I am a keen exerciser & have always maintained my fitness - although I have given up cycling sadly. My exercise has always been consistent & not too strenuous. However as a 50 something menopausal woman I decided 4 months ago to take up strength training in a proper gym with coached sessions.
I started googling earlier (I know 🙄) about joint pain & apixaban. I’ve had joint pain for 2-3 years. But I came across an article listing quite detailed side effects of apixaban. I have a little medical knowledge & fully understand all drugs & often supplements etc have side effects.
But it did get me thinking about the burden of weight training on the muscles & bleeding risk.
I am keen to hear from those of you that know a little more than me on the subject.
As always thank you for your insights!
Rachel x
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Pigleywigley
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You will likely receive many different responses to your question. However, for me, I developed over time severe osteoarthritis in my right knee due to an accident (trauma) years back, which eventually led to the need for a total knee replacement last fall. For a couple of years before my TKR surgery, I was (and still am) on apixaban. I noticed that the first two weeks when I started apixaban, my right knee became even more painful, while my left knee, which had no issues except the odd twinges, was fine. I never found a satisfactory medical explanation for this until my pre-op visit last fall, when a nurse suggested that my extremely damaged right knee may have already been experiencing micro-bleeding inside and around an already damaged joint, which caused more inflammation with the apixaban, making the pain worse but my left undamaged knee with only very mild twinges I could exercise away with it. While I have not yet read any studies to confirm what I was told, I do think it's plausible. Apixaban I believe does not damage muscles it's the severe blows and then increased micro bleeds (with or without anticoagulants added) made worse to an already compromised joint over time.
I now have a "new" knee and my orthopedic doctor who did my surgery told me directly that the best thing for your joints no matter what your medication is to stay active and exercise.
Hey Fraser sorry to hear about your knee. I went on HRT at the same time as apixaban as it all seemed to happen at once - no surprise there! I also think there is a link to AF & oestrogen but there is little info out there too about that.
I have a couple of hotspots in my joints that hurt more for eg I fractured & dislocated my right shoulder once & that seems to hurt more these days. I have had surgery on my right foot & this gets really stiff & swollen.
This is one of the reasons I have started to train. I’m hoping to improve these prob arthritic areas.
The risks are minor unless you’re lifting heavy weights. If you’re just doing normal strength training you will be fine.
You might bruise more if you push too hard and if you notice heavy bruising or more pain than there should be, get it looked at.
Make sure your coach actually understands the risks too so they can guide you properly. As someone who used to own a gym, I can tell you there’s a world of difference between someone who understands exercise physiology and a meat head who decided to get his personal training certificate.
Hey forensic fairy! I’ve taken quite some time to find the right gym. All sessions are assisted & coached by what seem to be brilliant PTs. They appear to be constantly adjusting you & correcting form. I feel safe. No bruising but thank you for that pointed!
I am post menopausal (64), with recently ablated PAF. I lifted quite heavy weights (45kg squat, 60kg deadlift) and never had any bleeding problems. I got and still do get a few ventricular ectopics during a session but cardiologist not worried about them. I am gradually building back up again post ablation (week 9). I have an arthritic hip which is variably painful but advice is to carry on.. Good luck!
Hey 👋 I am impressed! This is my plan. Having exercised my entire life (swimmer) I have discovered weights & flipping love it! So great to hear about other women training. I get a couple of bangs if my HR pushed high. But settles quickly.
You are right to do weight training. More and more research shows its importance in a healthy old age, maintaining function, increasing metabolism, maintaining and improving muscle strength and endurance, maintaining and improving bone health and density.Weight training does 'damage' the muscles, but then they repair and are stronger. You may be a little sore but nothing more. Practice good technique and make sure you can feel those muscles working, if not use heavier weight or do more reps.
Lecture over 🤣🤣
Ps I'm a personal trainer with a specialism in people with medical issues 👍
Hey jajarunner lecture fully & wholeheartedly accepted. I love this forum. Always someone with experience & knowledge that means more than when we are being medicalised by our doctors! I have a great cardiologist, but I did tell him I know more from this site & YouTube & books from him! 😂
Well done you for being a PT with this specialist knowledge around health. It is so important.
I do a lot of exercise. I have to make sure I get a rest day as I get too fatigued otherwise. I’m on the usual cocktail of medication including 20mg riveroxaban.
But I mix up my exercise so I’m not putting strain continually on single parts of the body or joints.
Length swimming, Pilates, badminton, aqua aerobics, spin, and walking. I do at times do some gym work and weights but have used a sensible personal trainer who’s aware of my issues and we work around stuff and change the exercise as needed. Good luck
Movement is life! Keep moving. I'm 76 and I am the coach for Lili's Lifters International, a motley group of three women in Toronto and my neighbours here in FL. We strength train three days of the week for a solid hour. I hoist 10, 12 and 15 pounders. The Toronto group joins us via Zoom. I'm a snowbird, so I leave here in May and coach the Toronto group live, then come back to FL in Nov. It works. I ache everywhere, mostly in my right knee and right hand: osteo in the former, rheumatoid in the latter. I just ignore it. I take Eliquis and bisoprolol....10 mg of each. Attitude matters, so unless you are debilitated, falling over half dead, just understand the normalcy of it all and keep moving.
An inspirational woman you are! I will def still be lifting in my 70s & beyond. You are amazing. Thank you for responding & shining the light into ageing & exercise ❤️
Nice words. Thank you. If you'd care to join us via Zoom, let me know. I don't take money from any of my lifters, incidentally. Our sessions are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-10:30, Florida time. In the last 10 minutes we do stretching/flexibility exercises. The site cautions me not to provide my email address, so I'm not sure how else you could contact me if you want to participate.
No. My tech skills haven't kept up with the rest of me. I am on Facebook but again, I think they'll admonish me for giving personal info. Try Lil Charney and see if you can find me on FB.
I wish I lived in Toronto so I could join Lili 's Lifters! I'm 80 and believe that exercise is keeping me going. I love walking but decided I needed to fit in some weight training so have added that to walking, and yoga. I used to go to a gym so I try to remember my routine from there.
I'll tell you what I did. I went to the local gym (it's called GYM and Tonic - almost as good as PigWig🤣).
I explained I had AFib and they suggested I get a doctor's referral to see a Physio first. So what did I do?
You guessed it. I got a doctor's referral to see a Physio.
WOW - What a difference it's made. All my exercises use a stretch band. You can use it for building up every muscle in your body and also for aerobic exercises.
I started slowly and ramped up my daily workout each week. The difference is amazing. I lost muscle mass during my last stay in hospital. Now everything has improved. My biceps have changed the most. I didn't have any tone there at all - they are now well-developed and very toned.
I saw my physio yesterday. When I left I asked when the next appointment be. He said there won't be one - go to the gym👍
I highly recommend a stretch band - They are only about 10 quid. A combo of the band and a gym will tone your body and keep you fit. You won't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger (who wants to?) but it will keep you fit and you can go at your own pace.
Paul
I just want to add a quick EDIT to my post. There are loads of videos on YouTube about stretch band workouts. You are better off starting by asking your medic to refer you to a Physio. They will have access to your medical records and consider your heart condition when showing which exercises to undertake.
Hi Paul. I've used resistance bands in the past. They are good too. At this time, Lili's Lifters use dumbbells. Since I'm training here in FL, and linking up with the Toronto group, for now it's best if we stick to what everyone is used to. I started strength training in 1993, and I've studied up on it ever since. Loss of muscle mass isn't an issue for me....it's collagen loss, and there's absolutely no way to regain it. Long slow slope to end game, but in the meantime, I'm going to live until I don't. Thanks for joining in the conversation, and best wishes to you always. Lili
Collagen loss, which often occurs due to ageing, sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, or other factors, can be mitigated or even somewhat reversed, though full restoration may not always be possible. There are several ways to boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity:
Topical Treatments:
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Diet and Supplements:
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Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, support collagen synthesis.
Protein-Rich Foods: Collagen is a protein, so eating protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, and eggs can provide the amino acids necessary for collagen production.
Bone Broth: Often cited as a source of collagen, though its effectiveness may vary.
Professional Treatments:
Microneedling: This procedure uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production as part of the healing process.
Laser Treatments: Certain laser therapies can encourage collagen production by targeting deeper layers of the skin.
Chemical Peels: Chemical exfoliants can stimulate the skin's natural repair process, leading to increased collagen production over time.
Lifestyle Changes:
Sun Protection: UV exposure breaks down collagen, so using sunscreen is crucial to preserving collagen levels.
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Quit Smoking: Smoking can significantly accelerate collagen breakdown.
While it's possible to slow or even reverse collagen loss to a degree, starting early and maintaining these habits is key to long-term skin health.
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