Taking Eliquis and Metoprolol for A-fib: Concerned about side effects

Ablation is a surgical procedure that is considered in therapy decisions of people with arrhythmic pulse and their medical team. Watchman is a medical device that also gets wide consideration at the level of physician-patient, taking into account the cost of the device and the willingness of health insurance companies to foot the bill. Journalism encounters resistance of patients and their medical teams to detailed questions that form the basis of publications; personal privacy is protected in these cases by medical professionals as well as by public laws prohibiting disclosure of personal health information.

Martin: Do you really believe that is a response to the ? proffered?

@ltssjs, I might have asked you the same question about your question. Who do you think has the responsibility for considering ablation and Watchman -- and for whom? In my experience, cardiology practices consider every option before homing in on those that should be helpful to a patient whose diagnosis is well advanced. Against that background, I answered your question in what I think of as the real world. If you wanted Connect members to "consider" ablation and Watchman, many of us do -- including me, but in partnership with my medical team, we have set those options aside. Members and mentors on Connect -- even our Moderators -- are not here to recommend treatments for medical problems. That responsibility lies with the patient and the medical team that has been given the role of diagnosing and treating an illness. Martin

The question centered on the term CONSIDERED and then IF not Why not. Thru my personal experiences in conversations with cardiology patients I have come to the realization that considerations often are determined more by by the ability of the practices involved than the procedures currently available. Referral are not always resorted to or suggested, unfortunately. Furthermore it has become necessary for the patient to be very pro active. Read and gain as much knowledge as one can regarding the medical issue being addressed. Ask questions. Be informed as much as possible. Yes, RESPONSIBILITY pertains to the patient as well! It is of help to the Cardiologist as well as the patient.

Hi, not being a pill taker (except vitamins), I try to reduce dosages. I was put on Eliquis about 4 years ago when I was in severe heart failure. I had two blood clots in my heart when I finally got diagnosed and hospitalized at Phoenix Mayo Clinic. Grace of God held those two clots in place and were dissolved with Eliquis over about 3 months. So, even though I had a lot of joint pain at that time which I thought was a side effect of Eliquis, it has lessened quiet a bit with time. You know, it's always that story, which is worse, the illness or the side effects. After a series of attempts to get my heart to stay in rhythm, I was put on Metoprolol. This has worked well lowering my heart rate. It's amazing how much better I feel. Also, I take magnesium and vit C and potassium daily. I took Omega3 for awhile though eating salmon and walnuts does the same. Drink green drinks of home juicing, kale, carrots, celery, ginger, apple and lemon. Like to do this every 2 -3 days. Also, prayer, enjoyable activity such as gardening, and massage therapy. Just keep feeding yourself fulfilling and life sustaining activities. I'm 73, and that's how I maintain my health. Though a bit crazy, I live with a family that loves me.

Your post caught my eye because you said massage therapy. On the Mayo website under blood thinners of which Eliquis is, it reads not to have a massage because of possible bruising and to consult your physician. I did and he said only the lightest touch should be used. What is your experience?

@gator66, thank you for your post. I had not thought about bruising with deep massage. It certainly should be a concern.

Your post caught my eye because you said massage therapy. On the Mayo website under blood thinners of which Eliquis is, it reads not to have a massage because of possible bruising and to consult your physician. I did and he said only the lightest touch should be used. What is your experience?

The question centered on the term CONSIDERED and then IF not Why not. Thru my personal experiences in conversations with cardiology patients I have come to the realization that considerations often are determined more by by the ability of the practices involved than the procedures currently available. Referral are not always resorted to or suggested, unfortunately. Furthermore it has become necessary for the patient to be very pro active. Read and gain as much knowledge as one can regarding the medical issue being addressed. Ask questions. Be informed as much as possible. Yes, RESPONSIBILITY pertains to the patient as well! It is of help to the Cardiologist as well as the patient.

@ltssjs- I would wholeheartely agree with you that the responsibility of the patient has become far more pro active. We have a wonderful hospital here where I live with an excellent heart center, but it took an 2nd opinion at Mayo Phoenix to get results of more extensive tests that were needed to better understand my health issues and proper treatment plan. Jim@thankful