Eloquis/Apixaban etc - To Take or Not - That is The Question!

[Kenbat]

I am really in a quandry regarding eloquis/apixaban etc.

I have a very mild heart flutter in that I have the 'pill in the pocket' medication with me since told about the flutter over a year ago. It does flutter a couple of times a week but when it happens it goes up to 150 but then flutters down so that after no more than an hour it has returned to normal. I have never had to take 'pill in the pocket'

I did have a blockage in my leg which was disappaited by patches after a severe chect infection coupled with rejection of Doxycycline antibiotics which I was given three times by the hospital and each time sent the heart flying.

My risk is calcuated as being 2% more likley of getting a stroke than the normal person. When I take any of the blood thinners they affect my breathing and my chest tightens and it is most uncomfortable. I have therfore stopped taking the blood thinners

Different doctors at the GP practice tell me that I should be on them and my regular doctor says that three years ago I would probably not been prescribed them for the 2% risk condition that I have

Does anyone else have problems with blood thinners affecting their breathing?

Anyone in the same situation as myself in the 2% bracket?

Should I take the risk?

Any advice welcome as really not sure !

Ken

[CDreamer]

I’m not sure how to respond as I don’t know what ‘very mild heart flutter’ is? Have you a diagnosis of an arrythmia and if so which? Your post suggest Atrial Flutter? Not sure how that can be mild as in my experience it causes more symptoms than almost anything else.

What med is your ‘Pill in the Pocket’?

Was the blockage in your leg a DVT? If so, personally I would not hesitate to take anticoagulation for life.

Do you know your CHADSVASC score? Statistics mean very little to most of us but what I do know is that the 2% stroke risk will increase - year on year.

What is the recommendation of your doctor and is this a specialist or a GP?

Whether or not to take any medication is dependant upon many factors but know that if you have an arrythmia you automatically have an increased risk factors for TIA and stroke.

I have no symptoms at all from taking Apixaban, certainly not breathing issues - which anticoagulant were you taking? Having had a TIA whilst not taking any anticoagulant with a CHADS score of 1 for being female, I am naturally very much for taking one. I’m not sure how I would feel about if I suffered daily symptoms.

Everyone’s experience is very different so it’s really hard to compare difference and comment on with such vague information.

Best wishes

[Kenbat in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDreamer

Thank you for your reply wich I really appreciate.

My pill in the pocket is flecanide and bisioporol. take one thn an hour later take the other.

It is atrial fibrilatrion but consultant said it was flutter. He originally organised an ablation but after seeing how the flutter was not getting worse and the lack of need for the pill in pocket regime it was decided in discussions to put it off for now. I have asked and am awiating an appointment time for a CT angiogram to check out my 'plumbing'! This might throw up why I am having breathing issues. Howver, I do not get breathless walking upstairs or playing golf once per week! Echocardiogram showed no issue

Best Wishes

Ken.

[Afibflipper]

Hi Kenbat, I’m afraid I am really sceptical about %risk. My previous consultant, took over my case when I was 40 and newly diagnosed AF. I was concerned and changed Drs when the initial consultant said they weren’t going to prescribe anticoagulants when I couldn’t tolerate Aspirin. The new Dr said that AFib is AFib and I was too young to be left with the after effects of a stroke also with 2 young children and too many years left to live with its consequenses.

A cousin of mine wasn’t diagnosed until he shouldn’t have survived a brain stem Stroke (but did) which found his AF had no previous symptoms.

My father collapsed behind a door following a stroke but survived with life changing effects that left him in a care home unable to speak)

Obviously each individual has to decide on their own future but I didn’t want to play roulette and am happy I am on Eliquis right now

All the best to you

[Tryfan]

Think its a truism. None of us like taking medication. For me its another sign of getting old and things starting to wear out. After a lifetime of being fit and active a reminder that none of us are invincible.That said when my CHADSVACS score came and a GP hadn't met before, said just outright your taking Apixaban for life. It hit me hard. So I took them for a while and unilaterally stopped, as I had not experienced any arrhythmia, not even an ectopic beat.

Example of a Good GP practice, I received a call some months later, asking why I hadn't requested a repeat prescription. I explained, I thought I knew my body, and didn't believe I needed anti coagulation. Couple of weeks later my GP sent me a copy of a letter from my or a Consultant whom my regular GP had written to. As I said earlier great service.

The Consultant spelt it out. I believe this goes for you and all of us who don't want to take drugs. Its up to you . Your choice. But you are taking a risk of thrombosis which will get larger as you age.

Bottom line - you don't want a thrombosis- end of conversation- and to be blunt could be end of your life as you know it.

So back on Apixaban, for life. No side effects that I'm aware of. Balance of risk- I don't want a stroke. I'll keep taking the pills. Your choice.