TIA on Apixaban

[Minstrel2]

two days ago I started the day normally had a short walk then started to write a to do list. After the first word my hand refused to write then left side weakened . I managed to call 999 and was then admitted to hospital with a TIA. I’m in permanent AF after a flu jab four years ago I am on apixaban and bi sop. I’m now at home alone (by choice) having talked to TIA clinic but I now realise that this month after the TIA is a dodgy time especially as driving is not allowed for four weeks.. Has anyone been in a similar position , I have just started blood pressure pills. Advice welcomed

[10gingercats]

I had a TIA/embolism just after going onto Warfarin.I had possibly had af for a while.Then a hole in my heart was found and this was closed within 2 months.That was 12 years ago and I was in my early 70s.Had pretty awful Af attacks a few times over the years and ended up in A and E.Thought I was having a heart attack which is why I went to A and E.I am now on Apixaban and Bisoprolol with a small dose of Furosimide daily to keep fluid around my heart at a very low level

[Minstrel2 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks 10gingercats.It sounds as if you have been through some very unpleasant times but have prevailed ! . I‘m starting on Amlodipine today and statins which I‘d tried to avoid. Feeling very fuzzy but hope keeping quiet will see me through.

[CDreamer]

I had TIA a few months after stopping Apixaban after +12months AF free after successful ablation. That was 2015 and needless to say I went straight back on Apixaban and not had anything since.

I felt rough for a few days and hospital insisted that I not be left on my own so a friend came to stay for a few days until I was fully functional again as my OH was working abroad. I was back driving in four weeks. I did not have high blood pressure, I had opposite problem of very low BP.

[opal11uk]

I have had 3 TIA's, mine was pixelation (like looking through crystal glass), short but sharp pain in the head and when I spoke it came out as gobble de gook, I knew what I was saying but no one else did!!! Saw stroke doctor, had brain scans but showed nothing so was put on Statins and taken off Warfarin and onto Pradaxa and thankfully had no more since. This was 7 years ago I think. Later, a doctor said that they may have been visual migraines, all I know was that they were weird!

[Drone01 in reply to opal11uk]

In your case (unlike Minstrel2) it sounds like the aura of migraine rather than TIA, including both the visual disturbance and dysphasia. Electrical disturbance, this time affecting the brain rather than the heart! My past episodes were generally triggered by fluorescent lighting or computer screen flicker. Frightening when they first occur, but copable with when you know what they are (just like AF!)

[Minstrel2 in reply to Drone01]

Thanks Drone. I have auras quite often which I mentioned to TIA clinic doc. He saw no connection…just said they were migraine auras .( I have auras but rarely migraine) but auras did increase before the TIA. I also have RLS which puts my blood pressure up but because of the general denial about RLS that doesn’t´t fit the picture either. I wish there were more doctors who looked at the whole person mind and body and problems . Anyway on extra meds now to sort high blood pressure and high cholesterol (which is not high except when you have AF. Still on Apixaban but aspirin now stopped after three days. Still I am very grateful for the intervention and fingers crossed for 28 days .All the best. Axex

[Drone01 in reply to Minstrel2]

Just wanted to let you know that our specialist stroke clinic also diagnosed me with TIAs some years ago, putting me on statins and clopidogrel and recommending an ACE-inhibitor. It wasn’t until I managed to get a private consultation with a neurologist several years later that I got a definitive diagnosis of migraine aura to explain my dysphasia and visual disturbance episodes (ie not TIA). Have never had a migraine headache.

I have concluded that specialist medics are inclined to treat the ailment they expect to find, and differential diagnosis is really difficult with electrical malfunctions in the body. Don’t get me started on neurology v. cardiology treatment protocols (antiplatelets to prevent ischaemic clots in the brain v. anticoagulants to avoid clot formation in the heart); or the potential negative impact of bisoprolol on PAF sufferers without heart failure! I count myself fortunate to suffer only brief and occasional spells of PAF before my body electronics reboot spontaneously.

Currently on low dose statin and ACE-inhibitor, but stopped bisoprolol altogether. Preferring OTC low dose aspirin to a DOAC for now.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

You think it was flu jab? Hav you had the COVID jabs?

I got Hep B when No.1 injection administered. WHY because I was slightly immuned - UK tested my blood sample as I was a A neg blood donor.

Near to when I was returning and NZ Med of Health (cousin) told me I must have caught it as I was having jab 1. Yep right I said. within 2 hours shivering, sore head and went to bed in my fur coat still shivering. My headache continued for several days.

I don't take flu jab and my Mum was very ill after it.

AF heads for inflammation, anywhere in body but your heart can be attacked with inflammation hence inflammation = AF.

cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)

[Minstrel2 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi joy. The change from occasional AF to permanent AF was after a flu jab during Covid so very little could be done to be put back into NSR.. No cardioversion done for six months and then only lasted three days. Ablation not encouraged so left in permanent AF on Apixaban and bi-sop. Not a lot of energy but managed okay ,this TIA is a surprise as I take my meds Apixaban and bi-sop everyday. Now just started Amlodipine. Fingers crossed twenty eight days is a long time

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Minstrel2]

Hi

We still have to remember that STROKES or TIAs or I guess heart attacks prevention with our anti-arrhymic effect is never 100%.

I chose PRADAXA for a reason twice a day.. Why

If I forget and capscle delayed NOT A PROBLEM

See saw effect capscle action low and high.

Also at aged 70 my triage team gave me 110mg twice only.

My late friend was also on PRADAXA, she went away without them. I am not sure how long without but she had a light stroke (not a TIA) and then hospital lectured her and gave her 40mg Avorstatin.

Not long after that stain made her prediabetic. Miserable on being dictated no honey, no special wholemeal bread. Dietician was sent to put her on diet. Rice crackers breakfast etc. She still had her honey.

82, with MS and going downhill with walking in January fell, cracked ribs, then COVID but now negative fell again. Retirement home had no one to put her to bed which she asked for. The breakfast staff member found her unconscience on the floor.

She was paying privately to the Home for staff to help her 3 x times a day.

Sad.

But I have had 3 operations with persistent AF stopping PRADAXA 3 x24-days previous not counting on operation day. Then 2-3 days after.

? is if the hospitals use something in ones infusion.

So I thought although a risk I did not a rogue clot.

Is it the brand PRADAXA which does a marvellous job!

The horrid operation to remove TVT Sling - Johnson & Johnson the lovely young Chinese surgeon was concerned with bleeding but it didn't happen.

More research needs to be done on these anti-arrhymia meds show. Was yours simply bad luck. Did they get results from your CT Brain Scan?

Mine was embolic left frontal lobe but I was not on any meds except B12 SOLGAR Sublingual. I'm deficient in B12.

Medical is such a mystery. You understand with your own experience.

I suggest you choose an anti-arrhymic med like PRADAXA taken twice a day.

But taken daily the med should stay in your body for days.

STATINS????? They are no match to anti-arrhymic meds. Taking both well your choice but my pharmacist doesn't agree with them. And I read a Medical Science book which stated cholesterol can't ever be tested for a level.

On thyroxine they are contra and reads no more than 20g avorstatin.

I would look at your Heart Rate - use a CCB AM or other for BP. I take Biso.. 2.5mg PM for that.

cherio jOY

[Lilypocket in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hello

"I suggest you choose an anti- arrhythmic med like Pradaxa..."

Pradaxa is an anti- coagulant 🙂

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Lilypocket]

Hi

OOps yes I meant PRADAXA taken twice daily as a preventative clot anti-co.agulant med would be better taken as it never gets down to the closest amount in your body. And taking it once a day poses an unbalanced day - either too much or not enough I would say. It would change too if you did not take it at the same time each day.

Replying leaves me near midnight NZ time and the brain starts to wane I guess.

cheri JOY

[Lilypocket in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Yes I liked it. I was on slow release 150 mg x2 a day. I just light indigestion but never bleeding problems in 8 years. My cardiologist wants to put me in Rivaraxoban as it is just once

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Lilypocket]

Hi

I get a tiny hard rash but not sure whether Synthroid because some doses has aluminium and siphotes or PRADAXA.

I have changed Synthyoid to 50s which has no colourite in it and slowly I think it is resolving.

About Rivaraxoban I was offered as alternative. Yes, because once a day I have not changed. Bleeding noses put me off as well.

I've been on PRADAXA 5 years now but happy when the dose was put back to 110mg x twice and not 150mg x twice. I take it with some water with juice - I have a forever lime tree. Or fruit.

I've had 3 operations where stopping PRADAXA had no effect.

The carotid arteries scan taken at stroke hospitalisation showed no narrowing or 'cholesterol' in there. Clean.

Up to you but twice a day leaves you less likely to have bleeding internally or externally and for an accident causing blood loss.

Do take care, JOY

[Lilypocket in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thanks for the reply.Take care

[Minstrel2]

thanks Minstrel. I‘ve been on Apixaban for five years now and thought it would protect me from stroke and TIA s .Maybe it did to a certain extent, but clearly the effects of permanent AF and high blood pressure were , together , more powerful. I‘m starting statins and Amlodipine today, so fingers crossed.

[Dudtbin]

my husband had a stroke due to covid. He had no symptoms other than speaking rubbish , 2 days later he was back to normal. Had no physical side effects but struggles a bit with anxiety and decision making. We both feel grateful thats all! But i get anxious if he gets a cold that it’s going to happen again!

[Minstrel2 in reply to Dudtbin]

Thanks Dudtbin. This TIA lasted about half an hour but needed to be in A&E all day and now no licence.The after effects are tiredness and confusion. It’s the being by oneself that’s worrying ,we only have mobiles .. So maybe a button. I agree the worry of Covid or any other lurgie which pushes the immune system is stressful.But think positive maybe an exercise bike in this weather. X