Quitting Eliquis

[Nanny01]

I’m new here. Had an episode of A-fib in March. Went to emergency to get it under control. Was put on flecainide and Eliquis. After several visits with electrophysicist was taken off flecainide after 2week wearing halter monitor. Ep said after 3 more months of no A-fib will do another 2weeks wearing halter monitor. If results show no A-fib then he’s going to take me off of the Eliquis. I love the thought of that as hating the side effects but worry about increased chances of having a stroke. Should I be worried? I would think he wouldn’t take any chances.

[Drounding]

You're EP should know better than us. I assume he would have assessed your risk per the CHADS2VASC score and decided you are at very low risk of stroke and hence no anticoagulant required. You can check yourself here or many other sites on the internet: heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Nanny01 in reply to Drounding]

Thank you

[Finvola]

Hello Nanny and welcome to the forum.

I agree with Drounding as your EP should be best informed. If you want to check your stroke risk you can do it here:

mdcalc.com/cha2ds2-vasc-sco...

[Nanny01 in reply to Finvola]

Thanks so much

[Physalis in reply to Nanny01]

You don't say how old you are.

[Nanny01 in reply to Physalis]

I’m 65

[Physalis in reply to Nanny01]

You have only had one episode of AFib last March and have had nothing since and are only 65. It looks like they have decided that you are healthy and don't need to take the Eliquis for the rest of your life.

If you have other episodes then they may put you back on it.

[Hidden]

Think it depends, I was given the option to come off and I said no as get the odd episode mainly short and often months apart EP didn't have a problem with it and said it's up to me. Have they not asked for your view ?

[Nanny01 in reply to Hidden]

Initially he asked what I would like to see happen. I told him I’d like to get off these meds but If I need them I need them. He took me off the flecainide No new a-fib episodes. Talking in 2 weeks about another heart monitor use and if no a-fib then taking me off the Eliquis. This ep came very highly recommended. He spent a lot of time on the phone with me to make sure I had all my questions answered.

[Spangle14]

I'm quite new to all this but I would imagine age is a key consideration - with stroke risk, the odds are immediately stacked against you if you are female and over 65

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Please do not hesitate to contact the AF Association website for further information or resources or even contact us direct via our helpline.

[RoyMacDonald]

Weight is very important as well. I had a lot of bad side affects at first as the hospital did not take account of my weight. When I was put on the correct dose by my GP those side affects all disappeared.

😀

[Nanny01 in reply to RoyMacDonald]

How did they know you were on the wrong dose? I told my cardiologist about side effects and he said Eliquis is a “free ride” whatever that means. I guess it means no side effects. Talked to my pcp and she said to talk to an ep. is there a standard of dose per weight ?

[RoyMacDonald in reply to Nanny01]

I read the instructions that came in the box and spoke to my GP who also read the instructions on-line and she agreed I was on the wrong dose. (It's also age related by the way) It's the reason Eliquis make 2 strengths of tablets. 2.5 mg and 5 mg. The cessation of side affects was unexpected but very welcome. All drugs can have side effects, so I don't know what is meant by "a free ride".