Connect
muscle weakness from blood thinners like Eliquis
I have been taking Eliquis for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation Recently, I have experienced muscle weakness in my arms and knees. Has anyone experienced this type of issue
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.
Connect
@sheila64 I was on 5mg, twice a day for a saddle embolism and now off it for a month and was told effects would go away in 3 days. They haven't. Odd effects seemed to happen randomly while on it. Suddenly I could not lift my left leg up to get into the car, so ended up backing into the seat. I still have some of the expected gastrointestinal effects, my walk is odd, hips, knees and shoulders affected and oddest, one side of my upper teeth suddenly moved and now overlap.also random. I had no arthritis and rarely felt pain, but now when asked for a number, it's a 10. Agree re research.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@gloaming It may not be in the official literature, but please believe us, it is real. It also happens with Xarelto.
@gloaming It may not be in the official literature, but please believe us, it is real. It also happens with Xarelto. It is now being researched and it may be a low percentage of patients who are effected, but it is close to debilitating for those who are.
@sheila64 I totally agree with you! Finally, there is some research. I will try to attach a journal article that is interesting, especially the comments. One physician in Australia experienced the side effects himself. That will have more of an impact than laypeople complaining, but anything that will lead to more research is good. Here is a link for https://doi.org10.1093/rheumatology/kez108.025 Hope you can access this.
@charley7wills If you can’t use the link try https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/Supplement_3/kez108.025/5444380
I came here today to see if there were posts about quitting Eliquis and saw this! My muscles have been becoming weaker to the point I hate even walking on the treadmill. The last week I just quit the work outs and the past few days the muscle running from butt to knee is making limp like an ancient human being. I have been using muscle massager, heat, cold..and know if I could just take Advil it would help immensely as tylenol is a nothing drug for me. I had one afib attack over a year ago after covid and a stressful Christmas. The covid knocked out my thyroid which took 4 months to recover after the ER figured it out..not a blip since and I use a Kardia to randomly check. Had to change providers due to insurance switch and could not get appt. with new cardio until the end of May when requested it in January. My new gp said she would think I could drop it, but need to talk to the new cardio. So frustrated, gaining weight from inactivity..lifting weights down to 10 lbs being a big deal. Thanks for letting me vent!
I posted my first question about muscle weakness from Eliquis about 6 months ago. I was diagnosed with paramoxal atrail fibralation in September of 2021 and have been taking Eliquis since then.About a year and a half ago I started noticing lack of muscle strength. Now, I am 83 and assumed it was old age but in the last year, my muscles have become painful. When I checked the Eliquis data sheet one of the side effects was muscle weakness When I use my muscles even slightly I have pain. Even to the point the pain causes me to not sleep well. When I do no work, the pain is less. As with the post above, tylenol does nothing and nsaids are not to be used with Eliquis. In the past 2 months, my legs feel like they are getting weak and my feet are always cold. I am starting to see my heart doctor and my primary doctor to analyze my situation.
@twessel I hope you get good news on possibly quitting or getting something different. I am 70 and in between cardiologists which is frustrating. I can't ask the old dr. and the new dr. cannot answer without seeing me the end of May. Gained 2 lbs in the past couple weeks. My son gave me a therapeutic massager that hits pressure points on the muscle that feels worst, from hip to knee. It helps a lot so going back to walking today and see if by days end I am crippled up again.
My opinion...stay away from Eliquis, personal experience, lost 8 months of my life when I was changed from Warfarin to Eliquis with 3-4 dizzy spells a day, overwhelming Vertigo and isolated in my home because of them. Then spent the rest of the time scheduling neuro/ENT appt - no resolution there. Finally did a deep dive research into NIH and found 8 case studies of patients that had the same experience when being switched to Eliques from warfarin, when changed back to the warfarin their side effects subsided. Research paper of 2023 on this same subject cited the same case studies. PCPs like Eliquis as they do not have to spend time reviewing PT/INR's and adjusting warfarin doses. Find a PCP or Cardiologist that has a Coumadin clinic then get back on it. Again, personal opinion from one who was there and also happen to be a Registered Nurse and an Director of Nurses for over 17 years.
@twessel I hear all of you loud and clear. Went on Eliquis three - four years ago and at first no problem. Last two years are not so good. Suffer from fatigue and weakness every day now. It's very hard for me to not be able to do what I enjoyed in the past (always busy with activities such as cycling, kayaking, hiking, gardening etc. Now it's a big deal just to get dinner ready! Just recently was told I have some kind of tricuspid valve problem that is serious (so I was told). Doc said fatigue and weakness probably due to tricuspid problem. Why did it take so long to decide this may be it - after all the EKGs, scans, echos etc they are just finding this out? Anyway, I think that the Eliquis may be playing a part in this also. I want to be daring and stop the Eliquis and find out if it indeed is the root of the problem but.......almost a lose/lose proposition. Hope this makes sense. Fatigue also affects my mental state so I'm never sure if I'm doing/saying the right thing or not. Aging is hell....no cure!