Coming off apixaban

[MydogBrandy]

Hi everyone, so pleased I am NSR after my ablation. I have just been told to come off apixaban my last lot of tablets but have found that since I have I have had a severe headache every day has anyone else experienced this. Is it because I was not wheeled off. I was originally put on them 6 months ago when they thought I had AF but the cardiologist that did the ablation said there were no signs of AF when he did the ablation. Another stroke doctor told me that apparently if the heart is mended it is best coming off blood thinners as they can do more harm to the heart. I said I thought it was like having a barrier against having a stroke but he said no.

Hope everyone is having a nice day.

Regards Ursula

[Hidden]

Hello MGB, first I am not medically trained therefore clearly not in a position to comment or criticise anything you have been told by your medics so please just take what I say as “thinking aloud”. As far as the headaches are concerned, it is a bit unusual for Apixaban to cause headaches and I wonder if you have experienced the migraines which are frequently associated with having an ablation. These feature in the fact sheet see the link below. Next, it seems almost inconceivable that an EP would have carried out an ablation unless there was clear evidence that you have AF. It might not have been apparent during the procedure and the EP may have had problems in inducing AF but I don’t think you should assume you have not got AF. By the same token, it is commonly accepted that an ablation does not “mend” AF and the risk of stroke continues depending upon your CHADsVASC score and if you score 1 or more, you should make specific enquiries before stopping your anticoagulant. Anticoagulants do not guarantee that you will not have a stroke but they reduce the risk by 70% which is significant. If I were you, I would make your EP aware of what you have been told and double check what you should do regarding taking anticoagulants. It is possible that they are no necessary for the moment, but the consequences of doing the wrong thing could be quite serious. Please let us know the outcome....

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[MydogBrandy in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thanks for your advice, will do that. The ablation was done specifically for svt by an electolosist cardiologist , he and other cardiologists had studied my tapes and graphs and could see no evidence of af but someone had written it on my notes in the emergency department af so they put me on apixaban for this reason only. The ablation has cured the svt thank goodness.

Hope you are well flapjack x

[BobD Volunteer in reply to MydogBrandy]

I agree with FJ but then you say you never had AF so why were you anticoagulated. other than for ablation. If this is just another story of medics not talking to each other then write it off to exeperience. Mind you I have never in all my years heard that anticoagulants could "harm the heart" so suspect a bit of cover up or smoke screen there.

[MydogBrandy in reply to BobD]

Hi BobD, think you two might be right. Will be having a check up in a few weeks so will have loads of questions to ask. I was on apixaban for 4 months prior to my ablation and taken off all tablets except the apixaban after my ablation. Then taken off the apixaban last Tuesday. Did say at the time would I be best to stay on apixaban because my dad died of a stroke at the age I am now. Also my own gp said it is like having an extra barrier against strokes even though my heart is beating nicely at the moment.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to MydogBrandy]

It is all about balance of risks . If there is nothing wrong with you then what risks do you face? I am a great believer in anybody with AF having anticoalgulants but there is no doubt that for a perfectly healthy person they may be not be a good idea.

[MydogBrandy in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD I have found you to be very helpful since I joined this lovely caring site x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack. I'd say you're very on target and well informed even if you're not in healthcare. What you wrote makes sense and is easy to understand.

I think it clarified the ablation process for lots of people.

xx irina