Questions about Eliquis and Meds for Pain Relief

Hi Cece55, I'm inviting @1943 @jackj @renahbell @healthytoday and @scardycat into this discussion. They, too, have experience with Eliquis. @predictable may also have some tactics on how to work with your doctors to distinguish symptoms of an underlying problem vs. a side effect of medication.
According to various website, swelling and joint pain are possible side effects of Eliquis (apixaban) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/apixaban-oral-route/description/drg-20060729

Have you talked to your cardiologist about it?

Thank you for responding to me Colleen. I told the cardiologist when I saw him a couple of weeks ago that my right hip was bothering me but that it was a pre-existing condition. I asked for Advil and he said only twice a week (one dose)...if I really needed it. At that point it was just the same areas that I have already had problems with. Probably, to the cardiologist, it didn't sound like anything to worry about. I was just asking for permission for Advil. 🙂 Since then I have had referred pain in other areas per my physical therapist plus occasional muscle aches.

I realize that I cannot come off of a blood thinner because of stroke and wonder if the other new blood thinners will do the same thing or if that is not the problem at all. I don't want to play with the drugs and coming off one and going on another...that can create problems of their own.

I would like to know if these aches and pains are causing serious problems or I just have to learn to live with it. I ordered a large cold pad per my therapist, am taking physical therapy and massage. I still exercise the best that I can with the pain and continue to live life normally but it is not the same quality of life. My joints are not red or swollen.

I would feel so much better if someone can respond to me and relate their Eliquis experience and if they have something similar.

Thank You,
CeCe55

I take Eloquis 2.5 mg twice a day along with Brilinta (another blood thinner) 90 mg twice a day. The only side effects I have are bruising. I get these ugly bruise spots on my arms and legs from time to time. I don't think I have any other side effects from the blood thinners. The reason I take two is that I had a heart attack in May and a stent was installed. After a year, the Brilinta will go away, my cardiologist said.

I have had 2 ablations for AFib. In both instances times I started Eliquis 5 mg 2x day for 3 months prior to the ablation and continued 90 months after. I did stop abruptly after 90 days per Electrophysiologist, with no weaning off.

Do I have to wean off Eliquis or can I just stop. My doctor says I can stop without weaning because he thinks I have a gastrointestinal bleed

Thank you for your reply. makes me feel a little more comfortable

was it too difficult to accommodate with xarelto ? because it usually takes time and it is a very good medication

I feel rotten and have felt rotten for a week now, since going on Eliquis. Same thing with Xarelto but I went off that in four days after another visit to the ER. I'm wondering if they're giving me too high a dose. I am small and weigh less than 120 now. I keep losing weight. No appetite and feeling dizzy and like I have a bit of the flu. I'm having a little breakfast and heading back to the ER at about 4:30 am. I feel like Eliquis is going to kill me. The pharmacist said give it a few days, but it's been a few days and it's only gotten worse. I cannot sleep either. I have been up all night. So, let's see what this ER doc says. Like everyone else with this condition, I so wish I'd lived right and not developed afib.

I had some side effects with Xarelto, so the doc put me on Eliquis, but now I'm feeling dizzy on this too. At least I think it's the Eliquis. It's kind of like a trap. I am supposed to take it for my afib, and I can't go off it because I might get a blood clot if I do, so I keep taking it. I've been taking it for five days now. The first couple days I felt no effects. It was the same way with Xarelto. I was fine for a couple days, then started feeling very dizzy and had some eye issues too.

Good morning Catmom! Oh dear! You really are not feeling well. I just looked up the side effects of Eliquis and sure enough, they are exactly what you are experiencing. I can't help but think that an overeager, litigation fearful resident (inexperienced and working in the ER) saw you so worried about your occasional thumps and blips and decided to be overly cautious and put you on a blood thinner. You said it yourself, "I have felt rotten for a week now since going on Eliquis.". There's your answer.
Catmom, when I had Afib, I did not have 3 normal beats in a row and I was put on blood thinners temporarily until the beta blockers made my heart steady. Then I didn't need them. Unless you are experiencing an irregular heartbeat all the time (every 10 - 20 seconds that cause lightheadedness, I doubt that the cardiologist will consider you to have Afib.
Keep in mind that often the cure is worse than the disease and those blood thinners have strong side effects...as you have noticed. How about aspirin if absolutely necessary?
Btw, you don't always have to go the drug route for everything. For reflux (which I experience), baking soda in water works. For stress, there's exercise. For borderline diabetes, there are dietary changes. My aim is to AVOID drugs as much as possible. To me they cause side effects that then need more drugs to control them.
Your blood pressure is perfect, your oxygen levels are perfect, your pulse is perfect, your weight is perfect and your blood sugar levels are almost perfect (up the veggies and protein, lower the carbs). Rejoice!
Are your thyroid levels normal btw? That could be the cause of any weight loss AND your nerves.
I predict that the cardiologist will send you home with a clean bill of cardiac health and tell you to keep away from the stimulants and excess sugar/carbs and to go to the gym. And to relax!