Connect
AFib - Question about blood thinners
I am on Sotalol to control blood pressure and heart rate. It seems to be working but I am tired and week all the time. I thought with more movement and exercise, I'd feel better, but it hasn't helped. I was on Xarelto until I developed blood in my urine. Thought it might be a kidney problem, but when the Xarelto stopped, the blood also disappeared. Kidneys okay. Now, the doctor wants to put me on Eliquis. I'm truthfully really scared of it. The "Common" side effects include bleeding - in the stomach, intestines, brain, or eyes. I know also, that once on it, you shouldn't stop for fear of blood clots. I really don't want to be on any blood thinners. Still hoping for more natural solution. Anyone else have experience with this?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
Please go to the Eliquis website. Click on the Savings Card and fill out the info. You take it to the pharmacy Mine went from $436 with insurance to $10.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been on Eliquis for about 3 years without any problems - other than the expense. Last December I had tube shunt surgery to decrease the pressure in my eye due to glaucoma. After that, I developed diplopia, which is a challenge, but corrected with prism lenses in my glasses. About 2 months ago, I had sudden onset blurriness in the affected eye, for which I sought immediate treatment. I had a Central Retinal Vein Occulsion - bleeding. This is caused by glaucoma and/or HBP. My BP is well controlled, and my cardiologist feels it is the glaucoma. I am receiving injections into the eyeball and am expecting that my full vision will be stored. For a time, I was also place on low dose aspirin. This should be an ALERT to anyone on blood thinners. We think of low dose aspirin as being safe and helpful; however, it multiplies the risk of bleeding several-fold if you're on a blood thinner. By the way, @texas14, I have also had mitral valve repair and have no conflict with Eliquis. Of course, I would rather not be on it, but it is what it is. Does any of this help?
I'm so sorry to hear of the problems you have had. I do know that bleeding in the eyes is also listed as a "common" side effect of Eliquis. I hope you continue to do well.
I've been on Eliquis since last April and had no problems until I decided to have a beer one night. All was well so the next night I had a small glass of wine (about 3 oz). No problems, so the next night I had another small glass of wine. Now I am afraid I have bleeding in my stomach. I'm not sure yet, but it feels like when I had an ulcer about 10 years ago--pain in the middle of my stomach.
Otherwise, Eliquis has worked for me. I am also on Diltiazem to control my heart rate. I know someone who had a severe stroke and he is lucky to be alive, and he lost part of his vision, so I'd rather take blood thinners than end up like him. My doctors here placed the fear of God in me--stay on Eliquis or take the risk of having a stroke.
As for bleeding risk. I have cut myself since going on Eliquis and I bled a little more than I would have otherwise and the cut took a bit longer to clot, but it did and nothing bad happened. Maybe it's just me and maybe I have more vitamin K in my system than some people (I eat a lot of salads--greens, etc.), but I am not so afraid of a severe bleeding incident now.
This morning I noticed that my stool was black. I think this might be because of blood in it. Has anyone had any problems like this while on Eliquis?
How much do you take every day?
Black stools need to be reported to your doctor immediately or go to the ER and get it checked out. I'm on Xarelto and was told that is a sign of internal bleeding and I would need immediate medical care.
It could be from eating spinach or beets. But it could also be blood in the stool.
I probably need to quit posting on this topic. All I know is what I have read and researched. I was on Xarelto for six months before I developed blood in my urine. As soon as I went off the Xarelto - no more blood (visual or in urine test). The cardiologist wanted me to take Eliquis. I read and read so much info online. What I learned is there are two types of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. The ischemic is caused by a blood clot traveling to the brain. The hemorrhagic is caused by bleeding in the brain. Those of us with A-fib are supposed to avoid the ischemic type by taking blood thinners to avoid a clot. However, the 'common' side effects of Eliquis list bleeding in the brain*. To me, that is a hemorrhagic stroke. Supposedly, the ischemic strokes are survivable and people often gain back functions lost to the stroke. The hemorrhagic strokes are 30-60% fatal. And, people surviving them have only a 10-15% likelihood of gaining functions back. In my (uneducated) opinion, this is really a catch-22 and we need better medications with far less critical side effects. In the meantime, the pharmaceutical companies' gross sales annually for just one of these meds is in the Billions (with a B). *The other side effects of Eliquis are bleeding into the stomach, intestines, or eyes.
Eliquis = 2.5 mg/day. I went on pantoprozole yesterday though and my symptoms eased up. If you have black stools then you need to see someone, esp if you have stomach pain with it and feel weak.