Apixaban

[waterlady]

Hi, this is my first post. I have af and have been on apixaban for 1 year. Had no checks or monitoring, but have fasting blood test wed. I would be very happy to share my experiences so far. I have felt so alone on this drug. No one in my area is on it, or heard of it. Can anyone help me.

[rosyG]

I have only been taking it for a few weeks but know you are monitored for liver and kidney function when on it.

You don't need other tests, like when in Warfarin, as Apixaban acts in a different way

If you haven't had any side effects, I don't think you should worry- the fasting blood test is just to check kidney function ( lower dose of Apixaban can be given if you have any kidney impairment) and it's good your GP is doing things properly .

[waterlady in reply to rosyG]

Thanks for replying. It seems ok so far. The doctor did not call me in. I asked for the test.

[nigelfarruca]

Not very helpful I'm afraid but I have been on it for fours days, no side effects & a lot easier that Warfarin.

[waterlady in reply to nigelfarruca]

Thanks for getting back to me. I was on warfrain, didnot get on it. It seems ok so far.

[Finvola]

Hello waterlady and welcome to the forum. I have been taking Apixaban for just over a year and have had no side effects or problems with it. I had kidney function tests done when I started the 5mg x 2 daily dose but have had nothing done since.

The cardiologist who prescribed it told me that it has the lowest bleed factor of all anticoagulants and is his drug of choice for that purpose.

[waterlady in reply to Finvola]

Hi finvola, thanks for the welcome. Nice to hear you have been on it as long as me. Does the hospital call you back. My af does not really bother me, except I get a bit breathless climbing hills. Mind you I am late sixties. Have you put on weight. I dont really bruise now, and can eat what I want. I just wonder how long one can stay on it. I hated warfrain, always up at the doctors.

[Finvola in reply to waterlady]

I assume that I will be taking Apixaban for the rest of my life - I'm 70 - and I haven't put on weight, in fact have lost a few pounds since diagnosis with PAF just over a year ago. The hospital haven't called me for a checkup which I have read somewhere should be done annually, so that it something on the to-do list.

[waterlady in reply to Finvola]

Hi finvola, thanks for replying. I will get results of blood test mon. I will ask about annual check up. I must admit I feel forgotten about. I am slowly learning. I feel not so alone now, especially after so many replies to date.

[Therealsue]

Hello Waterlady, I swapped from warfarin to apixaban 3 months ago and have had no side effects. I'm expecting the GP will call me in at the end of next October for another liver and kidney function blood test (realistically what will happen is that they'll refuse a repeat script for it until I come in, so I'll probably make an appt at the beginning of Oct). I found the dietary restrictions of warfarin a bit of a pain. Sue

[waterlady in reply to Therealsue]

Hi therealsue, nice to hear from you. I sort my own prescription out at chemist. Being the only person at the doctors on the tablet, so dont leave getting more too late, as my chemist has to order them especially. I once made a slip up, then it was panic, panic.

[bigE]

Hi I to have been swapped from warfarin to Apixadan by my ep after my last ablation 2 weeks ago had a couple of really minor nose bleeds(as did my son who isn't on any medication),and all seems fine!

I'll keep you posted on any changes

[waterlady in reply to bigE]

Hi bige, I had one big nosebleed, but I had a terrible cough. It was really scary. But the doctor said it was the virus that caused it. Been ok since. I take my tablets at 7am and 7pm. With a glass of water and always on a full tum. Good luck. Keep me posted.

[AnticoagulateNow]

Ok folks the key issue with Apixaban is to ensure it's not doing damage to the liver - more relevant than kidneys. Ideally you should have a liver function test after 3 months and then annually thereafter. You should have been better monitored Waterlady but if you've no symptoms after a year (jaundice or upper right abdomen pains) then you probably have nothing to worry about. But do ensure that your GP does future checks annually.

And don't even think about stopping Apixaban! Unless there's very compelling medical reasons why you can't take anticoagulants - and it doesn't sound as though there is with you - then you would be very foolish indeed to set them aside. Like a pet dog, it's for life.....

[waterlady in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

Hi, thanks for your reply. You are right about my gp not monitoring me, hindsight, still I know more now. If you had a pain in the abdomen, would it be constant. I will get my blood test results on Monday. I would not stop taking it. Its certainly far better than warfrain.

[Snomis in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

I have been on apaxiban for one year which I take with bisopropol. fumarate. I was asked to have a blood test to see how the spacebar is working.I have had no effects at all,but after the blood test I was told that the test has shown something that needs addressing,so I am going to contact the doctor tomorrow to find out.has anyone had similar reaction

[sealover]

Hi Waterlady, I'm writing from the U.S.. I was diagnosed with afib 2 years ago;and in that time i have been on the 3 major blood thinners.......Pradaxa caused increased joint pain,and Xeralto gave me very high liver enzyme numbers. So now i am on Eliquis/ Apixaban; and it's the best for me.........absolutely no problems. One thing I would suggest for all blood thinner users is that you buy and always wear a medical alert bracelet. You will have a much greater sense of security, and truly, it could save your life. Don't be afraid of blood thinners......nothing could be worse than a massive stroke. Your doctor is absolutely correct in protecting you with a blood thinner.Believe me, you are not alone........the "afib club" is growing by leaps and bounds !!!!!!

[waterlady in reply to sealover]

Hi sealover, nice to hear from you. Hope you are not snowed in. I have been thinking about an alert bracelet, you have made my mind up. I wasn't given anything. I asked to go back to the hospital for a chat, but the answer was no. I live in the country, not so up to date up here. Went to london last week and the chemist seem to know about apixaban. Do you know anyone on it.

[sealover in reply to waterlady]

Hi again, Waterlady,Yes, I am on Apixaban........the commercial name is"Eliquis".It's great that you have found your way to this site. Such knowledgeable people exchange facts and experiences here. A huge factor in living with afib is to have faith in your doctors and to trust that help is available when you need it. Your computer is invaluable to you...keep exploring and know that you are not alone. Truly, afib is common and new answers to this problem are being found all the time.Peace of mind is super important.......try to relax and trust that God and really good doctors and equipment are all there for you. Keep in touch...everybody cares and wants to help.

[waterlady in reply to sealover]

Hi sealover, yes I am very pleased to have found this site. I think I had af for quite some time. I used to faint and go dizzy, even once got picked up by an ambulance. It was only spotted when I had a bad fall. I could not find out a thing about apixaban from anyone, that has now changed for me. Thanks for all your kind words.

[moses7]

I am on Warfarin but am due for a review of my medication next month at my local hospital. I would really like to try Apixaban to see if it would suit me better than the warfarin as I'm sure I am allergic to to it as I have become so itchy all over my body. Does anyone else get this on Warfarin?

[waterlady in reply to moses7]

Hi moses7, I have been on apixaban 1 year. I have had no reactions to speak of, but I have put on 1stone in weight. Had aching bones to start with, ok now. Slight deterioration in eyesight, but hey ho, could be due to age. But nothing as yet to speak of. Results of blood test Monday. Fingers crossed. I have felt very alone, as no one has heard of it. Also did not know what to do if anything happened. But l am slowly learning a little more. I could not get on with warfrain.

[Hidden]

Hi. I got a rash of hard itchy spots with white heads. As soon as l went on apixaban they cleared up. Have had no side effects and a joy not to keep going for blood tests. Very pleased l changed.

[waterlady in reply to Hidden]

Hi joholl, how long have you been on apixaban. Is your doctor monitoring you. Its nice to be able to eat what you want, and no regular trips to the doctor.

[moses7 in reply to waterlady]

Thanks to all for the comments and advice. I will definitely press to change to Apixaban.

This is a wonderful forum with so many friends to turn to for help. Thanks to everyone on here.

[Hidden in reply to waterlady]

I have been on it 3 weeks and as far as l know all is well. Seeing GP at end of first months pills. I agree, what a relief to not have bloodtests and restricted diet.

Guess the negative side is if you have an accident or op.

[Hidden in reply to waterlady]

Hi. I have been on Apixaban for 6 weeks now. Saw Dr last week but guess if l do not complain she takes it l am ok. I seem to complain about the rest of the drugs l take!

[waterlady]

Hi joholl, make sure you're doctor does check you out. That did not happen to me, but I won't let it again. I don't like going to the doctors, if its working I tend to leave it. Luckily I eat healthy food and dont drink or smoke, sometimes boring, but it does generally pay off in later life. Keep me posted.

[waterlady]

Apixaban. Been on this for over a year now. All blood tests ok. Dont bruise much now. Dont know what to expect in the future, nor does the gp. Hopefully I can stay on it for a long time. For those that might be interested, I had a hot stones massage, did not bruise. I also have reflexology on the feet, very calming.

[Murd]

Hi everyone,

I've just been put on apixaban.....a bit scary and not sure if I should start taking them??? Looks like once you start you can't stop taking them.

I haven't been given any advice by my dr on how to manage this drug.

Any advice would be welcomed.

[doodle68]

I am so pleased I found this site it is providing invaluable support and information at a time of confusion.

I start taking Apixaban tomorrow for PAF . I have been really scared at the prospect of taking any anticoagulant something my Doctor strongly recommends based on a CHAD VAS score of 2+ . I decided to request Apixaban after a lot of research and am hoping I made a wise choice.

[Hidden]

Apixaban is very safe and effective anticoagulant. It does not requiere blood tests to monitor it.

[Ellembee]

Yes. It drives me insane - especially when I get warm. It is the only drug I am on so it cant be anything else.