AFib - Question about blood thinners

Well, I wanted to lessen my Eliquis, but cardiologist said, " no". All you have to do is weigh the side effects verse a possible stroke. I'm not willing to gamble with a stroke. After three years, my main issues with Eliquis has been some brown spots on arms and legs, and joint pain. I treated the joint pain with weekly massage therapy and 1500 vit C. It's much better now, only a little bit of stiffness.

I've been taking Eloquis for a little over a year now since a heart attack and have had no problems with it. The downsides of these drugs are very rare, I believe. They have to warn you to cover their liability just in case, but these things rarely occur. Would you rather have a stroke? That can definitely happen if you don't take a blood thinner and you have A-fib.

How is it working out?

I have been on xarelto for blood thinner for many years - must take with evening meal _ it requires food to not enter blood with fôod. When I had blood in my urine
I had cancer in my bladder twice cancer free for 13 years
Before xeralto I was on plavix and baby aspirin for blood thinner

Hello, @cece55. I'm sorry to hear of your latest complication -- pain and inflammation -- to go with your Afib and Apnea. Like you, I was diagnosed with Afib four years ago, and I have been on a beta blocker (Carvedilol) and an anticoagulant (Coumadin). The main difference for me is that I do not feel irregular heart beats; they only show up on my electrocardiograms. But my Afib is definitely real -- I had a small stroke last summer, apparently from a blood clot that formed in my heart from Afib slowing the blood flow through my Atrium. I too am restricted from taking Advil or other NSAIDs, because of their adverse interaction with my main medications. Can you share what kinds of pains you're dealing with and where inflammation is causing you severe discomfort. When I have similar problems, my personal care physician either gives me treatment for them or refers me to a specialist. Has your medical team offered you advice on what to do to alleviate the pain and to redress your inflammation?

I'm on the same--metoprolol tartrate & Eliquis--and I have the same issue. I used to rely on Aleve because Tylenol never did the job. Basically, I've learned to live with the pain or to address it in other ways. For example, I had lots of low back pain, which I've been able to address (mostly) with therapy and exercise. Occasionally, I do take a Motrin or two, but I try to avoid that. And I haven't given up on Tylenol, meaning I'll try that first. You might ask your doctor about Tramadol, which is something like an opiod but not as dangerous or addictive, and not a blood thinner.

Hello Group,

I have AFib and am presently on Metoporal and 5MG Eliquis twice a day. Per my doctor and my pharmacist, I understand that I cannot take Advil or like medicines. What is left to take when you are in pain and have inflammation? Tylenol works very minimally for me and does not work at all on inflammation problems. Any advice?

Thank You...CeCe55

My age is 89, I've had Afib for about 40 years. My first Doc advised taking 81mg aspirin which I did. During the preceding years I added fish oil, co-q-10 and other supplements to my diet to maintain a healthy heart. In late 2019, I experienced low energy and a low heart rate in the 40s. My cardiologist recommended a pacemaker and I did so in Feb 2020. During a pacemaker activity review, Jan. 2021, the results indicated 71 Afib incidents in 11 months. Doctor went a little crazy and demanded, yes demanded that I immediately go on Eliquis. I said I don't want to and why do I have to. His comment was you'er going to have a stroke! We argued...but did not review my history, did not discuss side effects, just made it emphatic that if I had a stroke it was my fault. Long story short because of commitments to my wife I started taking that horrible drug. On August 8, 2021, I was taken to the hospital for an emergency Burr Hole operation on my brain to relieve pressure caused by bleeding in the brain...caused by ingesting Eliquis. Now my problem, a "between a rock and a hard place" problem. I am afraid to take blood thinners of any kind (CT scans are the only way to tell if the brain bleeds) and if I don't don't take blood thinners than I am a candidate for a stroke.

Hello @gi628 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You truly are between an rock and a hard place between your feelings on Eliquis and your need to minimize your risk. I feel for you.

That said, I wonder if you've heard of this device? I came across it when looking up alternatives to blood thinners and thought you may have some interest.

- Watchman Device:
https://www.watchman.com/en-us/atrial-fibrillation-stroke/alternative-to-blood-thinners.html
Has anyone ever provided with you alternative options they feel could minimize your stroke risk?

Thanks for your reply and yes I have heard of this device and submitted a survey form. At first blush it doesn't look like I fit but am meeting Monday with new Doctor to go over a detailed survey that Watchman sent and will try again. As for your second question, not as yet.