Anticoagulant Breathless

[Smileyian]

It must be Bank Holiday in UK hence sorry to disturb you. Does anyone experience breathing problems when taking such blood thinners as Dabigitran, Xaralto, Apixiban etc. Problems such as breathlessness and air hunger which can be distressing. I take Apixiban and Amiodorone.

[RoyM]

I take Apixiban which is an anticoagulant (they don't thin the blood) have been taking it for over four years now with no issues at all. Perhaps it may be other medications, i.e. beta blockers etc.

[Smileyian in reply to RoyM]

Indeed it may be. Exactly ! No blood thinners actually " thin blood " but help prevent clotting. I am approaching 7 years on Amiodorone and Apixiban but have recently been breathless uphill. Tks RoyM.

[Collimachon]

I had two stents fitted in March, been recovering normally until a week ago, when I developed breathlessness.thought it was the pills, however my wife had noticed that it was my newly developed bad posture.I was walking around round shouldered, she suggested that I concentrated walking with my back and head up, and it worked.

[Hannah-Hay]

I was put on Amiodarone after my heart attack to sort out the AF but when I left hospital & started to gradually walk a bit I found I was getting very breathless when trying to walk a very short way I was taken off it & was better. Was put on flecainide another antiarrythmic & was in that for many years. Have no experience of the other drugs you mentioned my anti coagulant is warfarin. Trouble is all drugs have side effects but not everyone gets them depends on our individual bodies. I’m not good with drugs & cant tolerate a lot of them. Breathlessness is horrible. I am suffering with that now due to heart failure.

[Smileyian in reply to Hannah-Hay]

Thank you Hannah-Hay. Do continue to improve.

[Hannah-Hay]

Just seen another post about breathlessness & beta blocker was mentioned as a possible suspect. Forgot that one yes was on metoprolol a beta blocker & that made me feel worse breathless & tired so came off that one. Am awaiting pacemaker/ defibrillator (ICD) implantation to be done on Wed.

[Qualipop]

I felt just like that on Ticagrelor. It was like having asthma which I don't have; really scary. I got it changed.

[Doonedog]

Hi I'm on Apixiban and yes was breathless to begin with. I have been playing tennis and squash most of my life. So when diagnosed with AF and then had mitral valve repair I was put back on Apixiban and was breathless for 4/5 months l resumed tennis ( doubles)after 7 months and gradually my breathing has improved little by little. I'm 74 .

I hope this is helpful as it can be quite stressful if you feel it's not working for you . Regards

[Smileyian in reply to Doonedog]

Lovely response and thank you.

[ChristineK]

I am on Clobidogrel, don't suffer breathing difficulties, even though I have Asthma.

However it does make me very tired and despondent.

[JohnB0]

Hi , I has same issues and on my own initiative moved all my drugs to morning, taking nothing at night. I was abroad at the time.

It worked. Mentioned this soon after to my GP and he changed me from Ticagrelor to Clopidogrel. I still take all heart meds only in the morning, the breathlessness was distressing and above all severely disturbed sleeping.

[Smileyian in reply to JohnB0]

Thank you so much JohnBO