@westernflyer Just my 2 cents, but as I see it if you have taken Pradaxa for many years without any observed side effects, new symptoms that show up unexpectedly, more recently, and intermittently are most likely occurring for other reasons and is NOT a side effect of the medication you have been taking for years- in your case Pradaxa.

Leg pain and muscle weakness are very general symptoms and have a myriad of causes, and aren't uncommon in an elderly population. As has been said repeatedly in the discussions about the goods, bads and uglies about the newer DOAC anticoagulants ( Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa), a person who's experiencing negative issues ( real or perceived) with a prescribed medication, be it a "blood thinner", or any other medication, is better off sharing his/her concerns, looking for solutions with the prescriber, and taking all the well intentioned, but often misleading advice from the (plug in the name of the medication du jour) detractor band wagon with a large grain of salt.