Eliquis/Apixaban and rectal bleeding - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Eliquis/Apixaban and rectal bleeding

dixiedad profile image
25 Replies

1. I've been on Eliquis for about three weeks. I've had 3-4 episodes of rectal bleeding, usually two or three days apart. I think maybe it's just some hemorrhoids "encouraged" by the Eliquis. I'm seeing my GI in three days, so I'll know more then.

What has been your experience with Eliquis?

2. Here in the U.S you cannot buy Apixaban, the generic for Eliquis. My Eliquis costs $10 per tablet (2 a day). I've ordered Apixaban from Canada Pharmacy Online canadapharmacyonline.com/ for about $3.60 per tablet. Still expensive, but better than $10. one to three weeks for delivery.

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dixiedad profile image
dixiedad
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25 Replies

Hello Dixiedad, I was going to say welcome but I see you have been a member for nearly 3 years. If it’s OK, I’ll share some thoughts on both of your posts here. As you intimidated, it is unlikely that Eliquis (Apixaban) has caused the rectal bleed, and I rather like the term “encouraged”. As you obviously are aware, there could be a number of reasons for the bleed, all anticoagulants tend to do is make the bleeding more obvious which ironically, can have its benefits. We often hear from members who are pleased because something which could have turned nasty has been found much earlier than it might otherwise have been so fingers crossed you will fit into that category next week. Here in the UK we have some knowledge of the cost of drugs in the US and those of us who have reached pension age are fortunate to get our medication free of charge. However, when working, we did all make significant contributions to cover health care so in real terms, it’s been far from free. I’ve now changed my mind and will respond to your Flecainide post separately……

Moongold7 profile image
Moongold7 in reply to

My GP told me just weeks ago that a side-effect of taking Apixaban is some bleeding. I had a long string-like strip of blood land in the bowl from it seems my bladder, so I guess it can happen anywhere.

mav7 profile image
mav7

Hi Dixie

May I ask is the blood noticed just on the tissue or in the toilet bowl ? And is the blood color bright red or darker ?

If just on the tissue and bright red and not or lightly noticed in the bowl, likely hemorrhoids. Please note I am not a doctor, but someone who has experienced hemorrhoids and colon polyps. Eliquis will definitely result in hemorrhoids being noticeable.

Good you are seeing your doctor. Would be good to have a colonoscopy if it has been awhile. Best to You !

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply tomav7

Yes, bloody water in toilet. A couple of time clots caught in the pad I wear now.

In a way, it's funny. I have permanent 'MANopause from the androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, hot flashes plus the 3 Bs of gynecomastia: Boobs, Belly, and Butt.

And now, to top it off, I have my 'period'.

But I'm still here.

😁

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply todixiedad

You are cute 😊 it’s obvious you are taking this. Seriously not everyone does you know. My dad had colon cancer BUT because he did take it serious even way back when in the 70s, he remained cancer free for over 25 years. Yes it did come back, but then he fought it another nine years fairly painless if you can believe it not even losing his hair. We lost him a week after he turned 82 he passed watching his beloved Red Sox baseball in his recliner.

I couldn’t not answer some thing to you when I saw what you said previously. We are all different. I forget your age but I say you need to double it.❤️

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply toDawnTX

82 in August.

During my seven years as a fighter pilot I became somewhat of a fatalist. When your number's up, it's up...HOWEVER...I also learned that there are things you can do to postpone your number coming up.

BTW, I'm a Texan-by-marriage. She was born in Orange.

😊

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply todixiedad

I worked law enforcement, so I know what you mean. FYI I’m a Bostonian by birth, gypsy by nature lol came here for several reasons, but medical was a big one. I almost moved to Austin 20+ years ago was married to a pilot which is how I became a gypsy lol I have no idea where Orange is as I moved here about a year and a half ago and until March after the pacemaker, I have been pretty much homebound in bed for most of the time. Anyway, I do not like the roads here I had been in Florida over 20 years much different pace, but I love the people here. It’s still a small world.

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply toDawnTX

My daughter lives in a small town just outside of Boston and we lived in southern NH for 16 years. Boston is my favorite city.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply todixiedad

my last 25+ years were in the north end across from the Coast Guard base prior to that I have lived both North Shore and south. Yep really is a small world lol it has changed so much. I miss what I know but the last time I was there it didn’t feel like home anymore.

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply tomav7

I found out yesterday that in all likelihood it's radiation proctitis. Going back for another colonoscopy next week and my gastro doc says he's optimistic about a cure.

mav7 profile image
mav7

Great you are seeing your GI doctor who may well prescribe a colonoscopy.

Best to You !

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply tomav7

Yes, I think so.

Thank you

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad

HOLY SHIT!

You're certainly a little ray of sunshine.

☹️

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

Any bleed needs investigation, we can not guess at the reason but there has to be a reason so please see your medics urgently. Could be nothing but don't leave anything to chance.

Frances123 profile image
Frances123

Sorry, but that was too over the top and scaremongering.

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45

In my case it was because of a polyp in my colon. It was easily dealt with, without any pain, and as a CT scan had shown it was in the Sigmoid colon, in the first few inches, I only had an enema, before it was removed. 3 years later I had 2 colonoscopies, one while on Warfarin to look for polyps, the next to cut out one polyp in my sigmoid colon and three much smaller ones in the rest of my colon. 3 years later, earlier this year, I had another colonoscopy when nothing untoward was found. The worst bit of a colonoscopy is the preparation you do before getting to the hospital. I chose not to have sedation, and felt no pain. Watching the screen as the camera went up and down the colon was fascinating.

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply toThomas45

A few years ago I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy, back to back. I was happily 'asleep'.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply todixiedad

🥲💩

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply toThomas45

oh my goodness I want to be out cold, and even then when I was due to go last time, I had such a panic attack it had to be canceled. When they did my heart cath , I couldn’t feel anything, and the doctor said you can watch if you want. I told him thanks no thanks I get woozy if I see the needle when you take my blood. You are a brave one. I prefer my doctors cocktail and more and a nice sound rest lol

If anyone didn’t know, there is a prescription of pills they can give you instead of drinking a gallon of “go lightly “or whatever it is, they gave you. It might hit you the same but at least you don’t have to drink all that in this day and age, can’t they find a different way like from the outside lol

Nightmare2 profile image
Nightmare2

Glad you are not replying to me, you surely are one of the doomwatch brigade, sorry but thats how it comes across.🤥

djmnet profile image
djmnet

If you're on Medicare, there's no reason I can think of for the Eliquis to be that expensive. Check your Medicare D coverage; I have a $47/month co-pay for it.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply todjmnet

whoops I hit the wrong one with my novel. Sorry about that.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX

I hope that you have had this checked out by now unless you know you have hemorrhoids, etc. it would freak me out. Please take care of yourself.

dixiedad profile image
dixiedad in reply toDawnTX

Scheduled colonoscopy with my gastro.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply todixiedad

😊

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