On starting Apixaban I immediately got numbness in my feet and lower legs. I changed to Riveroxaban but the uncomfortableness is still there. Cardiologist doesn’t think the medication is to blame but it’s seems such a coincidence. The pain is worse when I wake up in the morning. I would like to change the anticoagulant but not sure which one to take next.
Any advice?
Unlikely to be the Anticoag. You could try warfarin or edoxaban?
But perhaps ask for a vascular opinion?
Agree with Suebo2; more likely to be an issue with the veins. In the UK they normally send you to a nurse who will do a quick ultrasound and check the blood flow and if there's a problem they'll send you to a hospital with one of the big ultrasound machines which will survey your legs. Then you may need surgery on your veins. Been through this myself.
Mike.
I think it is definitely likely to be the anticoagulants. Many many people on here experience the same and also severe muscle aches. The medication does not affect everyone in this way though, as many people can happily take it without side effects. Doctors tend to dismiss the side effects because only a subgroup of people taking it are affected. Don’t be fobbed off, your side effects are real.
You need to know that Rivaroxaban and Apixaban are essentially the same medication - they work in the same way. You could ask to try Dabigatran which works in a different way or Warfarin (though Warfarin requires regular blood tests and dose adjustment). I hope you find a solution that suits you as the side effects are miserable.
Thank you SpeedyH. That’s SO reassuring that others have the same problems. I have always been sure that it’s the anticoagulant but my GP just says it’s neuropathy and I have to put up with it ( So helpful) . My cardiologist thinks it could be a B12 shortage. So I will get tested but I haven’t had low results before.
I wonder if I should try Endoxaban and does it work the same way? Otherwise I will have to use Warfarin and have the regular tests.
I’m trying to exercise and walk often and hope that helps.
Best Wishes
I think Endoxaban works in the same way as Apixaban and Rivaroxaban though I’m not 100% sure on that. It might suit you better, so it is worth trying. The anticoagulants have lowered the levels of both Folic Acid and Vitamin D for me. I now have 6 monthly blood tests which is probably wise anyway to keep an eye on Liver and Kidney function.
I wonder if GPs are aware they should give blood tests for anticoagulants on a regular basis?
I certainly haven’t heard from mine.
This is the advice from the NICE guidelines that doctors should be following. It is for Edoxaban but the advice is the same for all the anticoagulants except for Warfarin.
What advice should I give someone who is taking edoxaban?
Advise people taking edoxaban:
That although (unlike warfarin) there is no need to have regular blood tests to monitor the international normalized ratio (INR), they will still require regular Monitoring, blood tests, and review of their treatment.
Blood tests are done to monitor how well the kidney and liver are working. These are usually done once a year, but they may be done more often if the person becomes ill or has problems with their kidneys.
Edoxaban treatment is usually reviewed every 3 months. This review usually assesses the person's compliance, as well as any adverse effects the person may be having.
Here is the full advice
cks.nice.org.uk/anticoagula...
Hope that helps.
I found my legs ache more and sometimes burning sensation in my legs but they feel cold to the touch and like you consultant says it’s not the tablets but have to take the for life
Hi Maria,
Sorry to hear of your symptoms and your concern that such symptoms may be associated with Apixaban.
As a user of Apixaban for the past five years, without any side effects, other than occasional bouts of itchy legs, I feel that your symptoms are highly unlikely to be related to your Anticoagulation therapy.
I appreciate that individuals react differently to the powerful drug that Apixaban is, and there is a list of potential side effects listed that you could cross reference, but not perhaps those that you describe.
Apixaban appears to be the preferred anticoagulant of choice for Consultant Haematologists. Rivaroxabin carries a higher risk of an internal bleed.
I have blood tests every six months to check liver and kidney function and to date, no issues have been flagged up. The twice yearly blood tests are recommended with the new Anticoagulants.
Good luck!
Nigel
Similar experience. Riveraxaban bad bruising, stll got one inside left knee. Apixaban for a couple of years, no side effects. Incientally as an ex cyclist I had Varicose Veins ,, mainly in left leg.after an injection in 1950. Big mistake. I had a Stent last year 6cm, bulge in Aorta and the insertion was thro groin which was easy route - so the varicose veins cleared up immediately.
I'm also on apixiban a little over 2 years no, and I have no ill side effects like I had with warfarin.
As SpeedyH said, the two meds are essentially the same, but are dosed differently (twice a day vs once per day).
Good luck to you.
I've just joined this forum as after switching from warfarin to rivaroxaban for just
over a couple of weeks, it feels like my legs are not working as they use to! So it's reassuring that someone else has experienced a similar side effect.
It's either a coincidence or a side effect of the new drug. My legs feel heavy and the muscles hurt which is really affecting the distance I can walk. Not sure whether to just persevere or go back to my GP as after several cardio versions and an ablation for AF, I'm again in sinus rhythm and raring to build up my fitness levels only to find now I'm struggling with something else.
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experienced similar side effects and any advice. Thanks
I’m on Xarelto and have numbness, tingling and burning in my feet and legs also.
On mayo clinic website side effects of xarelto are: back pain; bloody stools; bowel or bladder dysfunction; burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling; pins and needles; or tingling feelings.
I’m going to ask my cardiologist to switch me to another pill.
Lynda
Hi Maria
I had that but my doctor has encouraged the walking . The blood clot stops blood flowing south so there will be areas it finds difficult to reach.
My doctor explained that if I exercised it increases the chances of new veins in your legs developing And the blood rerouting it self. It takes a few months and if you walk about 30 mins every day it will make a difference and once the blood finds a new way to reach the dress it should you could start to feel better .
Are you able to be mobile?
The body is very clever tool.
Thank you for replying. I have tried to walk every day but recently have found life exhausting. I take Flecainide and I think it is the culprit. I Must try and walk more often it’s good advice.
I wondered this as well.. when I was diagnosed in August with PE in both lungs and a clot in my inferior vena cava I was placed on xeralto. I had a leg ultrasound then and it was clear.. I went back to hospital 2.5 weeks ago, I had pain on side of right calf, they again said no clot visible. I now have a tender spot behind my knee and slightly tender/burning on inner thigh. My hematologist tells me in fine. I dont wanna keep running back and forth but I dont wanna ignore it.. I also get headaches almost every day.. any advice?
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