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Advantages of Eliquis or Xarelto over Coumadin?
Hi - I've been on Coumadin for 15 years and my PCP and hematologist suggested I might want to try the newer generation of blood thinners. So, I started taking Eliquis last week. I haven't noticed any changes but it does make me nervous that there is no way to know for sure if my INR is at the proper level. I realize that not having to get tested once a month is great in terms of convenience and I like that I don't have to avoid foods with Vitamin K. My question is - are there other benefits to taking Eliquis over Coumadin? The higher cost isn't too much of an issue since the copay isn't too bad with my insurance.
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I hear what you are saying!! My husband has no energy whatsoever, sleeps all the time. We have a doctor's appointment this morning so I want to discuss this with him. He has Afib so he will have to take a blood thinner for life too. Xarelto is definitely more convenient but there are a couple of things that concern me, the lethargy being one. Also I read that there is no antidote to internal bleeding with Xarelto or Eliquis (which he's allergic to) but there is for coumidin. If you end up with internal bleeding, the antidote could save your life. I'm not a doctor so don't quote me on that please. It's what I have read (and I've read scores of information on the internet!).
I hope you feel better. It might be worth seeing your doctor again just to be sure.
Thank you so much for the information! I will research this site this afternoon.
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1 ReactionThose who post brief and disturbing statements bear a responsibility to either 1) reply constructively to inquiries about evidence or 2) withhold the statement. That's only fair and considerate. Refusing to even point to a place where their information came from raises suspicions of falsehood that leaves all others on the website at a loss.
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1 ReactionBrenda thank you for responding. I'm at my wits end. The muscle pain is too
much. I think I may have to try coumadin. Let me know how your husband
makes out.
Ron
I had my blood checked for arthritis. Don't have that. It's all xarelto pain. More muscle pain than fatique. Maybe I'll try coumadin
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1 ReactionWe discussed it with the doctor and he advised against changing to coumadin now because of the amount of testing and we plan to go to NY soon. He did recommend taking the xarelto at night instead of mornings. Started that last night. We will see if that helps a little.
We had the appt. with our doctor and discussed changing from Xarelto to coumadin. My husband told him he has no life, all he does is sleep. That is one of the side effects. Since we are going to be leaving soon to travel to NY state for the summer, the doctor thought it would not be good to switch over, although he would consider that when we return in the fall. My husband was taking the Xarelto in the morning and sleeping most of the day on and off. Then he was not able to sleep more than 3-4 hours on and off at night. The doctor suggested that he take the Xarelto at night and see if that resolves some of the tiredness. So yesterday was the first day to take it at night instead of the day. He didn't sleep well last night either. We'll see if it improves in the next couple days. My husband has taken coumadin before. The only down side for him is the monthly blood analysis. When we are traveling, it is especially inconvenient.
It sucks to get old!! But as my mom (who turned 94 this year) says, the alternative is not a good one... I hope you feel better soon!
Interesting advice from your doctor saying that Coumadin is a concern because of the amount of testing. I've been on Coumadin for several years because of A-fib. Initially, lab tests were taken every month, but after my reaction to the disease and the medications -- as well as the regulatory readings of my INR -- my lab tests have been once every two months for the last two years. A quick stop at a lab a mile away for blood withdrawal that takes no more than 15 minutes (including waiting time) is the end of my inconvenience. My medical service gets the results the next day and calls me to see how I'm doing and giving me advice on whether and how to react.
Martin
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1 ReactionI always take the Xarelto at dinner time and I sleep very well but the pain I've had in my joints is usually more in the morning so I've been looking into CBD oil to take the pain away and it can be used with the Xarelto I am the same problem that you guys have going on a vacation and having to get my blood checked so we have to find an answer somewhere
That's encouraging news. I think his advice was centered more on getting the amount regulated. A long time ago (maybe 20 years), my husband was on coumidin and they actually admitted him to the hospital for 4 or 5 days while they got the levels correct. We'll wait until fall. In the meanwhile, we were able to pick up a 30 day supply of Xarelto for $53. I just don't understand the pricing thing. They originally quoted us $79. I'm definitely not complaining.