have been on pradaxa for a year with no poblems am also on a100 mg twice a day for atrial fib although no episode for three years now

[drumcannon]

having problems with eyes blurring and have lost my eyelids and often feel awful legs and arms ache anybody had any bad reactions to either this two drugs should have said flecanide

[mppearl]

Hi, Not been on Pradaxa but I think pradaxa, Apixaban, and Rivaroxabn are all simular drugs, all used for thinning the blood . I do and still have A.F. It is a condition that will always be with me or anyone else who has it. Although I have had ( PVI node surgery) that did not work then finally (AV node surgery) I still get A.F. I am about to start on Apixaban and hate to think What other side affect I will get, I did not get any side affects with Warfarin and might eventually go back to having the finger prick every week

[feorais in reply to mppearl]

Hi, I am 70 and have long standing AF despite 4 Pulmonary Isolation Valve Procedures (unsuccesful).I am on 80 mg. Inderal LA, one a day, and 150 mg. Arythmol twice a day ( both of these for AF control) As an anticoagulant I am on Apixaban morning and evening. If you check it out on the net, you will find references to tests that were done to ascertain which of the anticoagulants is least likely to cause problems (bleeding). The conclusion was that the Apixaban was the best in this category. I am on this now for about a year and have had no apparent side effects. My experiences while on Warfarin about 20 years ago were totally the opposite and I had to have two major stomach operations and had to stop taking Warfarin altogether.

[mppearl in reply to feorais]

Hi, Thank you so much for the information you have put on this site. I feel a little more relaxed now about starting on the Aplxaban after reading your message. I was happy for you that the medications that you are on is controlling the A.F.( Was IV node ablatlation ever mention to you as a cure? )I have never been on any of the medications that you are on. When I had the A.V. node procedure was told that I would not be on any drugs after, but as you can see I was on more drugs. I had been on asprin at the beginning , I had to come of it because of bleeding in the stomach and scarring. .I am 72 and have had A.F. for about 6yearss.

[feorais in reply to mppearl]

Hi,

Glad to share any information on this site.There is another drug, Amiodarone (Cordarone), a class 111 antiarrythmic, which is usually very effective. However, it is a drug of last resort as it is potentially very toxic. In my case it caused Amiodarone induced myopathy, and then hyperthyroidism. Naturally I had to stop taking it altogether.I asked for a pacemaker or defibrillator but the specialist stated that it was unsuitable for Atrial Fibrillation.I believe that as one gets older the AF is more likely to become chronic and even more difficult to control.I think that eventually one may have to learn to live with it. Here's hoping there may eventually be a real cure for it but I think not in the near future, unfortunately. Hoping you keep well.

[mppearl in reply to feorais]

Hello again,

Amiodarone, I did go on to the internet and look that drug up many years ago when the consultant said, I could go on it. After reading all about it - that was the one drug that I refused to take. I had read so many horror stories. As far as living with A.F. I think you are right about that. Before I had the pacemaker I was in and out of A&E seventeen times in eighteen months with severe episodes of A.F. Now at least I am for the time being rather stable. I start the Apixaban today and it will be interesting if the rash I have on my lower legs and the trouble with the soles of my feet disappear. Just hope I don't get any other side affects on this drug. I think at the end of the day we are all guinea pigs for the people of the future who will be unfortunate to get A.F.

[iannoah6]

Following atrial fibrillation I had electro cardioversion nearly two years ago which corrected it. At that time Pradaxa had just been released for A/F and the cardiologist prescribed these at 110mg twice a day. He also put me on Flecainide 100mg, one per day. I have had absolutely know problems with these two drugs. I do get slow A/F occasionally but taking another Flecainide corrects it. Some doctors are reluctant to move people away from Warfarin due to cost. I would certainly recommend Dabigatran (Pradaxa) and Flecainide.

[jokelly]

I am on Pradaxa 100mg twice daily and Flecainide 50 mg twice daily also. It has been about six months now and the side effects I am beginning to get are, I believe, from Flecainide rather than Pradaxa. Blurred vision about one hour after taking Flecainide, a hand and arm with pins and needles intermittently, and worst of all, a pulsing whoosh noise in my left ear which can become very loud and prevent sleep quite often. Still, it is this drug which keeps me out of AFib which feels a whole lot worse than any of the side effects, so for the time being I will just count it as the lesser evil....

[drumcannon]

thank you jokelly iannoah6 i take 100 mg flecanide twice a day certainly have blurred vision also have lost my eye lashes on both eyes have trouble with soles of my feet and palms of my hands i have had to have a pace maker the surgeon said the electrics had been damaged by taking flecanide but af is controlled can play golf so guess i agree lesser of two evils by the way the surgeon and consultant disagreed as to use of this drug