Remaining on Apixaban

[Neens123]

Hi I had a small pe last year after c-section and have been on Apixaban ever since. Am so afraid to come off it it's making me so ill. The doctors said it was pregnancy related but I am scared of it happening again. Had anyone on here only ever had one clot? Thanks for your help in advance

[Emarho]

I am on Apixaban for life, after a very large PE and a DVT 18 months ago. It is the third anticoagulant I have tried, and definitely the best. I have no obvious side effects, unlike the previous drugs which caused dizziness. Apixaban, according to my GP actually has fewer side effects than Paracetomol, so if you are feelings ill it might be worth a conversation with your doctor.

[moo196]

Morning, I had one blood clot... On the brain.

I took warfarin for two years and then had the discussion with the consultant about taking it for life or stop.

On balance we decided I should not use it for life.

All drugs have side effects (whether we notice them or not). Apixiban does not have any antidote at the moment I believe? So if you were to cut yourself or be in an accident /need emergency treatment it might be difficult.

I was terrified with giving up the warfarin but kept a copy of the consultant's words to remind me why it was the best course of action for me and now take one daily aspirin as a safer alternative. I'm happier with that route.

Good luck!

[DRGPS51 in reply to moo196]

Eliquis now has a reversal agent: dicardiology.com/article/fd...

[Nancylm2015]

I'm so sorry to hear that you had a clot. I now how scary that is, especially when you're having a baby---very scary. I had a clot during my second/last pregnancy 13 years ago.... they had me on Lovenox injections and then said I could come off after 6 most bc my DVT was due to pregnancy/hormones. Now (13 years later) last February another clot popped up with no definitive reason (none of the genetic testing came back positive)... so I am now on Apixaban/Eliquis for life. I started on Warfarin in February through August, but switched bc my INR was all over the place. So far I seem to be good with the Eliquis... they'll check my leg again in November and if all looks good they'll lower my dose to 2, 2.5mg doses a day (now I'm on 2, 5mg doses, or 10mg a day).

You should have your Hematologist give you all the blood tests necessary to rule out any clotting disorders. Typically they will take you off blood thinners after 6 mos. to a year if you do not have a disorder, bc they will say that it was likely caused by your c-section surgery. No one can without a doubt say you won't ever clot again, unfortunately. Wishing you continued recovery and wellness... and enjoy your new baby! God bless.