Apixaban with provoked DVT

[Kat_O]

Hi everyone, hope you’re all safe and healthy in these crazy times.

I am looking for other people’s experience with provoked DVT and if finishing taking blood thinners after 3 months caused any issues.

I was given 3 months of Apixaban (another 2 weeks to go) and the haematologist said during my appointment a few weeks back to see a GP at my 3 month point to decide if I can finish taking Apixaban or continue for another 3 months, which will depend on whether the pain, redness and swelling have gone.

In this situation with the coronavirus, all I can get is a telephone appointment so nobody will actually look at my leg to see.

Although my leg is no longer swollen and I have no pain, my calf and front are still slightly different colour, a little red, compared to the other one, not in the morning but towards the end of the day after for example all day at work.

I would be interested to know if any of you finished taking Apixaban after 3 months and if so, did redness, discomfort completely disappear within the 3 months or were you advised to finish with tablets despite the affected limb not looking / feeling 100%?

Thank you!

[Clarr]

Hi Kat ,

I am taking Apixaban for Atrial Fibrillation and I was due to see my cardiologist at the end of April but there has been no contact from him as yet.

I would suggest dropping your doctor an email and he/ she would feel obliged to answer you.

I heard a highly respected scientist say recently that due to the high incidence of clots forming in people with Covid 19 infection that people who are taking anticoagulants during this time were somewhat protected because there were patients turning up at and in hospitals developing strokes etc.

I hope you won't become infected with Covid 19, but maybe continuing to stay on the Apixaban might be a wise decision until there is a more permanent solution found such as a vaccine or treatment for this dreadful virus. It could be an insurance policy, but your doctor should advise you on this.

My advice to you is to keep taking the Apixaban until you speak to your doctor and that he / she has time to run a blood test together with other relevant tests.

The results of these tests will enable you both to make an informed decision as to whether you should continue taking the anticoagulant or stop.

There are a lot of people who are taking anticoagulants long term and my thinking on this after reading up extensively on the issue is that this course of action is better than the alternative.

Regards,

Clarr.