Cardiologist suggests I can stop taking Eliquis. Any thoughts?

Thank you…I have not been checked for mineral deficiencies. Good idea. Do I go to my GP for that?

Yes, your GP should be able to do this for you. Though I submit hair samples to Advanced Food Intolerance Labs twice a year, I'll be the first to concede that a blood test (full panel) is probably the best. Oh, my husband's GP authorizes him to go to the lab at the hospital with which he is affiliated. So, when my husband needs "labs" he doesn't even need an appointment. He just walks in, signs in and waits his turn. Yes, it is authorized by his GP in advance.

Now I'll present an opposing argument. Blood tests will show "today." Those hair samples? They indicate sufficiency, slight deficiency or outright deficiency over a longer timeframe. It's like seeing a snapshot versus seeing a film short. Just something to consider.

So many trace minerals (electrolytes) can be at deficient or just slightly deficient. Even those slight deficiencies can be significant for you. "Normal" ranges are based on averages; however, each person is unique.

BTW, not pushing AFIL, but was amazed to learn I was deficient in a mineral I'd never ever heard of: molybdenum. I bought a bottle of low dose "moly-b" (as one supplement brand calls it) and my next hair sample indicated I was no longer deficient.

My most recent hair sample showed outright deficiency of B3, E, Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium. The slight deficiency of Choline was of concern to me for two reasons. One of my loooooong-term antihistamines is antagonistic toward Choline and low Choline contributes to/is a warning sign of future loss of cognition--dementia, Alzheimer's, etc. You better believe I've been supplementing Choline since I received those results and hope to see an improved level around Valentine's Day.

Not going on a rant, I promise you. Everybody knows that statin drugs deplete CoQ-10. NOBODY ever told me that certain antihistamines deplete Choline! Gee... I wonder why so many people are cognitively challenged in our society. And at earlier and earlier ages?!?!?!?!

I am NOT bragging. Just so grateful and hope to inspire others. My entire life I have been on ZERO Rx meds long term, ZERO maintenance drugs. On occasion, due to acute injuries, I've had to take some meds. And, as of this moment, I am on two OTC meds: 10 mg Claritin/Loratadine and 1/2 of an adult aspirin. And you already know that aspirin is ONLY because of the Pfizer double jab A-fib and the attendant blood clots. For DECADES I was on Claritin and Tagamet (my doctor meant well). Now I am transitioning to more natural antihistamines like Quercetin, Stinging Nettle and more. I've assembled a list and month by month I'll be adding them to my daily regimen. At the end of six months, I'll see if I can put that Claritin to the side. Five days with zero Tagamet now and zero problems with either acid reflux (never a problem for me) or a rebound of diarrhea. My success? All due to DAO Enzyme! I have a motto: God's Pharmacy First. Yes, Mother Nature Provides!

Oh, that six-month timeframe? I send in a hair sample on my birthday (mid-August) and again on Valentine's Day (mid-February, obviously).

Genuinely interested in keeping up with your status and joining you on this journey! Wishing you the best no matter which route your take! I will most certainly respect your decisions and those of your GP! After all, you are you!

Would you reference the worldwide spike due to covid vaccines please?
I was diagnosed with Afib a month after covid this year. My internist says it wasnt the first time he has heard that.
Funny you dont have a doctor, I wish you well

Wish I could find the hyperlink for you. Bear in mind I received the health newsletter months ago and I struggle to get my emails below 450! Due to my own reactions (allergic reactions to almost every food and even standard oral hygiene products that had never posed a problem before) there was no other explanation. Then, over a year later, I received that newsletter and felt vindicated! One oddity was a "healthy" mouthwash made with aloe vera juice. Just swishing in my mouth caused "gurgly gut" within seconds!

As to my not having a doctor, I've been subjected to rude, insulting, envious liars, incompetents, pervs and more. Even a previous mentally ill dentist did something-- Won't go into it. Let's just say he committed suicide one month later. Had a GYN tickle my love button. Another GYN hauled off and slapped my breast because I didn't flirt with him. Then there's the one who did an improper PAP smear. Inserting the speculum and didn't use a long cotton swab. Oh, noooooo. I heard a metal implement rattling as he inserted it in the speculum and gouged out a chunk of my cervix. A chunk so large that I bled into my panties all day long. Then there was the positively brutal female GYN. Had a Derm who was more than irked that I was well informed, via the Mayo Clinic, about my cutaneous mastocytosis. She's the one who lied to me about the lab results of my toenail fungus. How do I know she lied? Went for the follow up and was told by her "No, you don't have ....." Six months later went back and, due to being on night shift (work all night/sleep all day) with a very slim window of time for a normal daytime appointment, the only opening that worked with my schedule was with one of her partners. He looked at my chart and said, "Oh, I see you have....." So, he was honest but then proceeded to ridicule me because of all the supplements I take. I could go on but why bother? Let's just say I'm committed to self-care. Ironic since I come from a family of medical professionals. Grandfather was an MD. Grandmother was a Surgical Nurse. Dad was pre-med but opted for Finance eventually. Uncle was an MD. One of my living relatives is a PA. I, myself, worked in a hospital, reporting directly to and only to the Director of Nursing/Surgery & PACU.

I'll end on a sad note: I had a wonderful Dermatologist. Dr. Martha Post in Kentucky. She was murdered by a homeless man she helped. She would let him sleep in her office at the end of her workday. Yep, he strangled her.

Thanks for the good wishes!

Getting back to that compilation of data, I have good reason to remember this stat since I got the Pfizer double jab. Prizer was at the top of the list, the worst cause of "food hypersensitivity" with a 2.6% rate. Two or three people out of 100 doesn't sound like much but bear in mind these were patients who, like me, had no food allergies before... My only known "trigger" until the jab was tobacco smoke resulting in hives that turned into cystic acne and golf balls in the neck/swollen lymph nodes.

I have been on Eliquis 5 mg twice daily for 18 months due to pulmonary embolisms that developed after leg surgery. Was also diagnosed with HIT(heparin induced Thrombocytopenia) and I have factor 2. My doctor thinks I should discontinue Eliquis as he feels I don’t need lifetime blood thinners. However I’m nervous to quit so he told me to just reduce my dosage. Has anyone else stopped or reduced Eliquis therapy? I’m afraid of recurring blood clots as I’m still not exercising due to my leg situation. Thanks for the input.

Hi. I've been on the same Eliquis dosage as you since 2016 following an ablation due to A-Fib. My rhythm med has kept everything in check. I have high cholesterol but the statins did not do well for me. I felt the Eliquis was a good thing because it might prevent me from having a stroke or heart attack. I'm 77 by the way. A few weeks ago I became constipated which is very unusual for me. When I did have a BM it was black and bloody. It stayed that way every day. It was the Thanksgiving holiday and all doctor offices and urgent care offices were closed for 4 days. On the Monday after the holiday I saw my primary and she checked my stool and said "That's blood, you need to go now to the ER." There was a bed shortage and GI doctor shortage so I had to go to a hospital an hour and a half away to be admitted, get an EGD and colonoscopy. No bleeding sites were seen but labs showed that I am now anemic. I've withheld my Eliquis because I don't want this to happen again. My cardiologist said I could reduce the Eliquis by half and should consider getting a Watchman's procedure. My heart has done so well that I hate to think of having anything done that is "non emergency" but may have to. Hope this is somewhat helpful.

@calicat, I moved your question about reducing or stopping Eliquis to this existing discussion:
- Cardiologist suggests I can stop taking Eliquis. Any thoughts?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-eliquis-1/

In addition to @fdixon63's helpful reply, I think you'll appreciate reading previous posts and connecting with others like you. You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- To stay on Eliquis or not: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/to-stay-on-eliquis-or-not/

My husband had the WATCHMAN procedure December 6 & is doing well. He was on was on blood thinners since 2001, Eliquis was the latest one & he has afib. He was falling when his dr. Suggested it. His blood counts are coming up & we are very encouraged. Very simple procedure. Good luck.

My friend who has A-Fib got a watchman procedure and it really didn’t work. Or, it worked for awhile and then didn’t work. I’d be sure to get a second opinion on this. I believe Mayo can give you a second opinion based on documents and test results alone.

Hello hbbird.
How can your friend tell..."it worked for awhile and then didn’t work."
Thanks. fdixon63