Good morning @elegantgem. Glad to have introduced you to the idea of antidotes for Eliquis and all other anticoagulants. Given that relatively minor bleeding in the brain can be damaging after an accident or a blood clot, I always ask my clinic, emergency room, and ambulance staff if they have my antidote on hand.

Whether a smaller daily dose of Eliquis would do the job of preventing clots -- and at the same time eliminate or alleviate discomfort from side-effects -- that's a question for your medical team because of the range of conditions that cause atrial fibrillation and that occur from medication for treating AF. This brings me to two main points: A second opinion from another doctor of recognized expertise in diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmia would provide a positive measure of confidence for you. Also, just asking whether my antidote is on hand usually prompts medical staff to check for it in supplies throughout the institution and, sometimes, prompts them to get some -- stat -- if it's not on hand.

Finally, it seems to me that Eliquis working against you more than helping you is a matter of perception, not reality. It's been proven to lower the risk of an ischemic stroke in most users and even, to some extent, the risk of internal bleeding. The issues of concern are two: First, is there an anticoagulant that does the job without distressing side-effects? Second, is there an approved antidote, and is it on the market and in stock at your medical care clinic? How do you feel about asking for help in getting a second opinion? Martin

I agree that it appears Eliquis does not agree with you. Have you looked at any other meds you are taking that could cause the same problems?

Thank you all so much. After re-reading these posts, I’m going to jump in: I had two strokes 4 years ago, have Afib and APLS too and with no cholesterol issues was put on Lipitor by an inept, unsupervised medical school student…not in US. which caused my ALKP to be 1039! Yikes! Then Pradaxa which caused NO side effects and was just peachy, but cardiologist put me on Eloquis , ‘’because it’s better than Pradaxa’’. NO, it is NOT….which has caused major headaches, balance issues, and terrible itching. Beware! I am fighting tooth and nail to return to Pradaxa and better quality of life! When are docs and drug companies going to listen to US?