually they are 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours) the hospital did an echocardiogram to check for clots.

A cardiologist pressured me to take a blood thinner back in 2015 and I declined. He later told he he agreed (much later) and that they were "probably" overmedicating people. Then again, my mother had continuous afib and had a stroke when off Coumadin for 5 days.

How often do you have afib?

@windyshores I was on for 36 hours and off for 48 hours ish for the last month or two. Finally had an ablation yesterday. I am a runner and studies show runners (and other active sports I am sure) are at much lower risk of stroke because we run a lot more blood through the heart, so I avoided thinners as well. I am on a blood thinner now, started a week before the ablation and will take for 30 days, possibly 90 depending on how the next check goes. But after that, I am done.

My Dad was on a blood thinner as he had a couple of TSAs, so clearly he needed it, he was on Eliquis. But if you don't move much, I think thinners become more important.

@windyshores I was on for 36 hours and off for 48 hours ish for the last month or two. Finally had an ablation yesterday. I am a runner and studies show runners (and other active sports I am sure) are at much lower risk of stroke because we run a lot more blood through the heart, so I avoided thinners as well. I am on a blood thinner now, started a week before the ablation and will take for 30 days, possibly 90 depending on how the next check goes. But after that, I am done.

My Dad was on a blood thinner as he had a couple of TSAs, so clearly he needed it, he was on Eliquis. But if you don't move much, I think thinners become more important.

@judy3276 Incorrect, if you have part D of Medicare you can not use the coupon. If you have private or non Medicare D you can use it. Cost me $175 to learn this fact.

@highmtnview
Canadian pharmacy is a lot less expensive,
https://www.discountcanadadrugs.com/
Use referral code BER-LEO-540 for $20 off first order.

@highmtnview
Canadian pharmacy is a lot less expensive,
https://www.discountcanadadrugs.com/
Use referral code BER-LEO-540 for $20 off first order.