Anti-coagulants and 'lone' AF

[AbFab62]

I'm 55 and have suffered paroxysmal AF for the past 30 years. Over the last two or three years however my AF has become persistent. Because of this I recently had a catheter ablation and was prescribed apixaban which I had to take for 28 days prior to the procedure and have been advised to keep taking indefinitely, or at least until my follow up appointment.

I had the ablation five weeks ago and over the past week I have developed quite severe neck pain which I've never suffered from before. Neck pain is a know side effect of taking apixiban.

For my age I'm pretty fit. I'm 6' (183cm) and 11.5 stone (73kg) i.e. a very respectable bmi and have no comorbidities. The first thing I was told as I came round from the anesthetic after the ablation was that everything went well and that I am 'very fit for my age'. I say this because studies have shown that I am at no higher risk of stroke than any healthy 55 year old. Why then do I need to be on anticoagulants with their adverse side effects?

My follow up appointment isn't until January and really don't want to be on apixiban until then as I feel for it is totally un-necessary in my case and I do not want to suffer the side effects.

Any knowledgeable advice would be greatly appreciated.

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[pottypete1]

Regardless of your suspicions about the neck pain you should not change your medication without consulting your EP.

As you will be aware anticoagulants are designed to reduce the risk of stroke. I suggest that if you do not want to wait until your January consultation you should contact your EP or Arrythmia Nurse for guidance.

Pete

[AbFab62 in reply to pottypete1]

Tbh, having now fully read my EPs initial letter regarding my ablation, it states that "He [me] needs anticoagulation for a month before his ablation and three months afterwards....", so hopefully I've got only another month of this horrible medication. I say horrible as I still have the neck pain.

[pottypete1 in reply to AbFab62]

As you will gather when reading posts on this forum the “wisdom” differ wildly within the medical fraternity.

I and many others have remained on anticoagulants following ablations. Others have been advised they are low risk and are told they only need anticoagulants during a window either side of the ablation.

As we are all different it is so important that you don’t do anything without medical guidance. The only caveat being that you must have confidence in your EP.

Pete