Side effects from Eliquis

[Burgerde]

I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with stage 4 MBC in 8/17 after 10 years of being cancer free following diagnosis of breast cancer Ductal institute stage 0. I have been healthy and they found it in my eye on routine eye exam. I have no mass on mammogram and there are different opinions as to if this was from original cancer or a new undetected cancer. I had multiple small brain mets and had total brain radiation and both eyes for numerous small mets. Repeat MRI 3 months later showed improvement and inactivity. I also have lung, liver, and bone mets. I finished 3 months of taxol. I developed significant neuropathy in my feet however , and repeat CT scans showed no improvement. They also found a blood clot in my lung on scan and I was put on Eliquis as anticoagulant. I have had horrible side effects of poor balance, some cognitive issues, bad nausea, fatigue from brain radiation. I was starting to do better with nausea and then when I started the Eliquis a month ago, I became quite nauseated all over again. I am now on 100 MG of Ibrance and Faslodex but after only 2 weeks my WBC and neutrophil count are so low I have had to hold it for 2 weeks. Has any one experienced a pulmonary embolism and been put on Eliquis and had nausea ? Does lowering the Ibrance dose improve your WBC ? I am getting very discouraged after not being able to enjoy a meal after 6 months and having no energy. I was a very active and now my stamina is so bad I can only walk 30 min on the flat. I am no more nauseated on the Ibrance.

[PJBinMI]

I've been on Eliquis 5 mg twice a day for about three weeks because I have developed a mild exercise induced (mild exercise!)) atrial fibrillation and the cardiologist wanted me on a blood thinner. (He also prescribed compression hose, knee high). I don't think I feel any differently than I have, except I am sleeping better but I attribute that to the pulmonary rehab I am doing where they have me on an exercise bike and recumbent stepper. I have a low tolerance for nausea! I would rather have pain, lol! Pharmacists are often very good sources of info about the meds we are on and sometimes it's easier to reach one of them than our oncs, and other specialists. There are other blood thinners....... Do let the doctor who is prescribing the Eliquis know just how lousy you are feeling. One thing to ask about is whether this is likely to get better over time. Some meds and side effects improve over the first few weeks and it's alot easier to put up with nuisance side effects when we know they are temporary. And Eliquis is one of those drugs that every doctor you see absolutely needs to know you are on! And nurses and phlebotomists who start IVs or inject us. It all adds up, doesn't it!

[SeattleMom]

Hello, Burgerde!

I was 17 years breast cancer-free following Stage 1 diagnosis back in 2000. My Stage 4 diagnosis occurred this past November after which I began regimen of Letrozole and Ibrance. I had to be removed from the Ibrance for a few days on a couple of cycles due to low WBCs but am still on 125 mg regimen. I think the low WBCs are very typical and docs just have to figure out dosage for each individual. I would guess that lowering the dosage will improve your WBC and likely your energy level.

I developed DVT in lower left leg which the docs suspected may have been the result of either the cancer itself or the treatment (who knows?) In any event, I was placed on self-injections of Lovenox for about a month and am now taking Warfarin daily.

Apparently the blood thinners (like Warfarin) don't actually remove the clots but simply prevent their progression and allow the body to gradually dissolve the clots naturally. I had option to be placed on Eliquis which removes the need for scheduling INR checks, but "heard through the grapevine" that there are a number of class action lawsuits related to these newer blood thinners. Warfarin has been "tried and true" for decades, and I decided that the (typically monthly) blood checks were worth the extra inconvenience.

I can tell you that my fatigue level has lessened over time as, presumably, my body has adjusted to "my new normal." I hope the same happens for you. Prayers and good thoughts for you! Linda in Seattle