Pain in leg muscles, tendons, and knees after Bilateral PE on Eliquis

Posted by smasneri @smasneri, Jul 6, 2023

One month after massive bilateral PE and taking 5 mg twice daily. Experiencing constant and continual pain in legs, mainly behind both knees, in tendons, and some muscle flare ups. Have had two ultrasounds and a CT scan on both legs since I was diagnosed June 6 and they are negative. My D Diemer is .43 and all vitals strong and regular. Echocardiogram shows no strain on heart. We have ruled most everything else out. No trauma to legs, no cuts, bruises or strains. Is this related to the Eliquis? My local hematologist wants me on it for another 5 months, I won’t be able to make that unless this subsides. Anyone else out there having this issue? Recommendations?

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 6, 2023

Welcome to Connect, @smasneri. While you’re waiting for other members to reply I found on Drug.com that 1-10% of patients taking Eliquis experience arthralgia, back pain, pain in extremity, osteoarthritis, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia and arthritis. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/eliquis-side-effects.html

I can’t image tolerating that kind of pain for 5 months either if you think it’s from the Eliquis, especially since there are alternatives. Here’s a list of other blood thinners, many have been on the market for years, such as Warfarin.
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/eliquis-alternatives/
I hope you’re able to make a switch to see if it helps. You mentioned seeing a hematologist, do you have a blood disease that increases your risk of blood clots?

smasneri | @smasneri | Jul 7, 2023

In reply to @loribmt "Welcome to Connect, @smasneri. While you’re waiting for other members to reply I found on Drug.com..." + (show)

Thank you for your response, I am seeing a hematologist in order to get the testing done to see if I do have any genetic issues that would make me susceptible to clotting. No family history of this and the doctors classified my episode as unprovoked. So I am hopeful it was not a result of some underlying condition.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 7, 2023

In reply to @smasneri "Thank you for your response, I am seeing a hematologist in order to get the testing..." + (show)

It’s good to hear the hematologist is being proactive on your account. We’ll be optimistic that it’s a one-off but there is an area for concern, don’t hesitate to reach out to the forum for support. There are quite a few of us members with blood conditions ready and willing to offer encouragement so that you don’t feel like you’re in this alone.

Have your bloodwork tests been scheduled yet?

plantskidsdogs | @plantskidsdogs | Oct 12, 2023

I've always been healthy and very active. Had an episode of Atrial Fib and ended up on Eliquis 5 mg, twice a day. Immediately, I had an acute onset of of numbness in my toes that drove me crazy. The AF was treated and heart has been in normal rhythm 3.5 months but during that time I'm having severe muscle spasms all over my body, 2-5 times EVERY HOUR, ALL DAY AND NIGHT! Also, having strong twitching in muscles at times. I'm not a person who chronically says meds bother them. In fact, I'm not one to even go to Drs unless I really need it. But I'm fighting this feeling that something really serious is going on, and I can't take the muscle spasms anymore. I also feel like my arms and legs are getting weaker and I'm only 59 and used to being very active and exercising. It was nothing for me to stack a pallet of 50# bags of horse feed before, and now I'm having a hard time. I'm also severely exhausted. I've always been a high energy person. Now, 2-3 hours after I take the Eliquis, I'm so exhausted, I'm actually going back to bed to sleep! Never in my life have I ever been able to fall asleep before midnight and for months now I've been falling asleep by 9 pm. Even my husband has remarked on this huge change!

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