Asking my Cardiologist if I could reduce Eliquis and add Turmeric?

When I was diagnosed with AFIB on 27 Dec 2024 I was put on Eliquis that very day 5mg twice a day. On March 5 202 5 I had a successful Cardioversion and I am now in Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR). This morning (04/08/2025) I had a telehealth video appointment with an electrophysiologist to discuss pulse field ablation (PFA). In the next 4 to 6 weeks I will have the PFA proceduce done so I asked about stopping Eliquis since I am in NSR or stopping after the PFA and he said that they reccomend that people who have had AFIB stay with the Eliquis because of the potential of a recurrance.

Interesting, because my EP told me that if I have no episodes of Afib for 6 months after a PFA procedure, I could stop taking anticoagulants. However, my cardiologist said that my CHADSVASC score may still indicate a need for anticoagulant even if my Afib is 'cured'. As an active person (skiing, bicycle, hiking, etc.) I would love to get off anticoagulants because of the very real risk of severe bleeding from a head injury. Another option is the Watchman...not that I'm in the mood for another procedure. Ugh...

I have been told that Medicare is now approving the Watchman placement at time of ablation, but have not discussed anything with my cardiologist yet. He gave me the brochure on the Watchman on our first visit, we meet again later this month after the heart ultrasound. If I would still need to stay on the anticoagulants after an ablation I don't know that I would even do it at this point. My reading on the Watchman shows it still is not up to even a 90% success rate, so not sure about that either. I really wish we could somehow do labs to tell if the supplements are good enough to get off or at least reduce the eliquis.

Hello @rushhome,

Contraindications and drug interactions can certainly be difficult to decipher and navigate as well as dangerous if they were to occur. You are on the right track with openly discussing your desire with your cardiologist or inquiring about seeking the guidance of another division such as a hematologist. It is difficult for members to share their individual experiences with medications and supplements as a one to one comparison since our bodies process medications so differently.

You mentioned some hesitancy to the Watchmen procedure, which is an understandable sentiment due to its invasive nature. If you are interested in reading how others have faired and are currently doing after their procedure this discussion may be of interest to you:

"Living with a Watchmen device"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-a-watchman-device/

@rushhome, when you meet with your provider do you plan to openly discuss the benefits and risks of staying on anticoagulants, opting not to have an ablation or stopping medications?

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! Yes, I will openly discuss with my provider all of my concerns ideas, and probably more of my ideas than he wants to hear! I actually have no hesitancy on an ablation and would prefer that to the anticoagulants. A little hesitant on the Watchman only due to some of the articles I have read on failure to entirely close and some possible clotting issues. I like the idea of the ablation as a method to also possibly stave off potential for cardiomyopathy as alternative to anticoagulants. Thank you for the link, I will be following it soon. I did research further and found that the only true way to measure the doacs is with a mass spectrometer so far. Expensive but the gold standard.