Muscle aches revisited

[offtherecord]

Hi, after earlier post I resolved, with probable over thinking, to try a different DOAC, and Riveroxaban was suggested. What I didn't anticipate was renewed anxiety about the new regime. As it is I've taken the first one this am, and will update this site on how this goes. Best wishes in this sometimes challenging season everyone.

[meadfoot]

I have taken rivaoxaban for three years event free. I too was nervous to start it, now I pop it and let it do its work. Nothing is risk free but these doacs have had plenty of testing so we have to trust until something to the contrary makes us re think. Better than a stroke. Best wishes.

[offtherecord]

Hi Happyjo, I posted recently that I thought edoxaban might be causing my muscle incapacity. I see you chose Riveroxaban rather than edoxaban, so let's see how it goes! First day very promising but not daft enough to read too much into that!

[offtherecord]

We have much in common H, my hips overnight too, etc. In fact it was waking up aching that got me to decide to try a change. It would be SO good to return to less pain and more mobility. I do hope we both feel better after the change. Nice to have someone in parallel with me!

[cassie46]

I have been on Rivaroxaban for 3 1/2 years and have no side effects. You mentioned you took it am did you take it with or after a meal. Most people take it in the evening with or after their main meal, it is important to take it with food.

[offtherecord]

Thank you Cassie, I took it with my breakfast today. I was aware of taking it with food, but not that evening / main meal was preferable.

[Polski in reply to offtherecord]

I always take it at breakfast as I am normally always at home, and am much more likely to remember then. Doing so hasn't caused me any issues.

[Silver40]

Hi everyone. I'm very interested in this thread! I have been experiencing muscle weakness in my legs which is becoming a real problem. I changed from warfarin to Apixaban in March of this year because of hair loss (vanity I suppose!) . All the patient information with my tablets on side effects revolve around bleeding, bruising etc. It was only happenstance that I recently read on several websites about joint and muscle pain and weakness especially in the legs and feet with Apixaban. Looking back in my trusty AF diary, I had gone to my GP with this muscle weakness five weeks after starting Apixaban . But the link wasn't made. I have been advised by the arrhythmia nurse to try rivaroxaban. I'm seeing the GP next week.

I'm sure most of us on the AF merrygoround have the same problem with possible side effects from several medications. I've been blaming the beta blockers up to now. (Dizzyness and jelly legs ain't no fun!)

Here's to us all finding our own personal best meds to keep us safe.

Keep well everyone

Val (silver40)

[offtherecord in reply to Silver40]

Polski, thank you. It suits me too to take my tablet at beakfast.

Silver 40, I have been to the GP twice in the past re the muscle problem, and was assured this was not a recognised side effect with Edoxaban. I accepted her expertise, and was referred for hip and knee X rays, which encouragingly showed little worsening in the last 10 years!

Finally I requested a change, (no other meds) and a different GP prescribed Rivaroxaban . I know it's early days, not daft, but today I have climbed stairs , and walked with an ease I couldn't possibly have managed last week! And 2 'new' tablets so far only.

So Happyjo and I are on the same path and hopefully it is the right one for us both.

The idiosyncracy of the anti coagulant!

By the way Bob the Patient Alert Card with Xarelto/Rivaroxaban uses terms' blood thinner' and' thins the blood'. I have learned not to think in those terms. Thank you too.

[Silver40]

Thanks offtherecord. My hip X-ray was fine and blood tests for inflammation markers (ESR and CRP) were normal.

I'm arming my self with quotes from various reliable websites to present to the GP.

Here's hoping you continue to feel the benefit of the change in meds. And hopefully I'll have a similar result.

Keep well

Val (silver40)

[offtherecord in reply to Silver40]

I certainly hope we both improve gradually with the changes Val, I am four days in now and the transformation is amazing. I wonder why my GP was so unwilling to accept my contention that the Edoxaban was my problem, particularly as I believe it is the most expensive DOAC. If my improvement is permanent I shall enter into the Yellow Card scheme.

I so hope your experience is as positive as mine, thus far anyway.

Have a peaceful Christmas and better 2018. J

[offtherecord]

So very similar Happyjo, barring the different earlier DOAC. I do hope we continue on this trajectory. Bonne Noel! J