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/