Hello, I'm new here
Got ill with what seemed overnight, still feel a bit shocked. Had a pacemaker fitted and beta blockers for AF. Now have been prescribed anti coagulants but am very scared of taking them, still having side effects from beta blockers as it is. Can anyone relate and does anyone have positive stories about anti coagulants ( Edoxaban )
Don't be scared please they are no big deal. I've been on anticoagulation for 16 years, build and machine engines for race cars and have never needed any special treatment when chopping small bits off myself.
The positive story is that they help protect you from stroke which AF makes you five times more likely to have. Contrary to the oft missused term "blood thinners" they don't. They merely slow down the clotting process so unless you have an injury you will not suddenly start bleeding uncontrollably. I think many of us here look on anticoagulants as our best freind.
Thanks, this has helped. Also made me laugh
Absolutely agree with what Bob has said. I've been on anticoagulants for same amount of time and will be for life . No problems.
Starting to be reassured , thank you
Hi & welcome - Anticoagulants, I have now no problem with at all, it’s all the other meds I can’t tolerate & Bisoprolol was the worst.
Agree with Bob - I was also very hesitant about starting but with a pacemaker you really can’t not take them and the risks of cots for us AFers would be far worse.
I’m on Apixaban, have been now since 2017, absolutely no bleeding which takes any longer to clot and no side effects whatsoever.
Nowadays the new anticoagulants have minimal risks and maximum benefits, unlike Wafarin don’t require regular testing although twice yearly liver & kidney functioning tests are strongly advised but your GP should have you on record but worth just checking.
Thanks for that, is Edoxaban a newer one do you know
It is a newer one, slightly cheaper than Apixaban which can make it GP favourite. I don’t know too much about it. I do know that Apixaban is the one many on here favour and seem happy with.
If you are into reading studies - this one is quite good and one you may find reassuring but remember that statistics are just numbers and won’t predict how you react
Edoxaban was associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding compared to dabigatran (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.98), rivaroxaban (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.63–0.87),
Hello and welcome. i echo everything others have said - it's not a big deal once you get used to the idea. I've been taking Apixaban for over 7 years, have had two large teeth taken out, a couple of fillings, nosebleeds caused by allergic reaction to cleaning fluids and various cuts - all without problems from the anticoagulant.
Anticoagulants, the only thing I insisted on at diagnosis, although I wasn't quite "old enough" at 64.5yrs.
I’ve had AF for 30+ years, 3 ablation. The only meds I take at 68 years old is the anticoagulant Xarelto. Once a day 20 ml don’t have any issues with taking.
So with ablation, beta blockers aren't needed ?
Hi TP.
Welcome to the forum.
You'll be just fine taking them - honest. None of us want to be on med's (me most certainly not). Beta blockers are different to an anticoagulant and I would be amazed if you suffered any side effects (from anticoagulant's).
I think you'll be just fine and won't notice any difference at all.
Enjoy your weekend and don't worry. Start the AC's and don't give it a second thought. Don't be scared to take them if this was the advice given by your doc.
You'll be OK 
Paul
Edit - it can take a good few months for your body to adjust to beta blockers - sit tight a little longer. I can't promise anything but your body might adjust - it can / often happen's. It did for me if that's any help.
Thanks to everyone, I knew I'd have to take them and thanks to you all I'm not quite so worried now. Also I'll keep in mind giving the beta blockers more time.
Great stuff TP.
Don't be worried - you'll be fine taking them I'm sure. Get on the job asap and don't panic - there's no need.
Relax for the weekend and enjoy your day. Get stuck in to your AC's (as directed by your doctor) and worry not
Paul
I take them I’m only 47 & I don’t like the idea of being on tablets for life I have now adjusted & accepted. They may save my life!
Thats exactly what I 5hink. I was ok 40 when I started on them
I've been on Edoxaban after having a stroke nearly 2 years ago ( thrombolised with no after effects!) I've not had any reactions from them and have had two teeth out on separate occasions with no problems or issues. I didn't tolerate Bisoprolol very well and was changed to Nebivolol instead. Needless to say I am very grateful ☺️ HTH
Thanks, I changed from Bisoprolol as well to Carvedilol, still having some side effects but I think they are lessening.
Hi TP, it is all a bit daunting at first when you find yourself on the receiving end of a diagnosis out of the blue, shortly followed by an array of meds and a pacemaker to boot. I agree with everything that has been said and am glad you are reassured. I was impatient with myself after the pacemaker and adjusting to meds and 6 months on am finally feeling more like my old self Good luck TP. Elaine.
I've been on them for about 8 years, I don't remember exactly when I started. I've used three different ones: Eliquis, Savaysa and Pradaxa. Most of the time on Eliquis, which I'm on now. I've had no side effects from any of them.
Hi , I've been on edoxaban for nearly 2 years now. I've had no adverse reactions and have had a tooth removed and a few minor cuts in that time which haven't caused me any issues apart from it taking slightly longer to stop bleeding than normal.I've also had 2 flu jabs and my first covid jab with no bleeding at all.
With PAF I've tried Bisoprolol but as I have a slowish HR I found it tired me excessively and have learned to manage episodes and my life without taking it
As has been said, please don't worry and enjoy the assurance that you are much better protected from the risk of stroke by taking anticoagulants
Thanks, what's PAF ?
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation . It means the episodes are random and short lived usually
Hi, I have no advice for you that others haven't said here - but welcome 
Thank you, it's all helped
Love the name. 😸 I hate taking any medication, but have been ok with Rivaroxaban. It's the beta blockers that seem to cause my problems. I held out from taking the anticoagulants for a while until a consultant read me the riot act! 😳😊
Yes I've always had a distrust of medication, don't know where it came from. More really I think we have got used to a pill for everything, some unneccessary. I would say I err on the side of just being careful 🤔
The only pills I don't mind taking are vitamins and minerals. I managed to look after myself with those, essential oils and colloidal silver until my early sixties. Very flipping annoying that AF came along.☺️
Love your name: I, too, have always been reluctant to take any medication.
I would endorse earlier comments.
When first advised to take anticoagulants I was very wary, however, three years on, I have had no ill effects, and don’t regret it.
I did also take Bisoprolol for around 18months: that’s another story. Fortunately for me, my doctor supported me in stopping. What a relief that was!
Good luck.
Do you have atrial fibrillation ? If so is there a time when beta blockers can be stopped ?
Yes I have AF.
I don’t think there’s anything to suggest there’s a specific time after which the BB can be stopped. It was very much a personal thing for me.
Knowing how anti medication I am, my GP first agreed for me to reduce the dose, after around six months. Later, after another year or so of extreme tiredness, breathlessness etc, GP supported me in stopping. My BP was carefully monitored before and after stopping. All was well. I didn’t gradually stop, as is sometimes suggested. GP said to just stop.
The fascinating outcome of stopping Bisoprolol was that some other, extremely bad limb pains also stopped. I hadn’t realised that these had probably been caused by the Bisoprolol.
Gives me hope I can come off them eventually.
I've had atrial fibrillation for about twenty seven years. It was not until the 24th year that I was prescribed a beta blocker, following my heart beating very rapidly during an operation to remove my appendix. 7 weeks after taking the first one, that I had the first side effect, deemed very rare. That was painful rashes, intermittent but continual, that is a rash on my left arm for about three hours, then it would go away, but then re-appear on my right thigh, or my back or left leg, or anywhere except my face every two to three hours. The dose was reduced and I had the second side effect, exacerbation of asthma, to the extent that I also had chest pains. I was admitted to hospital for just a short stay of two nights. I was weaned off Bisoprolol, and my doctors said research showed that the side effects I'd had meant that I should never take any beta blockers again. That's of any 'brand'.The NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) recommendations, I believe is to start treatment of atrial fibrillation with a beta blocker and an AntiCoagulant. NICE didn't exist when I started with atrial fibrillation. So yes, in certain circumstances you can come off a beta blocker but I would never ever want to come off an AntiCoagulant.
I've had problems since starting beta blockers, changed from Bisprolol to Cardivilol which I take spaced out to minimise the effects. Trouble is that now I don't really know whats causing what, trying to figure it out. I would love it if I didn't have to take them. But yes with edoxaban, that seems ok and feels safer
I had leg pains from biso also
Beta blockers are a nightmare for some people including me
Me too. Despite asking to be changed I took them for 5 months and ended up in hospital with suspected pneumonia, which turned out to be reaction to the beta blockers. My lungs have never recovered so don't suffer in silence, there are other drugs to do the job. I take Rivaroxaban anticoagulant and have done for some years with no problem at all.
I reacted from the start and it took me 7 months to get off them I had such severe side effects including arrhythmia I didn’t have before . The cardiologist rang me every time I was due to make a drop and I was to email him dodgy looking Kardia readings. Now 14 weeks off much improved but still up and down though the arrhythmia have largely settled . These things can cause long term damage and am so sorry that happened to you. I have never felt so ill in my life and not out of the woods still trying to build my exercise tolerance after both the bbs and months feeling too ill to go for usual walks
Hi tabletphobic, don’t be worried about taking A/Cs, us afibers are unfortunately at a greater risk of strokes because the blood can pool in the atria whilst in afib. I never had a problem whilst I was on them on a few years. I was actually taken off them after 3 PVI ablations and my chads is zero. I do sometimes wonder wether I should still be on them even though I’m in sinus all time but that’s something I’ll have to discuss with the cardiologist on my next visit whenever that’s guna be.????? But I’d have no problem starting them again if I had to. I think the benefits are greater than the risks.👍
Thanks, I have just bit the bullet and taken my first one
You’ll be fine. 👍👍
I’ve been on bisoprolol (beta blocker) for 13 years and remember how unwell/odd I felt for the first 6 months. I stuck with them and got through with support from my GP and am glad I did. If I was you I’d give them a few months for your body to get used to. I tend to overthink everything and have tried to condition myself not to overthink my Anticoagulant meds. Unlike our forefathers who were much more at risk without the wonderful meds we have, I feel so lucky to have them especially as they reduce my risk of a stroke. Good luck
Hi Can I just start by saying that this was relevant to my experience and not something to expect.I was unexpectedly diagnosed with AF when I went for an ECG.
I got taken to a ward, and had CT scan, after being given medication. I was both a bit bewildered /bemused as I am fit, although I was taking amlodipine for hereditary high blood pressure. Cutting a long story short. I was discharged later in the evening with Edoxaban, and Bisoprolol medication. Edoxaban was 60mg. a few week s later, after having had no side effects, I was out on an 8 mile walk with my daughter.Half way through my nose started to bleed, it was still bleeding when we got home.I had a 20 min drive back to my home , and nose continued bleeding. I finally decided to go to A and E where it continued to bleed. They cauterised one side, and packed my nose both sides, and I was kept in overnight. The verdict was 60mg of Endoxoban was too high for me.It was reduced to 30mg, and I have had no problems since. I am very grateful that my AF was diagnosed, my father and his 8 siblings all died of stroke, so I am more than happy to take any meds I am given.I think my situation is not the usual one, and the other positive posts , are more relevant to you.
I am very grateful to our wonderful NHS. Don't worry, you will feel much safer taking the medication.
Yes of course you will feel rather shell shocked, it’s a lot to take in....Everything bob said is good advice.
Please don’t fret..we’ve all been like you I assure you, so we understand exactly how you feel.
Look upon the anti coagulant as our “little helper”.
It doesn’t really affect your life at all....I guess u think you will bleed and bleed but these new ones aren’t like the old ones...I get scratched my my cat regularly, little minx! But I just clot the same as I always did.
You’re in a good place in this forum and bob is our man of wisdom here so it’s good advice,
Chin up.... sue
Yes , you've all been great
Yes,I too had issues with most beta blockers,,still do and am switching off metoprolol now due to blurred vision after 5 years on it,,,not sure what I’m being switched to yet,,,But,,,never had any problems with blood thinners,,,went on warfarin 5 years ago,,check my INR with a finger prick and a rented machine reads it,,,once every 2 weeks and call in the readings to my local doctor here in the USA,,, and have never been over or under the preferred numbers,,,eat a very stable diet,,,pretty much the same foods weekly and that seems to keep everything just fine! I have gone off the warfarin for dental work or minor surgery a few times with no complications,,,and never any side effects for me,,,,it suits me ,I guess,,,I’ve had minor cuts and scrapes along the way and given blood for tests,,,,any bleeds stop with gentle pressure after a minute or two,,,I did try a newer blood thinner when 1st diagnosed with afib,,had some awful headaches and stopped,,, good luck to you,,,hopefully with some medical assistance you will find what works best for you!P S also got my pacemaker just 3 weeks ago and so far,so good!
Thanks this is all good to know, sometimes i forget the pacemakers there now, its been about 10 weeks
Have been on Warfarin for six years now with no problems. Just have to have regular blood tests every couple of weeks which is reassuring that my INR is ok which should between 2 & 3. But no side effects or problems unlike my other medication Bisoprolol and Digoxin ?
I’m same as you. Now taking pradaxor anti coagulant. They give you itchy legs below knee which you scratch and result in bruising and ugly scaring - apart from that I just take what I’m given. Why worry? Be as happy as you can be.
Why worry, be happy...nice mantra 😊
Hi Bob
I concur with all the positive replies. I was also concerned about taking anticoagulants particularly after reading all the "warnings" on the leaflet in the box with the tablets. Anyway after interrogating both my Doc and Cardiologist (not to mention my wife!) I have now been taking Apixaban for over a month and to date nothing negative to report except the positivity of reducing my risk of a stroke.
Hello tabletphobic I take the AC Apixaban and I am so glad I do . It gives me a sense of security . It is a NOAC similar to Edoxoban .
Like most people I was scared to begin with but soon got used to taking them . The main thing is don't forget to take them and at the same time each day (once or twice a day whichever is applicable) . I have mine in a day box so I don't forget to take it or get mixed up and forget when I have already done so.
I had to smile the other day having initially been worried about bleeding. I needed to take a blood sample at home to save waiting weeks for a Vitamin D level result from the GP .
The kit arrived, I had to prick my finger and fill a small vial . Having warmed my hand/drank some water/stood up /massaged my hand I tried desperately for ages to get enough blood from my finger and had to resort to pricking a second finger to get the required amount , so much for 'bleeding' .
😊 Good to know
I was scared of taking anti- coagulants, as my Dad had died from a brain haemorrhage, the Drs said could have been caused by the Warfarin he was taking for DVT. but having been on health unlocked and got replies to a similar query, as yours and doing research, I decided to take them. I was reassured that the new anticoagulants were a lot safer than Warfarin. I take Edoxaban., the lower dose, as I’m under 60 kgs in weight. I have had blood tests and also had a canula put in when I was in A and E a while back and also had flu and Covid jabs and I ‘ve cut myself, several times and had no problems with excess bleeding, or any other problems, so far. It’s better to take them, than worry about having a stroke.
I agree, I've started taking them ( 3 days ) and don't feel they are giving me any trouble. I am not feeling too well but that was happening beforehand and I think is either stomach problems, which I've had for ages or beta blockers. I'm hoping if the beta blockers it will get less and less
Hope you get on Ok. Best wishes.
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