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eliquis

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hi everyone. I have always had a very sensitive system and been sensitive to medications. After not being able to tolerate the full dose of Eliquis with many side effects, I was put on a half dose. I am on week five of a half dose of Eliquis and I started getting very severe hip pain from an old injury and chest wall pain from an old injury. It seems that it’s causing a lot of inflammation in my system. Has anyone experienced anything like this and if you have any information on it, please let me know. I don’t know if I should just stick it out or switch to Xarelto that my doctor said I could switch to. the doctors never believe it’s from the medication but I was fine and then this started up about two weeks ago and has gotten progressively much more painful. I’d love any feedback. Wondering what the mechanism of Eliquis causing inflammation is and if it goes away if you stop the medication? Thanks so much. I know many people do fine on blood thinners, but for those of us who don’t, please be sensitive to what we go through. It’s very difficult and scary not to be able to tolerate this. Thank you.

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16 Replies

I’m guessing you are from the US, I did that once before and was wrong, so I don’t want to make the same mistake again. We can only gauge people’s reactions to medication by what they say here and of course, from our own personal experience. Because we are all different, it is not surprisingly that we can all react differently. I have been taking Eliquis (we call it Apixaban) since 2015 without any problems. Because AF patients often take many different medications, it’s really difficult to be sure which might be causing what. You clearly understand why it is so important to take anticoagulants, so it’s a case of finding out which one suits you best and this can only be determined by trial and error with help from your doctor. I think almost everyone is sensitive to the problems some medication cause or aggravate. My wife had a very difficult time finding a statin that worked for, but we got there in the end.

The only other thing I would add is that it can take a while for the body to adapt to some medications and although your experiences have been difficult, two week really isn’t all that long but you Doctor should help you with that. Best of luck

Fblue profile image
Fblue in reply to

Thanks. Yes US. Gave that away calling it Eliquis!!! It’s over 6 weeks on medicine. 4+ on 1/2 dose. Only on Levothyroxine and propranolol as needed. So pretty obvious what is happening from this new medicine. Hope we all do well. I’m going to call my cardiologist. The pain in chest area is sharp and upsetting.

in reply to Fblue

Don’t want to alarm you especially as I’m not medically trained but if you are experiencing chest pain you should seek emergency medical help NOW!

etheral profile image
etheral

Agree with FlapJack. Assuming you are cleared of the chest pain not being ischemic, I can't think of any reason not to try another anticoagulant in in the chance that Eliquis is causing these symptoms. Best etheral

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

The trouble with inflammatory conditions is that they wax and wane, or in my case, so. I haven't read that the anticoagulants cause flare ups so that will be why your doctor feels that it's unlikely to be the medication.

What to do is the problem, as an anticoagulant is an absolute must if your risk level points that way. It's a difficult one, for sure, if you are badly affected. Over the time I have been on rivaroxaban and apixaban, I have had an increase in my peripheral neuropathy and tendon issues, both "inflammatory" issues, but I hadn't associated it with the anticoagulant, just to getting older.

Steve

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

I was told when I had to change from rivaroxaban to apixaban as rivaroxaban kept giving me UTIs that apixaban was the kindest anticoagulant especially for the brain and stomach. That was important to me as I had not long had brain tumour surgery

All the best to you snd if you are getting central chest pain you really should see your doctor or go to A&E

Fblue profile image
Fblue in reply to Tapanac

Thank you. Be well. You been through so much. Hoping for your wellness going forward.

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac in reply to Fblue

Thank you snd you x

RoyMacDonald profile image
RoyMacDonald

On Apixaban since having a major stroke in 2019. No adverse side effects on the full dose. I only get the inflammatory ones that come from getting old. I'm almost 80. I'm not on any other medication.

What were the many side effects you had on the full dose?

Have you tried any anti inflammatory foods and supplements? I do take those.

All the best.

Roy

hatchback profile image
hatchback

What I do when I think I may be having a bad side effect from a medication is put the name of the medication in your search engine followed by "patient reviews" and you will find lists of posts of people sharing what side effects they experienced while taking it. I find patients are more honest, or just know more about that medication than many doctors. I found others with the same problems caused by that medication, and it helps me to decide if I want to continue taking it or try another approach. People on that sight, along with this one, I find are very honest. You know your body better than anyone else because you've lived in it. Trust your suspicions and speak out.

topherC profile image
topherC

Yes - very sore hip and lower back with Apixaban - which is not mentioned on their data sheet and so Consultants tend to dismiss this finding!

Fblue profile image
Fblue in reply to topherC

Thank you. Is there research on this I can show my doctor? Did you switch to rivaroxaban? If you switched to something else did the pain improve?

topherC profile image
topherC in reply to Fblue

I have reported this to GP and Consultant - I'm waiting for them to provide alternative but I am on the list for a cardioversion - whichever comes first. Pain subsided in both ankles after a few weeks of intense manipulation but back pain has had to be controlled by chiropractor along with substantial opiate pain relief as NSAIDS are supposedly contra indicated.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

If you are having problems with Apixaban I think it’s very unlikely that Rivaroxaban will be an improvement. I used to take it, had stomach problems and excessive bruising with joint pain and Eliquis/Apixaban was much better. I suspect an anticoagulant acts on areas that have previously been damaged by injury.

cbaum profile image
cbaum

I have been taking 5 mg Eliquis in the morning and 5 mg in the evening since 2017. Never had any effects from it. I had a bad reaction to Lisinopril (Blood Pressure medicine) where my face would swell. The cardiologist took me off that right away. Metoprolol 25 mg made me feel ill so I cut it to 12.5 mg and felt better. My Electrophysiologist said it was OK. If you aren't in the US, I believe you can take the generic Apixaban, but I have never tried it. Good luck! We'll be praying for you!

iris1205 profile image
iris1205

Hello,

I was switched to Eliquis (Apixaban) from Xarelto and did feel increased joint pain in most of my old injuries and ongoing joint issues.

I switched back to Xarelto and was much better. Just to point out how individual we are, my sister is on Eliquis and has no issues with despite having joint pain issues....

Hope you find the right one for you!

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