I am on Sotalol to control blood pressure and heart rate. It seems to be working but I am tired and week all the time. I thought with more movement and exercise, I'd feel better, but it hasn't helped. I was on Xarelto until I developed blood in my urine. Thought it might be a kidney problem, but when the Xarelto stopped, the blood also disappeared. Kidneys okay. Now, the doctor wants to put me on Eliquis. I'm truthfully really scared of it. The "Common" side effects include bleeding – in the stomach, intestines, brain, or eyes. I know also, that once on it, you shouldn't stop for fear of blood clots. I really don't want to be on any blood thinners. Still hoping for more natural solution. Anyone else have experience with this?
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I'm really not sure. I had to dig to find out the types of bleeding that were common. Mostly, they just said 'bleeding'. I suppose it could be as minor as bloodshot eyes, or as severe as blindness, similar to that caused by diabetes….diabetic retinopathy (is that the correct term?) I find any type of internal bleeding frightening, especially bleeding into the brain, as mentioned. Isn't bleeding into the brain as severe as a stroke?
I have taken Sotalol 9 months to Control aFib and took propranolol for 40 yrs before switching. Beta blockers have reputation to cause fatigue. I do get tired mid afternoon & quick nap perks me back up. Otherwise, I have plenty energy. Regular exercise helps energy level normal. As for blood thinners, anyone w aFib must take them to prevent stroke. I have taken warfarin 10 years and no issues. Eliquis is preferred by my cardiologist but I had mitral repair and can’t take DOAC’s. No studies to date with valve issues to safely take Eliquis, etc. I have had no bleeding issues to date and have home monitor to check INR every 3 weeks. Hope my history helps calm your fears.
I've been on Eliquis for 6 months without any problems. I also take Losartan. I was also very hesitant to use this drug given the warnings but my blood pressure is consistently down, I haven't had any afib issues in a month, and I almost never have the frequent headaches like I used to have. I've lost 20 pounds so that likely helped as well. From what I've read, Eliquis is a more effective drug than others and doctors seem to like it.
I have been on Sotalol for about nine months. It does a good job of keeping blood pressure and heart rate pretty steady. I don't get 'sleepy, tired' but fatigued. A flight of stairs is about all I can handle at times. I was on Toprol before the Sotalol and don't remember having any problems with it. I was switched to the Sotalol after an a-fib episode when my heart rate went up to 225. I've been told you can have episodes and not realize it. I haven't had any that I'm aware of since then. Is anyone in a similar situation and not on a blood thinner?
Tikosin is Dofetiliide. It became generic months ago. Very cheap. It went from $40/month to $5/month for me. I've been on it for 4 years. For most of them, it kept afib attacks to one/year. Now that I'm older, they are more frequent. In the past they have switched Tikosin users to Amiodarone when they think Tikosin isn't working any more. However my doctor just told me that Amiodarone can agree with some people and they can use it for many years, but other people it doesn't agree with and unfortunately it has a long half life – so even when you stop taking it you suffer a long time from the side effects. I will hesitate to use it if recommended. I'm not aware that Tikosin/Dofetiliide has had any bad side effects for me.
I have been on Eliquis for about 3 years without any problems – other than the expense. Last December I had tube shunt surgery to decrease the pressure in my eye due to glaucoma. After that, I developed diplopia, which is a challenge, but corrected with prism lenses in my glasses. About 2 months ago, I had sudden onset blurriness in the affected eye, for which I sought immediate treatment. I had a Central Retinal Vein Occulsion – bleeding. This is caused by glaucoma and/or HBP. My BP is well controlled, and my cardiologist feels it is the glaucoma. I am receiving injections into the eyeball and am expecting that my full vision will be stored. For a time, I was also place on low dose aspirin. This should be an ALERT to anyone on blood thinners. We think of low dose aspirin as being safe and helpful; however, it multiplies the risk of bleeding several-fold if you're on a blood thinner. By the way, @texas14, I have also had mitral valve repair and have no conflict with Eliquis. Of course, I would rather not be on it, but it is what it is. Does any of this help?
I've been on Eliquis since last April and had no problems until I decided to have a beer one night. All was well so the next night I had a small glass of wine (about 3 oz). No problems, so the next night I had another small glass of wine. Now I am afraid I have bleeding in my stomach. I'm not sure yet, but it feels like when I had an ulcer about 10 years ago–pain in the middle of my stomach.
Otherwise, Eliquis has worked for me. I am also on Diltiazem to control my heart rate. I know someone who had a severe stroke and he is lucky to be alive, and he lost part of his vision, so I'd rather take blood thinners than end up like him. My doctors here placed the fear of God in me–stay on Eliquis or take the risk of having a stroke.
As for bleeding risk. I have cut myself since going on Eliquis and I bled a little more than I would have otherwise and the cut took a bit longer to clot, but it did and nothing bad happened. Maybe it's just me and maybe I have more vitamin K in my system than some people (I eat a lot of salads–greens, etc.), but I am not so afraid of a severe bleeding incident now.
@isabelk
I am on Pradaxa. I was interested to read your comment about bleeding in the eyes. How does that manifest itself? Vision impairment? Bloodshot eyes?