Advice re severe headaches on edoxaban and apixaban

[gset]

I am on blood thinners following a once off AFib event related to thyroiditis which was unknown at that time. Then on discovery of a Fibroelastoma which is stable but may need surgery in the next few years, I have had to continue them. I was on edoxaban for 13 months and after 6 months started to get severe headaches at night starting around 2-4 am and last 12 hours on 4-6 days a week. After a further six months I got changed to apixaban and initially had no headaches, but after three weeks I am starting to experience the same type of headache. The headache starts at the back of the head just below the skull and wake me up as the pain increases and moves up the back of my head. For drug interaction reasons cannot take headache remedies like ibuprofen and paracetamol doesn’t work. I am having a head CT scan tomorrow, but after a break from the headaches I do think it’s the meds or an interaction or something else.

Has anyone else experienced these headaches? Have you found a successful alternative route? Thanks for any advice.

[happyrosie1]

There’s a thyroid forum in Health Unlocked - I don’t know if you’d find it useful

Have you discussed with a pharmacist? There should be one or two employed by your doctor’s group of surgeries, failing that your dispensing pharmacist

[gset in reply to happyrosie1]

Yes I am

On there thanks but the problem is the cardiologist prescribed blood thinners and I have changed versions several times. My thyroid is under control and Graves in remission so I am really looking for anyone experiencing headaches taking DOAC blood thinners. Thanks for your interest