I am still very much a newbie here

I have got away with this for possibly ten years ( no way of knowing as the records from A&E were never sent to my GP and I have had no symptoms until recently)

My sister is 18 months older and seems to revolve her life around her medications. I have seen GP and started taking Apixaban but not started on beta blockers as I have low blood pressure and asthma and the pack advice says no if you have those. I have a slight pain in my head since incident last Monday - could it be a blood clot? Or am I just neurotic?

[CDreamer]

You are not neurotic, you are concerned.

Please do research Beta Blockers - although they work for some people they can make you feel terrible - far worse than you were - and they are not advised for some asthmatics but according to studies, some tolerate them. Beta Blockers slow you down and interfere with cognitive functioning so it can feel like you are in a fog - these symptoms disappear after a few weeks for some but others report persistent symptoms. Everyone responds differently so until you take them, there is no way of knowing - bit of a lottery really.

Beta Blockers can also be difficult to withdraw from they suppress Adrenaline and are often used for anxiety sufferers which is fine - until you stop taking them and can suffer anxiety rebound so unless there is a really good medical reason for taking them - very high heart rate which requires control - I would suggest you consider carefully and research a lot more. I had very low BP and actually found the one good thing they did for me was stabilise my BP, but they can lower your HR too much so it’s a good idea to monitor it if you decide to go ahead and take them.

Apixaban - YES - very important to take as a prophylactic treatment for stroke.

No a pain in the head does not mean a blood clot or a bleed but never ignore a persistent head ache. Research TIA symptoms and if you have any of them do call for help immediately - I had one a few years ago and my symptoms were cognitive vagueness, sense of unreality, I could smell things that I knew weren’t there, left sided paralysis - but I get that from another condition anyway so that wasn’t definitive for me. It was actually my neighbour who knew something was very wrong with me and called an ambulance. I was monitored for 8 hours and everything resolved, given a head CT and nothing significant was found so discharged and I recovered within a few days.

Hope that helps.

[Paulbounce]

I certainly don't think your neurotic. What was the incident that you think may have caused the pain - was it an accident or a knock to your head ?

I'm sure you'll be just fine - however why not call your doctor just play it on the safe side if you are worried.

Paul

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I wouldn’t say you were neurotic necessarily but it is a bit unusual for someone who only joined the forum a day ago to post about orgasms and blood clots. Regardless, lots of good advice from CD and a Paul.....

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Perhaps if you banged your head on the headboard, it might be worth having it checked out..........

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I’m sure a little light relief is occasionally welcome, especially with all with what’s going on just now.....hopefully all taken with a smile and a pinch of salt......as for Hoski, t’is not me that’s the norty one, I’m nevva rude......😉

[Russ1961]

Hi I wouldn't worry I've been on Apixaban for my AF for the last two years and basically if you don't have any other issues the chances of having a stroke are very very slight, better than someone with out AF not on any anticoagulants who has other coremorbidities. Remember Apixaban is not only used to prevent clots formi g but also to treat any clots that have formed in say people with DVT. Two years ago I worried about being diagnosed with AF I get it about once a month lasts between 2 to 12 hours. But know I've spoken to various cardiologist who all agree AF won't kill you, you just need to be taking anticoagulants and keep fit. Hope this helps, get on with life, enjoy life much better than worrying about something that may never ever happen.

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Hi Russ, that’s a very reassuring reply and just what I needed to know, I have been dreading the thought that I might have a small blood clot because I didn’t do anything to make my head hurt ( except of course get massively stressed!) so now I feel relieved to know that if I did have one, Apixaban would dissolve it.Thank you! and I will carry on enjoying life!

I have a job I love, teaching children with multiple disabilities to swim, and I swim lengths along with them, which I will be doing for 3.5 hrs tomorrow morning, lighterhearted thanks to your input! ( Chlorine kills Coronavirus - so I’ve been told!!!)

Thank you.