Ladies on Apixaban (and other anticoagulants)...

[Ukbusybee]

I’ve been on Apixaban for four weeks now and am now experiencing my first period whilst on it. I was not prepared for this! I don’t remember it being too bad when I was on warfarin a few years ago but I have to say that what I’m going through can only be described as a bloody nightmare! Can’t believe I’m going to have to deal with this amount of blood every month. How do other ladies cope?!!!

[Hidden]

I manage well with the super plus tampons and put a liner in underneath as back up and it works out well.

I remember my first period after I had started on rivaroxaban 2x15mgs daily for 3 weejs after my pe back in December. I had just come out of hospital and I had come on and it had been like something out of a horror film as it was heavy!

I was frightened to had rung up out of hours who were useless and had said how it was a sign that the anticoagulants were doing their job and it was just something I would have to put up with! I was annoyed that they wouldn't do anything for me as I don't ring those places for enjoyment!

The next cycle when I was put on 20mg a day was a lot better, still heavy but manageable and I found that the super plus tampons were very good and only needed to change them 5 hours on average which is better than soaking through items every hour!

[Ukbusybee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jo. Yes, a horror film is about right! I used to use super plus ones before as I’ve always had heavy periods for the first few days. I’m finding with the super plus ones I’m getting breakthrough bleeding after about 4 hours max. Earlier I had very bad pains and felt the need to change after 2.5 hours. If I carry on like this my periods will only be a couple of days!! I expected this one to be worse than usual but feel a bit overwhelmed. I guess I’ll just have to see what the next one is like and be prepared!!

[moo196]

I had really bad ones when on warfarin. Super plus and a towel every hour for ten days. Horrible. Night times I wondered if I might not wake up in the morning due to the blood loss, and also had to sleep on old towels as the bed would be a complete mess..... So grateful for the menopause!!

Good luck!

[Ukbusybee in reply to moo196]

Ah bless you Moo, that sounds horrendous! I’ve probably got about 10 years before menopause so just another 100 or so periods to get through! 😩

[Nancylm2015]

That is horrible, I completely feel for you, bc the same thing happened to me. This past February when I started warfarin .... my period was was so heavy and 3 weeks long---then it stopped for a week and came back for about 10 days--- then it seemed to level off and now I have normal monthlies for the past 3 months at least. As soon as my INR stabilized it seemed to become normal again. I am looking to switch to a DOAC, either Eliquis or Xarelto, and I worry that it may throw my system off course again.

[Ukbusybee in reply to Nancylm2015]

Oh gosh, us women do have some challenges don’t we?! I’m still only half way through mine (three days of very heavy bleeding so far) so fingers crossed it’s not too abnormal...

[MillaZ]

Hi Ukbusybee, I have been on Xarelto since February this year. I have just had a total hysterectomy to remove a tumour, but between Feb and May I had my period as supposed to, and for me it was really a shock to the system. At some point I even decided to visit A&E because the blood loss was too great. I am very glad that I don't have this problem, now.

In terms of practicalities, to begin with I used postpartum pads, but even though they were long and comfy, they were not thick enough. The Tena Lady Max Night pads were a lot better for me, for both day and night.

On the bed, I used disposable waterproof bed pads, they were the only way I could save my sheets!