Eliquis and AF symptoms

[Calypso76]

Hi all,

I've been following the posts on this forum and have received helpful feedback re blood thinners and AF. I was recently diagnosed with AF and was put on Eliquis, which I've not yet started because of what I heard about the side effects. I have bradycardia and experience flutters and lightheadedness which sometimes affects my walking. My question is, will Eliquis relieve any of these symptoms or is it only to prevent blood clots and stroke?

My blood pressure is usually in the normal range. Thanks for all your help.

[Buzby62]

Eliquis is a brand name for the drug Apixaban (Often referred to as a thinner for simplification but not technically true) and is an anticoagulant which slows down the clotting to reduce stroke risk. It does not treat AF.

Link to info sheet api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Link to all the info sheets heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Best wishes

[CDreamer]

Anticoagulants are first line prophylactic treatment to reduce the risk of AF induce strokes. The side effects listed on the pack do sound scary but a stroke is a lot scarier so if you have been assessed at being at high enough risk for that recommendation to be made I would seriously consider taking them.

I have taken Apixaban since 2016 and have not experienced any side effect that I could attribute to Apixaban. I did come off Apixaban 12 months following an ablation for AF, discouraged by my EP, then had a TIA a few months later. That was scary enough that I couldn’t get back on Apixaban quickly enough.

When considering whether or not to take any medication one needs to balance the benefits:risks and make a decision, but hopefully an informed decision so I would recommend you read the info sheets links to which Buzby kindly has given you.

Best wishes

[Sixtychick in reply to CDreamer]

I had an ablation in September, but I was told I had to stay on anticoagulants for life, even though they’re stopping my Sotalol medication. I suppose it depends on what your Chad Vasc score is. Mine was 2.

[SlothOnSpeed]

In the end we all have to weigh pros and cons. Google scholar is ok. I have been on Xarelto for 10 years. No side effects. Stopped for few months and had a TIA. You decide in the end.

[BabsJ]

I've been on apixaban since 2011 as I have a hole in my heart, a heart murmur and AF and had no problems. I also take Verapamil for my Af and no problems

[Ppiman]

The heart has many arrhythmias as well as AF, some common ones being called ectopic beats and palpitations. Everyone gets some arrhythmia each day, if it's only one or two ectopic beats.

What separates AF is that it can cause micro-thrombi to form in a small part of the heart called the atrial appendage. These can move to the brain and cause a stroke. That is why the other arrhythmias are often called "benign" - but not AF.

The use of an anti-coagulant tablet is absolutely needed when AF occurs whenever a doctor calculates that the risk calls for one. You should not get any side effects whatsoever, but the tablets will not help the AF itself, only prevent the clots from forming.

Tablets to help the AF itself are often given, too, and these are most often a drug called bisoprolol, a beta-blocker, which slows the heart a little and stops it reacting too quickly to events such as exercise or the emotions. There are a few other different drugs that you might be given.

Steve

[Auriculaire in reply to Ppiman]

Some people do get side effects from DOACs and side effects are listed in the patient info. You don't know till you take it whether you will be one of the unlucky ones.

[Ppiman in reply to Auriculaire]

Yes - that’s why I used the mitigating modal auxiliary verb, “should”. 😉

Looking at the figures, I’d think that most people taking a DOAC don’t get significant or worrying side effects and it’s likely that some at least that are reported are wrongly attributed to the DOAC rather than to other causes.

It’s a poor form of evidence, I know, but anecdotally, at least, I know a few people on DOACs as well as others on warfarin, with none finding any difficulties with their treatment.

Steve

[Calypso76 in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply and for the others given on this thread. Everyone seems to be in agreement that DOACs are absolutely necessary, but I wonder why my doctor didn't prescribe something for my AF symptoms. Thank you!

[Ppiman in reply to Calypso76]

That’s a good question. My elderly friend, now 90, has also had no treatment for his very long standing and persistent AF except warfarin.

You say that you have bradycardia? The usual first line treatment for AF is to give a tablet, like bisoprolol, that lowers the heart rate. If your rate already drops too low, that might not be an option.

Also, most treatment given for AF is to relieve symptoms, so in your case, I’m presuming the doctors felt that wasn’t needed for some reason? In some cases, for instance with me as I also have something called a bundle block, treatment is given to help protect the heart’s pumping chambers (i.e. the ventricles, the left especially) as well as the heart valves, over the years ahead.

Steve

[Calypso76 in reply to Ppiman]

If your rate already drops too low, that might not be an option. That’s probably the reason. Thanks, Steve

[Ppiman in reply to Calypso76]

How do you feel in yourself when you have AF, by the way? Is the light-headedness very pronounced? I find that I feel okay but “anxious” with the constant palpitations going on. I wouldn’t want to do too much so I tend to sit down for the first hour or more, then gently get up and do light things. It once started while I was driving and I coped okay.

Steve

[Alphakiwi in reply to Ppiman]

Steve, i stopped taking a coagulant probably 6 weeks ago without my docs say so because after 5 yrs i became nausea i the early mornings and then it became allnight. Couldnt bear it any longer. Nausea has gone but another doc gave me asprin. Your reply to calypso76 is so informative it mskes me think i better get bsck onto the rivaroxaban i stopped taking. Ive got other issues with this afib now. Getting loads of palps all of night and pain across bottom of ribs. Appointmrnt to see my gp monday morning. I just want to get sorted. calypso 76 should take the anticoagulant and at least try it out as he may not even get any side affects as i did.Thanks Steve.

[Calypso76 in reply to Alphakiwi]

Thanks for your reply, Alphakiwi. I hope you get some relief from the nausea and your other issues. My palpitations are not very regular, but as far as "trying out" the DOAC I don't think that's an option. From all that I've read once you start, you're on it for the long haul.

[Ppiman]

Aspirin can cause nausea, too, by irritating the stomach. It’s been shown to be rather ineffective at stroke prevention for AF and isn’t recommended.

Nausea is such an awful symptom. You have my sympathies. I’ve had it a few times for extended periods, several months on two occasions. There’s nothing I can find to help it but it always eventually goes.

I would definitely try a different anticoagulant.

Steve

[Alphakiwi]

Calypso what is DOAC

[Hidden in reply to Alphakiwi]

Direct Oral Anticoagulants