Eliquis and AFIB

Posted by lenmayo @lenmayo, Apr 18, 2024

Does anyone who has occasional AFIB not take Eliquis?

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@californiazebra

@bunstuffer
I don’t sleep that much, but I can tell you the days I’m in afib I am sooo weak, fatigued and dizzy with low blood pressure that I don’t feel up to anything.

My paroxysmal afib started 3.5 years ago when I started on cancer meds that I’m still on. Since then I’ve typically gone into afib 2-4 times a month. Initially episodes lasted about 12 hours, now typically 30. My rhythm has always returned to normal on its own.

Even though the meds are the underlying cause, I’ve noticed certain foods trigger an episode. If you don’t already, I suggest keeping a food diary and notice patterns of certain foods eaten hours before an episode.

For me, chocolate is a huge trigger. Just one piece of See’s candy can do it. I’m very caffeine sensitive but it could be something else in chocolate too. So many times chocolate has triggered an episode that I’ve finally given it up. Not worth it. I don’t drink any caffeine.

I recently became suspicious of cheese when I got on a grilled cheese kick and my episodes increased. Researched it and hard cheeses have tyramine that can trigger afib. Cheese pizza and tacos with light cheese recently triggered my afib. No more cheese for me. I already have a limited diet for many other reasons so I already don’t eat lots of the trigger foods. Look up foods that trigger afib. Also look up foods with tyrosine as the list is long. My last 3 episodes were triggered by cheese or chocolate. Teriyaki and soy sauce have always made my heart flip out. They have tyrosine. Who knew? Other foods with tyrosine are cured meats, picked and fermented foods, sourdough bread, some sauces, citrus, some alcohol. Most of those already weren’t part of my diet. I’m really working to eliminate any known triggers from my diet. Each body is unique and has its own sensitivities. Do your own scientific research because no one has more time to spend on your specific case than you do. Food elimination is really helping! Hope this helps you and others too.

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I don't know when I'm in A-Fib. I get it a lot, though ...most of the time, according to the monitor machine next to my bed, at night. I get a report quarterly. I'm in A-Fib a lot of the time, never associated it with anything in foods. But I admit to eating chocolate (1 square every day) and cheese. And sushi now and then! I don't think my diet is good for my aches and pains either!

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@californiazebra

@bunstuffer
I don’t sleep that much, but I can tell you the days I’m in afib I am sooo weak, fatigued and dizzy with low blood pressure that I don’t feel up to anything.

My paroxysmal afib started 3.5 years ago when I started on cancer meds that I’m still on. Since then I’ve typically gone into afib 2-4 times a month. Initially episodes lasted about 12 hours, now typically 30. My rhythm has always returned to normal on its own.

Even though the meds are the underlying cause, I’ve noticed certain foods trigger an episode. If you don’t already, I suggest keeping a food diary and notice patterns of certain foods eaten hours before an episode.

For me, chocolate is a huge trigger. Just one piece of See’s candy can do it. I’m very caffeine sensitive but it could be something else in chocolate too. So many times chocolate has triggered an episode that I’ve finally given it up. Not worth it. I don’t drink any caffeine.

I recently became suspicious of cheese when I got on a grilled cheese kick and my episodes increased. Researched it and hard cheeses have tyramine that can trigger afib. Cheese pizza and tacos with light cheese recently triggered my afib. No more cheese for me. I already have a limited diet for many other reasons so I already don’t eat lots of the trigger foods. Look up foods that trigger afib. Also look up foods with tyrosine as the list is long. My last 3 episodes were triggered by cheese or chocolate. Teriyaki and soy sauce have always made my heart flip out. They have tyrosine. Who knew? Other foods with tyrosine are cured meats, picked and fermented foods, sourdough bread, some sauces, citrus, some alcohol. Most of those already weren’t part of my diet. I’m really working to eliminate any known triggers from my diet. Each body is unique and has its own sensitivities. Do your own scientific research because no one has more time to spend on your specific case than you do. Food elimination is really helping! Hope this helps you and others too.

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Correction: Tyramine is the afib trigger not tyrosine

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@bunstuffer

My husband developed Afib about 2 years ago. He's had an ablation, 6 cardioversions and takes amiodarone. He often sleeps 18 or more hours a day. He goes in and out of rhythm spontaneously, mostly out. He feels guilty that we have no social life but, of course, it's not his fault. His doctors tell him that he is so tired because when his heart is out of rhythm it's like he's running a marathon all the time. I feel bad for him that he feels so rotten all the time. Does anyone else sleep so much like this?

Jump to this post

@bunstuffer
I don’t sleep that much, but I can tell you the days I’m in afib I am sooo weak, fatigued and dizzy with low blood pressure that I don’t feel up to anything.

My paroxysmal afib started 3.5 years ago when I started on cancer meds that I’m still on. Since then I’ve typically gone into afib 2-4 times a month. Initially episodes lasted about 12 hours, now typically 30. My rhythm has always returned to normal on its own.

Even though the meds are the underlying cause, I’ve noticed certain foods trigger an episode. If you don’t already, I suggest keeping a food diary and notice patterns of certain foods eaten hours before an episode.

For me, chocolate is a huge trigger. Just one piece of See’s candy can do it. I’m very caffeine sensitive but it could be something else in chocolate too. So many times chocolate has triggered an episode that I’ve finally given it up. Not worth it. I don’t drink any caffeine.

I recently became suspicious of cheese when I got on a grilled cheese kick and my episodes increased. Researched it and hard cheeses have tyramine that can trigger afib. Cheese pizza and tacos with light cheese recently triggered my afib. No more cheese for me. I already have a limited diet for many other reasons so I already don’t eat lots of the trigger foods. Look up foods that trigger afib. Also look up foods with tyrosine as the list is long. My last 3 episodes were triggered by cheese or chocolate. Teriyaki and soy sauce have always made my heart flip out. They have tyrosine. Who knew? Other foods with tyrosine are cured meats, picked and fermented foods, sourdough bread, some sauces, citrus, some alcohol. Most of those already weren’t part of my diet. I’m really working to eliminate any known triggers from my diet. Each body is unique and has its own sensitivities. Do your own scientific research because no one has more time to spend on your specific case than you do. Food elimination is really helping! Hope this helps you and others too.

REPLY
@bunstuffer

My husband developed Afib about 2 years ago. He's had an ablation, 6 cardioversions and takes amiodarone. He often sleeps 18 or more hours a day. He goes in and out of rhythm spontaneously, mostly out. He feels guilty that we have no social life but, of course, it's not his fault. His doctors tell him that he is so tired because when his heart is out of rhythm it's like he's running a marathon all the time. I feel bad for him that he feels so rotten all the time. Does anyone else sleep so much like this?

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I had an ablation, heart valve repair, and LAAC over 2 years ago: off all meds, vitals are terrific, plenty of exercise daily. I am 80 years-old. Dr. Byron Boulton of WakeMed in Raleigh, NC did it all. He's terrific.

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I can't answer your question, at least not insofar as my history goes. But, I do absolutely understand why he must sleep so much. It is because being conscious means being anxious, being aware of the sensations in his chest when he's fibrillating, and having to endure his new condition, living circumstances, and how they affect both of you. He's probably depressed, although I say that in a generic way, not from a clinical diagnosis or from hard data...it's just an expression. He's unhappy, bummed...fretful...it's just better if he lies down, even if just to daydream or to zone out.

I can only assume that the ablation was unsuccessful. Were you given a reason? Would you go to another, maybe better, more experienced electrophysiologist if you could? What is the rate when he's fibrillating? Does he know when he's fibrillating? How does he describe what AF feels like to him?

If he is in and out of AF, he's still in the paroxysmal stage. THAT'S GOOD!! A really decent EP can get him out of AF permanently, even if he returns to AF in a few years, which sometimes happens (it IS a progressive disorder after all). You and your husband would love to be several years free of AF if that was the best you could do.

If you have the means and can travel, two top-notch EPs in the USA are: Dr. Andrea Natale at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, and Dr. Pasquale Santangeli at the Cleveland Clinic. There are several others whose names might be offered by other responders.

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My husband developed Afib about 2 years ago. He's had an ablation, 6 cardioversions and takes amiodarone. He often sleeps 18 or more hours a day. He goes in and out of rhythm spontaneously, mostly out. He feels guilty that we have no social life but, of course, it's not his fault. His doctors tell him that he is so tired because when his heart is out of rhythm it's like he's running a marathon all the time. I feel bad for him that he feels so rotten all the time. Does anyone else sleep so much like this?

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@gm1969

Thanks for. your comments I too have paroxysmal AFIB.. Infrequent attacks..You mentioned generic Apixaban.. Is this widely distributed.?.My local Pharmacy Walgreens does not have it.
any info would be welcome..
Thanks

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@gm1969 -- Hi, GM.

Think several posters here have indicated they get this generic med online through reputable Canadian pharmacies... and at discount prices.

All the best!

/LarryG

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@gm1969

Thanks for. your comments I too have paroxysmal AFIB.. Infrequent attacks..You mentioned generic Apixaban.. Is this widely distributed.?.My local Pharmacy Walgreens does not have it.
any info would be welcome..
Thanks

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Generic Eliquis, Apixaban, is not available in the US yet. It has to be ordered ftom approved non-US companies, which is legal to do. That's why some of us order through a Canadian company that sources throughout the world.

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@kevkat73

I have constant Very mild afib w normal heartrate & they put me on Eliquis bcuz of stroke risk. I chose to take it Rather than possibly Have a Stroke....its your choice. Do what feels right for you!

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Sounds like my story & I am lucky to be able to afford the meds with no major side effects. Thanks for your input.

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@justwannasay

RE: the cost of Eliquis, I was paying $100. per month until about a year ago when a generic brand of Apixaban became available. Now it costs $30.00 per mo.
That's for 5mg.x 2 per day. I have Paroxysmal A-fib....I don't even know when or if I'm having episodes. I think mine is caused by a bicuspid aortic valve.

Jump to this post

Thanks for. your comments I too have paroxysmal AFIB.. Infrequent attacks..You mentioned generic Apixaban.. Is this widely distributed.?.My local Pharmacy Walgreens does not have it.
any info would be welcome..
Thanks

REPLY
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