Apaxiban

[Asits9]

was on clopidogrel for 7 years following stent with metoprolol for irregular heartbeat AF. I had no side effects at all. Had a angiogram back in March to check stent etc., Last month suddenly without talking to me, no information was exchanged and meds were changed to Apixaban, bisoprolol and Famotidine. I have been feeling very ill getting worse. Bad Headaches which i have never suffered from my whole life , dizziness the whole time when I get up and walk. Have to use a rollater. Stomach ache, far worse than before. Have complained to the clinical pharmacist in our practice.She has told me i must perservere. I am 82 years old and am very frightened. My life as I knew it has changed radically from a reasonable life style for my age, but now feel very old and frail and having a lot of pain.

What would you do? I can’t stop any of the meds just like that, am too worried about the result.Have made this mail as short as I can about circumstances.

[Happyrosie]

I can only suggest you contact the surgery again and ask why, specifically, your medication was changed and to justify that change. Tell them you are unwell and that you value your quality of life rather than it’s length.

[Weetabixie]

Not nice when everything is changed with no warning or reason. Especially when it is something like this If possible ring the Gp you are owed an explanation at very least and say nothing was sent to you from cardio following stent and the this happened... But have not test results or diagnosis and no discussion of all changes medication wise. Sorry to hear its made you feel as as say, bisoprolol makes me a little light headed /dizzy so could possibly be the medication change. That can make someone feel askew until effects settle down. But definitely don't leave it as long as seeing surgery pharmacy try getting in to see or maybe phone consultation as it has affected in big way. All the best in finding clarity into what has happened with angiogram check results and speedy recovery to you 🤞

[Youngest in reply to Weetabixie]

I would definitely ask your GP. I was on bisoprolol for 2 years without issue, but then developed headaches and dizziness. This progressed to full blown migraines 2~3 times a day that lasted 3-4 days. I was told to stop them straight away and was changed to another beta blocker. I tried 4 different ' ol' type beta blockers ass same affect and had more AF episodes. I'm now on a different group of beta blockers verapamil which so far is working. So please seek advise before your symptoms worsen. Wishing you luck.

[scentedgardener]

I agree with others, you need to speak to your GP.It may well be a question of trial and error to find out which medication is not agreeing with you.

In my own experience I don't tolerate Apixaban or Famotidine, but everyone is different.

Don't hesitate to contact your GP, if you were getting these symptoms without taking medication you wouldn't hesitate.

Good luck, and please keep us informed.

[KIMMY60]

I was on apixaban gave me terrible pains in my stomach that kept me awake at night, ask for it to be changed to another blood thinner rivaroxaban seems better if you take in the morning after breakfast good luck

[EMBoy]

Absolutely, you should talk to your GP and/or cardiologist. It's not the place of clinical pharmacists to unilaterally change your medication. Remember that the concept of informed consent applies to medication as well as surgical procedures. You may need the changed medication, but they should explain it all to you and listen to you if it is making you feel ill.

I have recently had a similar experience when the practice pharmacist reduced my levothyroxine dose (I have under-active thyroid as well as heart disease) without discussing it with me and it made me very ill. I eventually managed to talk to a GP and he agreed increase it again, and he was not happy about it being reduced without any discussion with me.

I hope you get this sorted out.

[Jedx]

so sorry you are being treated like this some drs seem to think that after a certain number of years that they need to change your medications as they may not be working as well because our bodies adapt to them. Personally l think this is ridiculous as if they weren’t working you would be the first one to know.

I was on clopidogrel after bypass along with statins that l have never been able to take cuz they turn me into a zombie l just can’t think straight on them even the lowest dose possible still affects me my cardiologist is none too happy but he can’t force me to take it. Same with clopidogrel l stopped taking that too and now l have a dose of cayenne pepper every day it acts like draino for your arteries. Life is too short to be walking around like a chemist shop. Definitely worth a trip to your GP and tell them that you were perfectly fine before they started mucking about changing your treatment and you want to be back on what you were on before. Good luck mate.

[wischo]

Did they mention AFib at all as Apixaban is mainly used for that and if so there are other blood thinners that may not cause any side effects to you at all. Bring it to your GPs attention and ask what are the alternatives.

[Asits9]

want to thank you and your very kind and understanding mails shall get on to this. Just want to go back to feeling as I was. Have a few years left, but want to enjoythem. This is not living at all.

[diamondmike45]

I refused to take clopidogrel after about a week or two , I was taking it with Omeprozole and felt like a zombie. I’ve been taking 75mg of Aspirin since