Diagnosed with persistent AFib in September. Due cardio version in mid feb 2022 so been prescribed Edoxaban before and for month after procedure. I suffer with major anxiety and have bad ibs , been on Edoxaban for two weeks now and not so good side effects , sickness - nausea , bloating etc , it seems to be exacerbating ibs . Also getting a vibrating feeling in stomach with something which is most disturbing, poss anxiety again.
Also on Bisoprolol. Wondering if Edoxaban is causing these side effects if so what can they do ? They are making my life quite miserable with the shaky and nausea feeling. Gp not interested as hospital diagnosed AFib and prescribed Bisoprolol and Edoxaban. I’m sure I didn’t feel this Ill before these two meds but they are so important for the AFib. Catch 22 . My ibs is definitely worse too now.
Anyone similar side effects please? Thank you.
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Kabari
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My thoughts, based on my own experience only, is that your Vagal ( Vagus) Nerve is in some way aggravated/inflamed or in some way has become dysfunctional. Have you read fully the various side effects kisted on the bit of paper in the packet ?
The point is - briefly - the vagal nerve is a nerve in the central nervous system which acts as an information superhighway between the brain, the heart and the digestive system and many other organs too. Its worth researching so you can understand.
Again based on my own experience spread over some 11 years it may well be that food ( or drink) is the aggravator and I resolved my issues by consulting a Nutritonist for diet.
Back in the day my symptoms were, diahorrea, bloating, burping and intestinal gurgling. The first step was to go Gluten, wheat and oats free. My nutritionist helped me with a food plan and keeping a diary and eventually over the years I have controlled my AF aided and abetted with medication.
For me the bloating was the worst, just in the upper abdomen, below rib cage on the left side. I felt my gut was being inflated by a garage airline ( like pumping up my car tyres). Back in the day I could actually see my gut inflate. The bloating of all these symptoms would be the feature that would trip me into AF.
I still get short bouts of AF over the course of a year ( maybe 4 or 5 times a year) but nothing to send me off to my GP or Cardio Consultant, usually lasts a few hours but occasionally 15 hours bouts. My last really serious bout was April 2018 and before that February 2015.
It of course could be medication but I doubt it, more likely food or drink.
I think you need to accept the side effects for now as without the anticoagulant you can't have the cardioversion. Believe me the affects of a stoke will be far worse.
There is a lot for you to absorb - literally and psychologically so firstly I would suggest you write down all of your symptoms on a daily basis along with your thoughts and rate both symptoms and worries 1-5 - 1 being low 5 being highest ever.
It is scary managing AF at the beginning an having to manage more than one condition life can get complex, as I very well know. I had Ulcerative Colitis from an early age and have managed it very well without meds purely through Lifestyle so watch very carefully what and when you eat and link that to your diary - it’s amazing how therapeutic it can be but also just how much you can learn about yourself. There are plenty of Apps out there that can help you do this if you are into them but paper and pen work as well!
Your worry alone will exacerbate your IBS AND AF which will also have an affect on how you absorb the meds which will then affect how you feel. The mind is incredibly powerful.
As Bob said - you need then that you need then to prioritise - if you want the cardioversion you need to be on the anticoagulants - period. If you have AF you and your CHADS score is more than 2 you will need to continue to take them but there are other anticoagulants which may suit you better so you need someone to talk to who can advise. Personally I favour Apixaban which is similar to Edoxaban but having had GI problems with other anticoagulants, I’ve no problems with Apixaban.
If you want better advice and support - see a different GP because sounds what he is basically saying is ‘I don’t know so can’t support you so I’ll leave it to the hospital”. If you can see one with cardiology experience it really helps.
You will find support from knowledgeable people - all of whom will have had similar for differing experience so you will find a range of opinions but pay attention to the ones that resonate with you.
Thank you. Yes my gp is definitely not interested as hospital diagnosed it . I’ve even been told by gp surgery that she won’t interfere as it’s all hospital treated etc. I was wondering about apixaban too , you say you found those better with gastric issues ?
I don’t know if people generally are aware of the NOCEBO affect? It’s the opposite of Placebo but doctors are very interested in it at the moment because so many people are instinctively against pharmaceuticals - sometimes with good reason but often with automatic negative outcomes.
I’m not suggesting to Kabari for one moment that symptoms are imaginary or that you shouldn’t take them very seriously and ask for help and support both here and from your medical team. Just exploring the power of the mind.
I was reading about that yesterday - that is one reason I am against reading about possible side effects before having taken a medication for a while as so many people seem to be fearful of even starting a new medication because they have read the whole information leaflet 😨
Absolutely makes sense to me ! Especially with fears surrounding vaccines etc… yes , I get that . I’ve never been one to be fearful of meds but wow , my anxiety has been through the roof with this one. The past two years has boosted my anxiety too tenfold. That’s such a good point. Reversal of placebo …also with my ibs being so bad I could be experiencing extra symptoms with Edoxaban.
Hi, unfortunately your symptoms are typical of someone on the medication you are taking but also of someone in persistent AF. The medication symptoms could wear off as your body adjusts but the AF symptoms tend to get better only after some time, hence the offer of the cardioversion. I agree that Apixaban is the best but too late to change now. Doctors do tend to expect you to accept a trade off unless you have dangerous side effects such as extreme breathlessness or chronic headaches etc and IBS is a real turn off for GPs because they know how difficult it is to treat but don’t consider it life threatening - I know this as have IBS diagnosed myself. It is worth persisting if you have unusual symptoms as a diagnosis of IBS can mask other conditions - kidney stones, diverticular disease, cancer - so people with ongoing IBS need to be extra vigilant. Also AF is often a response to inflammation in the body so important to try to damp that down. Whenever I have had an acute episode of AF my blood test has shown infection markers even when I wasn’t aware of having one so your approach to your GP should be that you have the symptoms recorded without blaming them on the meds and you might get a better response - maybe 🙄
Thank you , yes I get you. Yesterday dis bowel cancer fit test , got more bloods next week to rule out celiac. So general consensus is live with the ibs aggravation even though exacerbates af at times I guess .
It’s all very new to you at the moment so be really kind to yourself and accept it may take some time to adjust. It took me about 2 years before the AF anxiety really settled.
Hi I’ve been on Edoxaban for 3 years. I did have nausea and bloating at first but wasn’t sure if it was other medication I was on. Anyway after a couple of months symptoms ceased.Now the only side effects I get is bruising and redness on skin. Again GP not interested.
Sorry to hear the symptoms you are experiencing. I had gastritis last year and for the first time in my life whilst on edoxaban (which I’m on again now but stomach is fine). Could it be that? Despite my Doctors not recognising the link, there definitely is one and looking back in my case, I think it might have been triggered by taking ibuprofen at the same time as edoxaban (I know not to do that now!). I don’t know much about IBS but the symptoms of gastritis, which can be much improved by diet or PPIs, sound similar?
I too am on Edoxaban and Cardevilol, bisoporol first but couldn't handle the fatigue and stomach problems. Almost a year on I get to a point at times when I fall asleep can't help it, its un natural, I have the upper stomach thing, it swells up like a balloon, from rib to rib its very sore and painful at times and from mid stomach upwards sore and painful up into my throat.I did have a bad stomach before afib, but the swelling across ribs and front is different and seemed to come on after starting Bisoporol. My GP's don't know what is happening, and have just had me try an inhaler to help with the swelling and congestion.
I apparently did have pnuemonia before all this kicked off ( didn't know that till saw hospital discharge papers ). I have no idea whats happening but there is a few of the same symptoms described including that weird vibrating feeling.
Hi Kabari. A pity you are having these side effects. I have been pn Edoxaban for two years with no noticeable side effects. This was satrted 3 months after I had gall bladder removal. I’ve had many years of digestive problems all round. I am 74 and have PAFib. I also have diverticular disease and even with that have no side effects with Edoxaban. I only have bowel upsets if I eat the wrong things which have always bothered me like greens or pulses. I also have GERD and take Omeprazole. Again no worsening with Edoxaban.
I hope you find improvement soon because anticoagulants are so beneficial. I am grateful for these modern ones as I would have hated to use Warfarin with the necessary rgular blood tests, Best wishes.
I've been on Edoxaban for two years, was on Warfarin for years previously. I found no side effects, was so relieved to get off Warfarin as that drug is all-consuming with weekly blood tests, having to have a diet that doesn't include blood clotting vit K/ broccoli, sprouts, cabbage... It was a pain in the... so I'm grateful the blood clots swimming around in my bloodstream from sessions of AFib are in control with Edoxaban! So be grateful it's keeping you safe, I'm sure it must be your anxiety... Go swimming a couple of times a week at your local pool to alleviate your anxiety, you'll feel like a new person! Most things in life are attitude, try and make things simple and enjoy your life.
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