Does Eliquis affect APS test results?

[annabanana23]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently recovering from my second DVT in 9 months and am on Eliquis.

I've had low positive Igg anti cardiolipin tests in the past, but had negative ones since. Today I got my results back and they are 35 Igg anticardiolipin and 1:160 ANA speckled . Can Eliquis cause false positives? Does this mean I have APS for sure?

I have to wait until Wednesday to speak to my Rheumatologist/APS Specialist but I am very worried. Is APS a death sentence? I'm only 28 and I'm worried that I'll have a reduced life expectancy and can never get pregnant ( I'm allergic to Heparin too

What have your experiences been with APS? Is it possible to lead a normal life?

[rach1081985]

Don't know answer to ur questions if eliquis interfere eith tests.. Aps is not death sentance as long as carefully managed with knowledgeable specialist.. Its very complex.... It is poss to have successful pregnancies etc again catefully managed. Read ny stories iam young 2.. Im 35 this year was diagnosed at 22 and aps journey has been up and down.. I have 2 healthy children 17 and 9 this year.. 1 before diagnosed aps but other carefully monitored and bit more difficult pregnancy and birth. Every story diff... Feel free message me read my stories if you want xx good luck at appointment.. Stay safe

[KelleyH]

Hi Anna-

I'm sorry you're going through this journey with the rest of us, but thankful at your young age you have the advantage to have been tested and diagnosed. I'm unsure if Eliquis affects testing, but I do want you to understand that APS in and of itself is not a death sentence. Yes, it affects your life, puts you in a higher risk category for some things, and can shorten a life if not well managed, but pls don't feel like it dictates your life. You're too young for that.

I did want to speak with you about your allergy to heparin, because I too am allergic to heparin and lovanox shots. Found this out after an anaphylactic reaction and was tested in the hospital and later 4 and 12 months apart. The real allergy is pork, which is odd as I'd eaten pork most of my life! Apparently heparin and lovanox are derived from pork, pig intestines to be exact, are used to make both... Who knew?! I believe because I was taking lovanox injections it lowered my resistance and raised the antihistamines which resulted in an anaphylactic reaction. I'm curious of your experience, as I've not known another with the allergy to heparin.

By the way, while I did suffer 2 miscarriages, I have 3 healthy children, so don't lose hope for a healthy pregnancy. I hope you feel encouraged and supported here. I'd love to hear more of your heparin experience. Take care.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, do you have a specialist who fully understands Hughes Syndrome/APS? With Hughes Syndrome/APS you can go in and out of positive/negative testing. It is important that all three tests are done, two lots 12 weeks apart, which of course is tricky currently. These are the tests, (below), your specialist will know which drugs affect testing, This disease is not a death sentence, most live long lives and have the option of children, and it is important to be under the right team, to help with this, please use this forum for reassurance, information. so many have felt like yourself in the past.

APS antibodies: 1, anticardiolipin, 2, beta-2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), and 3. lupus anticoagulant.

MaryF

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Anna,

Apixiban ( eloquis) should not skew the testing the way warfarin does.

Even on warfarin ( Coumadin) there is still a way a very good aps specialist can add extra steps in the test ( for LA test only of course is this an issue) and test for it even if a patient is on warfarin.

Please tell your doctor ( hematologist) that a few APS patients are being switched to once daily Fondaparinux injections. It’s synthetic heparin- so no porcine allergens to contend with- you are in my mind a good patient to have this discussion with.)

A reversal agent is not an issue- xA factor- so same as rivaroxaban or Apixiban says my Hematologist. Don’t worry about the super expensive one- not necessary. Methodist Hospitals’ pharmacies San Antonio Texas are not even stocking because it was going bad on shelves. Docs were using the more commonly used reversal agent for ribs and Apixiban, my Hematologist told me. ( he had a meeting with the head pharmacist of the Methodist hospital pharmacies.)

I’d say yes- if you are testing positive twice- clotting twice- you meet the criteria.

I clotted through Apixiban also. ( had an APS doc trial it at a high dose- I clot through warfarin. I was on 15 mg twice daily - higher than her normal patient- and clotted in 10 days. ) she also added clopidogrel, and a statin, (which I was already on.)

It’s not suited for the majority of APS patients. That’s not to say some patients don’t do well.