Questions about Eliquis and Meds for Pain Relief

<p>I am on Eliquis and metoprolol for recently diagnosed afib..I have terrible back pain and am told the only relief is tylenol, heat, or ice. What can I take to relieve the constant pain? Is there a safe medication to request?</p>

Hi @damari, you're wise to do your research before taking pain relief medications for your back pain while on Eliquis and metoprolol for Afib. I moved your question to this existing discussion where @cece55 asked the group a similar question with respect to her hip pain. Like you, she was told that she could take Tylenol, but that wasn't enough.

@cece55, did you find any pain relief that worked for you?

I found this detailed article about What type of pain medication is safe with Eliquis. It also includes non-medicinal pain therapies.
- Eliquis and Pain Relievers — What’s Safe to Take? https://www.rxconnected.com/eliquis/eliquis-pain-relievers
Bottom Line: "When it comes to pain, we all want to do everything possible to relieve it. However, always talk to your doctor first before trying a new method to relieve pain, whether pharmaceutical or natural. Over-the-counter acetaminophen and natural therapies can be used as painkillers with Eliquis."

Damari, have you considered other therapies, like physical therapy or hot and cold therapy? You might also talk to your pharmacist about medicine options.

Coleen's response is on the button.
Having AFIB, I face the same issue since I have sever back issues generating some severe pain/spasms at times.
The advantage of Tylenol is that it only effects the liver, and doesn't require filtration by the kidney. I believe that is safe with statins as well.
Some sites clearly define drug interaction between medications. One is Drugs.com.
Your pharmacist should provide this information, but I like this site because it provides gradations of interactions.
In general, the les the better; still pain is nobody's friend.
I don't believe that a slight variation of taking Eliquis is an issue.
I take it at breakfast and dinner as part of my regimen.

Hello Colleen and fellow group members! It has been quite a while since I have posted about Afib, Eliquis and pain management. My apologies for not responding sooner.

I never found a pain remedy for the body and muscle aches that could not actually be defined as Eliquis based or problems I had before Afib came into my life and Advil was crossed off my medicine list. All of 2019 I used Tylenol, ice, heat and stretching exercises. At my yearly 2020 appointment with my electrophysiologist, I received the very best news. He took me off of Eliquis because I had not had an event for two years. He left me on my metoprolol and one baby aspirin. I was then able to use Advil when I needed it! What a blessing.

A good portion of the aches and pains went away but I was still left with the original lower back, hip etc... I started going to a Sports Medicine Doctor who put me on a series of stretches and I changed my diet. I removed all dairy, gluten, sugar and soy and my inflammation subsided quite a bit.

The night after Thanksgiving 2020 I had a fifteen hour Afib event after more than two years. I was so sad that it had appeared again and I guess I was fooling myself thinking that I would never have it again. I wear a heart link monitor under my skin and the doctor's office picked it up on my morning ekg and called me. I see the electrophysiologist tomorrow and I am dreading what he is going to say. I am under a lot of stress and my sleeping has been irregular. Isn't this all our stories this year? 🙂 I have a feeling Eliquis is coming back into my life. I am hoping that my new diet and stretch routine will help with the pain management. I know I have to change my attitude and look at Eliquis as my guardian angel!

So here is my question ... group...this probably belongs in a new post... I am back to being nervous about when the next event will happen...anxious and worried....Any advice? All of you have always been such a support to me.

Blessings for a better 2021,
CeCe 55

Only your doctor and you can decide if going back on Eliquis is appropriate. I went 1.5yr without an Afib and convinced my Dr. to let me off. Went almost another yr w/o Afib then got a 15 hr one also... Back to Docs... He considered putting me back on but I convinced him my lifestyle does not really allow it (cutting firewood by the cord, working around mechanical stuff and easily cutting & bruising myself, getting splinters all the time). He agreed with me to leet me a off it... My Afib went down to what I call a mellow case: It remains since that visit now a month but it is whimpy - 2 quick beats, then normal for 10, then 1 skipped, then repeat... Dr. said see you in 6 months for next normal visit so I am sticking with that! I would just offer that you should consider YOUR input along with his/hers: If you strongly feel being on blood thinner has bad side effects as it sounds like is true, then make him consider THAT before putting you back on it. ALSO - my understanding is Xarelto works a different way so may not give you the side effects you do not like - ask about it maybe (I would not consider Warfarin)? Good luck with your Dr.!

Hi Cece and all. First time posting. Hard not to be discouraged by returning afib but I am trying, too, to accept it. Ablation three years ago, then afib returned and hasn’t gone away since mid Sept (Apple watch ekgs useful). I had wanted to go off Xarelto after first ablation but cardiologist wisely urged me to stay on. Glad I did. Mother died of stroke while off warfarin for minor surgery.
I will have another ablation when hospitals are clear again, meanwhile on anti-rhythmic drug to keep pulse down. Lots of fatigue, but trying to imagine a second successful ablation.
Good to hear about diet for I also have systemic inflammation. Will look into it!

Hi @zoeleela, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry to hear about your returning a-fib. I am glad you took the advice of your physician and stayed on the medication. That is just terrible to hear what happened to your mother.

I thought you might be interested in reading an article I found about a-fib and conserving energy levels. https://www.alivecor.com/blog/articles/afib_and_energy/

Have you consulted with your doctor about having another ablation?

Thanks for the great article! Ablation not until May given Covid needs in hospital. Question for all. I am on amiodarone to keep pulse from swinging as wildly while I wait, methotrexate for sarcoid, and arnuity for asthma. Feel over medicated yet each necessary. Anyone else combining these drugs?

Diagnosed with Afib a month ago. Dr. put me on Eliquis . Had so much trouble breathing and no sleep or energy. Dr. put me on Xarelto 20mg. Now the energy issue has increase trifold and still can't sleep, also have started having labored breathing issue which I don't have normally this bad. Did not take the Xarelto last night and feel good today. (they do not want you to take blood thinners before surgery so I figured one day not taking it should be ok) I'll get back on it tonight. Also I feel like there is a curtain in my head blocking information. I don't understand why taking blood thinners make you feel like you're dying. I hope someone in this group can shed some light on my issues

@heding. I was put on Xeralto 20 mg after my TIA, I did not have the side effects you had. I did have bleeding gum and sometimes random bruises. My doctor reduced it to 15 mg. When I had my loop recorder implant, I had to stop it for almost two weeks bc the incision site was bleeding. When I had my teeth cleaning, my doctor told m e to stop it two days before the procedure. Have you discussed this with your doctor? I am very sensitive to any new medication, maybe you are too. Call your doctor before discontinuing any medication. Tell him all the meds and supplements you are taking, there may be a drug interaction. Take care!