Apixaban: Hi all:) My cardiologist has... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Apixaban

Jfib profile image
Jfib
•57 Replies

Hi all:)

My cardiologist has put me on 5mg Apixaban 2x daily.

I must admit I am nervous as to what to expect.

Did you have good experiences with this drug?

I take my first dose tonight 😬

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Jfib profile image
Jfib
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Vony profile image
Vony

Yes Jfib. I have been on it for a year with no problems at all. Sleep well tonight and try not to worry xx

Vony profile image
Vony in reply to Vony

Easier said than done I know

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Vony

Thanks Vony :)

I do appreciate the peace of mind!

Being young, have you found many limitations in your day to day activities on it?

Vony profile image
Vony in reply to Jfib

I generally experience no limitations Jfib. I drink a lot less wine nowadays but that is a good thing for my overall health. I still enjoy a glass a few evenings per week and sometimes 2 glasses but I am careful. Other than that, I have 2 active and lively little boys who frequently jump on me and one accidentally headbutted my nose the other day and it didn't bleed lol. I do worry sometimes about the what ifs.. But I try to consciously and mindful bring myself back to reality and the present moment so that I enjoy my life as it is at this very moment. I think it is natural that we have fears.. After all, we have a health condition which we didn't expect.. But we can live with this and still enjoy life to the full.. Just in a different way. I never take things for granted anymore. Eg. This morning I am in a normal sinus rhythm so I am going to make the most of feeling good this morning and go for a walk round our beautiful coast. This afternoon I will likely be in arrhythmias so I am taking the boys to the cinema and we are planning our 'picnic to smuggle in so we don't pay a tenner for a bag of popcorn and a drink lol. I used to take all this for granted. I don't anymore. I went to a therapist when I was extremely anxious about all this. He said something that really struck a chord with me. He told me both his parents died in their early 50s of cancer. He will be that age in 3 years. He said that he naturally wonders if he will have the same fate and used to worry about it a lot. Then he accepted that he would hate to die young and leave his children. However, what he would hate even more is if he spent the next 3 years not living his life and not being truly present in a joyful life. So I use that as my wee mantra when I get days filled with fear. I also come onto this forum and vent my fears as we are truly amongst friends who understand. Have a lovely weekend. Positive thoughts being sent your way Jfib. It takes time to get a handle on all this arrhythmia malarkey but it does get easier. Sometimes I have wee blips and feel controlled by my dodgy ticker and the accompanying fears and have difficulty accepting it but these feelings always ease again in time xx

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Vony

Thanks Vony, for your thoughtful advice. I'm glad you are able to enjoy the good times. You really have a great perspective :)

Vony profile image
Vony in reply to Jfib

Aw thank you but I honestly don't always have a great perspective... As you will surely see coming up to my ablation! . We are all here to support and help each other through the tough times xx

10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

Speaking for myself.I have no problems at all with Apixaban.Been on it for about a year and a half.Transfered from Warfarin which I had been on for about 5 years.....I hated it. It felt like a new life moving from W. to A. You are 'lucky' to get an NOAC and not to have been put on W. It is still happening.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to 10gingercats

Great! Glad to hear it is working better for you!

AAB13X2L profile image
AAB13X2L

I can only speak for myself but I was put on the same dosage well over a year ago and have not had any ill effects. I was also taking a aspirin a day and they had me stop the aspirin after I asked if I should be taking both. So I guess the answer to your question is that Apixaban, had no effect on me good or bad.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to AAB13X2L

Excellent! Good to hear :)

motorbike profile image
motorbike in reply to Jfib

I have no problems on Apixaban . The only thing is I can’t take Turmeric , ginger and Ibufen , as it interferes with Apixaban

Been on it for a year,same dose, no problems at all.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to

Happy to hear it :)

rosyG profile image
rosyG

yes it's great to be able to eat green veg and said without worrying!! Have had no problems at all with it

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to rosyG

I'm loving all these positive responses, they are very reassuring, thank you :)

Roony39 profile image
Roony39

I've been on Apixiban from October 2015 with no complications apart from the odd nasty bruise ( I'm much more careful now ) and a run ( excuse the pun ) of nose bleeds ( head forward and pinch nose stopped it after a couple of mins), when I had a nasal infection, which cleared up when cream was prescribed.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Roony39

The bleeding aspect does make me very nervous, especially since I have some GI issues. I'm hoping I won't be a negative statistic! Glad to hear the bleeds you had were not serious!!

Roony39 profile image
Roony39 in reply to Jfib

As the others have said don't panic, at first it seems daunting after a couple of weeks you stop thinking about it an get on with your life . I'd rather apixiban than a stroke any day.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Roony39

Thanks Roony39 :).

Yes, a stroke would be very bad!!

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply to Jfib

Apixaban is a better choice than some NOACS if you have GI issues. Think you'll be pleased.

I have started eye injections (scary) and no bleeding problems and other injections in arm etc have been fine. Also had a fall and no effects!!

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to rosyG

Omg, eye injections?! You poor soul, definitely scary! I hope that ends for you soon.

Glad to hear you've had no other ill effects :)

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply to Jfib

thank you- I was very pleased with the way they did the injection- no pain at all , so won't be frightened for the next one!!

Finvola profile image
Finvola

I've been taking Apixaban for over 3 years without any problems. My cardiologist told me it had the lowest bleed factor of any anticoagulant and that was why he preferred it.

It has made me safety conscious when using knives or walking on ice/snow otherwise I live normally. I've had nosebleeds from an allergy, cuts and a large tooth taken out without having any after-effects. Try not to worry, as Vony says.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Finvola

Good to hear Finvola, thanks!!

Gilldy profile image
Gilldy

I took apixaban for about 3 weeks but side effects were horrendous- doctor put me down to 2.5 twice a say which didn't help. Most people are ok on it though so you'll probably be fine.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Gilldy

I'm so sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. I hope you've Been able to find something that works for you :)

Mazza23 profile image
Mazza23

Been on apixaban over 3years never had a problem

barbara2 profile image
barbara2

Totally agree.!!!

Carbodd profile image
Carbodd

I've been on the same dose for a year and have had no side effects. You will enjoy the peace of mind as your chances of having a stroke are greatly reduced.

Marion62 profile image
Marion62

I changed from warfarin to Apixaban nearly one year ago - no problems at all.

expences profile image
expences

It gave me a bad frontal headache from the second day, and increased tinnitus so the doc changed it to rivaroxaban after 5 days. Taking two pills a day was a nuisance too, now its just one.

Awrabest.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to expences

Yes, I have noticed a strange sinus pressure and headache/ head tingling since I started it. I hope it goes away. I'd be ok putting up with it if it will go away.

Robert677 profile image
Robert677

I developed an itchy rash at first,but it soon went away and was worth putting up with

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Robert677

Glad that went away!

hirwaun profile image
hirwaun

No need to worry I'm on same doze had no problems at all. I was rather nervous at first afraid if I cut myself would bleed to death lol. I don't drink alcohol as I think it affects the APixaban. Been on it over 12 months.

Jen

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to hirwaun

Lol, I know what you mean about the bleeding to death, it's a bit daunting.

Gertsen profile image
Gertsen

I have been on it for just over a year. No problems.

starry-eyes profile image
starry-eyes

I have had no side effects at all. Very convenient compared to Warfarin.

zena123 profile image
zena123

Does anyone know whether Apixaban has an antidote yet ? If so, what is it ?

I heard that 2 NOACs do, but the technician was unable to say which ones.

Rellim296 profile image
Rellim296 in reply to zena123

Personally, I don't feel an antidote is of very great importance as the circumstances when it might be of use could be very limited. The gap between manageable bleeding and uncontrollable haemorrhage is surely quite small. It may be a nice feeling that anticoagulation can be reveresed but warfarin's antidote can be very slow to take effect and will not have the time to help anyone if blood loss is too severe.

I take rivaroxaban and the fear of cuts and bruises I had when I first took an anticoagulant has quite evaporated. I have become a bit bolder about going off the beaten track.

Plai profile image
Plai in reply to zena123

I believe they are working on an antidote at the moment but as apixaban has a half life of 12 hours it gets out of your system quickly should you have some major problem.

We all have different reactions. I was prescribed Apixaban and four weeks after a full stroke I had what may have been a TIA, a CT a few days later did show a bleed. I can't take Rivaroxaban due to lung issues caused by Dronedarone and Amiodarone, so it's fortunate that I tolerate Pradaxa very well.

jacob35 profile image
jacob35

Hello jfib,

I have been taking Apixiban twice daily for 18 months and i have no issues, in fact it reassures me. I do bruise easily so I have consciously improved my spacial awareness so I dont bump into things.You will grow in confidence as the anxiety becomes more manageable. get on with your life and try not to let your AF define you, life. I wish you well.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to jacob35

Thanks jacob35, I appreciate your response :)

Plai profile image
Plai

I think you will be fine. Read all the instructions but don't freak out. Sounds much worse than it is with all the dos and don'ts. And check with your pharmacist for interactions with stuff you might want to take. I am the world's worst at taking new drugs but am fine on them almost 4 months on.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Plai

Thanks Plai, I am also not a drug fan. I always assume I will be the 1 in 100 who ends up with a really bad reaction. Ridiculous, I know :)

Plai profile image
Plai in reply to Jfib

Probably because sometimes we do react badly xx

I've been on Apixaban for about 3 years, and have had no problems--no side effects. As for bleeding, I have less bleeding with a cut finger or similar than when I was taking aspirin. I had a very bad sprained ankle about 2 years ago, and while there was extra swelling because of the internal bleeding, it wasn't bad, and didn't create problems. The extra swelling went down quickly (within 2 days). So I am not concerned about the bleeding issue. I am very grateful to have this instead of having to take warfarin or other drugs.

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to

I'm glad things have worked so well for you on this drug!

Hello jfib

No side effects and I've been taking them for a 3 months. Chris

Tracyrdh profile image
Tracyrdh

I have been on medication for about 8 months. No major complications. Heavier Menstrual cycle is only minor aggravation. Just dont stress over taking medication. The benefit is not having a stroke

Jfib profile image
Jfib in reply to Tracyrdh

Good point. Just in the middle of my cycle now, and -fingers crossed- I haven't seen much difference, so yay!

jacuk profile image
jacuk

Been on same dose of Apixaban for 7 months and no side effects at all :D

Jfib profile image
Jfib

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer. Again, I am blown away by your kindness and compassion :)

Robin021269 profile image
Robin021269

I have been taking it for two months now after a mini stroke and haven't noticed any adverse affects I am 47 years old I find taking 10 mg Bisoperlol makes me so tired!!

Ruby40 profile image
Ruby40 in reply to Robin021269

Hi I was also put on 10 mg bisoprolol. It's a big dose and knocked me out. Ask if you can have a lower dose. My GP put me on 2.5 which is much easier to tolerate.

Robin021269 profile image
Robin021269 in reply to Ruby40

Hey down the line 4 years now had more ablations last one 2 years ago now on 5mg which is bearable 😀

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