So confusing : so today I had a phone... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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So confusing

Anxious37 profile image
20 Replies

so today I had a phone call from anticoagulant nurse . So after just getting used to medication with side effects they now want to put me on apixoban instead of edoxaban which I was on . She explained that edoxaban everyone may be put on untill all information is back then they may change . So because of my weight age etc they don’t think the edoxaban is doing the job fully . Even thou I have not seen a consultant. So they want to change it . So what I want to know is is this normal .? How has it been for other people been put on apixoban . If only I could talk to an actual consultant and them do the test asked for eg echo cardio and 48 hr monitor to get full picture. Only just managed to get my anxiety under control now this is not going to help .

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Anxious37
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20 Replies
Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

Nothing to worry about in my opinion, Apixaban is a 12 hourly dose (twice daily) and Edoxaban is a 24 hourly dose (once daily). They may have decided Apixaban taken every 12 hours gives you better coverage and protection from stroke risk. Personally I would be more concerned if the change was the opposite way around and regard your change as a good change. It shows they are being diligent with you.

Here is a link to the Medications page where there are info sheets for both drugs.

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Best wishes

Anxious37 profile image
Anxious37 in reply toBuzby62

Thank you so new to this but these comments really help

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce

Hi Anxious.

Sounds like a good move to me. First of all please note I'm not a doctor.

Apixaban has a much lower rate of internal bleeding than Edoxaban. They both are effective meds to take for reducing the risk of a stroke. I would suggest to just do it and you shouldn't even notice. In fact, if they put the Apixaban in an Edoxaban box without telling you, you wouldn't even know.

IMO an anticoagulant nurse probably knows more about it than a Cardio 🤣

As for your anxiety? Afib and anxiety are bedmates. There's no need to have any anxiety about this one. Give it the boot and kick it out of your front door now.

If only I could talk to an actual consultant and them do the test asked for eg echo cardio and 48 hr monitor to get full picture

Have asked your doctor to refer you? If not get on the phone in the morning and ask for an appointment to see the doctor. He/she can do this no worries.

Stop your worry - there's no need.

Paul

PS - I'm not a medic so my reply is not something to be taken as medical advice. Rather it's intended as something to discuss with your doctor.

Anxious37 profile image
Anxious37 in reply toPaulbounce

Thank you that’s good advice . Think initially it’s all over whelming . I am waiting on appointment with consultant and when I was in hospital this is Wht the consultant said he was requesting these tests for me . I do feel a little better now with the advice given on here . I do realise it’s not medical advice but actual advice from the people who have been through it which I feel is more helpful thank you

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Arrthymia nurses, anticoagulant nurses are part of a multidisciplinary team ( MDT). They will only make decisions they are cleared to make because of their extended training, and clear pathways will be followed as a result of the blood results, specific risks/benefits for you, that have almost certainly been discussed at an MDT meeting attended by doctors and nurses and technicians.Agree with Paulbounce that clinical nurse specialists are very knowledgeable in their specific field.

mav7 profile image
mav7

Anxious37 . Suggest to ask the doctor if a blood test to determine coagulation is needed.

Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Sometimes used for patients taking blood thinners. My cardiologist had me take them.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

Reason £££.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I’d take Apixaban over Edoxaban any day.

@secondtry - Edoxaban used to be cheaper, don’t know current prices since we have had the generic Apixaban? Do you?

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62 in reply toCDreamer

Your tag to secondtry didn’t work for some reason. I’ve not heard anything about the cost of Apixaban since the generics available at end of 2022. There were lots of posts here before that from members being asked to change to Edoxaban with the belief it was down to the cost of Eliquis (original brand of Apixaban).

Best wishes all

kkatz profile image
kkatz

Isn't it strange how different opinions can be.Recently had Tia and senior Bats nurse told me less break through strokes on edoxaban.

Mollydex profile image
Mollydex

hi. From what I’ve read , given the opportunity I think I would choose apixaban. I went with what the professionals offered me ( which was apixaban, )and just for reassurance I’ve never had a problem with it and I am pretty active on my bike and other activities. I also mind my grandchildren often so am often on the go. I work on the assumption that the medics and nurses work within the “ do no harm “ rule and have our best interests at heart . I understand that any changes are stressful though and understand your anxiety. There are lots of us on here on apixaban and hope that give you some reassurance

LadyLawson profile image
LadyLawson

I agree with others that your GP can refer you to a cardiologist. But for such a (relatively) minor query it may take a long time to get an appointment. If you have a spare £250 you can book a private appointment and get answers to this and any other questions you might have. It could be the best money you have ever spent.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

I'm on apaxiban,.no problems👍

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

I'm on apaxiban,.no problems👍

wilsond profile image
wilsond

Stop worrying. Apixaban is considered to be the most effective NOAC by most . There was a push to move people off it onto Edoxaban about 18 months ago,which most of us fought off. The other way round would be more problematic for me and I insisted I stay on Apixaban There are no discernable 'side effects' for me and no one rlse I know on it.. I've been on it for years and consider it my best friend not my foe.

dogsneedwalking profile image
dogsneedwalking

Hello there. I have been on Apixaban for almost 3 years and I am fine. I carry the wee card with the relevant information that you get inside the box in my purse so it's there every time I go out, but this is merely a precaution and it gives me peace of mind.

Luludean profile image
Luludean

hi Anxious , I am the most angsty , neurotic AF person on the planet !! I have bad reaction to most of life but !!!!! Apixaban and I get on fine!!!! No side effects and I trust it. Have done for 5 years at least!!!!

Have no fear !! And try writing to your consultant’s secretary with your concerns or you could be hopeful and ask for an appointment ! All the best !!! L

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Hi, you mentioned your weight - is that high or low? If high I suggest you start the diet yesterday as excess weight is one of the drivers of AF and leads to comorbidities such as high bp, cardiovascular disease etc. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you have the power! You can reduce your AF burden by adopting a healthier diet, exercising and losing weight - I’m not suggesting a jab because that doesn’t address the issue of lifestyle habits. Best wishes ❤️‍🩹

Tiff1 profile image
Tiff1

hi

I was swapped from edoxaban to Apixaban a couple of years ago after a blood test showed my kidneys were too efficient and as Apixaban is taken twice a day it stays more evenly in the blood throughout the day.

I questioned this with th EP and he said Apixaban was his preferred anticoagulant.

Hope that helps to put your mind at rest.

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut

I’ve never heard of an anticoagulant nurse but the EP I saw privately after the lowest dose of beta blocker proved too much for me to take daily, told me that unless an episode of AF continued for a long time with a very high heart rate I was not at risk of stroke. I found they seemed to come either with constipation or the opposite problem! Be gentle with yourself- meditation, nice music, deep slow breathing, and to quote from The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “Don’t panic!”

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