Apixaban

[Cavalierrubie]

Morning all, I have been on Apixaban now for almost 3 weeks. I have recently had a couple of loose bowel movements. Has anyone else had these side effects? If so does it last, or will it settle down? I also have high anxiety at the moment and stress so maybe this doesn't help, but I am so worried all the time thinking something awful is going to happen. I am a newbie and have found this all a bit overwhelming and it seems to have upset me mentally and physically. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Anxiety and AF are common bedfellows. I think we have all been there and finding the right strategy to conquer it is not always easy. Others here may have motre advice. Knowledge is power so start by going to AF Association website and read till you drop.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. Can you tell me please, does Warfarin have less side effects than these new anticoagulants? My daughter was on it for a while for blood clot in her leg, and she said she never had any side effects. I never felt ill until they put me on these drugs so it has to be them.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Every drug has some side effects . I've been on warfarin for fifteen or more years and my only downside is slightly brittle nails but some ladies say they get thinning hair although this is not unknown with some DOACs either. Give it time as most side effects seem to diminish after a few weeks I'm told.

[Morzine]

Awe yes of course it will have shaken you, it has done that too us all.......it will get easier....and life will get normal., I know it doesn’t seem like that right now.........I was a newbie last May and thought my life was over......but this forum and nice folk showed me once you get over the awful shock of being told you have afib....life does go on.....I’ve not had any probs with apixaban this past year.....I found the tablets I was on upset my system for a while till they settled in .....that seems to the case with most of us.....give yourself time, try not to over think things I know it’s hard......my drugs took a months or two to get calm..bisoprolol was the one I had trouble with but it calmed.....

Do what bob says read everything.....it’s natural to think something will happen....but as time goes on you will calm down.......I’m over a year now...I’ve gone from worrying sick about going anywhere to being calm doing anything....it’s all about getting our hugely dented confidence in our body back again.....it will come,

Sue

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Morzine]

Thanks Morzine. I have now started to have panic attacks as well as everything else. I am really scared at times with them. At the moment I can't see any end and finding life very difficult. I have my daughter with me at the moment and feel as though I am making her life a misery. Please God I get some peace from this soon.

[daveboy123]

Hi

I have been on Apixaban for a year and a half now. When I first started on this medication I was getting a few symptoms, this alongside the problem that you are getting. I read in a blog somewhere to take the tablet with a pint of water, since doing this most of the problems have abated. I think that it dissipates the tablet into your system easier and in a form of dilution?? Don't know but it worked with me.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to daveboy123]

Thanks very much for help. Will try drinking water.

[Sfhmgusa]

Hi I am new to the condition too and only yesterday started Apixoban. I thought you might like my perspective. I was / am relieved and reassured to be on a medicine that is an insurance against the worst common hazard of afib. ( stroke) I have been stressed waiting to get the prescription/ appointments and worried that without an anticoagulant I was in real trouble. In my heart of hearts I think I know that the risk was not extreme but it made me sleepless ... super( unhelpfully) self aware and made my stomach upset to not have the drug!

It is often said here that we are all different but maybe try to feel the relief and reassurance that you have taken a big real step to protect your health by taking the Apixoban, it just might help your tummy!

S