Eliquis and AFIB

Yes , we've had numerous discussions with different electro-cardiologists.
They're not right and neither are they wrong. The more laid back or "mature" doctors react with a more casual Opinion about Eliquis. Younger (?) doctors who are really into surgery contend that the Loop recorder and then the Watchman are necessary. They even differ on the Chad score. Some give him a 4 , some a 6!
Yes , he certainly could qualify for Afib prevention . But, he was playing tennis at 80, is very trim, all positive life style until we ate at a restaurant one night , he got diarrhea for 2 weeks and lost the sight of one eye. I felt funny as well but had no other issue.
There are many reasons why Eliquis could be recommended. But, no one could see the slow, gradual, bad things happening to him . Because of age and other factors you might be persuaded to use Eliquis . It's one of those
grey areas and if you're not there looking at a person everyday you'd never
know for sure.
His arms are not that awful pink /purple color any more since discontinuing the use of Eliquis. We'll have to see if there are other positive things.

Are you taking a med that keeps heart rate steady? Eliquis has no effect on that, so what other meds for A fib are you on?

@chickenfarmer thank you ! And much luck to you also

I'm very interested, 82 yrs of age have had heart condition since age 5yrs
No stroke or heart attack.
LTVance

@marybird
If you are on a:
Prescription insurance coverage through a state or federal healthcare program, including but not limited to Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, CHAMPUS, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DOD) programs.

You don't qualify for the card!

I have taken Eliquis for almost 3 years, after my pacemaker implant.
As far as I can tell, I don’t have any side effects. I would rather be safe than have a blood clot and that could be a bad thing.
I don’t really have excessive bleeding if I cut myself, etc.
I am also on Camzyos’s for cardiomyopathy and Toprol-XL

@lenmayo I've posted this information before and EACH.TIME I've also clearly stated that the Eliquis manufacturer co-pay card of which we speak can be used only by people with private insurance, those on Medicare Part D plans or other government sponsored drug plans DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS CARD. Sad, because it's a significant discount, but it is what it is.

However, in perusing the manufacturer's website recently, I found there were a couple other options that could save a person to whom Eliquis had been prescribed at least a little amount of money. There's the "Free Trial Offer Card", available from the website, sometimes available from a prescriber's office, or from the pharmacy ( I got my 30 day-free prescription card from the pharmacy tech who filled my first prescription). As I mentioned, this card provides for a free 30 day supply of Eliquis- for a first time user, and anyone with a new prescription, doesn't matter where their drug plan comes from ( Medicare, or other government insurance, or private, or are uninsured, is eligible to use that card and get a free 30 day supply. This works like any other discount card and no insurance is involved.

For those patients who are uninsured and need help paying for their Eliquis, the manufacturer also has a program for that help, called Eliquis 360 support. There's a phone number to contact the manufacturer for information and help in setting up this help. I'd imagine it's a means tested program and customer provide whatever information is pertinent- there are forms to fill out, looks like, and I'd guess the amount of help depends on the customer's income, assets, whatever... I haven't checked this out myself, but I'd think only people without a drug plan ( or health insurance) would be eligible for this help. But it's there for those who need it.

They also recommend the possibility of getting extra help from Medicare ( that I know is means tested) to help in paying for expensive drugs.

@peggynurse It's been 5 years on Eliquis for me, with no side effects that I can see. Not even excess bruising, or prolonged/excess bleeding from cuts.

I'm a senior with a few other comorbidities and the vicissitudes of old age, some of which can be painful or annoying at times, but common sense tells me none of these issues can be blamed on the Eliquis I take.

You know this of course, but while a clot is bad enough, it's the stroke associated with that clot that will take you out ( if you're lucky), or disable you to the point where you're completely helpless and dependent on others for all the activities of daily living ( if you aren't lucky). I have a pretty strong family history of stroke, have seen several of my elderly predecessors bedbound and dependent on others for care. It's a miserable existence. I'll stick with the Eliquis to lower the chances, at least to some extent, that will happen to me.

@marybird
Well said. Thank you for your response. I’m sticking with my Eliquis.