Eliquis/but easy bruiser: Hi, Thoughts... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Eliquis/but easy bruiser

Bks429 profile image
6 Replies

Hi, Thoughts: I have been diagnosed with PSVT and a 30 monitor detected only one episode of Afib. My apple watch is what prompted my seeing a cardio as it detected irregular heartbeats. I was on eliquis and no episodes and not spikes, so cardio said to stop taking it and see how it goes. Well, watch detected it again. I have txtd the cardio. HOWEVER, I have always been an easy bruiser. Sometimes, I'll bleed under skin for no reason. I will feel a weird feeling and see the bump and sure enough = it spreads and looks like hell. I've mentioned to GP and looks at me like I'm crazy. So.....my dilemma: no eliquis and possible stroke or yes eliquis and possible brain bleed?

Terrified by both.

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Bks429
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6 Replies
mjames1 profile image
mjames1

Start with your CHADS2VASC score which you can compute online and discuss with your doctor. If it's low, you may not need Eliquis anyway, even if you didn't bruise easily.

But you do bruise easily -- so that has to be evaluated and factored into the decision even if your CHADS score is higher. No one size fits all with thinners. And hopefully you and your doctor can reach a joint decision what's best for you.

Personally I resisted thinners for the first 30 years of my afib journey for a number of reasons including a low and then marginal CHADS score, infrequent episodes and a lifestyle that involved motorsports. Now I'm on daily Eliquis because my episodes became longer and more frequent plus my CHADS score has also risen. Lately, my episodes have been more controlled so I'm on the fence whether to stay on daily thinners or not.

Jim

Bks429 profile image
Bks429 in reply to mjames1

Thank you for the reply. My chad score is 2. I am 73. But similar to you I’d downhill ski , and I am a stained glass artist so it’s a mess. During my initial visit and after the heart monitor etc., he did put me on Eliquis. Then because the episodes had stopped and it was ski season he said to go off. He also told me that it would probably worsen as I get older. It’s just a fine line of what to do

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to Bks429

Fine line it is, I agree. I like to be treated like an intelligent person and given both sides of the argument,then make my own decision (after running past my cardiologist), which will be subjective. Problem is there is precious little reliable consensus of studies that convinces me that I am getting unbiased data; the ONE small study that keeps being quoted is that it is x5 more likely to have a stroke without ACs. Ironically, that makes me think the case for ACs, where borderline individual circumstances exist, is overstated.

So how did I make my decision to postpone taking ACs:

Discussed it fully with my cardiologist.

68yo, CHADS score 1

Bruise easily, suspected undiagnosed stomach 'issue', eyes bloodshot infrequently

Active lifestyle, no sedentary period over 2 hours (except sleep with bathroom visits)

Take Krill oil and fresh garlic daily

Drink extra water

Evaluated what data I have read: x5 more likely without, no details I can recall of stroke size or patient type though, still 1 in 3 stroke chance with ACs & lastly possible trigger of other health issues

Personal preference to minimise drugs except in emergency.

Why is it likely that I will take ACs in the future?:

Age, will reconsider on reaching 70

If my AF (currently 8yrs in remission) returns

If my activity level decreases

If I have a TIA

If I read some more unbiased study data in favour

joaniei profile image
joaniei

Strictly my opinion, I will never go off Eliquis although my abalation procedure has for now anyway fixed my a-fib. I have two friends that suffered strokes when they were off Eliquis & I am not willing to take that risk. I do not however have similar bruises like you do. Mine r very minor although I do bruise. Just my thoughts.

dtjag11 profile image
dtjag11

In my case the spontaneous bruising was caused by a combination of krill oil and melatonin. I also avoid turmeric. I have been on Elequis for a few years and the only bruising is from bumping into objects.

TXQuilter profile image
TXQuilter

I’m with you! Scary which ever way you go!I also have a CHADS score of 2. Cardiologist immediately started me on Eloquis with Afib diagnosis. After successful ablation he said it was my choice whether to continue knowing their are risks with either option.

My GI doc wanted me to discontinue it because of its effect on rather GI tract. He called Eloquis “the Devil”.

I have a large hiatal hernia which I will have repaired later this summer. So there are many individual factors that come into play. If I were in your shoes I would want to understand the easy bruising issue to help make my decision. Good luck!

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