Rare serious side effect of Eliquis: Muscle weakness

Are u still taking eliquis? If not, what do you do for afib?

What does the doc say? Just to keep taking it anyway?

What are you doing about the afib now that you stopped taking eliquis?

Thought I would post this again, with an up-to-date timeline, in case any facet of my experience can help.

My AFIB and getting off drugs story:
I had AFIB, severe left atrial regurgitation, atrial valve not opening properly, no comorbidities.
Everyone is different, but here is my experience for what it's worth. I had mitral valve repair, ablation, and LAAC at 78, two years and 3 months ago. No more AFIB (it can work permanently). I exercise and eat smartly (low in calories, sugar, salt, and caffeine). When I walk, I meditate by well-wishing for others. I also visualize my RNA, DNA, and all body systems being in good order. (I love order.) I got off of Eliquis after four months by wearing a heart monitor for 30 days to be sure AFIB was gone. I had to push my cardiologist to put me on the monitor. My last vital stats while sitting were 119/68, heart rate 68. I have also now weaned myself off of 12.5mg metoprolol daily and 81mg aspirin daily. (Read recent JAMA article that said low dose aspirin causes brain bleeding over time. Now it is recommended only for stroke and heart attack victims as I understand it. I have also read that metoprolol interferes with sodium and sugar levels. Too low an amount of sugar or salt can cause dizziness as I read it.) Vitals and alertness are better than ever. Daily, I do take a magnesium glycinate supplement containing 29% of RDA. Pure Encapsulations is the best brand I have found. I have read that magnesium and moderate exercise help folks to stay out of AFIB). I had a great surgeon at WakeMed in Raleigh, Dr. Boulton, who did all of the heart stuff. That was key of course. He also supports magnesium supplements. Overall, I feel extremely fortunate.
More: After a dizzy event about 13 months ago, where many tests found absolutely no signs of anything abnormal, my cardiologist wanted me to have a loop recorder implanted (standard recommendation I guess). I said no for a host of loop recorder concerns and have been fine as wine ever since. My best research indicated that the probable cause of my dizziness was the metoprolol I took, combined with too low sodium and sugar intake that day as I had cut the lawn and also had done a full exercise regimen. Off metoprolol now as I said and doing fine 13 months later. Hope this helps. Also, everyone should read "Undoctored”: Why Health Care Has Failed You and How You Can Become Smarter Than Your Doctor." I'm not saying that doctors are all wrong or all bad, just that you likely have the time to sort things out better than they can for your particular circumstances. Lastly, be sure to read "The AFIB Cure" if you have not done so already.

My doctor had severe issues with his AFib. He takes Pradaxa as the blood thinner. From the comments here, ask about options.

Eliquis may not be for all people. Remember, there is a relationship between the drug manufacturer and the doctor prescribing that medication. Ask around for options.

I have a relatively slight case of off-and-on Afib. I take Pradaxa since 2015 and absolutely no issues. Retired military..I get the medication FREE from and through the VA. Previously with Express Scripts at $12.00 per quarter.

Yes! I was prescribed the 5mg tablets Eliquis twice daily after having blood clots in both lungs (Covid shot caused this). I suffered same as you! I had pain in legs and needed a rollator walker. Horrible! I switched hematologists. The new hematologist then explained to me that I should have been put on the “maintenance” dosage of Eliquis which is HALF the daily dosage. So, within 60 days of just taking the 2.5mg tablet twice a day, I started to feel much better. The leg pain began to subside. I no longer needed the rollator. I could sleep again! Hope you get the help you need.

Eliquis does nothing for afib.

So you did the procedures, which showed modern science works, but you also took some meds that may or may not have been the right ones for your body type, and now you're anti-meds? Wow... people living longer than ever is not due to taking better care of themselves, its due to modern medicine no matter what you think. Lots of people die who did everything right.

Are there drugs out there that are bad, yes! But its mostly due to ones individual bodies endocrine system. In the future, through DNA, science should be able to match drugs to body type.

Hi Dennis123,
Maybe a little harsh but posit this: What if America spent a trillion dollars on medical research instead of starting wars around the world that only benefit our military industrial complex? What if America spent another trillion dollars to educate for free our best in brightest to be doctors, engineers, scientist, etc? Maybe we would have medicines and treatments targeted to our genome without so many adverse side effects. But that would require voting logically and not emotionally, so we live (and suffer) with what we have. BTW: American medicine is profit driven, controlled by corporations, with most doctors as employees- so you will receive the treatment and medicine that makes the most money for the corporation and doctor.

Yes. Not as bad as you, but can't walk very far like I used to. I need a cane. Sometimes I feel I could use a wheelchair. I am trying to find out which medicine is causing it. Atorvastatin made me very weak and it does something to the muscles too. My doctor took me off of it. I still have bradycardia.
Your comment will cause me to really look into that drug Eliquis.