Pain in my lungs and ribs taking adoxaban

[Summer133]

Hi all,

Needed some advice , I had a PE in January, since then I took apixaban and had an allergic reaction so they switched me to adoxaban.

I have been ok but I always get some unusual internal pain like in my lungs or ribs, the PE was on my left side so mainly there. I get pain in my left arm and some days my back too.. I get better for a few days then it comes back.

I have been the drs several times they just say use ibuprofen gel I have had scan for my lungs heart and had blood tests done, they are all ok.

I'm just abit worried I have a 6yr old..dont want to die yet lol..suppose I have had a second chance to live so lucky really.

Does anyone experience any pain or feel uncomfortable with adoxaban?

My blood count is now low as I'm on blood thinners for life with adoxaban my periods are very heavy..so I now have iron deficiency and blood count is low. The dr has given me iron tablets but also has asked the heamotologist advise.

Any advice of you guys will be brill too ..feel like I'm suffering alone 😪.

[SpeedyH]

Hi there. Having PEs is life changing and lots of people on here find that they are given the tablets and are then treated as being 'cured by the doctors and everyone else. It doesnt work like that. It is a big thing to have a condition that only luck would have it that you survived. Also, as you have found out, the tablets are evil. Some people don't get side effects from them but many people really struggle.

The important thing to remember is that the tablets don't get rid of the blood clots - they stop your blood clotting going forward and this allows the body to do its natural thing and gradually break down the clots over time. This means you might get pain at the site of the clots for many months while they slowly break down.

It is early days for you, and you have a lot on your plate with young ones. Try and get rest and perhaps Google breathing exercises for asthma as these can help. Good luck.

[Summer133 in reply to SpeedyH]

Thankyou so much for your lovely advice, I do hope I recover, I will google breathing excersise, willing to try anything to do anything

[SpeedyH in reply to Summer133]

I've just realised that my reply sounded really negative! You *will* feel better and get your old life back, it's just early days and it takes a bit of time. 👍

[Summer133]

Honestly, it wasn't everything you said has been taken on board .. just a quick question how long does the recovery take.. Honestly these sleepless nights are killing me lol.. I got a warning off A&E.. they said i might be wasting there time..but Honestly when I get scared due to he pain I go and they say everything is ok but then I feel bad thinking that they coukd have been dealing with someone else instead of me. I do get reassured tho.. its just the pain in my lungs and ribs then the back pain comes and goes. Some day im like nothing has ever happened and I'm perfectly fine but there are those dark days where I'm in pain and can't lie down and can't sleep for days..my sleep goes too.

Hopefully I will get better but I do pray none else gets affected by this and pray for everyone's good health 🙏..hope you have a lovely day Speedyh

[Strictly1234]

Hi Summer133, I had a blood clot and PE in April 21 followed by further complications. I am on apixaban too, which causes heavy periods, and I also have young children. It took me a long time to process everything that happened. I also had a chest/back and left arm on and off for some months after that. About 9 months after it happened, I went to A&E because the pain was so bad that I was convinced something was wrong again. I had a blood test, an x-ray and a scan and was told that my lungs were clear and all was ok. The doctor saw that I felt embarrassed for going to A&E. He told me - "You've been through so much, it's understandable that you can get overwhelmed by it all. While you are taking the blood thinners, it is extremely unlikely that you will get a blood clot again. But you can always come and see us again if you need to." His reassurance really helped me and haven't had to go back since then - my pain stopped shortly after - exercising especially yoga and hiking helped me a lot. In terms of my heavy periods, I've so far tried the mini pill & the coil but unfortunately they didn't work for me. My GP has now referred me to a specialist and I am waiting for an appointment taking iron tablets meanwhile. Best of luck 🤞

[Summer133]

Thankyou for taking your time and replying to my post. Your post is so reassuring and I suppose I'm on month 7 nearly 8 so its early days ..im hoping to start feeling better..

Its sad that we are in this position but then it makes us stronger.. I thought I was on my own but then when you read everyone's stories..I know tht I'm not alone out there.

Your experience is similar to mine and knowing that you recovered and living a life actively is a positive factor for me.. its gives me the motivation to do things Normally and try to live normal and not in fear thinking about what can go wrong al the time.

Thankyou 😊