i'm very lightheaded most of the time. Could it be apixaban? Or is it normal for Parkinsons? my GP says try Dabigatran.

[ramotswe]

ive been on Apixaban (5 mg x 2 daily) since 2016 for Afb after my stroke and subsequent major heart surgery - fine, my bloods are very healthy. I'm fighting PD with exercise, food and meditation etc. I have good days, bad days but the light headedness is around most of the time. I am 78 and weigh 50kilos so suggested a reduction in my NOAC dose which is indicated for thin 80 year olds. GP saysnot until 80! mmm! He says try Dabigatran and see if it makes you dizzy .

dazed and confused!! Please dear friends give me some advice.

[park_bear]

Lightheadedness usually means low blood pressure. The first thing to do is to get yourself a blood pressure cuff and confirm this is the issue. Is that the case in general or is it most noticeable upon standing up?

I did not see this listed amongst the Eliquis / Apixaban side effects but that does not mean it is not possible. What other medications are you taking?

Patient reports on Eliquis here:

askapatient.com/viewrating....

For the uninitiated, NOAC=Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

[ramotswe in reply to park_bear]

thankyou for that. My blood pressure is around 133 - the low end to high and Apixaban is my only med.

[Spencer53 in reply to ramotswe]

One thing overlooked is "how much water are you drinking" When hwp mentions he's not feeling good, it's the first thing I asked because many people over 50 don't drink enough water and dehydration can become a greater problem as we grow older. Something to consider.

[rhyspeace12 in reply to Spencer53]

My husband had the problem of dizziness that ended when he started drinking more water.

[park_bear in reply to ramotswe]

Hmmm. I take it sitting or standing makes no difference, in which case you are not suffering from low blood pressure. I also take it that this lightheadedness started up when you started taking this medication. If that is so then you could try switching to the other medication the doctor suggested.

[beehive23]

orthostatic hypotension.....common in PD. cheers.

[ramotswe in reply to beehive23]

I had a feeling that it might be something like that. Heigh ho -another symptom toget togrips with. I'll research it now. Thank you very much foryour help everyone

[ramotswe in reply to beehive23]

I researched orthotic hypotension and found accindia.org/publication_pd... encouraging for those of us not on meds for PD. Thankyou Beehive23

[beehive23 in reply to ramotswe]

your very welcome...i have it all the time...cheers.

[ramotswe in reply to beehive23]

I'm sorry to hear that. How do you deal with it?